The Most Common Misconceptions About Heaven

What are some of the misconceptions What are some of the misconceptions about heaven or some of the more about heaven or some of the more about heaven or some of the more difficult questions uh about the difficult questions uh about the difficult questions uh about the afterlife that that you've received as afterlife that that you've received as afterlife that that you've received as pastors? pastors? pastors? >> I I'll say that one of the um >> I I'll say that one of the um >> I I'll say that one of the um inspirations to me anyway for writing inspirations to me anyway for writing inspirations to me anyway for writing the book was was my sense that at least the book was was my sense that at least the book was was my sense that at least the folks that I've been pastoring I the folks that I've been pastoring I the folks that I've been pastoring I think are dealing less with think are dealing less with think are dealing less with misconceptions than with just a lack of misconceptions than with just a lack of misconceptions than with just a lack of conception of heaven. Just a lack of conception of heaven. Just a lack of conception of heaven. Just a lack of >> awareness of it. not not a lot of >> awareness of it. not not a lot of >> awareness of it. not not a lot of attention to it. I that is certainly how attention to it. I that is certainly how attention to it. I that is certainly how I think I lived for far too long in my I think I lived for far too long in my I think I lived for far too long in my Christian life. So maybe I'm just Christian life. So maybe I'm just Christian life. So maybe I'm just preaching to me, but preaching to me, but preaching to me, but >> but um I I I want to raise the questions >> but um I I I want to raise the questions >> but um I I I want to raise the questions that heaven answers that heaven answers that heaven answers >> u because I don't often run into people >> u because I don't often run into people >> u because I don't often run into people who have a lot of questions of their who have a lot of questions of their who have a lot of questions of their own. Um when I do, I I think that a own. Um when I do, I I think that a own. Um when I do, I I think that a couple of the biggest misconceptions couple of the biggest misconceptions couple of the biggest misconceptions that I have seen are the boring heaven's that I have seen are the boring heaven's that I have seen are the boring heaven's going to be boring one and uh it's all going to be boring one and uh it's all going to be boring one and uh it's all about seeing my loved ones again. One M about seeing my loved ones again. One M about seeing my loved ones again. One M I mean the heaven's going to be boring I mean the heaven's going to be boring I mean the heaven's going to be boring one. It comes from just a lot of one. It comes from just a lot of one. It comes from just a lot of misconceptions about the nature of misconceptions about the nature of misconceptions about the nature of heaven. Dis that it's disembodied or heaven. Dis that it's disembodied or heaven. Dis that it's disembodied or that it's somehow con a constriction of that it's somehow con a constriction of that it's somehow con a constriction of the things we love about this world the things we love about this world the things we love about this world rather than expansion of them.

rather than expansion of them. rather than expansion of them. >> I read someone who said that our >> I read someone who said that our >> I read someone who said that our ancestors used to be afraid of hell and ancestors used to be afraid of hell and ancestors used to be afraid of hell and we're afraid of heaven. [laughter] we're afraid of heaven. [laughter] we're afraid of heaven. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And I think there's a little truth to >> And I think there's a little truth to >> And I think there's a little truth to that. that. that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And then I do think it's where I do have >> And then I do think it's where I do have >> And then I do think it's where I do have where I do see people interested in where I do see people interested in where I do see people interested in heaven and talking about it. It's often heaven and talking about it. It's often heaven and talking about it. It's often in the with the hope of seeing loved in the with the hope of seeing loved in the with the hope of seeing loved ones again, which is awesome. It's core. ones again, which is awesome. It's core. ones again, which is awesome. It's core. It's important, but it is not the It's important, but it is not the It's important, but it is not the center. center. center. