Heaven

[Fish and Bread]

Though I don't claim to have any particular revelation into the afterlife, here's the way I envision heaven:

Earth is recreated as a paradise, with streams and trees and grassy fields and enough to eat for all. We, likewise, are recreated with bodies that can't experience pain, illness, fatigue, and with minds of perfect love and harmony. Having no real physical needs, we all wander through the trees and around the globe each night, stopping only for sleep and playing with the animals, meditating on the glory of creation and thinking deep thoughts. We have company when we want it, but it is not forced upon us. Most of the time, people wander by themselves rarely running into one another. We're always exploring seeing a new area for the first time or exploring our innerpost thoughts and feelings, yet we can go back and revisit familar places and familar feelings at will. The world is infinite. There is sex, but it's more than sex, it's a melding of our hearts and souls, the truest form of the gift. There is food, but it's a tasting of the infinite as well as a fleshly sensation. And, I think, mostly importantly, it's open to all. No one is left out and all is forgiven.

What would be heaven for each of you?

[Wiffey]

Being in the presence of God, experiencing total unconditional love, and having all of my nosy questions about everything answered!
:clap:

[AngCath]

Heaven, to me, is true communion with God in His presence.

[CSMR]

In my view it is very wrong to see heaven as a place where our emotional or physical or intellectual desires are met. That would make heaven the height of sin. Only the desire for God which is not ours but whose image we bear in faith is fulfilled in heaven.

[PaladinValer]

Heaven is the taking up of the Divine energies of God, being transfigurated, a la the Transfiguration, and experiencing the love of God as utter, immesurable love, peace, tranquility, and harmony for eternity.

Hell is simply feeling the love of God to be an utterly painful experience for all eternity.

[karen freeinchristman]

Hell is simply feeling the love of God to be an utterly painful experience for all eternity.
How can the love of God feel painful? :confused:

[gtsecc]

How can the love of God feel painful? :confused:
If you are trying to reject it.
Think of Hell as a State of Beging of trying to reject the Love of God.

[PaladinValer]

How can the love of God feel painful? :confused:

If you reject it, of course it will feel painful.

[Simon_Templar]

In my view it is very wrong to see heaven as a place where our emotional or physical or intellectual desires are met. That would make heaven the height of sin. Only the desire for God which is not ours but whose image we bear in faith is fulfilled in heaven.

How budhist of you :) j/k

desire is not sin, our desires were not born out of the fall, they were created by God. We were created by God as emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings.. all of those facets of our being have needs and desires which are part of our God given nature, not our fallen nature.
The result of the fallen nature was to screw all that up and put everything in the wrong places. All our sinful desires are essentially desires which are elevated out of their proper place, or desires misplaced.

[TomUK]

Though I don't claim to have any particular revelation into the afterlife, here's the way I envision heaven:

Earth is recreated as a paradise, with streams and trees and grassy fields and enough to eat for all. We, likewise, are recreated with bodies that can't experience pain, illness, fatigue, and with minds of perfect love and harmony. Having no real physical needs, we all wander through the trees and around the globe each night, stopping only for sleep and playing with the animals, meditating on the glory of creation and thinking deep thoughts. We have company when we want it, but it is not forced upon us. Most of the time, people wander by themselves rarely running into one another. We're always exploring seeing a new area for the first time or exploring our innerpost thoughts and feelings, yet we can go back and revisit familar places and familar feelings at will. The world is infinite. There is sex, but it's more than sex, it's a melding of our hearts and souls, the truest form of the gift. There is food, but it's a tasting of the infinite as well as a fleshly sensation. And, I think, mostly importantly, it's open to all. No one is left out and all is forgiven.

What would be heaven for each of you?


