SURPRISES IN HEAVEN

Revelation 8:1   And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Here our text describes a future heavenly event that will surprise or stun Heaven’s occupants into silence. Some people may be surprised that there are surprises in Heaven. Here are just a few.

 

I. WE WILL BE SURPRISED AT SOME PEOPLE WE SEE IN HEAVEN

 

1. Some Saved People Don’t Live Right [Gn. 19, 2 Peter 2:7]

 

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

 

2. Some Saved People Backslide [2 Samuel 11:1, Romans 4:6-8]

 

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

3. Some Saved People Belong to Heretical Groups [Galatians 1:6-9, 3:1-3]

 

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

 

II. WE WILL BE SURPRISED AT SOME PEOPLE WE DON’T SEE IN HEAVEN

 

1. Some Lost people Claim to be Saved [Mt. 7:21, John 6:29]

 

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

 

2. Some Lost People Preach [Mt. 7:22a]

 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?

 

3. Some Lost People Do Good Works in Jesus Name [Mt. 7:22b-23]

 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

III. WE WILL BE SURPRISED AT SOME THINGS IN HEAVEN

 

1. Ignorance [Revelation 6:9-10]

 

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

2. Judgment [Romans 14:10]

 

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 

3. Tears [Revelation 7:17, Revelation 21:4]

 

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.