Tell me about Heaven

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Somebody asked me in our club today:

DO YOU THINK I WILL SEE MY WIFE WHO DIED LAST YEAR – WILL WE MEET IN HEAVEN???<

I gave him my absolute convincement in a cheerful and clear: YES OF COURSE.

Of course we love to think, that wife and husband is “reunited” when the last of the two died. Sure; in a way it is so. I love to see my son again who was murdered in 1997 too then. And we will see! No question about that!

But:

We are not married then, as Jesus pointed out in Matthew 22:30, but we will (if we are allowed to heaven) be like the Angels.
Don’t bother about “ghosts or spirits” we then will be, as then we are “WE OURSELVES” as we actually are (minus of course some unpleasant dots and spots here and there). But we are finally WE, as God wanted us. This body we have, is nothing else than a diving suit, we have to wear to get along in the rough substance we live in here on earth.

Don’t worry either about a “confused version of our beliefs“ for none of us – not even the pope himself knows more, than what Jesus told us, when He said as St. Paul recited in 1 Cor 2:9: “what no eye ever has seen, no ear ever has heard, no mind ever has conceived, God has prepared for those who love him”

So, simply let’s be full of joy in gladder anticipation for the things we shall live to see, when out actual life begins, in heaven with God.

The Bible is full of joy and delight and how often Jesus said “Don’t be afraid“! So, lets be cheerful as what we will se is greater than any human ever could think of, and God is just an armlengh away from us now and always. Let’s trust in God, who so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Joh 3:16
**

 

[Starwynd]

So what happens in heaven if a guy married twice? And the person who he was married to had also been previously married?

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Jesus Himself answered this question: in among other passages here:
Luke 20:27 and following: The Resurrection and Marriage

Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
Jesus replied:
"You did not understand the scripture. The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.“
**

 

[Todd_Easton]

Jesus said that the rich man recognized Abraham and Lazarus after death, and even conversed with Abraham (Luke 16:19-31), so there is every reason to believe that we will also recognize and converse with our loved ones in the afterlife.

**

This body we have, is nothing else than a diving suit, we have to wear to get along in the rough substance we live in here on earth.

**

Our bodies are an integral part of who we are. Our eternal destiny is not to live as spirits only but to live as embodied spirits. There will indeed be incomprehensible joys in heaven for those who die in God’s friendship yet even those joys will not be fully realized until our bodies are resurrected on the Last Day.

 

[EB4304]

Marriage is a Sacrament - it leaves an indelible mark on your soul. We don’t marry in Heaven just as we aren’t baptized or Confirmed in Heaven. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t married in Eternal Life.

I once asked Peter Kreeft the question that you’re asking, and he said that Catholics believe that grace perfects nature - it does not tear down what it begins to beautifully build. So, in his words, you are “perfectly married” in Heaven - whatever wonderful bliss and joy that may be, I do not know.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

there is every reason to believe that we will also recognize and converse with our loved ones in the afterlife.

Certainly this is so. Our loved ones are our brothers and sisters in God as well as those we where related to on earth. (Wife Husband Brother Sister).
Let’s remember, that we are, as we all originate of God, ALL related in all the same relationship to this Papuan lady on the other side of the world we never knew of, as to our son. As God who created and wanted us loves this person all the same as us ourselves, we, after we had seen God, will recognise Gods love who connects us both into the one and only status that counts: Child of God.

Marriage is a Sacrament - it leaves an indelible mark on your soul. We don’t marry in Heaven just as we aren’t baptized or Confirmed in Heaven. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t married in Eternal Life.

That’s pecicely what God (Jesus) sais; we are not longer married in heaven (Lukas 20:27-40). The reason seems obvious: We will love all in heaven alike and we are related to all in heaven alike.
This never tear down any of the loving movements, sacraments, gifts God gave us, but it unfolds them further to a much greater extend. We are not in the state to turn Jesus words into our better liking, just because we by now, don’t really understand.

Yes “Heaven - whatever wonderful bliss and joy that may be, we do not know, but we will see.
But not only that, for in the Holy Bible we read a lot about heavens and with our believing heart and , we see more than with our eyes.

Our bodies are an integral part of who we are. Our eternal destiny is not to live as spirits only but to live as embodied spirits. There will indeed be incomprehensible joys in heaven for those who die in God’s friendship yet even those joys will not be fully realized until our bodies are resurrected on the Last Day.

We think so, because we don’t know really. Where we take our bodies from, that had been dust and who’s atoms had been other tings too, explains the Catholic Encyclopedia for Theology and Church such: The spirit of the person will take that body “wherefrom so ever”.
So, let’s this not be our problem today, as first challenge will be; to get into heaven at all, as many will not as we read in Matthew 7,13.
What moves people far more though, is the question IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE, will we all meet there, will I get there.
Those questions are widely answered in the Bible. Let’s spend confidence in heaven to those, who find it hard to believe, would love to believe or rather understand, and ask for help. There are many.

