Our Work & Heaven

No Heaven Degree On The Books, And Yet...

Oct 21, 2024

I feel like a student - and one who still has much to learn. I am studying the scriptures and words on Heaven several hours a week. This fulfills me and fills me with excitement for what I want to share with you. However, sometimes I have to backtrack. I learn something that I’ve already thought/posted about and clarification or additions might be needed. In this case, I want you to know that I DO go back and adjust the post as needed, such as I did recently at the end of “Light of Heaven”. I want to make sure that my words to you are as complete as possible, at least to the knowledge God gives me. And on that note, please feel free to correct/gently chide me if needed. :-) I’m sure many of you have had much more study than I! Also know that I might be a bit biased since I’ve been there. LOL.

I’m especially interested in learning more about how and why our work here is important to the heavenlies. I was shocked recently when I visited this amazing place, that GOD saw my work here on earth as more important than I had seen it. He was intricately aware of what I do and supportive of it in every way. The verse below indicates that our work might even be visible/used in Heaven/New Earth after the finalization of God’s throne and the elimination of all pain/sadness/sin.

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward (I Corinthians 3:12-14 NIV).

Check this out from the 1599 Geneva Bible: Then I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, The dead which die in the Lord, are fully blessed. Even so saith the Spirit: for they rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Revelation 14:13).

And look at the Christian Standard Bible Version. I have found this version, along with the NIV, to be the most accurate to the original Hebrew and Greek versions. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they will rest from their labors, since their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13 CSB)

According to Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven” book (page 134), several of the verses in the Bible that talk about our works include the word “establish”, which in Hebrew means “make permanent”.

Don Piper, in 90 Minutes in Heaven, said this: “Many of the old hymns and choruses I had sung at various times in my life were part of the music I heard…as well as hundreds I did not know… I realized later that none of the songs were sad, or focused on Jesus’ sacrifice, but only on praise.”

He heard songs in heaven that were written here on earth.

Rebecca Springer, in the 1800’s, went to heaven for some time. Of course, back then, it was considered a “vision” and a-must-be-an-evil-one-at-that. But as I read her accounts and compare them to more modern-day NDE sightings, I’m pretty sure God showed her the real thing. She spent much time there, heavenly time, of course. She described what evenings are like. No, it never gets dark, but the sky changes (mellows and softens), birds (yes) and people settle in to rest and reflect on God’s goodness. (1) But she also talked about the buildings, and this included art galleries, publishing houses, bookstores, libraries, and lecture houses. (2) She picked up books that had been written on earth (3) and saw libraries full of them. She also mentions stained-glass windows, which I saw! (4) Music, singing and musical instruments (although instruments are somewhat different than ours) are also part of the very fabric of Heaven, according to many accounts. People in heaven often sang great works from both earthly and heavenly composers, in her experience. (5)

She isn’t the only one. One of the first accounts I read on my return was Jim Woodford’s “Heaven: An Unexpected Journey”. He also mentions stained glass and kaleidoscope views like I saw, and heard the deep, baritone voice of Jesus like I heard, but regarding our works and what we produce, he talks about books and musical instruments (6), halls of great knowledge, halls of learning, halls of healing, and halls of music (7).

Here is a verse that I’ve used and given to others as encouragement to never give up - a reminder that our work will eventually reap harvest here on earth:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

But after a lifetime of thinking this way, I now hold a different perspective. Could sometimes the “harvest of our work” be waiting for heaven? I suspect so. It does, after all, say “the proper time” and to not give up. The Lord knows that we grow weary waiting for Heaven and for His divine intervention here.

Remember that your ultimate scripture and spiritual source is God, not me or others who have been to Heaven.

SOURCES:

(1) Inside Heaven’s Gates: A Glimpse of Your Eternal Home by Rebecca Springer, Ichthus Publications 2017, page 83 (originally published by David C Cook in 1898).

(2) Same source as above, page 110.

(3) Same source as above, pages 25, 26, 109.

(4) Same source as above, pages 25, 53.

(5) Same source as above, pages 111,118.

(6) Heaven: An Unexpected Journey by Jim Woodford, Destiny Image Books, 2017, page 112.

(7) Same source as above, page 109.