Do you realize how many promises Scripture tells of the rewards that can be received once a person gets to heaven?  We are told we will be judged on our conduct and service to others while we are on earth.

In 1975 Dr. Raymond Moody wrote “Life after Life.”  He recorded experiences from 150 people he had interviewed who were clinically dead and then recovered.  The book gave me a new outlook on what death was like.

He describes what generally occurred.  Their spirit would hover over their body and they could see and hear those surrounding their person.  Some, out-of-body and in spirit, might leave the room or even travel to specific places and hear people talking and repeat what they had heard after reviving.  This refutes the skeptics who believe it is a phenomenon that takes place in the brain and believe they were never really dead.

Dr. Moody explains that many who died went through a dark tunnel and came into a very brilliant light at the end.  Others just felt they were rising above the clouds and viewed earth as an astronaut would.  Christians who saw the bright light believed it was Christ Who had said: “I am the light of the world.”  John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Some spoke of family and friends who had previously died were there to meet them.  Others believe that they met with a religious figure such as Christ who showed them a review of everything they had done to other people.  They were asked: what have you done with your life that you can show me?  It was not asked in a condemning way.  They were then asked if they wished to stay or to return.  Of course those who returned requested to do so.

Revelation 20:12 – “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

To read about the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth read Revelation Chapters 20 thru 22.

Einstein, Edison, Ford, Jobs and others made a difference.  Don’t you think God can create things we could only dream about?  God created the enjoyment of marriage.  He will do whatever it takes to keep us happy with peace and joy in our hearts.  Some of us will die and go to Heaven where God has had years to prepare mansions for us to enjoy.  We then will return with Christ to populate the earth under His control.  He will be able to control the weather as He did on the Sea of Galilee.  We will have an economic system that will be fair to all.  We will have jobs and responsibilities.  We will be given new immortal bodies and will never get sick or die because of how we think, live and what we eat will preserve our imperishable bodies. Do you realize how many health problems and deaths result from having an unforgiving attitude?

In the new world when we live with Christ, we will have our same temperaments; we will remember what we have learned under the world’s old age.  We will live as families and know those who were our friends on earth.  Imagine what the earth will be like with no Satan and everyone living at peace with each other.  There will be no hostilities or fear.  We will get up each day looking forward to what’s ahead.  After the 1000 years on earth those remaining true to Christ will be transported to a new heaven and earth where there will be no oceans only the river of life.  The old world will be destroyed by fire and those who never believed and did not accept Christ will be destroyed forever.  Imagine what God has created for His children who continually obey Him.  I believe it is an impossible dream to envision.

Revelation 21:1 – 5b – “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”   He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

The importance of living a holy life on earth will depend on the rewards we receive in Heaven and with Christ during His reign on earth.  Matthew 5:11 – 12 tells us we will receive a great reward.  Hebrews 6:10 – 12 God will not forget what we have done one earth.  I Corinthians 9:25 – 27 we will receive a crown for overcoming temptation and living a pure life.  I Thessalonians 2:19 we will be given a crown of joy.  II Timothy 4:8 we shall receive a crown of righteousness.   I Peter 5:4 a crown of glory for those who were Christian leaders, such as a ministers,Sunday School teachers or small group leaders.

Revelation 4:10 – 11 – “the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:  “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Would you not want to have a crown that you can lay down before Christ?   Don’t you want to live to please God and keep His commandments?  When we stand before Christ to be judged what do you want written in the Book of Life as described in Revelation 20:12 above?