The Old Testament doesn’t give much discussion to the subject of Heaven as a place to go. Except for some scattered passages such as Psalm 23:6 which provides the hope of dwelling “in the House of the Lord forever,” Psalm 73:24 which says “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward YOU WILL RECEIVE ME TO GLORY.,” and Isaiah 25:6-9 in which God saves those who waited for Him, there is not much beyond. Sure, the Old Testament is expansive on the topic of Heaven when it comes to its physical aspects, such as in Genesis in which God made “the heavens,” and Psalm 19:1 which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God…” in other words, Heaven being discussed in a physical nature, there is little mention of Heaven as a destination.
The New Testament says a lot about Heaven as being a destination for the souls of those whom God has deemed to be righteous. In a sense, though, considering Heaven is mentioned as a destination, although sparsely, in the Old Testament, it seems that the New Testament has not just accepted Heaven as a destination, it has usurped the idea.
How so? Well, there are passages in the New testament that imply that the souls destined for Heaven have been asleep in their bodies in their graves until Jesus came along to lead them. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus says in John 5:25-29 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all WHO ARE IN THE TOMBS will hear his voice and come out, THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD TO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
The latter passage above would imply that for centuries people who died had slept in their graves instead of going to the House of the Lord, and instead of being saved by God. It’s as if God waited until he gave His son Jesus, before saving those who deserve to be saved. It is interesting that while the Old Testament mentions the Messiah, the idea doesn’t work its way into the few passages that mentions Heaven as a destination. Psalm 23:6 doesn’t say ‘I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever WHEN THE MESSIAH APPEARS,’ for instance. Neither does Isaiah 25:6-9 say that God will save when the Messiah appears.
Perhaps the Old Testament may imply that the presence of the Messiah is needed, if, as inferred in 2 Timothy 3:16 even the whole Old Testament must be taken into account, not just some passages.
One question that some of us who seek understanding may ponder…If Jesus was sent to save us, then why did God wait so long? Perhaps there is an answer?
The New Testament says a lot about Heaven as being a destination for the souls of those whom God has deemed to be righteous. In a sense, though, considering Heaven is mentioned as a destination, although sparsely, in the Old Testament, it seems that the New Testament has not just accepted Heaven as a destination, it has usurped the idea.
How so? Well, there are passages in the New testament that imply that the souls destined for Heaven have been asleep in their bodies in their graves until Jesus came along to lead them. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus says in John 5:25-29 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all WHO ARE IN THE TOMBS will hear his voice and come out, THOSE WHO HAVE DONE GOOD TO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
The latter passage above would imply that for centuries people who died had slept in their graves instead of going to the House of the Lord, and instead of being saved by God. It’s as if God waited until he gave His son Jesus, before saving those who deserve to be saved. It is interesting that while the Old Testament mentions the Messiah, the idea doesn’t work its way into the few passages that mentions Heaven as a destination. Psalm 23:6 doesn’t say ‘I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever WHEN THE MESSIAH APPEARS,’ for instance. Neither does Isaiah 25:6-9 say that God will save when the Messiah appears.
Perhaps the Old Testament may imply that the presence of the Messiah is needed, if, as inferred in 2 Timothy 3:16 even the whole Old Testament must be taken into account, not just some passages.
One question that some of us who seek understanding may ponder…If Jesus was sent to save us, then why did God wait so long? Perhaps there is an answer?
