Paul P. Enns - Heaven Revealed: What Is It Like? What Will We Do?... And 11 Other Things Youve Wondered About

Praise for Heaven Revealed

Often we hear that Christians spend too much time thinking about heaven. Actually, the opposite is true. Far too many of todays believers are uninformed about heaven and fail to understand why we should be yearning for the fullness that God has for us in eternity. Paul Enns offers a corrective to our neglect of heaven in Heaven Revealed. You will be greatly blessed by this book.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Paul Enns has thought carefully about heaven ever since his beloved wife, Helen, died unexpectedly a few years ago. The result is a book that is a wonderful blend of biblical insight and human longings, coupled with the personal assurance that we shall meet one another again in heaven. This is a delightful read for those who have lost loved ones, and for those of us who need an injection of biblical hope during these times of worldly struggles and distress. Paul has blessed the body of Christ by opening a window into the life beyond. Just read the first few pages, and you will want to read to the end.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor
The Moody Church

This book was written in the context of personal pain and loss; the death of a beloved spouse. It is marked by biblical conviction, theological faithfulness, and pastoral sensitivity. Those who read it will have their minds instructed, their hearts comforted, and their wills fortified as they long to see King Jesus face to face.

Dr. Daniel Akin, president
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

W HAT IS IT LIKE?

W HAT WILL WE DO?

AND 11 OTHER THINGS YOUVE WONDERED ABOUT

H EAVEN
R EVEALED

P AUL E NNS

M OODY P UBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2011 by
P AUL E NNS

All rights reserved. N O part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Edited by Jim Vincent
Interior design: Smartt guys design
Cover design: Tan Nguyen
Cover image: iStockphoto

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Enns, Paul P., 1937
Heaven revealed : what is it like? what will we do? and 11 other things youve wondered about/Paul Enns.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-4982-5
1. HeavenChristianity. I. Title.

BT846.3.E56 2011
236.24dc22

2010029364

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Printed in the United States of America

To the Enns, Klassen, Schroeder, and Paetkau families of the past five hundred years, all ancestors of Helen and myself, for their integrity, industry, and, above all, their God-fearing nature and devotion to Christ, which encompassed their entire lives.

And to my immediate family: Terry and Raye Jeanne, Elizabeth and Emily, Jeremy and Kim, Jacob, Joel, and Addison.

And to my beloved Helen, who preceded me to heaven and whom I eagerly long for in reunion.

C ONTENTS

INTRODUCTION:
My S TORY

A fter I had parked the car, Helen and I walked to the sanctuary, holding hands as we always did when we walked together. We had been husband and wife for forty-five years, yet I still felt like a newly engaged young man, smitten with love and thrilled by holding hands with the one he loves.

Our pastor, Ken Whitten, became emotional and teary-eyed that Sunday evening as he spoke during the sermon of being with his father just before he died. Pastor Ken recalled how he told his father, Ill meet you at the tree of life.

I leaned over to Helen and told her, Ill meet you at the Eastern Gate. She smiled and responded in agreement.

After the service we visited with numerous people (as Helen loved to do) and finally walked to the car, hand in hand. I opened the car door for her, and soon we were on our way home.

I was unusually tired that evening and headed for bed ahead of Helen. When she came to bed I was almost asleep, so I missed our nightly ritual. Before turning out the light we would clasp hands, and Helen would say, Gutte nacht, mein schatz! (Good night, my treasure!) I would respond, Gutte nacht, mein schatze! (Good night, my little treasure!)

The next morning, as I was leaving the house to drive to Idlewild Baptist Church to teach an extension seminary class, Helen walked to the car with meas she always did. She carried my mug of coffee, took a few sips (she wasnt supposed to drink coffee since it made her heart act up), and then handed me the cup. She was wearing walking shorts.

Go inside, its too cold, I suggested. But I knew she wouldnt go in. Whenever I drove away, she would always wave me off. I backed out of the driveway, and as I drove away she blew me some kisses and then waved to me. She was now in the street, and continued to wave until I turned the corner at the far end of the street. Our love was simple and sincere. We never got over the thrill and joy of the love we had for each other.

That morning, as I taught about the bodily resurrection of Christ, I became emotional and began to cry. I couldnt explain it. At two oclock I finished teaching the class but stayed for another half-hour talking to the students.

I arrived home about 2:45 p.m. to find the door was locked. That was unusual, since Helen would always unlock the door when she knew I was coming home. I unlocked the door and entered the house. Helen, I called. No answer. I called louder, HELEN! Still no answer. She must be working outside, I told myself. I put down my briefcase and walked into the kitchen.

I screamed as I saw Helen lying face down on the kitchen floor. I ran to her, turned her over, but there was no movement. HELEN , H ELEN! I shouted. I ran to the kitchen phone and quickly dialed 911, crying and screaming at the same time.

The lady admonished me to calm down, so I could help Helen. I followed her instruction and gave Helen mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, pumping her chest as I was told to do. In a short time the ambulance arrived, and the men took over.

For over an hour they sought to revive Helen. Finally, they came to me and said, We could take her to the hospital, but the line is flat. Shes gone.

Words are incapable of describing my emotion at that moment. My beloved Helen was gone! I couldnt begin to fathom that it had actually happened. Helen gone! I couldnt fathom it.