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think I would agree with you. I >> Yeah. I think I would agree with you. I >> Yeah. I think I would agree with you. I I I see one I see a lot of people with I I see one I see a lot of people with I I see one I see a lot of people with no conceptions and and a lot of that is no conceptions and and a lot of that is no conceptions and and a lot of that is because because because uh you know we we have lived through a uh you know we we have lived through a uh you know we we have lived through a sort of an interesting period where sort of an interesting period where sort of an interesting period where evangelicalism evangelicalism evangelicalism has been influenced by some of the anti- has been influenced by some of the anti- has been influenced by some of the anti- otherworldliness of contemporary forms otherworldliness of contemporary forms otherworldliness of contemporary forms of Christian theology that's that have of Christian theology that's that have of Christian theology that's that have sort of attacked heaven and and saying sort of attacked heaven and and saying sort of attacked heaven and and saying oh you know we have this platonic idea oh you know we have this platonic idea oh you know we have this platonic idea that's been foisted on Christians. And that's been foisted on Christians. And that's been foisted on Christians. And so there's been a lot of here and now so there's been a lot of here and now so there's been a lot of here and now stuff. Forget the pie in the sky by and stuff. Forget the pie in the sky by and stuff. Forget the pie in the sky by and by. And so I think that's dialed. I by. And so I think that's dialed. I by. And so I think that's dialed. I think that's scared some evangelical think that's scared some evangelical think that's scared some evangelical pastors and they've they've responded to pastors and they've they've responded to pastors and they've they've responded to a fear. Oh yeah, we're talking too much a fear. Oh yeah, we're talking too much a fear. Oh yeah, we're talking too much about heaven. We're not really helping about heaven. We're not really helping about heaven. We're not really helping people in the here and now. So people in the here and now. So people in the here and now. So consequently, you got a lot of people consequently, you got a lot of people consequently, you got a lot of people that just don't have any conception at that just don't have any conception at that just don't have any conception at all. So I would agree with you on that.

all. So I would agree with you on that. all. So I would agree with you on that. Here's one I would add. I think there Here's one I would add. I think there Here's one I would add. I think there are fears. I I love the fact that you are fears. I I love the fact that you are fears. I I love the fact that you talked about not only remember death but talked about not only remember death but talked about not only remember death but you know prepare to die well because I you know prepare to die well because I you know prepare to die well because I know a lot of people who have a strong know a lot of people who have a strong know a lot of people who have a strong trust in Christ. They have a as much as trust in Christ. They have a as much as trust in Christ. They have a as much as they can have a certainty that they will they can have a certainty that they will they can have a certainty that they will be with Christ be with Christ be with Christ but they're afraid at the process of but they're afraid at the process of but they're afraid at the process of getting there. So they're actually getting there. So they're actually getting there. So they're actually afraid of the process of dying. afraid of the process of dying. afraid of the process of dying. >> And sometimes that's because of what >> And sometimes that's because of what >> And sometimes that's because of what they've seen. They've had a maybe a a they've seen. They've had a maybe a a they've seen. They've had a maybe a a parent who died hard. Yeah. parent who died hard. Yeah. parent who died hard. Yeah. >> Uh and they're afraid of the process of >> Uh and they're afraid of the process of >> Uh and they're afraid of the process of dying. Or you have people that are you dying. Or you have people that are you dying. Or you have people that are you know you have dementia um you know know you have dementia um you know know you have dementia um you know patients and they they they don't know patients and they they they don't know patients and they they they don't know you anymore and they don't know you anymore and they don't know you anymore and they don't know themselves anymore. I watched one of my themselves anymore. I watched one of my themselves anymore. I watched one of my former elders who is out at at a at a at former elders who is out at at a at a at former elders who is out at at a at a at a home for the elderly a home for the elderly a home for the elderly at the memory care unit one Sunday at the memory care unit one Sunday at the memory care unit one Sunday afternoon not long ago tenderly caring afternoon not long ago tenderly caring afternoon not long ago tenderly caring for his wife for his wife for his wife >> who who has long ago for has no idea who >> who who has long ago for has no idea who >> who who has long ago for has no idea who he is he is he is >> has [clears throat] no idea who she is >> has [clears throat] no idea who she is >> has [clears throat] no idea who she is and he's tenderly and he's tenderly and he's tenderly caring for his wife and I you know I caring for his wife and I you know I caring for his wife and I you know I just want to say Oh, you know, oh, that just want to say Oh, you know, oh, that just want to say Oh, you know, oh, that she could see how this man loves her and she could see how this man loves her and she could see how this man loves her and she doesn't know who he is and he's she doesn't know who he is and he's she doesn't know who he is and he's tenderly cared and that, you know, if tenderly cared and that, you know, if tenderly cared and that, you know, if you see if you if if you're his 30some you see if you if if you're his 30some you see if you if if you're his 30some year old son.

