Preface to the Study
In our last issue, we presented a number of articles on “The Death of a Believer.” A believer’s death is precious for many reasons, but one of the greatest reasons is found in the Apostle Paul’s statement, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul understood that the believer has the best of both worlds and that God’s best can never be taken from him. If he lived, he did so in the grace and power of the Lord. Nothing in this world could ever take away the love of Christ, not even death itself (Romans 8:38-39). But, while living in this world is truly a great joy for the believer because he has Christ, death means something even better – Christ’s presence and eternal fellowship with the Father.
The doctrine of heaven provides the foundation for the believer’s joy in this world and his hope for the world to come. A right view of heaven helps the believer loosen his grip on this world, knowing that he has a far better inheritance in heaven (Hebrews 10:32-34). A right view of heaven causes the believer to rejoice over the death of loved ones who die in the Lord. A right view of heaven enables the believer to face all things even death itself, knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!
We hope this issue may help you to “set your hearts on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). We pray that, as you read about the glories of heaven, the things of earth will grow strangely dim, and that your desire will be that many others may join you in His eternal kingdom. We hope the articles contained in this issue will help you to be “heavenly-minded” and to look forward to the joy of being “forever with the Lord!” To God be the Glory, alone and forever!
By His Grace, Jim & Debbie
Teaching Resources International 