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The Glory of Heaven: The Truth about Heaven, Angels and Eternal Life

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The excellence of "The Glory of Heaven" is that it dispels error and explains truth without going beyond scripture, without crossing over into speculation as other writers on this topic do. In addition to using scripture to rebut popular New Age ideas about the afterlife, MacArthur utterly demolishes Christendom's false notions, like soul sleep (no immediate presence with God) and purgatory (post-mortem suffering). He even challenges common evangelical theory about the place of "Abraham's bosom." The occupants of heavens are described, both angels and glorified humans, with the distinction made between sanctification and glorification. Finally, MacArthur clarifies seemingly contradictory verses about the nature of the place of heaven, such as some that imply a temple in heaven and others that do not. MacArthur envisions an eternal heaven that transcends space and time rather than one that is just a different name for the New Earth. Because of MacArthur's scripture-laden academic manner, this book may seem a bit tedious for those who prefer conversational or devotional styles, but at least it's faithful to the Bible. (Also, MacArthur attaches 4 appendices that are more devotional pieces written by Boston, Spurgeon and Ryle.)

MacArthur is an amazingly gifted preacher. The Lord uses John in this book to bring the focus of the contemporary church today back to a view of the future hope that all Christians have waiting for them. Christians are strangers in a foreign land, sojourning untill the Lord takes them home by death or by rapture, but yet the church has fallen prey to the materialistic mentality of the world. Placing the meaning of life seemingly within their possesions and getting caught up in the day to day stuff that goes on in this world, putting to much emphasis and meaning in this "passing" world they have forgotten that they are allready "citizens" of Heaven.

"The Glory Of Heaven" in a number of ways, and through numerous Biblical truths seeks to bring the wandering Christian back to their roots, and shows them their future hope, a hope that is steadfast, sure and even a present reality in the believers life. A hope that should compel the believer to live a life that has it's meaning, it's aim, and it's hope fixed on the "blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ", and all that, that glorious appearing will entail.

This book was very uplifting and rooted in scripture. I had recently read a "best seller" about Heaven and left the book feeling misinformed. This book grealy helped me with some questions I had about Heaven. I would recommend this book to all people.

After recently reading Dinesh D'Souza's book titled Life After Death, a book chronicling a search for the afterlife using science and reason, I decided to follow that book with a study of what information is actually revealed in the Bible. To assist me in this, I chose the book The Glory of Heaven (The Truth About Heaven, Angels and Eternal Life) by John MacArthur.

MacArthur chooses an unusual way of opening this study by first looking at one individual who claims to have had heavenly visions and two who claim they have actually been transported up into heaven (one claims he has also literally descended into hell) and, of course, have written books about their experiences; a couple have written several sequels on their alleged experiences. MacArthur goes into quite some detail with each individual (Betty Eadie, Richard Eby and Roberts Liardon) in his two-chapter comparison of these three and others who are, according to MacArthur, clueless as to what heaven and hell is really like. Sadly, according to MacArthur, these testimonies were well received by the public in general and by numerous Christians who gave their books rave reviews.

Partway through chapter two, MacArthur balances these bizarre testimonies with a quick summary of the available biblical information on heaven, angels and eternal life. His study of the subjects really begin in chapter three, starting with "What Heaven Will Be Like." It wasn't until I was about halfway through MacArthur's study that I realized why he spent so much time looking at the strange ways people view heaven. Once the reader reads all that God has revealed in scripture about heaven the opening three stories go from very unusual to unbelievable and just plain stupid.

MacArthur pictures the glory of heaven by examining the following subjects. Within each chapter are numerous sub-subjects enhancing and enlarging the chapter title:

Chapter 3: What Heaven Will Be Like?
Chapter 4: New Jerusalem.
Chapter 5: What Will We Be Like In Heaven?
Chapter 6: The Heavenly Host.

In Chapter 6, MacArthur spends an entire chapter talking about angels. He first notes how prevalent angels were in popular music, TV and in the print media a decade or two ago. And, as expected, how unscriptural they were depicted. The rest of the chapter is a detailed study on what scripture actually says about angels.