year old son. year old son. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You're scared. Oh my heavens, what would >> You're scared. Oh my heavens, what would >> You're scared. Oh my heavens, what would it be like if I had to go through that it be like if I had to go through that it be like if I had to go through that with my wife or my children or or with my wife or my children or or with my wife or my children or or whatever. So, I think some people are whatever. So, I think some people are whatever. So, I think some people are afraid of the process of getting there. afraid of the process of getting there. afraid of the process of getting there. And I I think that just helping people And I I think that just helping people And I I think that just helping people through that, talking about the process, through that, talking about the process, through that, talking about the process, not just about death and then the not just about death and then the not just about death and then the afterlife, but the process of getting afterlife, but the process of getting afterlife, but the process of getting there is a big deal. And I think what there is a big deal. And I think what there is a big deal. And I think what you just said as well about will I will you just said as well about will I will you just said as well about will I will I see my loved ones in heaven? Will I I see my loved ones in heaven? Will I I see my loved ones in heaven? Will I recognize my loved ones in heaven? And recognize my loved ones in heaven? And recognize my loved ones in heaven? And then being able to then being able to then being able to emphasize that as one of the blessings, emphasize that as one of the blessings, emphasize that as one of the blessings, but not the central thing. That's but not the central thing. That's but not the central thing. That's definitely a part of it. I think people definitely a part of it. I think people definitely a part of it. I think people have questions. What what are our have questions. What what are our have questions. What what are our resurrection bodies going to be like? resurrection bodies going to be like? resurrection bodies going to be like? You know, what what age am I going to You know, what what age am I going to You know, what what age am I going to be? Am I going to still have 70 extra be? Am I going to still have 70 extra be? Am I going to still have 70 extra pounds? You know, am I finally going to pounds? You know, am I finally going to pounds? You know, am I finally going to be at my ideal weight? What's my be at my ideal weight? What's my be at my ideal weight? What's my resurrection body going to be like? resurrection body going to be like? resurrection body going to be like? [clears throat] I I I think there are a [clears throat] I I I think there are a [clears throat] I I I think there are a lot of lot of lot of questions that let you know that people questions that let you know that people questions that let you know that people haven't studied what we can know from haven't studied what we can know from haven't studied what we can know from the scriptures.

the scriptures. the scriptures. And I I I do think allowing the And I I I do think allowing the And I I I do think allowing the scriptures to set the table of the scriptures to set the table of the scriptures to set the table of the priorities saying, "Okay, that's a priorities saying, "Okay, that's a priorities saying, "Okay, that's a question. That's a legitimate question, question. That's a legitimate question, question. That's a legitimate question, but it's interesting that scripture is but it's interesting that scripture is but it's interesting that scripture is most interested in this question." most interested in this question." most interested in this question." >> And most wants to point us to this thing >> And most wants to point us to this thing >> And most wants to point us to this thing to think about and fine to think about to think about and fine to think about to think about and fine to think about that. Theologians have thought about that. Theologians have thought about that. Theologians have thought about that. I can point you to books where that. I can point you to books where that. I can point you to books where they've thought about that. But these they've thought about that. But these they've thought about that. But these are the things that scripture mostly are the things that scripture mostly are the things that scripture mostly wants us to think about. That's a wants us to think about. That's a wants us to think about. That's a privilege too as a pastor to be able to privilege too as a pastor to be able to privilege too as a pastor to be able to I always tell people it's it's the very I always tell people it's it's the very I always tell people it's it's the very often you know people will say oh Jesus often you know people will say oh Jesus often you know people will say oh Jesus asked a lot of questions in in his asked a lot of questions in in his asked a lot of questions in in his ministry and that's true but very often ministry and that's true but very often ministry and that's true but very often the questions he asked were effectively the questions he asked were effectively the questions he asked were effectively saying your question isn't very good let saying your question isn't very good let saying your question isn't very good let me give you a better question [laughter] me give you a better question [laughter] me give you a better question [laughter] to think about right so let Jesus and to think about right so let Jesus and to think about right so let Jesus and the Bible get you asking the most the Bible get you asking the most the Bible get you asking the most important questions especially in this important questions especially in this important questions especially in this area because there's every kind of crazy area because there's every kind of crazy area because there's every kind of crazy speculation out there in popular speculation out there in popular speculation out there in popular literature that your people can get a literature that your people can get a literature that your people can get a hold of. And so that's I think a part of hold of. And so that's I think a part of hold of. And so that's I think a part of helping people process this.

