IMAGINE HEAVEN

IMAGINE HEAVEN What is “imagination”? “Imagination, also called the faculty of imagining, is the ability of forming new images and sensations when they are not perceived through sight, hearing, or other senses. Imagination helps provide meaning to experience and understanding to knowledge; it is a fundamental faculty through which people make sense of the world” – Wikipedia.com

IMAGINE HEAVEN When the world was first destroyed (in the days of Noah), God hated the imaginations of mankind! Genesis 6:5

Genesis 6:5 (KJV) “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Genesis 6:5 (NKJV) “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN When the world was first destroyed (in the days of Noah), God hated the imaginations of mankind! Genesis 6:5 Genesis 8:21

Genesis 8:21 “Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth’”

IMAGINE HEAVEN When the world was first destroyed (in the days of Noah), God hated the imaginations of mankind! Genesis 6:5 Genesis 8:21 Romans 1:21 – they continued to be a problem among those in the world

Romans 1:21 (KJV) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ”

IMAGINE HEAVEN While imagination can create evil, destruction, and total failure in our lives… Imagination can also help to create success and power! The light bulb, the automobile, television, medical equipment and procedures, cell phones, etc. Sports figures, political figures, artists, musicians

IMAGINE HEAVEN Imagination is a form of the word “image” There can be good images – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN Imagination is a form of the word “image” There can be good images – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 There can also be bad images – Revelation 14:11

Revelation 14:10-11 “He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN Imagination is a form of the word “image” There can be good images – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 There can also be bad images – Revelation 14:11 Man is made in God’s image – Genesis 1:26-27, 9:6

Genesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN Albert Einstein – “Imagination…is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” For what does God intend us to use our imaginations? To see the glory of Heaven!

Hebrews 11:1, 3 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN God expects us to use our imaginations to view Heaven through the eyes of faith! How do we develop our imagination? We become as little children! Matthew 18:2-3

Matthew 18:2-3 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

IMAGINE HEAVEN God expects us to use our imaginations to view Heaven through the eyes of faith! How do we develop our imagination? We become as little children! Through our imaginations, we see Heaven and not this world as our home (Hebrews 11:8-10).

Hebrews 11:8-10 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

IMAGINE HEAVEN “But in reality, without knowledge, imagination cannot be developed.” Ephesians 1:17-18

Ephesians 1:17-18 “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling”

IMAGINE HEAVEN “But in reality, without knowledge, imagination cannot be developed.” Do you ever think of or imagine what Heaven will be like? We cannot imagine it without first understanding what the Bible says. Next week, we’ll look at how the Word of God describes Heaven.

IMAGINE HEAVEN _________________, 2012