I agree with your view, except to say that no matter where you turn God is unequivably and unmistakenly there. :clap:

[higgs2]

Though I don't claim to have any particular revelation into the afterlife, here's the way I envision heaven:

Earth is recreated as a paradise, with streams and trees and grassy fields and enough to eat for all. We, likewise, are recreated with bodies that can't experience pain, illness, fatigue, and with minds of perfect love and harmony. Having no real physical needs, we all wander through the trees and around the globe each night, stopping only for sleep and playing with the animals, meditating on the glory of creation and thinking deep thoughts. We have company when we want it, but it is not forced upon us. Most of the time, people wander by themselves rarely running into one another. We're always exploring seeing a new area for the first time or exploring our innerpost thoughts and feelings, yet we can go back and revisit familar places and familar feelings at will. The world is infinite. There is sex, but it's more than sex, it's a melding of our hearts and souls, the truest form of the gift. There is food, but it's a tasting of the infinite as well as a fleshly sensation. And, I think, mostly importantly, it's open to all. No one is left out and all is forgiven.

What would be heaven for each of you?

Here's the thing I always wonder at this type of description of heaven: do we ever get to go inside? Where do we sleep? Do we have to lay on the ground? Do we suddenly enjoy sleeping on the ground so it's okay with us?

[karen freeinchristman]

desire is not sin, our desires were not born out of the fall, they were created by God. We were created by God as emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings.. all of those facets of our being have needs and desires which are part of our God given nature, not our fallen nature.
The result of the fallen nature was to screw all that up and put everything in the wrong places. All our sinful desires are essentially desires which are elevated out of their proper place, or desires misplaced.
Agreed.

But I don't ever imagine Heaven as being a place where we exist in a state of being such as we would have been if we had never fallen - as though our heavenly life will be like a 're-creation', without the fall.

[SirTimothy]

An eternity singing the praises of God is all I ask for.

Timothy

[Iron Sun 254]

An eternity singing the praises of God is all I ask for.

Timothy

And a voice that never tires!

[Fish and Bread]

Here's the thing I always wonder at this type of description of heaven: do we ever get to go inside? Where do we sleep? Do we have to lay on the ground? Do we suddenly enjoy sleeping on the ground so it's okay with us?

The way I imagine it, the outside is so comfortable that we never want to go inside. We sleep if we want to, and it's an incredible restful, relaxing, and refreshing sleep beyond what we've ever experienced before. Laying in a bed of grass is surpremely luxurious. It feels like silk and there are no pests or predators -- the lion lays down with the lamb.

[karen freeinchristman]

The way I imagine it, the outside is so comfortable that we never want to go inside. We sleep if we want to, and it's an incredible restful, relaxing, and refreshing sleep beyond what we've ever experienced before. Laying in a bed of grass is surpremely luxurious. It feels like silk and there are no pests or predators -- the lion lays down with the lamb.
what about insects? I don't enjoy laying on grass often because of insects. I'm not trying to make fun of this view of heaven, but I can't understand how we can have all of that lovely nature without having the natural cycle of life which involves predators and even pests. :confused:

[higgs2]

what about insects? I don't enjoy laying on grass often because of insects. I'm not trying to make fun of this view of heaven, but I can't understand how we can have all of that lovely nature without having the natural cycle of life which involves predators and even pests. :confused:
Yes, and the dew on the grass in the morning! And dirt! I'm just not buying it. In my heaven it will be like Fish n breads but with a 5 start hotel to stay in at night :)

[SirTimothy]

And a voice that never tires!

Amen!

Timothy

[TomUK]

Yes, and the dew on the grass in the morning! And dirt! I'm just not buying it. In my heaven it will be like Fish n breads but with a 5 start hotel to stay in at night :)

Ah, but do animals go to heaven?

[AngCath]

Ah, but do animals go to heaven?

good question!
I think so

[Fish and Bread]

what about insects? I don't enjoy laying on grass often because of insects. I'm not trying to make fun of this view of heaven, but I can't understand how we can have all of that lovely nature without having the natural cycle of life which involves predators and even pests. :confused:

It's a new earth, it operates under a new set of physics and natural law. :) It might look similar to what we have now in some respects, but it'd be different on the level of quirks and atoms and so forth. :)

[higgs2]

It's a new earth, it operates under a new set of physics and natural law. :) It might look similar to what we have now in some respects, but it'd be different on the level of quirks and atoms and so forth. :)
I was not making fun of this view of heaven either. I really do think about having to sleep on the ground and stuff like that. I would not make it one hour on Survivor.

