Rapture and End Times

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

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According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2021, nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say they believe in heaven. Gallup International in 2023 found that 59% of the global population believes in heaven. Additionally, a survey by AP-NORC in 2023 found that 69% of adults believe in heaven. Therefore, the percentage of the world population that believes in heaven is approximately 59% to 69%, based on the available survey data.

If there is one topic you should get excited about as a believer in Jesus Christ, it is heaven. I would even say if you can’t get excited about heaven, then you need to check your heart because heaven is our eternal home. Everything we do in this life should be geared toward the day we see Jesus face-to-face. Ultimately, he is our eternal reward, and we will have the privilege of spending eternity with him.

Many people picture heaven as a never-ending church service in the sky. Or they think we will all become angels who float around on clouds playing harps for the rest of time. Neither of these make eternity seem very appealing. And both are completely inaccurate according to the Bible.

In fact, heaven will be glorious and full of grandeur. We will experience fullness of joy as we live in the presence of God and fellowship with each other. Let’s explore some facts about heaven, based on the Holy Bible:

In the ethereal transition from the tumultuous end times to the serene expanse of heaven, a divine metamorphosis unfolds. As the curtains of eschatological events draw to a close, a celestial crescendo resounds, echoing the fulfillment of prophecies and the triumph of righteousness. The climactic moment, heralded by the triumphant return of the Lamb, sees the vanquishing of darkness, the eradication of sorrow, and the abolition of death itself.

In the realm beyond time, where eternity dances with the heartbeat of creation, Ecclesiastes 3:11 unveils a profound truth: God has planted eternity in the human heart. In the grand tapestry of existence, every soul yearns for something beyond the confines of the present moment. As we embark on this spiritual journey, let the scriptures be our guide, leading us through the portals of heaven and into the majestic presence of the Almighty.

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Ecclesiastes 3:11 – A Longing for Eternity

Solomon, the wise, declared, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.” This divine yearning, this cosmic echo, speaks of a realm where time bows before the eternal. Heaven, the fulfillment of our deepest longings, beckons us with promises imprinted on our souls.

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John 11:25-26 – The Resurrection and the Life

In the poignant narrative of Lazarus, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Here, the gates of heaven swing wide open, revealing the conqueror of death. In these verses, we find the heartbeat of eternal life pulsating through the promise of Christ.

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John 14:1-3 – Mansions and the Way

As we journey through the words of Jesus in John 14:1-3, we encounter a celestial blueprint. “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” The anticipation of heavenly dwellings unveils the meticulous craftsmanship of our Savior, fashioning a place where the redeemed find eternal rest.

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Romans 8:22-23 – Groaning for Redemption

Creation itself groans, aching for redemption, echoing the verses of Romans 8:22-23. In the celestial realms, the very fabric of existence is set to be liberated. The children of God, yearning for the adoption as sons, await the redemption of their bodies, heralding the glorious manifestation of heaven’s promise.

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Thessalonians 4:16-18 – Caught Up in Glory

As the celestial symphony crescendos, the apostle Paul unveils a divine revelation in Thessalonians 4:16-18. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” The promise of being caught up in the clouds, a glorious reunion in the rapture, ignites the hope that transcends mortal limitations.

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Ephesians 1:13-14 – Sealed with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13-14 portrays a divine seal, an earnest of our inheritance. “In him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” The indwelling of the Spirit becomes a foretaste, a down payment, assuring our hearts of the celestial glory awaiting the faithful.

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Hebrews 12:22-23 – The City of the Living God

The author of Hebrews invites us into the celestial city, the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, in Hebrews 12:22-23. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.” Here, the heavenly Jerusalem, adorned with the righteous spirits of the redeemed, stands as a beacon of eternal communion.

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Revelation 5:13 – Every Creature in Praise

In the celestial throne room, Revelation 5:13 resounds with the anthem of creation. “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” Every fiber of creation bows in worship, attesting to the unrivaled majesty of the Lamb.

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Revelation 21:2 – The New Jerusalem

Behold the revelation of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2, a celestial bride adorned for her Husband. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The consummation of divine love, the union of God and His people, manifests in the resplendent city descending from the heavens.

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Revelation 21:4 – The Wiping of Tears

As we traverse the celestial landscape, Revelation 21:4 offers a balm for the soul. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” The celestial abode becomes a sanctuary where pain and sorrow dissipate, and joy reigns supreme.

