We Need to Address These Misconceptions About Heaven (with Randy Alcorn)

One of the reasons I One of the reasons I was so captivated by was so captivated by was so captivated by this conversation is because this conversation is because as I began to as I began to understand it, my love understand it, my love understand it, my love for God grew, my for God grew, my for God grew, my love for His love for His love for His creation grew, my creation grew, my creation grew, my hope for heaven hope for heaven hope for heaven grew, my grew, my grew, my fascination with heaven fascination with heaven fascination with heaven grew. Um, and that's why I grew. Um, and that's why I grew. Um, and that's why I just love it. just love it. just love it. But there is one thing But there is one thing But there is one thing I would like to I would like to I would like to talk about because I think talk about because I think it also affects how it also affects how it also affects how we understand the we understand the we understand the present heaven and the present heaven and the present heaven and the eternal heaven. So I would eternal heaven. So I would eternal heaven. So I would like you to like you to like you to tell me about it. Because tell me about it. Because tell me about it. Because we sometimes get it a little we sometimes get it a little we sometimes get it a little wrong, do wrong, do wrong, do n't we? Aunt Susie n't we? Aunt Susie n't we? Aunt Susie runs through the fields with runs through the fields with runs through the fields with Jesus. Um, you know, Jesus. Um, you know, Jesus. Um, you know, she's completely she's completely she's completely healed today. And I do healed today. And I do healed today. And I do n't think that's entirely n't think that's entirely n't think that's entirely correct. So correct. So correct. So could you tell us could you tell us could you tell us about these two stages of about these two stages of about these two stages of heaven, if I may heaven, if I may heaven, if I may say so? say so? say so? Yes, I had the same Yes, I had the same Yes, I had the same experience. I experience. I experience. I was at a funeral once, not was at a funeral once, not was at a funeral once, not one I conducted, one I conducted, one I conducted, but one I but one I but one I attended, and they were attended, and they were attended, and they were talking about a talking about a talking about a man who was now man who was now man who was now playing playing playing golf up in heaven. And he will be golf up in heaven. And he will be golf up in heaven. And he will be completely happy, because completely happy, because completely happy, because every shot will be a "hole-in every shot will be a "hole-in -one." And first of all, I -one." And first of all, I -one." And first of all, I mean, there's mean, there's mean, there's a lot wrong with this a lot wrong with this a lot wrong with this . You know, we . You know, we . You know, we will still be limited will still be limited will still be limited human beings.

human beings. human beings. So even in a new So even in a new So even in a new land, where I assume land, where I assume people people people will probably play golf will probably play golf will probably play golf and do many of the other and do many of the other and do many of the other physical things that physical things that physical things that we do, that doesn't we do, that doesn't we do, that doesn't mean it's going to be mean it's going to be mean it's going to be boring to have everyone boring to have everyone boring to have everyone scoring scoring holes-in-one all the time, because we'll holes-in-one all the time, because we'll holes-in-one all the time, because we'll forever be forever be forever be limited. limited. This may be very This may be very upsetting to some of upsetting to some of upsetting to some of our listeners. I our listeners. I our listeners. I just want to say... just want to say... just want to say... That's right. This can That's right. This can That's right. This can happen. happen. happen. This might hit them This might hit them This might hit them harder than the thought, " harder than the thought, " What do you mean What do you mean What do you mean I'm not going to make a I'm not going to