[Fish and Bread]

I was not making fun of this view of heaven either. I really do think about having to sleep on the ground and stuff like that. I would not make it one hour on Survivor.
Nor would I. Too much exertion, given my health problems. However, I have a feeling Survivor would be easier in the next world with our new perfect flawless bodies. I imagine feeling no pain or even mental anguish, just beauty and goodness. And the cockroaches would all taste like prime rib. :)

[karen freeinchristman]

And the cockroaches would all taste like prime rib. :)
You're not getting ME to eat a cockroach!!! :eek: :sick:

[Fish and Bread]

You're not getting ME to eat a cockroach!!! :eek: :sick:

Why not? They're high in protein. ;) Very filling. ;)

[pmcleanj]

Why not? They're high in protein. ;) Very filling. ;)
No-o-o-o- :cry:

Don't let him eat Archie! :(

What kind of a heaven would that be???

You want something that tastes like prime rib, go eat grass with the rest of the redeemed carnivores!

[TomUK]

You want something that tastes like prime rib, go eat grass with the rest of the redeemed carnivores!

:D :D :D

The best laugh of the day!

[higgs2]

EEEEWWWWWW!!! Ick. :sick:

[PaladinValer]

<---likes leafy greens

<---but also likes prime rib

**Begins to stalk Higgs2**

^_^^_^^_^

[higgs2]

<---likes leafy greens

<---but also likes prime rib

**Begins to stalk Higgs2**

^_^^_^^_^

oh drat. :o <hands paladinvaler a salad> :sorry:

[PaladinValer]

Thank you!

**Pounces on Higgs2**

Hey Pam! I gots another body for the cellar! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[Simon_Templar]

Agreed.

But I don't ever imagine Heaven as being a place where we exist in a state of being such as we would have been if we had never fallen - as though our heavenly life will be like a 're-creation', without the fall.

I agree in a sense. I don't think God wants a "redo"... if he did, he could have :)
I actually pretty much hold to the hebrew vision of heaven as seven different 'places' each full of different wonders and alot of bizzare things. I think that the saints reside in a part of third heaven which is kind of like a heavenly version of the garden of eden.. or possibly the garden of eden removed to a heavenly dimension. (yes I know this is a bit strange)

I don't think that we will live in heaven proper after the end of this world. Rather there will be a new earth and the city of new jerusalem, which is part of heaven will descend so that heaven will literally be on earth and God will dwell in the heavenly city (which by the way is described in Hebrew 12 and we are already citizens of it).

I don't think it will be like it was at creation... but rather it will be like it was intended to be. God had a goal in mind when he created this universe and that goal will be achieved despite our rebellion and willfulness :) In a sense all of history is the story of God allowing us freewill and yet making our freewill achieve his purposes wether we like it or not.

[higgs2]

Thank you!

**Pounces on Higgs2**

Hey Pam! I gots another body for the cellar! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^
mmmmphhh! :help:

[TomUK]

Just read this earlier and thought i'd share it with you.

I heaven we shall know as we are known, perfectly ourselves and perfectly related to one another. It is because heaven is such a particpation in the communion of God's love that it is right to believe that we shall see and know those whom we have we have loved, but we shnall see them and know them in God... Human destiny in heave will not be attainment of an eternal and static pefection, but rather an everlasting participation in the exploration of the inexhaustible riches of the divine nature.

From The Mystery of Salvation, a Church of England report.

[karen freeinchristman]

Just read this earlier and thought i'd share it with you.

I heaven we shall know as we are known, perfectly ourselves and perfectly related to one another. It is because heaven is such a particpation in the communion of God's love that it is right to believe that we shall see and know those whom we have we have loved, but we shnall see them and know them in God... Human destiny in heave will not be attainment of an eternal and static pefection, but rather an everlasting participation in the exploration of the inexhaustible riches of the divine nature.

From The Mystery of Salvation, a Church of England report.
I like that! :thumbsup:


By the way, I was just lurking around the Dispensationalism board the other day, because (under-educated, me) I didn't know what the word meant. WELL... that was a surprise!