helping people process this. helping people process this. >> Yeah, 100%. I mean, one of the things >> Yeah, 100%. I mean, one of the things >> Yeah, 100%. I mean, one of the things that I I try to say in the introduction that I I try to say in the introduction that I I try to say in the introduction to my book on heaven is that my goal to my book on heaven is that my goal to my book on heaven is that my goal here is not to tell you everything you here is not to tell you everything you here is not to tell you everything you might want to know. Um, it is not a might want to know. Um, it is not a might want to know. Um, it is not a systematic breakdown even of everything systematic breakdown even of everything systematic breakdown even of everything the Bible has to say. the Bible has to say. the Bible has to say. What I'm trying to do is help you to see What I'm trying to do is help you to see What I'm trying to do is help you to see how the Bible applies the hope of heaven how the Bible applies the hope of heaven how the Bible applies the hope of heaven to the Christian life. Because most of to the Christian life. Because most of to the Christian life. Because most of the time when the scriptures go there, the time when the scriptures go there, the time when the scriptures go there, it isn't to answer our speculative it isn't to answer our speculative it isn't to answer our speculative questions. It's to help us questions. It's to help us questions. It's to help us >> to see what we're dealing with in the >> to see what we're dealing with in the >> to see what we're dealing with in the right way and not the wrong way. right way and not the wrong way. right way and not the wrong way. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Priority is key. >> Priority is key. >> Priority is key. >> That's so good. And all of these things >> That's so good. And all of these things >> That's so good. And all of these things converge around the common denominator converge around the common denominator converge around the common denominator of trusting the heart and character of of trusting the heart and character of of trusting the heart and character of God. God. God. >> It's it's finally trusting God that's >> It's it's finally trusting God that's >> It's it's finally trusting God that's going to help us to face the scary going to help us to face the scary going to help us to face the scary prospect of death even those final days prospect of death even those final days prospect of death even those final days and hours. Uh knowing that he'll be with and hours. Uh knowing that he'll be with and hours. Uh knowing that he'll be with us to bring us across the the river us to bring us across the the river us to bring us across the the river Jordan. But it's also trusting his Jordan. But it's also trusting his Jordan. But it's also trusting his revelation in scripture that it's revelation in scripture that it's revelation in scripture that it's sufficient that all of the questions we sufficient that all of the questions we sufficient that all of the questions we may want as uh answered uh if they're may want as uh answered uh if they're may want as uh answered uh if they're not answered for us in scripture, it's not answered for us in scripture, it's not answered for us in scripture, it's because we don't need to know that right because we don't need to know that right because we don't need to know that right now. I love how you put it. Like I think now. I love how you put it. Like I think now. I love how you put it. Like I think one of the best things we can do as one of the best things we can do as one of the best things we can do as pastors is to train our people to trust pastors is to train our people to trust pastors is to train our people to trust Christ. That his revelation is enough Christ. That his revelation is enough Christ. That his revelation is enough and that there's more than enough there and that there's more than enough there and that there's more than enough there for us to chew on, to feed on um and to

for us to chew on, to feed on um and to for us to chew on, to feed on um and to galvanize our hearts to to be ready to galvanize our hearts to to be ready to galvanize our hearts to to be ready to to face um death with courage and with to face um death with courage and with to face um death with courage and with hope. I think maybe the last thing I'll hope. I think maybe the last thing I'll hope. I think maybe the last thing I'll say just because this is a podcast for say just because this is a podcast for say just because this is a podcast for other pastors and uh they might be other pastors and uh they might be other pastors and uh they might be helped by this as I have been. It has helped by this as I have been. It has helped by this as I