make a hole-in-one when hole-in-one when hole-in-one when I play golf, I play golf, I play golf, you know?" This can be you know?" This can be you know?" This can be frustrating. frustrating. frustrating. I'm sure you'll I'm sure you'll I'm sure you'll do more of them do more of them do more of them than you probably than you probably than you probably did in this lifetime did in this lifetime , but, you know, the point is, , but, you know, the point is, , but, you know, the point is, we'll forever we'll forever we'll forever remain remain remain limited human limited human limited human beings. There is beings. There is beings. There is nothing wrong with nothing wrong with nothing wrong with being being being limited. God limited. God limited. God is going to solve is going to solve is going to solve our problem of our problem of our problem of the fallen. This is our the fallen. This is our the fallen. This is our big problem. big problem. You know, our problem is You know, our problem is not that we have not that we have not that we have bodies, eat food, drink bodies, eat food, drink bodies, eat food, drink water and other beverages. water and other beverages. Our problem is that Our problem is that we are fallen, and with we are fallen, and with we are fallen, and with redemption redemption redemption comes all these other comes all these other comes all these other things. But regarding things. But regarding things. But regarding what in theology is what in theology is what in theology is usually called the usually called the usually called the intermediate heavens, intermediate heavens, intermediate heavens, where we go where we go where we go after death if after death if after death if we know Jesus. This we know Jesus. This we know Jesus. This world is the time before world is the time before world is the time before the resurrection. There is now the resurrection. There is now a lot more a lot more physicality depicted in that world than we physicality depicted in that world than we physicality depicted in that world than we might expect. And might expect. And might expect. And there are cases, such as the there are cases, such as the there are cases, such as the parable of the parable of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. And you rich man and Lazarus. And you rich man and Lazarus. And you might say, "Well, might say, "Well, might say, "Well, that's just a parable."

that's just a parable." that's just a parable." Yes, but would Jesus be trying to Yes, but would Jesus be trying to mislead us with a parable? And what mislead us with a parable? And what about when he about when he about when he talks about the thirst talks about the thirst talks about the thirst of the rich man who asks of the rich man who asks of the rich man who asks to send Lazarus to to send Lazarus to to send Lazarus to give him something give him something give him something to drink, water to drink to drink, water to drink ? And then we see the ? And then we see the ? And then we see the physical suffering of physical suffering of physical suffering of the man in what the man in what the man in what might be called an might be called an might be called an intermediate hell, not the intermediate hell, not the intermediate hell, not the final fiery final fiery final fiery hell, but its hell, but its hell, but its precursor. And then precursor. And then precursor. And then Lazarus is in the intermediate Lazarus is in the intermediate Lazarus is in the intermediate paradise, where he...is a world of paradise, where he...is a world of paradise, where he...is a world of pleasures. And in fact, pleasures. And in fact, pleasures. And in fact, it is called paradise. it is called paradise. it is called paradise. And paradise is a And paradise is a And paradise is a walled garden. It walled garden. It walled garden. It comes from a comes from a comes from a Persian word, and I Persian word, and I Persian word, and I talk about it in talk about it in talk about it in my book. This is the world of my book. This is the world of my book. This is the world of plants, animals and plants, animals and plants, animals and people. And it is a wonderful people. And it is a wonderful people. And it is a wonderful place, full of pleasures. place, full of pleasures.