As far as I can tell from reading one of their threads, the Jews will be the dwellers of the new Earth, and the Gentiles will be in the new Heaven... am I getting this right??? :confused:

[xLoopyLassx]

Hmm.. i'm not sure how to answer this. Heaven in my opinion would be peace and harmony , no suffering (obviously) and everyone is happy all the time..

[Fish and Bread]

As far as I can tell from reading one of their threads, the Jews will be the dwellers of the new Earth, and the Gentiles will be in the new Heaven

Is it too late for me to convert to Judiasm? ;)

[CSMR]

How budhist of you :) j/k

desire is not sin, our desires were not born out of the fall, they were created by God. We were created by God as emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings.. all of those facets of our being have needs and desires which are part of our God given nature, not our fallen nature.

The result of the fallen nature was to screw all that up and put everything in the wrong places. All our sinful desires are essentially desires which are elevated out of their proper place, or desires misplaced.
By desires I meant the desires that we have, not our desires in Adam prior to the fall if any such can be understood.

[Tiger lover]

Jesus love us and I like jesus so much I the BiBle Matthew is 19:23

[Andy Broadley]

Though I don't claim to have any particular revelation into the afterlife, here's the way I envision heaven:

Earth is recreated as a paradise, with streams and trees and grassy fields and enough to eat for all. We, likewise, are recreated with bodies that can't experience pain, illness, fatigue, and with minds of perfect love and harmony. Having no real physical needs, we all wander through the trees and around the globe each night, stopping only for sleep and playing with the animals, meditating on the glory of creation and thinking deep thoughts. We have company when we want it, but it is not forced upon us. Most of the time, people wander by themselves rarely running into one another. We're always exploring seeing a new area for the first time or exploring our innerpost thoughts and feelings, yet we can go back and revisit familar places and familar feelings at will. The world is infinite. There is sex, but it's more than sex, it's a melding of our hearts and souls, the truest form of the gift. There is food, but it's a tasting of the infinite as well as a fleshly sensation. And, I think, mostly importantly, it's open to all. No one is left out and all is forgiven.

What would be heaven for each of you?
Sounds like Wales to me...*wink*

[Andy Broadley]

Hmm.. i'm not sure how to answer this. Heaven in my opinion would be peace and harmony , no suffering (obviously) and everyone is happy all the time..
So, Heaven is an eternal Butlins ad.

Sorry, it's been a long day and I get flippent when I'm tired.

I shall surrender myself to be stoned tomorrow.

[Andy Broadley]

Thank you!

**Pounces on Higgs2**

Hey Pam! I gots another body for the cellar! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^
The return of the King.

Long we have awaited this day Your Highness

[Fish and Bread]

Sounds like Wales to me...*wink*

I always suspected that the Welsh were on to something. ;)

[higgs2]

The return of the King.

Long we have awaited this day Your Highness

Well, thanks a lot.

I thought people only got eaten in the Alehouse, anyhow.:mad:

[karen freeinchristman]

Well, thanks a lot.

I thought people only got eaten in the Alehouse, anyhow.:mad:

There's no escape!!! :P

[higgs2]

There's no escape!!! :P
I'm a little offended that no one seems to be upset (or even notice) that I have apparently been *eaten*! :mad: It's really just not fair. :cry: (Can you tell I've been spending a lot of time with 4 and 8 year olds?)

[pmcleanj]

I'm a little offended that no one seems to be upset (or even notice) that I have apparently been *eaten*! :mad: It's really just not fair. :cry:
Well, you could have stayed at the refugee camp. Where would you rather be, in a nice warm mithril stomache dedicated to eating Anglicans and Old Catholics, or in a drafty tent in a refugee camp somewhere? Hmmm?

[higgs2]

Well, you could have stayed at the refugee camp. Where would you rather be, in a nice warm mithril stomache dedicated to eating Anglicans and Old Catholics, or in a drafty tent in a refugee camp somewhere? Hmmm?
Yes, well as I remember the tent was pretty nice and not at all drafty. And there was a hot tub. And pinacoladas.

[Andy Broadley]

lol. As tangents go, this is a beaut.