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Revelation 21:10-14 – The Glorious Foundation

In the unveiling of the heavenly city’s foundation in Revelation 21:10-14, we witness the brilliance of celestial architecture. Twelve gates, twelve foundations, each adorned with precious stones, stand as a testament to the divine intricacy of the celestial abode. This heavenly Jerusalem, with gates bearing the names of the twelve tribes and foundations graced with the apostles’ names, radiates with eternal significance.

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Revelation 21:18-23 – The Radiance of the Holy City

The celestial spectacle continues to unfold in Revelation 21:18-23, revealing the radiant splendor of the holy city. The gold, pearls, and jewels adorning the New Jerusalem reflect the divine glory. “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” The luminosity of God’s presence permeates every corner of the heavenly abode.

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Revelation 22:3 – The Throne of God and the Lamb

As we approach the conclusion of our celestial journey, Revelation 22:3 unveils the climax of heavenly reality. “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.” The celestial throne, the epicenter of divine sovereignty, becomes the eternal focal point where redeemed hearts find their eternal devotion.

In the grand tapestry of scriptures, woven with promises and visions of heavenly glory, we catch a glimpse of the celestial realms. The symphony of eternity echoes through the corridors of time, drawing us into the embrace of the Almighty. Heaven, the culmination of our deepest yearnings, awaits, inviting us to partake in the everlasting joy of communion with our Creator.

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In the rhythm of eternity, a poetic dance,
Ecclesiastes whispers, a divine romance.
“For He has made all beautiful in its time,”
Eternal echoes, a melody sublime.

John’s gospel hymns, a resurrection song,
“I am the Life, the Resurrection strong.”
Beyond the tomb, where shadows softly flee,
Hope’s cadence lingers in eternity.

Amid the verses of John, a tender plea,
“Let not your hearts be troubled; trust in me.”
Mansions prepared, a celestial soiree,
In the Father’s house, where dreams find their stay.

Romans unveils creation’s silent plea,
Groaning for redemption, longing to be free.
The promise of adoption, redemption’s sweet chord,
In the symphony of heaven, creation is restored.

Thessalonians speaks of a trumpet’s call,
Caught up in glory, the redeemed enthrall.
A cosmic reunion, where saints will rise,
In the twinkling of an eternal sunrise.

Ephesians, a seal of the Spirit’s grace,
A pledge of inheritance, a sacred embrace.
Sealed with promise, in the heavenly story,
A foretaste of glory, a glimpse of glory.

Hebrews sketches a celestial scene,
Mount Zion’s glory, the city pristine.
An assembly of the firstborn, a radiant sight,
Heaven’s embrace, bathed in eternal light.

Revelation’s chorus, a celestial refrain,
Every creature, in unison, proclaim.
“To Him on the throne, and the Lamb who’s slain,”
In heavenly ecstasy, creation’s joy sustains.

Behold the vision, in Revelation’s verse,
The New Jerusalem, a city diverse.
A bride adorned, a love story unfolds,
In streets of gold, eternity molds.

A promise resounds, where tears shall cease,
Revelation whispers, a divine release.
“No more mourning, pain, or death’s bitter gall,”
Heaven’s serenade, a harmonious call.

In the revelation of streets adorned with gold,
Foundations named, apostles of old.
A celestial city, with gates open wide,
Where saints and angels forever abide.

Revelation unveils the city’s bright glow,
No need for sun or moon’s borrowed show.
The Lamb’s lamp aglow, a radiant stream,
In the light of His glory, a celestial dream.

The final verse in Revelation’s song,
A throne where God and the Lamb belong.
No curse remains, in eternal decree,
Heaven’s sanctuary, an eternal jubilee.

In the celestial symphony, Revelation’s theme,
A river of life, a Lamb, and a redeemed.
By the Lord’s grace, we find,
Heaven’s tapestry, beautifully designed.

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The Bible makes clear that there is only one way to heaven, and that is through repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ who said, “I am the way …” (John 14:6). Jesus paid for our sins through His death on the cross. God offers us the free gift of friendship with Him in this life and eternal life in heaven when we die if we will but turn from sin and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved …” (Acts 16:30).

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

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Reader Comments:

There can be no other explanation for this Spiritual longing in our hearts for Eternity.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – A Longing for Eternity

How true this is:

Solomon, the wise, declared, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart.” This divine yearning, this cosmic echo, speaks of a realm where time bows before the eternal. Heaven, the fulfillment of our deepest longings, beckons us with promises imprinted on our souls.

morningstar, February 2, 2024

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