Heaven

by Randy Alcorn

  95 Cornelius P. Venema, The Promise of the Future (Trowbridge, UK: Banner of Truth, 2000), 461.

  96 Wolters, Creation Regained, 59.

  97 Frank S. Mead, ed., Encyclopedia of Religious Quotations (London: Peter Davies, 1965), 379.

  98 John Calvin, Commentary on Romans, Romans 8:19-22, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom3 8. all. html#xii.

  99 This explanation of a uniformitarian view was adapted from Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., s.v. "uniformitarianism."

  100 Erich Sauer, The King of the Earth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962), 97.

  101 I am indebted here to some thoughts expressed in an e-mail to ChiLibris (an online association of Christian novelists), posted by Dave Jackson, March 5, 2004. Used by permission.

  102 John Piper, Future Grace (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1995), 377-78.

  CHAPTER 13

  HOW FAR-REACHING IS THE RESURRECTION?

  103 J. B. Phillips, Letters to Young Churches: A Translation of the New Testament Epistles (London: G. Bles, 1947), 66.

  104 Bruce Milne, The Message of Heaven and Hell (Downers Grove, 111: InterVarsity, 2002), 257.

  105 Randy Alcorn, The Law of Rewards (Wheaton, 111.: Tyndale, 2003).

  106 Randy Alcorn, Safely Home (Wheaton, 111.: Tyndale, 2001), 394-95.

  CHAPTER 14

  WHERE A N D W H E N WILL O U R DELIVERANCE COME?

  107 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 1111-14.

  CHAPTER 15

  WILL THE OLD EARTH BE DESTROYED . . . OR RENEWED?

  108 Albert M. Wolters, Creation Regained: Biblical Basicsfor a Reformational Worldview (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), 41.

  109 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 1160-61.

  110 Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 280.

  111 John Piper, Future Grace (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1995), 371, 376.

  112 Wolters, Creation Regained, 57.

  113 Piper, Future Grace, 376.

  114 Cornelius P. Venema, The Promise of the Future (Trowbridge, UK: Banner of Truth, 2000), 468.

  115 Albert M. Wolters, quoted in Venema, The Promise of the Future, 468.

  116 Venema, The Promise of 'the Future, 469.

  117 E.J. Fortman, Everlasting Life after Death (New York Alba House, 1976), 304.

  118 Walter Bauer, The Greek-English Lexicon oftheNew Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. Frederick W. Danker, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).

  119 Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, 280.

  120 Greg K. Beale, "The Eschatological Conception of New Testament Theology," Eschatology in Bible and Theology, ed. Kent E. Brower and Mark W. Elliott (Downers Grove, 111.: Inter Varsity, 1997), 44.

  121 Ibid., 50.

  122 Ibid., 21-22.

  CHAPTER 16

  WILL THE N EW EARTH BE FAMILIAR . . . LIKE HOME?

  123 Rene Pache, The Future Life (Chicago: Moody, 1971), 68.

  124 Randy Alcorn, Edge of Eternity (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 1998), 309.

  125 Walter Bauer, The Greek-English Lexicon oftheNew Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. Frederick W. Danker, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).

  126 Paul Marshall with Lela Gilbert, Heaven Is Not My Home: Learning to Live in Gods Creation (Nashville: Word, 1998), 32-33.

  127 C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York Collier Books, 1960), 120.

  128 Augustine, Confessions, trans. Henry Chadwick (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), 257.

  129 C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: Macmillan, 1962), 115.

  130 G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy (Chicago: Thomas More Association, 1985), 99—100.

  CHAPTER 17

  WHAT WILL IT MEAN TO SEE GOD?

  131 Randy Alcorn, Edge of Eternity (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 1998), 317.

  132 Jonathan Edwards, Misc. 777, quoted in John Gerstner, Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980), 48.

  133 Augustine, The City of God.

  134 Herman Bavinck, The Last Things: Hope for This World and the Next, ed. John Bolt, trans. John Vriend (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 162.

  135 J. I. Packer, "Incarnate Forever," Christianity Today (March 2004): 72.

  136 Jonathan Edwards, The Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A Reader, ed. Wilson H. Kimnach, Kenneth P. Minkema, and Douglas A. Sweeney (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1999), 74-75.

