The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life. Second Edition. Author: John MacArthur. Published by Crossway Publishing. 2013. Price $11.50. Available at https://shop.gty.org/store/books/451126S/the-glory-of-heaven-

Disclaimer

At no point has the author been paid or compensated to review this book. There was no incentive to write a good review.

Overview

John MacArthur was one of the greatest authors of the 20^th and 21^st centuries. His biblical exposition was timeless and priceless for those who love the Word of God. Therefore, it is to be expected that this book is priceless regarding the teaching on Heaven’s glory. Dr. MacArthur treats heaven and the Bible’s teaching of it as of great importance. One can read this book and know for sure all the joys and blessings God has in store for eternity for those who love Him.

Key Passage Theme

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-21, ESV).

MacArthur uses this passage to say that the Scriptures are surer than fallen humankind’s experience. One can trust God’s Word over man’s words.

Outline

The first section deals with supposed trips to heaven and how they fall short of the Bible’s accounts. These chapters are entitled: 1. Heavenly Hash, 2. Heaven is Real; Hallucinations Are Not, and 3. Delusions of Grandeur.

The second section deals with the Christian’s joy and hope in the certainty of Heaven, the biblical description of Heaven, and the New Jerusalem as presented in the Bible.

The third section describes what Christians will be like in Heaven and the angelic host.

The Outcome of This Book

This book will point to the Bible as the ultimate authority of Heaven. It will also make the reader long to be in Heaven with the Godhead and with no sin. It certainly lifted my spirit when I read it. This book will encourage believers during these dark times that they have a reward awaiting them for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

People Who Will Benefit From This Book

This book will encourage pastors who are trying to get through the week from Sunday to Sunday to look forward to their rest in heaven. It will also help those who are trying to find an answer to these frequent supposed trips to Heaven. When one compares the Bible to these fanciful tales, the Bible always comes out on top. This book is also for anyone who appreciates good books that point to the Bible as the authority for all spiritual things. Get it today and enrich your insight into what God is preparing us for.

The Gospel

Are you morally perfect? How many lies have you told in your life? Plenty? That makes you a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, regardless of its value? That makes you a thief. The reality is God sees our hatred as murder, lust as adultery, lies as an attack on His character, and dishonoring your parents as insulting Him. You stand guilty before a holy God. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. That is a terrible thing because of the reality of Hell.

Since we can’t get to heaven because of our lack of goodness, we need to be credited with goodness from someone else. This is where Jesus comes in. He is fully God and fully man; one person with two natures. Here is the gospel put in a nutshell.

God loved us so much that Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment for the sins of all who would repent and trust in Him. He paid for the sins of believers in full. There is no more wrath for God to pour out on believers. Jesus paid it all.

God calls all people everywhere to repent and trust in Jesus (Acts 17). What do these terms mean? It means that all people must turn from sin to God. People who repent acknowledge their sin, mourn over sin, desire to submit to God, and hunger to be made right with God. That is repentance. Faith is trusting in Jesus’ person and work on the cross to save you from sin.

More From Striving for Eternity

If you want more information on studying the Bible and how to interpret it correctly, check out the store section at strivingforeternity.org/store. There are tons of resources to help you get started on your journey to interpreting the Bible better. Also, invite Andrew Rappaport and Aaron M. Brewster to come to your church and teach you biblical interpretation with their Biblical Interpretation Made Easy Seminar. Andrew Rappaport, Aaron M. Brewster, and other guests on Apologetics live would also enjoy answering your questions on the live show on Thursdays from 7pm–9pm CST with the link to the stream yard at strivingforeternity.org/apologeticslive. Lord bless you and strive to make today and eternal day for Christ Jesus.