BIBLE LECTURES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 70, 6 May 1946, Page 7

BIBLE LECTURES

‘TRUTH FOR THE TIMES’

SUBJECT OF HEAVEN

Mr Cook continued the ‘Truth for the Times’ lecture series in the Caledonian Hall on Sunday evening last. The subject of the lecture was ‘Heaven’ and Mr Cook showed in introducing the subject that the idea of a life after death was common to most races of mankind though their concepts differed widely. He cited examples of these beliefs from the ancient Egyptians and the Red Indians of North America. Heaven, had for centuries been the cherished hope of Christian people, but unfortunately today it was largely a lost hope. However, the vagueness and uncertainty surrounding this subject were unwarranted because the Bible contained over 700 references to this topic.

The writings of Paul revealed the fact that there were three heavens II Cor. 12:1-4. and Mr Cook showed that the references to Heaven in the Bible were clearly divisible into three distinct groups. The first section referred to the atmospheric Heaven. The second Heaven was the stellar region where the stars, suns & planets persued their appointed courses, while the third heaven according to Paul was the paradise of God and referred to by Solomon as “Heaven Thy Dwelling Place.” Mr Cook quoted various verses referring to the different Heavens to illustrate these divisions. The third Heaven was the place to which Jesus went on His ascension and there, in the “Father’s House” He promised to prepare places for His disciples according to John 14. The lecturer showed how that as far back as Abraham’s day God’s people were looking forward to this Heavenly home. Abraham “looked for a City which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” This was more than wishful thinking on the part of Abraham for Inspiration went on to say “God hath prepared for them a City.” John saw this City and wrote of it in the Revelation Chapter 21. Various features of the City were discussed briefly and an interesting group of figures showed that there would be room in it for all who cared to accept the opportunity. The City was eventually to be transferred to this earth but not in its present condition. God would renew this world cursed by sin as the future home of His people and then the promise would be fulfilled “the meek shall inherit the earth.” Mr Cook proposed the question “What kind of people will inhabit the Heavenly home” and then show-

ed from Philipians 3:21 and Luke 24:49 that they will be real “flesh and bone” men and women. Heaven would not be a spirit existence but we would be physical beings as was Jesus when He rose from the tomb. Many other interesting questions were answered, each one by a text of scripture. Mr Cook showed that personality would be maintained & that the inhabitants would “know & be known” in the kingdom. The children lost in death would certainly be there, they would grow to maturity, and would never again be subject to the diseases which caused their untimely death. Heaven was a real place where real people engaged in real occupations for Isiah prophesied “they shall build houses and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.” They would enjoy the lasting satisfaction of productive labour. Each would produce for his own needs for Isiah continued “they shall not build and another inhabit, they shall not plant and another eat . . . mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” This would be a welcome change to even the best that this world can offer, for even a perfect social scheme could not c r mbat the four great ills of this life, sin, sorrow, pain, and death. These God would wipe away according to Revelation 21:4.

Mr Cook concluded by emphasising the fact that God had made every provision for all who desired, to be there. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” -