Imagine Heaven (Part 3)

I've always wondered about heaven: Will I be myself? Will I see friends and loved ones? What will Heaven look like? What is God like? What will we do forever? What about children and pets?  John Burke's book offers some interesting theories on these and other questions.

Will we look the same in heaven?  The NDErs in the book say we will be recognizable in heaven much like the way Jesus was recognized after He was raised from the dead.  When we die, we get an upgraded spiritual body (version 2.0).  Then, after the resurrection of the dead, this spiritual body will unite with our resurrected earthly body (version 3.0). 

Burke says we will be "in our prime."  We will have all the energy of an active, full-of-life little kid!  Won't that be great!  I found it interesting that Burke says we'll have many of the same personality traits the we have now, like our sense of humor.  We'll still eat.  But we won't need to sleep because we'll never get tired.

How will we get around in heaven?  I plan to leave my scooter parked at the gate. Imagine being able to travel at the speed of thought!  If you want to go someplace, just think about that place and you'll instantly be transported there.  Of course, you can still travel the old-fashioned way, by walking, if you just want to stroll through heaven and take in the beautiful scenery.  What about walking through walls the way Jesus did?  It's possible, Burke says.

Will we wear white robes all the time?  We can wear a white robe, but Burke suggests we'll be able to wear casual, everyday clothes or whatever feels comfortable to us.  Others suggest instead of white robes, whatever we wear will shine because we'll have the light of Jesus in us and shining through us.

Hymns or Contemporary music?  That has been the debate by many churchgoers in this earthly life, but in heaven it won't matter.  NDErs describe the most beautiful music they've ever heard, unlike any music they've ever heard on earth.  It will be spontaneous praise to God, a new song to the Lord.

We'll also have heightened senses of sight, smell and taste.  The NDErs in the book say they saw new colors in heaven and colors they've never seen on earth.  They also report eating the most delicious fruit they've ever tasted.  They said they could pick fruit off a tree and instantly a new piece would appear in its place. 

Burkes says time doesn't stand still in heaven, but it will seem like it does.  We'll never be late because time won't be a factor.  We'll have an eternity to explore, experience and enjoy the marvels of heaven!

And if you were wondering, Burke says there will be pets in heaven!  We love our animals so much here on earth, and they will be with us in heaven.

There's just not enough words to describe heaven.  You'll simply have to experience it for yourself.  I hope to see YOU there!