So even the So even the present intermediate present intermediate present intermediate paradise sometimes has a paradise sometimes has a paradise sometimes has a depicted physicality depicted physicality . Maybe it's all . Maybe it's all . Maybe it's all figurative. Perhaps figurative. Perhaps figurative. Perhaps some of this is some of this is some of this is literal, since literal, since literal, since we were created to have bodies we were created to have bodies ; Is it possible that God ; Is it possible that God ; Is it possible that God gives us a gives us a gives us a temporary body? I temporary body? I temporary body? I mean the intermediate mean the intermediate mean the intermediate form, not the resurrected form, not the resurrected form, not the resurrected body. Yes, of course, not body. Yes, of course, not body. Yes, of course, not that, because that's still in the that, because that's still in the that, because that's still in the future. So, future. So, future. So, but then Jesus but then Jesus but then Jesus returns, the returns, the resurrection occurs. Now resurrection occurs. Now people have different views people have different views people have different views on the time frame for this. on the time frame for this. on the time frame for this. You know, You know, You know, dispensationalists, dispensationalists, dispensationalists, Reformed, and others. Reformed, and others. But the most important thing about But the most important thing about this is that this this is that this this is that this return of Jesus return of Jesus return of Jesus will usher in a will usher in a will usher in a new earth. Do new earth. Do new earth. Do we wait for this new we wait for this new we wait for this new earth for a thousand years, earth for a thousand years, earth for a thousand years, which has its pros which has its pros which has its pros and cons and cons and cons , or do , or do , or do we we we move on to the new move on to the new move on to the new earth immediately after the judgment? Either way, the earth immediately after the judgment? Either way, the earth immediately after the judgment? Either way, the one thing one thing one thing all all all Christians must agree on is that the Christians must agree on is that the Christians must agree on is that the ultimate goal is a new ultimate goal is a new ultimate goal is a new earth. Not earth. Not earth. Not a thousand-year period a thousand-year period a thousand-year period on the old earth, on the old earth, on the old earth, still under the curse still under the curse , where people , where people , where people will eventually be judged and will eventually be judged and will eventually be judged and sent to hell in the sent to hell in the sent to hell in the final battle. And final battle. And final battle. And in reality, a new earth, in reality, a new earth, in reality, a new earth, which will be heaven which will be heaven which will be heaven descended to earth. And that's a descended to earth. And that's a descended to earth. And that's a huge difference.

huge difference. huge difference. Revelation 21 shows: Revelation 21 shows: Revelation 21 shows: "I saw a new heaven "I saw a new heaven "I saw a new heaven and a new earth." God is and a new earth." God is and a new earth." God is coming down to live with coming down to live with coming down to live with His people on His people on His people on planet Earth—this is planet Earth—this is planet Earth—this is His original plan. His original plan. And you saw a And you saw a reflection of this reflection of this reflection of this when He walked with when He walked with when He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Adam and Eve in the garden. Adam and Eve in the garden. It doesn't It doesn't It doesn't literally say that He literally say that He literally say that He walked with them in the garden, walked with them in the garden, walked with them in the garden, but it says that He but it says that He but it says that He walked in the garden, and they walked in the garden, and they walked in the garden, and they were in that garden. So were in that garden. So , I'm just going to assume that , I'm just going to assume that , I'm just going to assume that He probably walked with He probably walked with He probably walked with them and with the animals, and, them and with the animals, and, them and with the animals, and, you know, just God you know, just God you know, just God dwelling on earth. dwelling on earth. Okay, this was Okay, this was depicted in Genesis, and depicted in Genesis, and depicted in Genesis, and literally in Revelation literally in Revelation literally in Revelation it says that God will come down to it says that God will come down to it says that God will come down to live with His live with His live with His people on Earth, and it people on Earth, and it people on Earth, and it says that the says that the says that the throne of God and the throne of God and the throne of God and the throne of the Lamb will be throne of the Lamb will be throne of the Lamb will be on Earth. So, on Earth. So, on Earth. So, literally, the ultimate literally, the ultimate literally, the ultimate promise of heaven promise of heaven promise of heaven is not that is not that is not that we go to live with God we go to live with God we go to live with God in His place, although that in His place, although that in His place, although that happens happens happens temporarily in an temporarily in an temporarily in an intermediate heaven. The intermediate heaven. The ultimate promise is God coming down to is God coming down to is God coming down to us to live forever in us to live forever in us to live forever in our place. And the our place. And the our place. And the incarnation of Jesus, how does that incarnation of Jesus, how does that incarnation of Jesus, how does that fit into the fit into the fit into the theology, that God becomes theology, that God becomes theology, that God becomes man, and of course the man, and of course the man, and of course the Father and the Holy Spirit Father and the Holy Spirit Father and the Holy Spirit as well, but the physical as well, but the physical as well, but the physical presence of Jesus, I presence of Jesus, I presence of Jesus, I mean, that's all mean, that's all mean, that's all great, but yeah, it's great, but yeah, it's great, but yeah, it's two different worlds. They are two different worlds. They are two different worlds. They are both wonderful. I both wonderful. I both wonderful. I mean, to die and mean, to die and mean, to die and be with Christ is much be with Christ is much be with Christ is much better. To be absent better. To be absent better. To be absent from the body is to be from the body is to be from the body is to be present with the Lord.

