From The Heaven Answer Book by Billy Graham
Believing in Heaven has no value if we don’t believe in the resurrection of the One who created Heaven and opened its gates to all who will enter. Many people find it easier to believe in Heaven because they’ve heard about someone’s alleged vision, yet they’ll doubt that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and lives in Heaven today. God’s Word is our true guide, for it alone points us to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (John 3:12–13). Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important? Not only does it prove He was the Son of God and that there is life after death, but it assures us that death–our final enemy–has been defeated. The Bible summarizes this great truth in these words: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
A remarkable illustration in Scripture is the resurrection of Jesus’ friend Lazarus which took place in Bethany where Jesus was also anointed before His death. The Lord gives evidence of His power over the grace of others–and His own grave as well. After Lazarus had been in the grave four days, Jesus demonstrated His resurrection power by raising Lazarus from the dead. When He arrived at the tomb, He called with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come forth!” and Lazarus emerged from the grave and stood before the crowd (John 11:43 NKJV). This proved Jesus’ power over death–and also the truth of His promise to us: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will love, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (vv. 25-26).
Heaven comes to life for us because of Christ’s resurrection power. If you will sincerely search for Him, you will find new life in Christ. The resurrection is the fulfillment of the Word of God, and that fact authenticates Heaven!
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