Some of the best selling books these days are stories of people who died, went to heaven, and came back to give the church and the world a glimpse of heaven. These books give people a lot of encouragement and hope in these dark times.There is some description of heaven and the new, heavenly Jerusalem in the book of Revelation, but not as much detail as many of us would like. For example, we see a picture of the throne room of God, what Jesus looks like, and the dimensions, foundation, and outer appearance of the city gates, as well as the appearance of certain angels and cherubim. But what about the mansions in heaven, streets of gold, and marriage supper of the lamb? Will we be working, eating, learning? Singing and worshipping only, or will we have jobs and assignments? Who will live in these mansions with us? There are so many questions that remain unanswered.
For some, heaven is symbolic and not a real place--or if it is real, it's an esoteric, ethereal existence where we believers just float around like spirits playing harps and existing for no particular purpose. But no, the Bible says something different. The actual dimensions of the city are laid out in Revelation 21 as a cube whose length, breadth, and height are 12000 furlongs or approximately 1500 miles each, equaling 14 billion cubic miles of square footage! Esoteric, ethereal places can not be measured that way, so God wants us to believe heaven is a real PLACE!
I am discovering that more people have been to heaven, seen this city, and returned to earth to give witness than we are aware. It seems the enemy has kept this from the church and the world, because it is so very encouraging to the heart, especially if a loved one has passed on. Women who have had miscarriages and abortions have been comforted to know they will be reunited with those children--I have heard this account from several testimonies. Thankfully, the Internet has made much of this available to us as a blessing and encouragement. Remember, the apostle Paul went to heaven, as did John the revelator, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Enoch, and Elijah. Chapters 11 and 12 of the book of Hebrews tell the believer this new Jerusalem is our REAL home! Even the Jewish people believe there is a heavenly city which will appear in the new age. I actually saw a painting of this in a local synagogue! I wanted to shout out, " It's Revelation 21, it's Revelation 21!"
One such testimony is from the Evangelist/preacher, Dr. Gary Wood, of Sugarland, Texas. Gary died in a car wreck in 1966 when he was 18 and went to heaven. He saw AMAZING things while there, much of which is described in the Scripture. He even heard angels singing songs that weren't heard here on earth until years later! You can go to google and find his testimony on Sid Roth, billyebrim.org and the link below. He came back from the dead and was miraculously healed of a C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae break (same as Christopher Reeve), cut vocal chords, and a crushed larynx. The medical prognosis was quadriplegic and inability to speak again--ever. Well, God has the last word, because Jesus came into his hospital room, touched his vocal chords, and he was miraculously healed! The nurse was so astonished, she dropped her tray and ran out of the room calling for the doctors! Praise God, Dr. Jesus had made His rounds that night!
This was the message Gary received from the Lord Jesus: Believe the word and receive, just as Mark 11:23-24 states. Pray the word of God and declare it so, as if it is finished. Do not accept condemnation from the enemy. Know you are loved, highly favored, and worthy of the blessings! That's all good news that lines up with the Gospel of grace, the same Gospel Paul preached!
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9UBBAT-keQ
Also, his book is entitled A Place Called Heaven.
Take a look and listen and be blessed!