present with the Lord. present with the Lord. This is all great. My This is all great. My This is all great. My wife Nancy is wife Nancy is wife Nancy is there now, and I know there now, and I know there now, and I know how wonderful it is, how wonderful it is, how wonderful it is, but what all of God’s but what all of God’s but what all of God’s people ultimately look forward to people ultimately look forward to is the final is the final is the final resurrection and our resurrection and our resurrection and our life on the new Earth. life on the new Earth. We await, as 2 Peter 3:13 says, new Peter 3:13 says, new Peter 3:13 says, new heavens and a new earth in heavens and a new earth in heavens and a new earth in which which which righteousness dwells. And if righteousness dwells. And if righteousness dwells. And if we don't expect this, we don't expect this, we don't expect this, we are not doing what we are not doing what we are not doing what Scripture commands us to do. Scripture commands us to do. Scripture commands us to do. This is so good. Well, and This is so good. Well, and This is so good. Well, and just when you just when you just when you talk about these two talk about these two talk about these two different, I think you different, I think you different, I think you call it the call it the call it the intermediate heaven and intermediate heaven and intermediate heaven and then the new Earth. And then the new Earth. And then the new Earth. And that really helps. that really helps. And the new Earth, you know, And the new Earth, you know, will be completely, you will be completely, you will be completely, you know, redeemed, know, redeemed, know, redeemed, restored, and will be a restored, and will be a restored, and will be a new creation. new creation. You know, this is such a You know, this is such a picture. How is this picture. How is this picture. How is this intermediate stage intermediate stage intermediate stage different from, different from, different from, you know, a word that you know, a word that you know, a word that many of us have many of us have many of us have probably heard but probably heard but probably heard but maybe we're maybe we're maybe we're confused about confused about confused about . How is it . How is it . How is it different from different from different from the concept of purgatory? Does the concept of purgatory? Does the concept of purgatory? Does this make sense? Because some this make sense? Because some this make sense? Because some people might think, people might think, people might think, "Oh, this is an in-between "Oh, this is an in-between "Oh, this is an in-between stage." So maybe I stage." So maybe I stage." So maybe I can still do something down here can still do something down here to help someone.

How do you distinguish between these How do you distinguish between these two things? two things? Yes, you actually Yes, you actually hit the spot, hit the spot, hit the spot, because the term that is because the term that is because the term that is commonly commonly commonly used in used in used in Bible colleges, Bible colleges, Bible colleges, seminaries, seminaries, seminaries, theological works theological works theological works is an intermediate state. is an intermediate state. is an intermediate state. But I found that people But I found that people But I found that people were asking, "Are you were asking, "Are you were asking, "Are you talking about talking about talking about purgatory?" You say, " purgatory?" You say, " Purgatory?" Where did this Purgatory?" Where did this Purgatory?" Where did this come from? But you, that's come from? But you, that's come from? But you, that's exactly the question exactly the question exactly the question you're asking. So, I you're asking. So, I you're asking. So, I literally literally changed it from " intermediate heaven" to " intermediate heaven" to " present heaven" in later editions. So present heaven" in later editions. So , the current heaven doesn't , the current heaven doesn't , the current heaven doesn't give any hints of a give any hints of a give any hints of a possible, you know, possible, you know, possible, you know, purgatory or purgatory or purgatory or punishment or anything like punishment or anything like punishment or anything like that. But yes, of course, that. But yes, of course, that. But yes, of course, our Catholic friends our Catholic friends our Catholic friends will believe whatever will believe whatever will believe whatever they believe about they believe about they believe about purgatory, but that's purgatory, but that's purgatory, but that's not at all what God- not at all what God- what? Evangelical what? Evangelical what? Evangelical Protestant Protestant Protestant theologians theologians theologians mean by an intermediate mean by an intermediate mean by an intermediate state. It simply state. It simply state. It simply means the state between the means the state between the means the state between the present heaven and the present heaven and the