  137 Augustine, The City of God, 22, 30 and Confessions 1, 1, quoted in John E. Rotelle, Augustine Day by Day (New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1986).

  138 The Westminster Shorter Catechism may be viewed online: "Westminster Shorter Catechism with Proof Texts," Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics, http://www.reformed.org/ documents/WSC_frames.html?wsc_text=WSC.html.

  139 Sam Storms, "Joy's Eternal Increase," an unpublished manuscript on Jonathan Edwards's view of Heaven.

  140 Augustine, The City of God, chap. 29, "Of the Beatific Vision," Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.org/fathers/NPNFl-02/Augustine/cog/tl27.htm.

  141 Augustine, The City of God, quoted in Alister E. McGrath, A BriefHistory of Heaven (Maiden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2003), 182-83.

  142 J. Boudreau, The Happiness of Heaven (Rockford, 111.: Tan Books, 1984), 15—16.

  143 Ibid., 33-34.

  CHAPTER 18

  WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR G O D T O DWELL A M O N G US?

  144 Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), 392.

  145 Ibid.

  146 Steven J. Lawson, Heaven Help Us! (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1995), 142.

  147 J. Boudreau, The Happiness of Heaven (Rockford, 111.: Tan Books, 1984), 95—96.

  148 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven (New York: Hyperion, 2003).

  149 Jonathan Edwards, "The Christian Pilgrim," sermon preached in 1733, quoted in Alister E. McGrath, A Brief History of Heaven (Maiden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2003), 115.

  150 Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, chap. 28, par. 2, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, http://www.ccel.Org/t/teresa/way/chapter28.html.

  151 John Milton, quoted in James M. Campbell, Heaven Opened: A Book of Comfort and Hope (New York: Revell, 1924), 75.

  152 Samuel Rutherford, quoted in Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, January 17, morning reading.

  153 Martin Luther, quoted in James M. Campbell, Heaven Opened: A Book of Comfort and Hope (New York: Revell, 1924), 148.

  154 John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1996), 50.

  155 I am indebted to Marshall Beretta for these insights on the Holy Spirit.

  CHAPTER 19

  HOW WILL WE WORSHIP GOD?

  156 Cornelius P. Venema, The Promise of the Future (Trowbridge, UK: Banner of Truth, 2000), 478.

  157 John G. Elliot, "The Praise Goes On and On" (Grapevine, Tex.: Galestorm Music, n.d.).

  158 J. C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots (Welwyn, UK: Evangelical Press, 1985), 40.

  159 Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, ed. Perry Miller, vol. 13, The Miscellanies, ed.

  Thomas A. Schafer (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1994), 105, 275—76.

  160 Venema, The Promise of the Future, 487—88.

  CHAPTER 20 WHAT DOES GOD'S ETERNAL KINGDOM INVOLVE?

  161 David Chilton, Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion (Fort Worth: Dominion Press, 1987), 49.

  162 R. L. Harris, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody, 1980), 60.

  163 Herman Ridderbos, Paul and Jesus: Origin and General Character of Pauls Preaching of Christ, trans. David H. Freeman (Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1958), 77.

>   164 Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 33.

  165 Bruce Milne, The Message of Heaven and Hell (Downers Grove, 111.: InterVarsity, 2002), 321.

  CHAPTER 2 1

  WILL WE ACTUALLY RULE WITH CHRIST?

  166 Richard Mouw, When the Kings Come Marching In (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983), 30.

  167 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 1158-64.

  168 Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), 378.

  CHAPTER 22

  HOW WILL WE RULE GOD'S KINGDOM?

  169 Jonathan Edwards, "The End for which God Created the World," The Works of Jonathan Edwards (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974), 2:210.

  170 Erich Sauer, The King of the Earth (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962), 80—81.

  171 Wilbur M. Smith, The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven (Chicago: Moody, 1968), 220-21.

  172 Dr. and Mrs. H. Grattan Guinness, Light for the Last Days: A Study in Chronological Prophecy, chap. 31, "The Rulers in the Coming Kingdom," (1888), Historicism.com, http://www.historicism.com/Guinness/Light/light21.htm.

  173 Bruce Milne, The Message of Heaven and Hell (Downers Grove, 111.: InterVarsity, 2002), 326.

  174 Blaise Pascal, Pensees, para. 398, 425, quoted in John Eldredge, The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life We've Only Dreamed Of(Nashville: Nelson, 2000), 12-13.

