What Will We Do in Heaven for Seven Years?

 

Recently a commenter on this blog asked me this question and it got me to thinking that maybe many believers don't really know or think about what we will be doing in heaven after the rapture. 

The Bible describes two main events that will occur once we get there. 

1. The Marriage of Jesus and His Bride (the raptured church), which includes a Wedding Feast and Celebration! (I, for one, am pretty excited about this!)
2. The Bema Judgement Seat of Christ in which all believers will have to stand before the Lord and be judged for what they did for Jesus and His Kingdom while they were on Earth. 

I don't know which of these events happens first, but both will be a time of joy. You see, you will not be judged at all for any failings, mistakes, or sins you committed in your life here on Earth. All of those things have been forgiven and forgotten beneath the mantle of Jesus's own blood. However, the Bible is clear that we will be judged for our works and the fruit we produced for God's Kingdom. 

For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil, considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing. 2 Corinthians 5:10 Amp Classic

But what are these rewards? We get hints from Scripture

1. Crowns

Crown of Righteousness for those who have finished their race and held their faith

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day 2 Tim 4:8

Crown of Life for those who made it through trials 
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Crown of Glory - awarded to pastors, shepherds and church leaders who did their jobs well
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:4

Victor's Crown -  to those who were persecuted for Jesus's sake but remained faithful
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10
 
2. Responsibilities and Rulerships

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about a rich owner who had to go away on a long journey so he gathered his servants together and gave them "talents" , one 5, one 2, and one 1. A talent is a measure of money, but I love that Jesus used the word "talent" because He gives each of us talents (skills, gifts) to use for His Kingdom. So, this isn't just about money. 

 

When the owner returned to see what His servants did with their talents, both of the ones who had 5 and 2 doubled their master's money, but the one who had been given 1 did nothing with it

To those who had doubled His money, Jesus said:

His master said to him, Well done, you upright and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy the delight, the blessedness which your master enjoys. Matthew 25:23

To the servant who did nothing with his talent, 

And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. v. 30

We find the same parable in Luke 19, but in this version, instead of doubling the "talents", Jesus grants the servants authority to rule over cities!

 And he said to him, Well done, excellent bond servant! Because you have been faithful and trustworthy in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.

The second one also came and said, Lord, your mina has made five more minas. And he said also to him, And you will take charge over five cities. Luke 19:18-19

Here are some other verses which explain that saints will be ruling and reigning with Jesus during the millennial reign.

And he who overcomes  and who obeys My commands to the very end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations; And he shall rule them with a scepter (rod) of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, and his power over them shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father; Revelation 2:26-27

Blessed is the person who takes part in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Clearly, Scripture teaches that we are given positions of authority to rule and reign with Jesus here on Earth during the Millennial Reign. And this depends on what we did for Jesus while here. 

But what about those people who didn't earn any rewards? What happens to them? IF they are truly Born Again, the Scripture is clear:

But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, the work of each will become known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.

If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.

But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Amp Classic

The person will remain in heaven but he will receive no rewards. I've heard people say, "I just want to make it. I don't care about rewards." And I just shake my head.  First of all why wouldn't you want any of these incredible rewards? We only know about a few of them, but I'm sure there are a lot more. And Secondly, why would you not want to please your Savior by doing things for Him and HIs Kingdom? That seems a very ungrateful and spoiled attitude. 

3. Speculation

The following are just thoughts I've had about what we might be doing in heaven before we come back to Earth These thoughts are based on Scripture but not clearly defined in Scripture. 

Touring our new homes. We are told in the Bible that Jesus went back to Heaven to prepare a place for us... a home, a mansion, the KJV says. So, I imagine that one thing we'll be doing is getting our first glimpse of what Jesus built for us!  I'm sure each home will be tailored specifically for each person, according to what Jesus knew were your likes and dislikes. 

Touring the Heavenly Jerusalem. I imagine we will also be given a tour of the great city of the King, and according to the measurements found in Revelation, it is massive. I can only guess at what is in there besides our homes... theaters, art galleries, music concerts, schools, pastry shops, restaurants, etc.. anything you can think of that would make up a city, and probably a lot more we can't even imagine.

Tour the countryside.

I've listened to quite a few NDEs describe heaven, along with other Godly people who had visions and it appears that there are mountains, forests, jungles, lakes, waterfalls, etc...  In other words, it will be like the Garden of Eden, only better. And so much to do and explore! 

Jobs

Will we be given tasks to do? Why not? It won't be like jobs here on Earth. Our tasks in heaven will be things we love to do, using the talents God gave us. For example, I imagine I will still write novels, only better than I did here! LOL.  I hope I can take the dance lessons I never got to take here on Earth and also painting classes, ice skating, and a host of other things I never got to do here. This is why in past posts, I've said that even if your dreams never came true here on Earth, you'll have an eternity to enjoy them after this life. 

Loved ones

How wonderful to be reconnected with our loved ones who died! But not only that, we will meet our ancestors who came generations before us, learn their stories, their struggles. All relationship issues that we had here on Earth with our family will be gone, and we will reconcile with them, embracing in love and joy like we've never known. We will understand each other fully and love each other unconditionally. It's going to be wonderful!

Bible Characters

Which Bible Character would you love to sit down with over coffee? Think about it. Noah? Moses? Apostle Paul, Peter?  You'll meet them all! I'm dying to talk to the disciples and ask what it was like to hang out with Jesus for 3 1/2 years. When did they know who He really was? I have a ton of questions!  I want to meet with Elijah, Abraham, Sarah, Esther, Ruth..., John.. I could go on...  

Time with Jesus

And this will be the best of all!  I imagine we will each get some quality time with our Lord. I imagine we can have our questions answered about our lives here, why certain things happened, etc. I would bet He would show us all the times He was right there beside us or He dispatched angels to keep us safe. Honestly, I just want to sit with Him on a beach and look into His eyes and hear His voice, see His smile. I can't wait.

So, you see, it's all too incredible to even imagine!  And we are so very close to being there!  So, no matter what you are going through, keep your thoughts on Jesus and Heaven because no matter the amount of suffering here, it's going to be more than worth it!