Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home (Clear Answers to 44 Real Questions About the Afterlife, Angels, Resurrection, and the Kingdom of God)

I loved this book. wonderful book on heaven. I learned so much. It's in a great format answering a lot of questions you might have. Based on biblical scripture. Seems to be one of the few resources that has so much information just on heaven. Comforting and exciting to read! Recommend this to anyone who has lost a loved one who was a Christian and needs encouragement and to anyone who wants to know what a loving Father in Heaven we have and what a perfect Messiah Jesus Christ is. Without his dying on the cross for the sins of the world, heaven would be closed to all mankind. Do not be deceived either, no one on earth will ever be the Messiah again. Only Jesus will return in the clouds at the end of Armageddon with all His saints. He will not be a world leader before this happens. He will not be a prophet, a speaker, a priest on earth again until He returns out of HEAVEN in the clouds with all the saints. He died on the cross, and was resurrected the third day. He was seen by many on earth in his resurrected body. He later ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of the Father. He was seen in his glorified Body. Christ remains in His glorified body. He was a Jew and from the line of David and Abraham and then Noah and Adam and Eve. He will not been seen before the second coming when he arrives out of the clouds at Armageddon. He will not be in the temple before He arrives at second coming out of the clouds at Armageddon. He will not be found in the inner rooms. He will not be in the desert. He will not broker a peace deal for the middle east. He will not change marriage laws between a man and a woman. He will not combine all the different religious faiths of the world into one. He will not rule with Muhammad on a shared thrown. Jesus is the Only Final ruler. The bible and it's laws should not be changed by mankind. Jesus will come and conquer with his saints at Armageddon. Anyone on planet earth that claims to be the messiah before Armageddon is a false messiah. Jesus will appear in his glorified body as the son of God, who will maintain His Jewish identity. He will not be of mixed races, He was from the Jewish family line. All nations and races will however be a part of Gods family, but Jesus was the son of God, born into the line of King David with his mother Mary being a Jew from the line of King David. He will not look like another people group, or a mix of other peoples. But He does accept all peoples and nations into the family of God, through their belief in Him as the Savior and the promised redeemer promised by God at the foundation of the world, they are adopted and grafted into the vine.. He is the only way into heaven and salvation and eternal life. He is the only one who can forgive sins. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, there is no other. He never sinned and never lied. He was never married nor did he ever participate in any sexual behavior. He was sexually pure from birth to death. He will remain sexually pure and He will never marry a human woman. He had no biological children. He was God incarnate. He will never be born as a baby on earth again. He died at the age of 33. He will return as a mature man, having spent the last 2014 years to date at the right hand of the Father at His thrown in heaven and also as the Holy Spirit on earth indwelling in His believers/followers on earth. The bible never changes, Gods word never changes, Gods laws are forever. God always delivers on the promises in His word. Study the bible, pray share your sorrows and hopes with the Lord, ask for healing, help and care during these most difficult time ever in humanity. Learn what is sin and turn away from it, purify your life and receive the protection, love and blessing of Jesus Christ. Be prepared for testing and trials, and be assured through Jesus that you will be released from them and enter into His Kingdom if you accept His offer of grace and forgiveness, as you also repent of your sins. Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.

While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God] (Romans 5:6-11, AMP). And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity]. The Wisdom of God For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. For it is written and forever remains written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [the philosophy of the philosophers], And the cleverness of the clever [who do not know Me] I will nullify.” Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort]. Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth. But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1: 18-31, AMP). What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “For Your sake we are put to death all day long; We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39, AMP). Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on Godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:1-2, AMP). Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly LIVE? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! (Hebrews 12:1-13, The Message). Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! (Romans 11:33). “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the [verdict] judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him]” (John 3: 16-21, AMP, NLT). Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ. But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you. Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God. Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable (2 Corinthians 4:1-18, AMP). After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 7:9-12, NLT). ADDITIONAL RECCOMENDATIONS: - Repentance: The first word of the Gospel by Richard Owen Roberts - Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans - Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans - Mere Christianity - The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer - Knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer - Knowing God by J.I. Packer - The Kingdom Man/Woman by Tony Evans - Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual by John Eckhardt - Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Meyer - Prayer by Timothy Keller - The Battle Plan for Prayer - Powerful Prayers in the war room by Daniel B. Lancaster - Prayers that rout demons by John Eckhardt - 21 prayers of Gratitude by Shelley Hitz - Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller - Kings cross by Timothy Keller - Experiencing the presence of God by A.W. Tozer - In His Presence by E.W. Kenyon - Jesus always by Sarah Young - Jesus is calling by Sarah Young - Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. - The freedom of self forgetfulness by Timothy Keller - My utmost for His Highest by Discovery House Publishers - The crucified life A.W. Tozer - The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken - The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken - Trusting God by Jerry Bridges - The Treasure Principle also by Randy Alcorn - Safely home also by Randy Alcorn - Edge of Eternity also by Randy Alcorn - The Reason for God by Timothy Keller - On Guard by Dr. William Lane Craig - Reasonable Faith by Dr. William Lane Craig - I don't have enough faith to be an atheist - The case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ by Bran Pitre - The case for Christ by Lee Strobel - Stealing from God by Frank Turek, Ravi Zacharias - Cold case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace - Tactics: A game plan for discussing your Christian Convictions

