Derek W. H. Thomas wonders if dogs will be
in the heavenly kingdom (110). He believes
they will be. I agree with him. However, I am more looking forward to the
cats.
I had written the second article in our
church newsletter about “what happens after you die” when I purchased Thomas’
new book, Heaven On Earth: What the Bible Teaches about Life to Come. Having heard Thomas’ speak and thinking well
of him, I stopped writing and read his book.
I am pleased to say that we agree with what the Bible says. (I’m sure that alone will make you run out to
buy this book.)
Should we care about what’s next? Isn’t it a mystery? Shouldn’t we just be busy about the work of
this life?
Actually, we better live this life as we
understand what will come after this life – that is, what God has revealed in
His Word. We better prepare ourselves
for the restoration of ourselves, the Creation, our bodies, when we have some
clue of what is going to happen. And
that’s what we have – a clue.
Thomas writes as a friend who wants you to
understand what the Scripture says – and, along the way, he pulls down some of
the fanciful nonsense that is taught in contradiction to the Scripture – the Left Behind series, for example.
In the first chapter, he shows that the
Scriptures teaches that we are “ensouled bodies,” and when we die, our bodies disintegrate,
while our souls remain conscious, able to feel pain and joy.
In the second chapter, he explains having
faith in the promises regarding the heavenly kingdom.
In the third, he looks at the intermediate
state.
In the fourth, the return of Christ and
the physical resurrection of all the dead and the reuniting with our souls.
In the fifth, the restoration of the
Creation – this earth on which we will spend eternity.
In the sixth, questions about whether we
shall eat and know each other.
In the seventh, issues of angels.
I have bought this book for several people
and hope to give it to more. If you are
looking for a sound, biblical, readable book on the life to come – Heaven on
earth, this is the book. Get people
looking to the Scripture and away from the fantasy-makers whose books are in so
many churches.
Highly recommended.
[This
review appears on my blog and on Amazon.com.]
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