  175 Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998), 398.

  CHAPTER 23

  WILL THE N EW EARTH BE AN EDENIC PARADISE?

  176 This comment is made by the character Dani in my novel Dominion (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1996), 99.

  177 Albert M. Wolters, Creation Regained: Biblical Basicsfor a Reformational Worldview (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), 64.

  178 Cornelius P. Venema, The Promise of the Future (Trowbridge, Wilts, UK: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2000), 482.

  179 David Chilton, Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion (Fort Worth: Dominion Press, 1987), 33.

  180 Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 276.

  181 Mister E. McGrath, A Brief History of Heaven (Maiden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2003), 70.

  182 C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949), 13.

  183 Edward Thurneysen, quoted in J. A. Schep, The Nature of the Resurrection Body (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 218-19.

  184 C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle (New York: Collier Books, 1956), 168-71.

  185 Ibid., 181.

  CHAPTER 24

  WHAT IS THE N EW JERUSALEM?

  186 Edward Donnelly, Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001), 112.

  CHAPTER 25

  WHAT WILL THE GREAT CITY BE LIKE?

  187 Steven J. Lawson, Heaven Help Us! (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1995), 131.

  188 William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1961), 249.

  CHAPTER 26

  WILL THERE BE SPACE A N D TIME?

  189 David Winter, Hereafter: What Happens after Death? (Wheaton, 111.: Harold Shaw, 1973), 67.

  190 Randy Alcorn, Dominion (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1996), 307—8.

  191 George MacDonald, quoted in John Eldredge, Thefourney ofDesire (Nashville: Nelson, 2000), 123.

  192 Ulrich Simon, Heaven in the Christian Tradition (London: Wyman and Sons, 1958), 236.

  193 Peter Toon, Heaven and Hell: A Biblical and Theological Overview (Nashville: Nelson, 1986), 157.

  194 Isaac Newton, Sir Isaac Newton s Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy and His System of the World, trans. Andrew Motte (Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1966), 2:545.

  195 Rene Pache, The Future Life (Chicago: Moody, 1971), 357.

  196 Salem Kirban, What Is Heaven Like? (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Second Coming, 1991), 35.

  197 John Newton, "Amazing Grace," Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779).

  198 N. A. Berdyaev, Dream and Reality, quoted in Hendrikus Berkhof, Christ the Meaning of History, trans. Lambertus Buurman (Richmond, Va.: John Knox, 1966), 184.

  199 Winter, Hereafter, 68.

  200 Berkhof, Christ the Meaning of History, 188.

  CHAPTER 27

  WILL THE N EW EARTH HAVE SUN, M O O N , OCEANS, A N D WEATHER?

  201 Steven J. Lawson, Heaven Help Us! (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1995), 108.

  202 Ibid.

  203 Ray C Stedman, "The City of Glory," sermon preached on April 29, 1990, available from Discovery Publishing, Palo Alto, Calif, or at Peninsula Bible Church, http://www.pbc.org/dp/ stedman/revelation/4211 .html.

  204 C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" (New York: Scholastic, 1952), 184.

  CHAPTER 28

  WILL W E BE OURSELVES?

  205 Adapted from Charles Dickens, ^4 Christmas Carol, part 3, st. 1.

  206 C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: Macmillan, 1962), 147.

  207 Walton J. Brown, Home at Last (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1983), 192.

  208 Randy Alcorn, Safely Home (Wheaton, 111.: Tyndale, 2001), 377.

  209 C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle (New York: Collier Books, 1956), 137.

  210 Augustine, quoted in Michael Horton, The Agony of Deceit (Chicago: Moody, 1990), 144.

  211 Bruce Milne, The Message of Heaven and Hell (Downers Grove, 111.: Inter Varsity, 2002), 194.

  212 C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York Macmillan, 1972), 190.

  CHAPTER 29 WHAT WILL OUR BODIES BE LIKE?

  213 Augustine, The City of God, 22:19,2; 22:20, 3 (PL 41:781.783).

  214 H. A. Williams, True Resurrection (New York Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1972), 36, quoted in Arthur O. Roberts, Exploring Heaven (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1989), 119.