Today is Christmas Day, so why am I writing a book review? Well, what better day, other than Easter, I suppose to write a review of a book called *Heaven*. *Heaven* is the simple title of the very important and doctrinally significant book by Randy Alcorn. I first heard about the book when some friends recommended it to me. I picked it up eventually, and boy am I glad that I did. The book has truly revolutionized my thinking about the subjects of Heaven and eternity. I know that that may sound somewhat trite, so say that it "revolutionized" my thinking, but it is so true. Before reading this book, I was stuck in the trap of what Alcorn terms to be "Christoplatonism". This word is his own invention to describe the corrupting influence of the anti-material vision of Platonic thought on Christianity throughout the ages. This corruption is the reason for a great deal of the misconceptions that we have about the subject of heaven and eternity. When most people think of Heaven, they think of this strange, disembodied, "other" place. The idea of real flesh and blood bodies in glory is foreign to many. For that matter, though we all give lip service to the idea of resurrection, we seem to think that the New Earth is somehow totally unrelated to our own earth. We think it will be otherwordly. In other words, we think that New Earth will be very *un*-Earthlike. Alcorn corrects, this, helping us to see that our misconceptions about Heaven are, in fact, blasphemous. We presume that God has so failed that He will just throw up His hands and destroy everything. The devil has thwarted God. Satan has won. That is, of course, chillingly blasphemous to say, or contemplate. It is, however, what we think, whether we realize it or not. We think the Devil has won so small victory by tempting Adam and Eve into sin. Of course, he has NOT won a victory at all. Alcorn points our many, MANY passages to prove how the intermediate Heaven (the term for the Heaven people reside in now with God until the end of time on the present earth) is an absolute Paradise, just as Jesus told the thief on the Cross. We will do so many wondrous things therein, and any thing that we. don't do in the intermediate Heaven, (and this is the exciting part) we WILL do on the New Earth, which will be the permanent Heaven. Animals, physical activity, adventures, great literature, every great creation of God, and the few marvellous creations of man as sub-creators under Him, will be there together on a perfected world. Only this time, life will be forever, and there will be no more sickness and death. We will be able to increase in science, learning, do meaningful work, and worship the King Jesus as we see Him face to face! Just think of it all! Praise God! HOOAH!!! I doubt that I have done this book justice, but I will close out the review anyway, with the following tidbits. There is suffering due to the Curse and sin in our present Earth. However, some suffer more than others. For all of those who suffer or go without, as we all do to some extent in our limited lifespans with limited abilities and resources, remember that life is NOT over. Life on earth is not over either. Someday, the old heavens and earth will be rolled back and replaced with a new heavens and earth. They will not be a different heavens and earth, but a new owe that is an improvement on the old, with Eden replaced by the New Earth. As Alcorn says, we live between Eden and the New Earth. God will bring down the New Jerusalem, and we will live forever with Him. Any geographic features you want to see, you will see, any jobs you want to do, you will do, and the relationships you wanted to have but couldn't, you WILL HAVE. This is contingent on one point though. You must accept the Lord Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, God Himself, as your Lord and Savior. You must realize that we are all born as sinners, and our default destination is Hell. God can not violate His nature, so this must be so due to our sin. Yet God was not willing for His creation to perish, so He came down Himself, as a Man and died for our sins. He offers us this gift freely, and we have the choice to freely accept or no. This choice determines our destination. We are on a train bound for a cliff, but God offers us a chance to get on a different train, one bound for endless possibilities, where the Conductor Himself lives and awaits us. It is our own fault if we go to Hell, for we reject His gift if we do so. I encourage everyone, both Christians and non-believers alike, to read this book. Christians will be strengthened in their desire to read the book, and to witness to others about the glories of the Father. The unbelievers will see how accepting Christ is not "being religious", but is being SMART. We are wise to invest in our eternity. Please, please, please *read this book*. You will not regret that you did. Highly, *highly* recommended. Praise God! HOOAH!!!