have been. It has been so helpful to me to to let the been so helpful to me to to let the been so helpful to me to to let the perspective of heaven perspective of heaven perspective of heaven as as where this is all going to end for as as where this is all going to end for as as where this is all going to end for us and for our people us and for our people us and for our people um drive my sense of urgency in the work um drive my sense of urgency in the work um drive my sense of urgency in the work that I'm doing here and now. Um, I try that I'm doing here and now. Um, I try that I'm doing here and now. Um, I try to imagine not just so much what's to imagine not just so much what's to imagine not just so much what's heaven going to be like, but being able heaven going to be like, but being able heaven going to be like, but being able to rejoice in God having come through on to rejoice in God having come through on to rejoice in God having come through on his promises with the people that I his promises with the people that I his promises with the people that I love. One of my favorite images for love. One of my favorite images for love. One of my favorite images for heaven is Isaiah 25. This this feast heaven is Isaiah 25. This this feast heaven is Isaiah 25. This this feast spread for all peoples on the mountain spread for all peoples on the mountain spread for all peoples on the mountain where death gets swallowed up as a as where death gets swallowed up as a as where death gets swallowed up as a as part of the menu. part of the menu. part of the menu. But I love the way it ends because it But I love the way it ends because it But I love the way it ends because it ends with with Israel looking around at ends with with Israel looking around at ends with with Israel looking around at one another saying he's here like we one another saying he's here like we one another saying he's here like we have waited for him. It's communal have waited for him. It's communal have waited for him. It's communal scene, right? Where we're where friends scene, right? Where we're where friends scene, right? Where we're where friends with knowing looks at one another, with knowing looks at one another, with knowing looks at one another, knowing what their joys and their knowing what their joys and their knowing what their joys and their sorrows have been, what their doubts sorrows have been, what their doubts sorrows have been, what their doubts have been. Um knowing what the Lord had have been. Um knowing what the Lord had have been. Um knowing what the Lord had to carry them through to get them to to carry them through to get them to to carry them through to get them to this point. Look at each other and say, this point. Look at each other and say, this point. Look at each other and say, "We waited for him and he's here. He's "We waited for him and he's here. He's "We waited for him and he's here. He's here." Um I'm just longing for that. I'm here." Um I'm just longing for that. I'm here." Um I'm just longing for that. I'm longing for the vindication of our hope longing for the vindication of our hope longing for the vindication of our hope that we'll get to share with one that we'll get to share with one that we'll get to share with one another. And um and and it just helps to another. And um and and it just helps to another. And um and and it just helps to put in perspective some of the stuff put in perspective some of the stuff put in perspective some of the stuff about ministry that can get me down or

about ministry that can get me down or about ministry that can get me down or can can can annoy me. You know, I'll put can can can annoy me. You know, I'll put can can can annoy me. You know, I'll put up with whatever kind of emails I got to up with whatever kind of emails I got to up with whatever kind of emails I got to put up with or misjudgments or put up with or misjudgments or put up with or misjudgments or misunderstandings or or whatever if it misunderstandings or or whatever if it misunderstandings or or whatever if it ends there. [laughter] ends there. [laughter] ends there. [laughter] So, uh let's be that voice crying in the So, uh let's be that voice crying in the So, uh let's be that voice crying in the wilderness until until he comes back to wilderness until until he comes back to wilderness until until he comes back to make all things new. make all things new. make all things new. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And it's not just help for the pastor in And it's not just help for the pastor in And it's not just help for the pastor in terms of how we view our members. It's terms of how we view our members. It's terms of how we view our members. It's also help for them and how they view one also help for them and how they view one also help for them and how they view one another. Hey brothers, sisters, another. Hey brothers, sisters, another. Hey brothers, sisters, >> that other church member that you >> that other church member that you >> that other church member that you struggle to be around, um, guess what? struggle to be around, um, guess what? struggle to be around, um, guess what? One day, if you could just get a glimpse One day, if you could just get a glimpse One day, if you could just get a glimpse >> of what they will look like in 10,000 >> of what they will look like in 10,000 >> of what they will look like in 10,000 years, you would be tempted to fall down years, you would be tempted to fall down years, you would be tempted to fall down and worship them. In other words, it's and worship them. In other words, it's and worship them. In other words, it's it's going to be it's going to be it's going to be >> such a um such a glorious reality that >> such a um such a glorious reality that >> such a um such a glorious reality that our little minds right now can't even our little minds right now can't even our little minds right now can't even comprehend as we get to enjoy Christ comprehend as we get to enjoy Christ comprehend as we get to enjoy Christ together forever. And what a what a way together forever. And what a what a way together forever. And what a what a way to put our current struggles, to put our current struggles, to put our current struggles, frustrations, even conflicts and frustrations, even conflicts and frustrations, even conflicts and divisions into perspective as we long divisions into perspective as we long divisions into perspective as we long for that day when Jesus splits the skies for that day when Jesus splits the skies for that day when Jesus splits the skies to return and make all things new.

to return and make all things new. to return and make all things new. >> Yeah. Amen. And one one final thing I >> Yeah. Amen. And one one final thing I >> Yeah. Amen. And one one final thing I just want to mention is so much of what just want to mention is so much of what just want to mention is so much of what we talked about reminds me of the book we talked about reminds me of the book we talked about reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes. That would be a of Ecclesiastes. That would be a of Ecclesiastes. That would be a practical thing to consider is preaching practical thing to consider is preaching practical thing to consider is preaching through the book of Ecclesiastes. I know through the book of Ecclesiastes. I know through the book of Ecclesiastes. I know it may seem intimidating, but in our it may seem intimidating, but in our it may seem intimidating, but in our cultural moment, I think there's some cultural moment, I think there's some cultural moment, I think there's some really powerful fodder for reaching uh really powerful fodder for reaching uh really powerful fodder for reaching uh not just skeptics, but also death not just skeptics, but also death not just skeptics, but also death averse, death insulated uh believers. averse, death insulated uh believers. averse, death insulated uh believers. Uh, and there's there's a a new book by Uh, and there's there's a a new book by Uh, and there's there's a a new book by our friend Bobby Jameson called our friend Bobby Jameson called our friend Bobby Jameson called Everything is Never Enough. Uh, in fact, Everything is Never Enough. Uh, in fact, Everything is Never Enough. Uh, in fact, it was dedicated in part to you, Matt, it was dedicated in part to you, Matt, it was dedicated in part to you, Matt, and it's it's a wonderful meditation on and it's it's a wonderful meditation on and it's it's a wonderful meditation on death, heaven from the perspective of death, heaven from the perspective of death, heaven from the perspective of someone who had it all under the sun, someone who had it all under the sun, someone who had it all under the sun, >> but found that even that was not enough. >> but found that even that was not enough. >> but found that even that was not enough. Um, and so there are of course other Um, and so there are of course other Um, and so there are of course other David Gibson and other wonderful David Gibson and other wonderful David Gibson and other wonderful resources out there on Ecclesiastes, but resources out there on Ecclesiastes, but resources out there on Ecclesiastes, but um, lean into that book, pastor, and I um, lean into that book, pastor, and I um, lean into that book, pastor, and I think you'll actually find more hope, think you'll actually find more hope, think you'll actually find more hope, joy, and opportunities to preach gospel joy, and opportunities to preach gospel joy, and opportunities to preach gospel grace than you may at first think.