present heaven and the future heaven that future heaven that future heaven that will be brought down upon the new will be brought down upon the new will be brought down upon the new earth. earth. Thank you for that. And even Thank you for that. And even as you were talking, I as you were talking, I as you were talking, I thought, I've never thought, I've never thought about that before. Maybe I'm thought about that before. Maybe I'm just taking it in too slowly just taking it in too slowly just taking it in too slowly . But we . But we argue so often about time argue so often about time in the first two in the first two in the first two chapters of the Bible and the chapters of the Bible and the chapters of the Bible and the last two, well, the last two, well, the last two, well, the last chapter of the last chapter of the last chapter of the Bible. For example, what Bible. For example, what Bible. For example, what does time mean? Is a day a does time mean? Is a day a does time mean? Is a day a thousand years? Is a thousand years? Is a thousand years? Is a thousand years a thousand thousand years a thousand thousand years a thousand years? I never years? I never years? I never thought about the fact thought about the fact thought about the fact that none of them that none of them are trying are trying to achieve this at all, right? That's to achieve this at all, right? That's to achieve this at all, right? That's not even what not even what not even what this text is for. But this text is for. But this text is for. But anyway, this is anyway, this is anyway, this is a bit off a bit off a bit off topic, but I just topic, but I just topic, but I just thought it was thought it was thought it was fascinating while you were fascinating while you were fascinating while you were talking. I thought talking. I thought talking. I thought we were strange people. Is we were strange people. Is we were strange people. Is n't that funny?

n't that funny? n't that funny? In fact, it's In fact, it's In fact, it's about how it was about how it was about how it was very good and how it will be very good and how it will be very good and how it will be very good. very good. very good. Yes. Yes. Yes. And God does all this. And God does all this. And God does all this. God, God does all this God, God does all this . . . It's like, maybe, the Bible It's like, maybe, the Bible —it's a great chiasmus. —it's a great chiasmus. —it's a great chiasmus. When we get to "it When we get to "it was good," but was good," but was good," but then there are these numbers that then there are these numbers that then there are these numbers that everyone wants everyone wants everyone wants to focus on. This is a very to focus on. This is a very to focus on. This is a very valid observation. valid observation. valid observation. I, I, I never thought about that I, I, I never thought about that I, I, I never thought about that . . . Satan always wants to Satan always wants to Satan always wants to distract us from what is distract us from what is distract us from what is most important, and I most important, and I most important, and I truly believe that in truly believe that in truly believe that in terms of interpretation, he terms of interpretation, he terms of interpretation, he has his favorite has his favorite has his favorite ways of doing this. ways of doing this. He loves to He loves to twist twist twist Scripture and make Scripture and make Scripture and make us think it us think it us think it teaches something it teaches something it teaches something it doesn't actually teach. doesn't actually teach. doesn't actually teach. Well, the Bible teaches us Well, the Bible teaches us that everyone who knows that everyone who knows that everyone who knows the Lord will be with Him from the the Lord will be with Him from the the Lord will be with Him from the moment of their death. moment of their death. moment of their death. He just quoted He just quoted He just quoted 2 Corinthians: “ 2 Corinthians: “ To be absent from the body To be absent from the body is to be is to be is to be present with the present with the present with the Lord.” We know Lord.” We know Lord.” We know that Jesus said to that Jesus said to that Jesus said to the thief on the cross, the thief on the cross, the thief on the cross, "Today, that is, "Today, that is, "Today, that is, today, you will be with today, you will be with today, you will be with me in paradise." So, we me in paradise." So, we me in paradise." So, we know that this know that this know that this present heaven is still present heaven is still present heaven is still glorious, although it is not the glorious, although it is not the glorious, although it is not the heaven after heaven after heaven after the resurrection, after the the resurrection, after the the resurrection, after the second coming of second coming of second coming of Christ, which will be Christ, which will be Christ, which will be eternally glorious. And we eternally glorious. And we eternally glorious. And we will get there too.

