January 18, 2012

No tears in heaven, but does that mean no sorrow?

Hard to comprehend how heaven will have joy without sorrow, rest without weariness...

If a fundamental reason for allowing/creating sin and death and evil is that its existence helps us value and appreciate good/life/righteousness/love, that leads me to think that in heaven, worship, grace and joy etc. will only be completely appreciated if the sin and sorrow is still somewhat residual on our minds as opposed to being completely forgotten as if evil/sin never existed.

MEANING, it is still a mystery to me how heaven will be heaven if loved ones aren't in heaven as well, especially if sorrow still exists per the above argument. And if sorrow does not exist, doesn't that diminish the fullness of joy?

If lack of sorrow, the absence of evil, does NOT diminish the fullness of joy and good in heaven, then why make it that way on earth? If this duality is not necessary for heaven, why is it necessary for the foundations of creation?

Answer to everything:  because somehow it glorifies God more (I'm guessing)

Not too satisfied =\

January 9, 2012

Relationships in Heaven

So I understand that relationships are perfected in heaven. This means perfect communion with God (no dispute there) and perfect fellowship with the saints. On that second point, here are two questions:

(1) Apparently there is no marriage institution in heaven since the need for it is gone (fine), and the relationship I have with my spouse will be perfected in heaven (yay), but apparently that same level of perfection is also shared between every single believer in heaven! I mean, it is a good thing, but that means there is nothing special left that is private and unique shared between the former spouses? Is it sinful to want such a thing? It is hard to conceive how every single relationship in heaven will be infinitely more intimate than the one I currently share with my spouse, and also that that higher intimacy is no longer something special but is widely prevalent...

(2) Apparently we will recognize people we never knew... i.e. the old saints and brothers and sisters we know nothing about. Actually, per the above note, we will not only recognize them, but we will have a relationship with them that is even more intimate than the one we currently have with our spouse. Question is... Is it instantaneous? The recognition part, sure, but the intimacy part? Is that instantaneous as well?

How is Christ seen in the Levitical offerings?

From J. MacArthur

Offering --> Christ's provision --> Christ's character

1. Burnt offering --> atonement --> Christ's sinless nature
2. Grain offering --> dedication/consecration --> Christ was wholly devoted to the Father's purposes
3. Peace offering --> reconciliation/fellowship --> Christ was at peace with God
4. Sin offering --> propitiation --> Christ's substitutionary death
5. Trespass offering --> repentance --> Christ paid it all for redemption