**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Matthew 13:44: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

So,

Why don’t we buy that field and have it and share it with all we know.

The fancy thing is – the more we share that field, the more we will have and own. Essential condition is;
Our believe, our love, our trust in God.

On every Dollar note we spend, we tell the world “IN GOD WE TRUST” –
Do we?

If we do, we know all the bible tells us about heaven, and we don’t just believe it, but we live in it. Life in the knowledge of heavens is quite a different one, from just “living”.

**

 

[myredeemerlives]

I thought that field was talking about us and Jesus giving all he had to purchase that field.

He purchased us by His own blood. We won’t be married in heaven because Christians are the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom. We will be united with Christ forever when He comes.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**That field is our life. The treasure buried in that field is faith. If we find that treasure called faith, we will have the life – the eternal life. Jesus did not purchase this field, He gave us all He had to purchase it, if we have enough believe to find that treasure of life, which leads us to heaven. Jesus gave us his life as Son on men.

The question “tell me about heaven”, I’m very often asked by people, believers as disbelievers both alike, because they want to know, how I, being a firmly believing roman Catholic, see heaven.

Well, I see heaven as we all are told by the Holy Bible, where Jesus Himself tells us as much as we are able to understand about heaven.
Let me mention Genesis 28:12-16 and very many other verses in the bible, ending in the Revelation 4:1-5:14

Most joyful part though, remains for all times the Word of Jesus Christ in Joh 14:2:
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

Thomas too asked Jesus How should we know the way? And Jesus answered: I AM THE WAY.
**

 

[SarahR]

Marriage is a Sacrament - it leaves an indelible mark on your soul. We don’t marry in Heaven just as we aren’t baptized or Confirmed in Heaven. That doesn’t mean that you aren’t married in Eternal Life.
.

Only the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders leave an indelible mark on the soul.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

Only the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders leave an indelible mark on the soul.

That’s not quite right Dear. Marriage too is a Sacrament - it leaves truly an indelible mark on your soul. We learn this not only in Eph 5:31:

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

but Jesus told us on several points in the Holy Scriptures, like 1Cor 6:16 Matthew 19:6 or Marc 10:9 and more.
That’s why the Church doesn’t (yet) allow a further marriage after divorce.
It’s all got to do with the order to love each other.

A very silly man told me when I said the above; ok then, it’s allright, when I “make love” with a prostitute. Now Jesus knew such thoughts too as Jesus knows all of our life, and He warned us such: 1Cor 6:16

Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**We did not really answer the question “tell me about heaven” which I was asked such or similar many times by sceptics, who wanted to know, if Christians REALLY believe, that after death life begins, or if that statement is merely a myth or allegory.

I often assured; yes I do believe, that live – the real life begins right after death. I’m convinced of the REAL life, beginning with our earthen death, when we are free of material, being just ourselves and seeing God, ready to be judged on our doing and not doing.

Further, such questions are not only for the believe in life after death, but how it could be explained to live right after death, or not before day of judgement. Do we look as we look now, and ever so many other questions I’m asked when I make the statement of absolute believe in God.
The one and only reason of such statements, are the encouragement of sceptics to finally believe in God.

So, with your answer, you might help many.
**

 

[bbentrup]

Back in November, Zenit News Agency, the Papal newspaper published two amazing reflections on this.

This is the first, zenit.org/article-20957?l=english, a homily by Fr. Cantalamessa, the pope’s homilist at his daily mass. It is an amazing read.

The second is a final letter of a 20th century church martyr of Spain to his girlfriend on the eve of his execution, exhorting her to holiness. Here is the link: zenit.org/article-20956?l=english.

Both are short and make for fabulous reading, telling us about the nature of love and marriage in heaven. God bless! :heaven:

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Often people might remark: “Nobody ever came back - so how should we know?”.

Oh, we know such a lot about heaven, and what we know, we know from God himself – and from Jesus Christ, who is the one and only Son of God and God Himself in the Holy Trinity of God. Jesus also is the one and only Person, who ever saw God, and who saw Jesus, saw the Father (John 14:9)

Moses too saw God, but God didn’t allow Moses to see His face. When Moses asked in (Ex 33:18) show me your glory, God didn’t grant that wish (Ex 33:20) but God held Moses Eyes when He stood before Moses, so Moses war allowed only to see the back of God, when God went. (Ex 33:21).

But when Moses brought good tidings from God, people already worshiped the golden calf.

Jesus though, brought us the Good News directly from the full awareness of God (John 1,18) and it was Jesus who promised us an eternal life on His side in a so great and loving atmosphere in the presence of God, that Jesus matched with “a meal” in Matthew 26:29
But will stay the greatest we might have a presentiment of as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”.

So, let’s be in happy expectation and throw overboard all misery and illhumorous feelings that mislead us too often, and too often away from God.

One must recognice a Christian through this Christians happyness nd pleasure any joy Jesus Chist so often encuraged us to be.**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**We, when we where kids, often thought:
What, when we’d been in heaven and came back as is we where with Granny?