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the REWARD.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ I read these verses and realized I didn’t know what my reward was. Heaven was to me a spiritual realm that I knew nothing about, a place where I wouldn’t recognize my family or enjoy music and art- great passions of mine. Sadly, Randy describes this as common Christian’s beliefs, and having grown up in the church I must admit the topic of heaven and even discussion on Revelation was hugely avoided. I was left grasping at straws and being told scary things like “you probably won’t recognize me” or other pretty awful things. I had a warped, afraid view towards heaven because I didn’t know anything about it. The phrase “new earth” always went above my head, just assuming God was going to blow up this one and create another Earth for us or something like that. despite reading the Bible everyday, I just wasn’t getting it. I do believe God reveals things to us in our own time… Enter the loss of a friend of mine. A Christian who loved Jesus and is now in His presence. His parents mentioned this book, so I bought it and it sat collecting dust for years. Then, I read the passage above and God reminded me of this book, stored away, that could help me better understand His good plan. This book has restored my joy. That’s all I can say. My misconceptions of heaven brought about feelings of fear and mistrust, but now I see Gods goodness even clearer through this book. Randy Alcorn is SO careful to take the scriptures in context, which is extremely important. We cannot just pluck a verse without reading the wholeness of Gods Word. There’s so much to learn, and I’m grateful to Randy for his dedication to the truth. This has revolutionized my relationship with Christ and walk with Him. I cannot read this book without tearing up from the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit, realizing His plan for us is so much greater than floating spirits among the clouds. He REDEEMS His creation, not destroys and starts over. 100% recommend this book.

If you want to read something encouraging, something to take your mind and heart off your circumstances, you need to read this book. It will change your focus and your life. The book is engaging, easy to read and thought-provoking. But, take your time as you read so that you can take time to think through what you have read.

