Visions of Heaven/Visions of Those in the Invisible Heavens

WHAT THOSE IN HEAVEN WILL DO

"I [the apostle John] heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, .  .  . and he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away.'"-Revelation 21:3, 4.

This prophetic vision points to the time when God's Kingdom, made up of Jesus and those resurrected from the earth, will bring an end to Satan's rule and make the earth a paradise.  Things that have caused so much pain and sorrow to humankind will be no more. Even death will pass away.

What, though, of the billions who have died and will not be resurrected to heaven?  At a future time, they will be restored to life with the prospect of living forever in that Paradise on earth. 

YOU NEED NOT FEAR THE DEMONS

Like prisoners in chains, millions of people are shackled by superstition and the dread of evil spirits.  They look to charms, amulets, and magic potions to protect themselves. There is no need to do so.  The Bible gives this comforting assurance:  "The eyes of Jehovah are roving through all  the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him."  (2 Chronicles 16:9)  The true God, Jehovah, who is far more powerful than Satan, will protect you if you trust in Him.

To gain Jehovah's protection, you need to learn what is pleasing to him and then do it.  For example, in the first century, Christians of the city of Ephesus collected all their books on magic and burned them.  (Acts 19:19, 20) Similarly, to have God's protection, you must dispose of charms, amulets, fetishes, magic books,  "protective strings,  and anything else connected with demonistic practices.  

The Bible says:  "Subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)  If you subject yourselves to Jehovah by obeying and serving him, you can be sure that Satan and the demons can have no hold on you.   

Note: That is not completely true. Like Jesus when he was being tested by the Devil, he will come back at a more convenient time. But he cannot do anything serious-only minor. But the Devil will test you over and over. But if you trust in God, he will keep Satan from doing serious damage to you.  Satan does not completely leave you alone.  

These versions assure us that Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus Christ, as well as the faithful angels and those who have been bought from the earth, all deeply care about us and seek out welfare. To learn more what they will do, go to the jw.org website and download the book What Does the Bible Really Teach, if you want to read it yourself.  I have already blogged that particular book.  

Next time: What Will God's Kingdom Accomplish?

From the Watchtower magazine