Well – let’s think now about that. It’s no childish pipe dream at all…

According to all we know about heaven – which is - remember, a lot we where told by the Prophets and later by Jesus.

Now; imagine we had been there, and as we all know; who’s heart is full, that’s mouth won’t stand still.

So, we’d tell anybody we meet: BELIEVE IN GOD and you will see and experience and live what no eye ever saw, and no ear never heard; the glory and the power and the kingdom of God we are allowed to share.
**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

in my posting above is a spelling mistake.
It ought to be the childrens thought:

What, when we’d been in heaven and came back just as if we had been with Granny?

sorry - my English

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Last night a lady asked me:

Do you REALLY believe in what you say? Do you think you will go on living in heaven after you die? I don’t believe in hell, and I’m not at all sure about heaven for a start, and all the rest… – I just don’t know<
This lady is Catholic and quite frequently attends the holy mass.
This is a “just in case” behaviour we often come across.
About the same unsureness as that atheist in my club whom I asked: “and what, if it’s all true after all?!” (embarrassed silence).
“I don’t know” is a bad excuse, for we DO KNOW!

Of course I do believe in what I say – the word of Christ. It’s as true as our life is real. I told that lady, if you don’t believe in hell, you call Jesus a teller of fairy tales. Do you really think Jesus, who unmasked the devil for us and explained Satan’s doing among us, told us lies?! Definitely not. Jesus did not want to make us fearful – he asked us to be joyful.
Do you think the Holy Bible, which is Jesus Christ’s manifestation and enlightning of all there is beyond our perception and all about God, as far as we can understand if we want to understand – is all just a fake?!
Would Jesus Christ who with his exterritorial mind and knowledge (he taught academics when He was 12) would He who is God, have gone to the cross? Wouldn’t he rather with all his overwhelming wisdom, have become emperor then?

No. God wanted us in His everlasting kingdom and He told us the outmost we’re able to hold. In John 16:12 Jesus says: I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.

But; - it’s such a lot Jesus told us already, that 2000 years hadn’t been - and another 2000 years won’t be, enough to seize it all. Halleluja.
All we have to do, is to believe.

**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**And when we believe, we do have some kind of perception, of what I’ll be like when we arrive in our final destination

The full glory of Gods kingdom we’ll never grasp, as no eye ever saw. But wherever we go on earth, we do have an idea of what’s expecting us.

So what imagination do you have. In other words, what would you say to someone who first came to Christianity, when your’e asked: Tell me about heaven.

Or…
Could it be, that we must admit never to have thought twice about it?
**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**I dare say: Until now – ever since August – you didn’t answer a thing about heaven. Disappointing to someone who really wants to know if and why and what you believe.
When you say you have faith in God, this question ought not to disturb you.

So let me insist; when you’re asked: Tell me about heaven.

I’d answer:
Oh – unbelievably great. Everything just great. Now where should I start;
God Himself?
Yes, you’d see God who ever was and ever will be and gave you the chance to live with him (if not a human being took away this chance from the one you would have been, if not aborted).
You yourself in Gods kingdom?
Yes, you’ll feel just great. No gravity that pulls on you and makes you tired,
No illness, no pains, nothing that troubles you
The kingdom itself?
Yes, nicer, more beautiful, greater, more extraordinary than the most wonderful you can think of. It was God Himself through His Son Jesus, that it’s so beautiful, what no eye on earth ever saw, and no ear ever heard.
And in John 16:12 Jesus again remarked, that it all is so great, that now, as humans, we wouldn’t be able to bear it to hear about gorgeousness and our longing to get there would overwhelm us.

That’s why a Christian ought to be happy ever and ever, and even when he is ill or something dreadful happened.

Thank you dear God, that we know you are! And actually know more about You, than we deserve to know.
**

 

[rocketrob]

Only the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders leave an indelible mark on the soul.

That’s not quite right Dear. Marriage too is a Sacrament - it leaves truly an indelible mark on your soul. We learn this not only in Eph 5:31:
but Jesus told us on several points in the Holy Scriptures, like 1Cor 6:16 Matthew 19:6 or Marc 10:9 and more.
That’s why the Church doesn’t (yet) allow a further marriage after divorce.

Bruno,
Sarah is ***exactly ***right. The following articles from the Catechism make this clear:

Article 1272
Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

Article 1304
Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark, the “character,” which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be his witness.

Article 1582
As in the case of Baptism and Confirmation this share in Christ’s office is granted once for all. The sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other two, confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily.

Marriage is in fact a sacrament in the Catholic Church, like several others. But it does not impart the same type of indelible spiritual mark as described above. The marriage bond, established by God, is in fact perpetual and indissoluble, but this is not the result of a spiritual ‘mark’ placed upon the spouses.

Article 1638
“From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament.”

Article 1640
Thus the marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom.

Sincerely,
rocketrob