will get there too. will get there too. But, but what can we But, but what can we But, but what can we know about someone know about someone know about someone now—because we all now—because we all now—because we all have someone we have someone we have someone we love. We all have love. We all have love. We all have someone we love someone we love someone we love who is who is who is in heaven right now. So what in heaven right now. So what in heaven right now. So what can we really can we really can we really know about what they know about what they know about what they do, or what they do, or what they do, or what they know about this life? know about this life? know about this life? You know, I think we You know, I think we You know, I think we ask ourselves: do ask ourselves: do ask ourselves: do they see us? Do they see us? Do they see us? Do they know? Are they they know? Are they they know? Are they interceding for me? interceding for me? interceding for me? What are they doing? Um, What are they doing? Um, What are they doing? Um, so what did you so what did you so what did you learn? learn? Well, we know for sure Well, we know for sure that they are in the presence that they are in the presence that they are in the presence of God, and to be in the of God, and to be in the of God, and to be in the presence of God presence of God is to know heaven and is to know heaven and is to know heaven and wonder beyond wonder beyond wonder beyond imagination. So it can imagination. So it can imagination. So it can only be very, very only be very, very only be very, very good—to be in good—to be in good—to be in the presence of God and not the presence of God and not the presence of God and not just be just be just be justified, although it's justified, although it's justified, although it's a little strange to a little strange to a little strange to say that about say that about say that about justification—just. justification—just. Yes. Yes. To be glorified, To be glorified, To be glorified, to be truly in His to be truly in His to be truly in His presence. It could be presence. It could be presence. It could be argued that full argued that full argued that full glorification will glorification will glorification will only come after only come after only come after the resurrection, but in the resurrection, but in the resurrection, but in any case, it is any case, it is any case, it is much better, as much better, as much better, as Paul says, much Paul says, much Paul says, much better. Um, and we know better. Um, and we know better. Um, and we know at least that. We at least that. We at least that. We also know that in also know that in also know that in Revelation 6:10 Revelation 6:10 Revelation 6:10 the martyrs remember being the martyrs remember being the martyrs remember being killed on killed on killed on Earth and say to Earth and say to Earth and say to God, "How long, Lord, do God, "How long, Lord, do God, "How long, Lord, do you not judge those who you not judge those who you not judge those who killed us?" So this killed us?" So this killed us?" So this tells us something tells us something tells us something about heaven. First of

about heaven. First of about heaven. First of all, the idea that all, the idea that all, the idea that people in heaven people in heaven people in heaven cannot remember cannot remember cannot remember earthly life, because then earthly life, because then earthly life, because then it wouldn't be heaven for them it wouldn't be heaven for them it wouldn't be heaven for them ... is ... is ... is completely and completely and completely and utterly false utterly false utterly false because of this passage. It because of this passage. It because of this passage. It just shows that just shows that just shows that they remember. It is not they remember. It is not they remember. It is not the absence of memory that the absence of memory that the absence of memory that makes heaven makes heaven makes heaven heaven. It is heaven. It is heaven. It is the presence of God and the the presence of God and the the presence of God and the eternal perspective eternal perspective eternal perspective that comes with it that comes with it that comes with it as a redeemed as a redeemed as a redeemed people. So, we people. So, we people. So, we know they know they know they remember. They remember. They remember. They remember even remember even remember even bad things. And that they bad things. And that they bad things. And that they know certain things. know certain things. For example, they For example, they know that the people who know that the people who know that the people who killed them have not yet been killed them have not yet been killed them have not yet been convicted. "Until, convicted. "Until, convicted. "Until, Lord, You judge?" Lord, You judge?" Lord, You judge?" We also know that We also know that We also know that time exists in heaven. Okay, time exists in heaven. Okay, time exists in heaven. Okay, "how long"? They talk "how long"? They talk "how long"? They talk about the duration of time. about the duration of time. about the duration of time. And Revelation 8:1 And Revelation 8:1 And Revelation 8:1 says that there says that there says that there was silence in heaven for half an was silence in heaven for half an was silence in heaven for half an hour, you know. And hour, you know. And hour, you know. And so much of what so much of what so much of what we believe about heaven we believe about heaven we believe about heaven is myth. For example, is myth. For example, is myth. For example, that there is no time.