  215 A. B. Caneday, "Veiled Glory," in John Piper, Justin Taylor, and Paul Kjoss Helseth, Beyond the Bounds (Wheaton, 111.: Crossway, 2003), 163.

  216 Joni Eareckson Tada, Heaven: Your Real Home (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 53.

  217 Arthur E. Travis, Where on Earth Is Heaven? (Nashville: Broadman, 1974), 24.

  218 Ibid., 30.

  219 James M. Campbell, Heaven Opened (New York: Revell, 1924), 169.

  220 Randy Alcorn, Deadline (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1994), 238.

  221 Alister E. McGrath, A Brief History of Heaven (Maiden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2003), 37-38.

  222 Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, supplement, q. 81, art. 1.

  223 Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Nashville: Word, 2000), 133-34.

  224 C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (New York: Macmillan, 1946), 29-30.

  225 Jonathan Edwards, quoted in John Gerstner, fonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980), 39.

  CHAPTER 30

  WILL W E EAT A N D DRINK O N THE N EW EARTH?

  226 Harvey Minkoff, The Book of Heaven (Owings Mills, Md.: Ottenheimer, 2001), 143.

  227 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 1161.

  228 Spiros Zodhiates, Life after Death (Chattanooga: AMG, 1977), 148.

  229 John Calvin, quoted in Paul Marshall with Lela Gilbert, Heaven Is Not My Home: Learning to Live in God's Creation (Nashville: Word, 1998), 164.

  230 Lee Irons, "Animal Death before the Fall: What Does the Bible Say?" The Upper Register, http://www.upper-register.com/other_studies/animal_death_before_fall.html.

  CHAPTER 31

  WILL W E BE CAPABLE O F SINNING?

  231 Paul Helm, The Last Things (Carlisle, Pa.: Banner of Truth, 1989), 92.

  232 Jonathan Edwards, Heaven: A World of Love (Amityville, NY.: Calvary Press, 1999), 16.

  233 Frederick Buechner, quoted in A Little Bit ofHeaven (Tulsa, Okla.: Honor Books, 1995), 118.
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  CHAPTER 32

  WHAT WILL WE KNOW A N D LEARN?

  234 Walton J. Brown, Home at Last (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1983), 73.

  235 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), endnote on 1162.

  236 Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., Geoffrey W. Bromiley, trans, and ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964—76), 1:692.

  237 Dave Hunt, Whatever Happened to Heaven? (Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1988), 238.

  238 Colleen McDannell and Bernhard Lang, Heaven: A History (New York: Vintage Books, 1988), 307.

  239 Kittel et al., Theological Dictionary, 1:703.

  240 Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, ed. Perry Miller, vol. 13, The Miscellanies, ed.

  Thomas A. Schafer (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1994), 483.

  241 Ibid., 275; I'm indebted to Andrew McClellan for several citations from his seminary paper "Jonathan Edwards's View of Heaven," August 15, 2003.

  242 William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 3, scene 1, line 87.

  243 Jonathan Edwards, quoted in John Gerstner, Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980), 24.

  244 Ibid., 26.

  245 Jonathan Edwards, "The End for which God Created the World," quoted in John Piper, God's Passion forHis Glory (Wheaton, 111.: Crossway, 1998), 37.

  246 Ibid., 160.

  247 Ibid., 251.

  248 J. Boudreau, The Happiness of Heaven (Rockford, 111.: Tan Books, 1984), 120-22.

  249 Philip Melanchthon, quoted in W. Robertson Nicoll, Reunion in Eternity (New York: George H.Doran, 1919), 117-18.

  250 C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970), 216.

  CHAPTER 33

  WHAT WILL OUR DAILY LIVES BE LIKE?

  251 J. Boudreau, The Happiness of Heaven (Rockford, 111.: Tan Books, 1984), 107—8.

  252 Charles Spurgeon, "Foretastes of the Heavenly Life" (1857), quoted in Spurgeons Expository Encyclopedia (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1951), 8:424.

  253 Donald A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 489.

  254 Joseph M. Stowell, Eternity (Chicago: Moody, 1995), 239.

  CHAPTER 34

  WILL WE DESIRE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ANYONE EXCEPT GOD?

  255 Bede, a sermon preached on All Saint's Day ca. 710, quoted in William Jennings Bryan, ed., The Worlds Famous Orations (New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1906).