Randy Alcorn is a writer whose work on the subject of heaven is certainly extensive. The founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries, he has spent significant effort to point Christians toward the reality and important of eternity in such nonfiction books as In Light of Eternity and Money, Possessions, and Eternity as well as novels such as Safely Home and Edge of Eternity. The simple title of this book and its considerable length seems suggest it is meant to be a his magnum opus on the subject. The book is divided into three parts: "A Theology of Heaven" (5-228), "Questions and Answers about Heaven" (229-436), and "Living in Light of Heaven" (437-458). The author himself exhorts the reader not to skip the first section to get to the later ones, because the first section is foundational to everything else, and this certainly is the case; Alcorn's theology of heaven determines much of what he says in his question and answer section. Therefore, this review will be primarily concerned with what is said in Part I. His theology is largely very good and is largely exegetical. The "Theology of Heaven" section would be immensely helpful in many ways to a new believer or to one who has not studied the subject of heaven from a Biblical perspective. In it, he contrasts what Scripture says with the all-too-common view of angels with harps sitting on clouds. He argues powerfully and convincingly that the Christian should look forward to heaven (and, in one chapter, why the unbeliever should not) and should not dread it as dull or boring in the least. Alcorn asserts rightly that the New Earth will be a physical place. He rejects the notion that the earth will be merely spiritual in nature, and devotes quite a large amount of Part I of the book to demonstrating that the New Earth is physical in nature. In doing so, he argues against a philosophy called "Christoplatonism" - a term he freely admits he coined himself (459) - which is a system of belief that spiritualizes the truths about heaven in the same way as such early church fathers as Origen and Clement of Alexandria instead of believing in a literal, physical heaven. While it is certainly true that there are those today who hold to such a position, the magnitude of the problem is not what he makes it to be. In fact, he has to go to quite obscure sources to even find such a position being espoused in relatively modern theology (460). It seems that Alcorn assumes that the reader knows very little about a Biblical view of heaven, and the book is directed at that kind of reader who instead gets his ideas of heaven from popular culture (6-7). This is the dangerous aspect of the book. Someone without much prior knowledge of Biblical theology or skills of discernment may be won over to some questionable doctrines. While his core belief and primary argument that the New Earth is a physical place is most important and is certainly true, Alcorn presents a number of novel views about other aspects of heaven that are questionably Biblical at best and plainly speculative at worst. One example of this is Alcorn's interpretation of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 as a passage that can be used for doctrinal study of heaven and hell. Such an interpretation denies the nature of parables (and he readily admits that this is indeed a parable), which is to teach one main point and not to give a treatise on every detail contained in the story. He also uses Revelation 6:9-10 to say that the martyrs in heaven could see what was happening upon the earth, assuming that they couldn't know unless they could see the earth from heaven (69). But that interpretation ignores that they had just come out of the tribulation and could remember what was happening, a point Alcorn himself makes in the previous thought (68). Such interpretive inconsistencies are scattered throughout the book. Most of the book contains Biblical truths and should be esteemed, but the new and controversial ideas he presents are all supported very poorly. For example, Alcorn uses a questionable, spurious text from "older manuscripts", along with a parallelism that is not actually there, to argue that the New Heaven and New Earth are a restored earth, not a totally new earth, based on Peter 3:7-13 (145-151). He often uses passages that describe the millennial kingdom as if they were intended to describe the New Earth. Further, it is often difficult to ascertain what (or if) he is even trying to argue regarding the distinction between the millennium and the eternal state. Although he claims to be a premillenialist, he blends together the millennium and the eternal state in quite a confusing way. Other problems include illogical arguments (along the lines of, "Jesus didn't say this, therefore he meant the opposite") and defending controversial points with stories from fiction novels - even his own (131-33, 156, 54-55)! He also often assumes that because something is good on earth that it will be present in heaven (318), even though he does not hold to this principle when addressing the subject of marriage. Other than what is affected by faulty theological views of heaven, his answers to common questions in Part II are very good. He is Biblical and scholarly and he covers a wide range of subjects and the most common questions that are able to be answered by Scripture. The best parts of the book are those which encourage the reader to be heavenly-minded. Alcorn argues the importance of esteeming eternal life above this life. He asserts quite rightly that heaven has been relatively neglected in my systematic theology works and especially in Bible courses where eternity is the last subject taught and is often not reached by the end of the term. The last two chapters, which comprise Part III, are excellent exhortations to think on heaven and anticipate spending eternity there. Overall, this work is good for those with a culturally-dictated view of heaven who are seeking a Biblical primer and for those who are interested in the questions and answers in Part II. There is not really much that is both good and new for the would-be reader who already holds to any form of premillenial eschatology and uses a literal-historical-grammatical hermeneutic to interpret the Bible. This is not a groundbreaking manifesto on the nature of heaven by any means, but simply an organized work that mixes a few new ideas with a traditional scholarly conservative Biblical view of eternity. This reader was eagerly anticipating reading this book as something to learn more about the heaven he hopes for, but was disappointed as he found nothing more than a modified dispensational view joined with some quirky, questionable speculations. Although Alcorn certainly has an inerrantist view of Scripture and seems to have nothing but good intentions (he openly invites anyone with biblical ground for disagreement with anything in the book to contact him), in many places the reader would be wise to heed his advice from the preface to test the book by Scripture to discern its truthfulness. The format of the book is well-done, allowing the reader to quickly find his topic in the table of contents. A page index of bibliographical sources would be helpful, but that does not detract from the otherwise well-organized character of the book.

Love this book about our future home. VERY JOYFUL TO READ!!!!

I loved reading this book. I love how it’s backed up by scripture. Instead of reading the entire bible to learn about heaven. It’s all in one book. I found it very interesting. I have given this book to many people.

I really wanted to enjoy this book but here it sits half read and it is probably the wringing style, hope you can enjoy; no knock on the author just not for me.

we listened to a teaching by Chip Ingram, who used this book in part for his sermons. HEAVEN - It s not what you think! The title could not be more apt. The teaching in this book has really opened my eyes to what the bible really says about eternity and heaven. I never realized how much the bible talks about it! I cannot open a passage now without seeing eternity. I never realized how ignorant I was about this topic! This book is an invaluable resource and should be read by all followers of Christ, no matter what denomination or theology! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

After reading this book, Heaven is definitely more exciting to me. It's very helpful to have a hope of a real physical place that will satisfy every desire properly. I do think the author takes some liberties, and takes some scripture a bit too far, but still, the main goal of this book is to restore our hope in a tangible, physical Heaven where we don't play harps endlessly - and it accomplishes that.

What an amazing book, beautifully written

Randy backs his understanding with the Bible.