that there is no time. that there is no time. People talk about People talk about People talk about timelessness, and you timelessness, and you timelessness, and you think, "Well, wait a minute think, "Well, wait a minute ." If time didn't ." If time didn't ." If time didn't exist, you would exist, you would exist, you would n't even be able to sing. I n't even be able to sing. I n't even be able to sing. I mean, a mean, a mean, a song has a beginning and an song has a beginning and an song has a beginning and an end. There is a middle of the end. There is a middle of the end. There is a middle of the song. And there are also whole song. And there are also whole song. And there are also whole notes, half notes, notes, half notes, notes, half notes, quarter notes, and so on. quarter notes, and so on. quarter notes, and so on. So, music in our So, music in our So, music in our understanding. Now, in understanding. Now, in understanding. Now, in God's mind, he does God's mind, he does God's mind, he does n't need all these n't need all these n't need all these things. You know, yeah, he things. You know, yeah, he things. You know, yeah, he could live in a world could live in a world could live in a world outside of time. But we outside of time. But we outside of time. But we will not live in a world will not live in a world will not live in a world outside of time. And something else outside of time. And something else outside of time. And something else that we know that that we know that that we know that people in people in people in heaven know is what heaven know is what heaven know is what Jesus said: there will be Jesus said: there will be Jesus said: there will be joy before joy before joy before the angels of God over the angels of God over the angels of God over every sinner every sinner every sinner who repents. It is in the who repents. It is in the 15th chapter of the Gospel 15th chapter of the Gospel 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Okay, it of Luke. Okay, it of Luke. Okay, it intentionally doesn't say intentionally doesn't say intentionally doesn't say that it's the angels who will rejoice that it's the angels who will rejoice that it's the angels who will rejoice . It says . It says . It says that joy will be before the that joy will be before the that joy will be before the angels who angels who angels who will live or are already will live or are already will live or are already living before the living before the living before the angels in heaven. angels in heaven. These are the people of God. I'm These are the people of God. I'm sure the angels sure the angels sure the angels probably rejoice too, probably rejoice too, probably rejoice too, but the point is that we but the point is that we but the point is that we should expect should expect should expect people to rejoice when people to rejoice when people to rejoice when sinners come sinners come sinners come to Christ, including to Christ, including to Christ, including those they those they those they prayed for. Well, they prayed for. Well, they prayed for. Well, they should know that they have should know that they have should know that they have come to Christ.

come to Christ. come to Christ. How do they know? How do they know? How do they know? God somehow reveals it to God somehow reveals it to God somehow reveals it to them. They are allowed to them. They are allowed to them. They are allowed to observe, or he observe, or he observe, or he tells them, or tells them, or tells them, or something, but something, but something, but in reality there is in reality there is in reality there is at least selective at least selective at least selective knowledge of the future. knowledge of the future. knowledge of the future. This doesn't mean we'll This doesn't mean we'll This doesn't mean we'll spend all our spend all our spend all our time in heaven time in heaven time in heaven watching what's watching what's watching what's happening on happening on happening on earth, but it's like earth, but it's like earth, but it's like Centre Court at Centre Court at Centre Court at Wimbledon, only Wimbledon, only Wimbledon, only much grander. much grander. much grander. The attention of heaven is focused The attention of heaven is focused The attention of heaven is focused on the earth. This is where God on the earth. This is where God on the earth. This is where God carries out his plan.