Would you like to read a book that sets your sights on heaven, fills you with hope, and soothes your grief over lost loved ones? I just finished reading Heaven Revealed by Paul Enns, and I have a copy to give away.
The full name of the book is Heaven Revealed: What Is It Like? What Will We Do? . . . And 11 Other Things You’ve Wondered About. It lives up to it’s title with thirteen chapters, each about a different aspect of heaven. Here is a sampling:
- Where is heaven?
- What kind of body will we have?
- What will life be like in heaven?
- What will heaven and the new earth look like?
- What will we do in heaven?
- What will our relationship with others be like?
- What will our relationship with God be like?
Dr. Enns’ motivation in writing this book is clear from the very first pages. After his wife Helen passed away, he found himself captivated with thoughts of heaven and being reunited with her. It seems that the questions he addresses in each chapter are ones that he himself wondered.
He answers the questions with a barrage of scripture from both Old and New Testaments. He doesn’t usually quote the scripture; instead he gives a parenthetical reference so that the reader can reference the Bible.
I like how each chapter includes a snapshot listing of the answers to each question. I could get an overview of how he was going to address each element of heaven and then zero in on the points that most intrigued me.
At first I was seriously concerned that the main point of his book was just that we will be reunited with believing loved ones in heaven. His grief over the loss of Helen is repeated over and over in the initial chapters. It almost seemed that he was more happy to see Helen that to see Jesus! But as I continued reading, I saw more focus on God’s glory and less on his own personal loss.
I admit that I have not suffered the death of someone very close to me, so the prospect of heavenly reunions doesn’t speak to my heart as much as it does to the author and to many of you who have. I do look forward to seeing God face to face and consider this the highest reward of heaven. To focus unduly on our loved ones over our Creator and Redeemer would be wrong. But I assure you that taking this book as a whole, it is a very balanced approach to the joys of heaven.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a fast read that encouraged me to continue persevering in the hope of heaven. It is good to take our eyes off the sorrow and distractions of earthly living and refocus on our heavenly home. There is a rich reward ahead of me! What a wonderful motivation for living life to the fullest.
If you would like to enter the giveaway for a free copy of Heaven Revealed, simply leave me a comment telling me what aspect of heaven fills you with the greatest sense of hope or anticipation. (I am willing to mail this book anywhere in the world, so my international readers, please feel free to enter. I know how it feels to be left out of most giveaways.) I will choose a winner on Friday night (April 1, 2011).
Disclaimer: C. Grant and Company gave me two free copies of Heaven Revealed (one to keep and one to give away) in exchange for my honest review. And this is an honest review.
Mary says
It is hard to narrow it down to one aspect, but I think meeting Jesus face to face has to be it. In the words of Mercy Me…”I can only imagine!”
WordGirl AKA Shannon says
I most look forward to meeting the real me in heaven (being revealed with Christ in his glory) because while I desperately want to be transformed here and now, I know there are parts of me that will never be the way God envisioned when he created me. I looking forward to being completely transformed.
dee67p says
OT: Odd questions about your transition and about a tween quickly entering the teen phase (I did check out the book called “Age of Opportunity” and am reading it with my husband), how is your daughter getting along with attending the church family, if you’ve found a local church family? I know that it can be a wild transition, and has been for my kids as we moved within the USA, but now that we’ve found another local church family, there are so many supports as we approach an even higher task of raising teens. Is she growing in her faith and how are you doing with the transition back into the USA? No reply necessary really, but this book (…Heaven) made me think about the steps you’ve had to take each day since you came back a couple of months ago.
Tammy says
I lost my mom nearly four years ago. While I hold tightly to the knowledge that I will see her again someday, I know that our primary purpose in heaven will be to glorify God. I’m looking forward to standing before His throne, arms uplifted, voice strong, praising Him in all His magnificent glory.
Sarah says
I’m not entirely sure! It will be totally amazing to see Jesus and live in His light. I am aware that each time someone I love dies, I feel a real sense that heaven just got a little sweeter. I am also increasingly aware that our bodies get older and more prone to all kinds of problems and that in heaven there will be no more pain – physical or mental. All these things thrill me. Maybe I’ve strayed a little from the main focus. Thought provoking!
(Thanks for opening it to international readers!!)
Ticia says
For me it’s a mixed bag of seeing my believing loved ones (and one death the loss is still fresh to me) and seeing God in heaven. How amazing will it be to see Him?
Angela says
To worship at the feet of Jesus, unfetered by this flawed body and the constant clamoring of my own thoughts.
Kelli says
just curious if you have read Heaven by Randy Alcorn and if you did, how did it compare?
Lori says
I think the part I look forward to the most is seeing and worshipping the Lord face to face and being in a place where there is no sin. I’ve read Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, and it gets me so excited to think about what it will be like!
Don says
I see the world today with so many people lost and without hope. I see heartache and trouble,what seems from nearly every side. The envy, jelously, and hate that man has for one another is so sad to me and certainly to God the Creator of all there is. Yes, the world is now under a curse, but wait the story isn’t finished. The last chapter is still to come. Heaven awaits. Jesus went there to prepare a place (home) for every believer. The joy of Heaven to me is that there will “No longer be a curse upon anything, for the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there,… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”. Yes, this Heaven awaits. Let’s finish that last chapter.