I have dedicated myself to study the Word of God until I know the theology of Heaven. The Bible is actually filled with this truth. The word "Heaven" appears in the Scripture over six hundred times. Heaven is our "Treasure Trove" and our "Homeland." Everything connected to our past and future - but also our present - originated in Heaven. This earth is a product of Heaven. The great temple of Solomon was created from the prototype of "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Hebrews 8:2b).

The Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, came down from Heaven. "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (John 3:13). The trinity of our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit are so perfectly united that Jesus Christ could claim presence both on earth and in Heaven simultaneously. Only divinity could make such a statement without sounding ridiculous. But He could and He did. He was both with men as the Son of Man and with God as the Son of God. Heaven and earth met in the only begotten Son and neither of the two will ever be the same.

Heaven is where we send our treasures. Everything you possess of any value is either on earth to be left when you depart or in Heaven awaiting you when you reach your final home. Jesus Himself gave us this great principle. He told the rich young ruler, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21). No Bible-believing saint should consider giving God less than fifty percent of all that they acquire. It will not take anyone long to become financially sufficient who starts living by the Lord's instruction.

Do you think that the "rich young ruler" was going to quit earning income when he turned all of his accumulated wealth over to the Lord's use? Oh, no! His income was going to explode in treasures to be used for the kingdom. But, he walked away from the promises of the divine Son of God even though Jesus Christ possessed complete authority to speak worlds into existence. Why did he leave? He left because he did not believe in Him or what He taught. But, neither do most professing believers in the present church world. The banks and companies that sell stocks have all the treasures of multitudes of professing believers because they trust in them more than in Christ.

This theology of Heaven does not end with your acquired wealth. That's only a small portion of truth about that awesome world up above us. The Son of God came from Heaven to redeem us. The Holy Ghost was sent from Heaven to teach us and protect us. The resurrected Son is coming from Heaven to get us. We will soon join the saints that are already there for the "star-studded banquet" of all eternity. Jesus Himself said He was preparing the city for the bride's treasure house. "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2b-3).

As I have tried to imagine how big "the Heavenly Jerusalem" must be, I could only find one small idea. The Father said four times in the Holy Scripture, "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool" (Matthew 5:35, I Chronicles 28:2, Isaiah 66:1, and Acts 7:49). The footstool is twenty-four thousand and nine hundred miles around so Heaven must be a big place. But, we do not worry because we will have eternity to visit every mile. Probably, dimensions do not even exist in His eternal home. Do not think for one moment that Heaven is not real. It is just as real as a Son born to a virgin, conceived by the Holy Ghost.

The saints will soon be home. But home will not be some place of strumming harps and sipping kool-aid. It's going to explode into a breathtaking future. After the great banquet, the saints will return to end the reign of the Antichrist and establish a kingdom as Christ's king and priest for one thousand years. Our Father already has a plan to prepare us for a New Heaven and a New Earth with a New Jerusalem uniting the two together. If it was not in the Bible, this idea would blow your mind.

John the beloved saw it by the revelation of the Son of God, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:1-4).

Some people, like the rich young ruler, walk away from these untold treasures. They refuse to take the Book of Revelation literally. I admit that -- humanly speaking -- it all sounds impossible. But you know, since I was "born again," I just believe He means everything He says. Heaven is up there and I want you to go, too.