The study, including the opening bizarre views of heaven, is only 163 pages long. But MacArthur has packed a tremendous amount of scriptural revelation in this relatively short study. The book closes with the following four Appendices:

1. The Jewels in Our Heavenly Crown, by Puritan Richard Baxter.

2. The Kingdom of Heaven, by Thomas Boston.

3. The Sympathy of the Two Worlds: A Sermon by Charles H. Spurgeon.

4. Home at Last! A Sermon by J.C. Ryle.

As is typical with John MacArthur, there are also a Notes Section, and both Scripture and General Indexes at the back of the book. Throughout MacArthur's book, he also includes his own personal encouragement to the believer. Mostly to set our minds on things above, as we are admonished to in scripture, while we serve Christ here on earth. He also directs an invitation in several areas to the unbeliever and skeptics, challenging them to view what their future holds without Christ, admonishing them to run to Christ while there is still an opportunity. I found one admonition to Christians memorable and worth noting:

"If you're worried about feeling out of place in heaven, don't. Heaven will seem more like home than the dearest spot on earth to you. It is uniquely designed by a tender, loving Savior to be the place where we will live together for all eternity and enjoy Him forever--in the fullness of our glorified humanity. Is it any wonder that the psalmist said, 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' (Psalm 116:15)?"

MacArthur's study is scripturally sound, a straightforward presentation of the material and generally lacking in the unnecessary speculation and conjecture often found in other studies on this subject. The Appendices were also worthwhile reading, although some reviewers, evidently unacquainted and inexperienced with reading material from Christian authors of previous centuries, found some of the writings boring and unappealing. I'm not sure whether that is an indictment of the sermons or our own failure to read and appreciate more of the classic Christian writers. MacArthur's book is highly recommended.

This is a good book about what the bible says about Heaven. There are only 6 chapters by MacArthur. The rest of the book contains four sermons or messages from other people (Richard Baxter, Thomas Boston, Charles Spurgeon, and J.C. Ryle).

The first two chapters look at the modern culture's (incorrect) view of heaven. The other four chapters describe what the bible actually says about heaven.

Overall, I thought MacArthur did an excellent job with the biblical description of heaven. In particular he did a great job describing not only what heaven will be like, but what we will be like in heaven.

While I am sure the four sermons at the end of the book were excellent, I didn't get much from them simply due to the wordiness of the writing (these writings go back several hundred years).

If you are interested in the biblical description of heaven I would recommend getting this book and at least read chapters 3-6.

After a family tragedy, I wanted to know everything I could know about Heaven. I've got dozens and dozens of books on Heaven. This is one of the best. We still won't know the answers to all of our questions until we get there, of course. That doesn't keep us from seeking the answers while we're here though.

There are different levels of focus that a person can handle at different times during the grief process. Immediately after a crisis or tragedy, one is not able to focus on much. We just need God to reach out and comfort us, and sometimes He does that through a book that just reads like a good friend in conversation with us. This book is a step beyond that for a time when there are specific questions that require a different approach. Both are necessary.

I recommend this book highly. The author never disappoints me.

I bought this book because I was curious to read John's take on what happens immediately after a believer dies. He mentioned this book on his radio station, Grace To You.

The actual book is only 163 pages. The rest of the book consists of 4 Appendices, all of which are very boring, and dry, save C.H. Spurgeons sermon, "The Sympothy of The Two Worlds." Spurgeon preaches from the text of Luke 15:10 - "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." An excerpt;

"Now, why do they not save their joy until that sinner dies and goes to heaven? Why do they rejoice over him when he repents?

My Arminian friend, I think, ought to go to heaven to set them right upon this matter. According to his theory, it must be very wrong of them because they rejoice prematurely. According to the Arminian doctrine, a man may repent, and yet he may be lost; he may have grace to repent and believe, an yet he may fall from grace and be a castaway. Now, angels, don't be too fast. Perhaps you may have to repent of this one day if the Arminian doctrine is true; I would advise you to save your song for greater joys. Why, angels, perhaps the men that you are singing over today you will have to mourn over tomorrow.

I am quite sure that Arminius never taught his doctrine in heaven. I do not know whether he is there - I hope he is, but he is no longer an Arminian. But if he ever taught his doctrine there, he would be put out. The reason why angels rejoice is because they know that when a sinner repents, he is absolutely saved - or else they would rejoice prematurely and would have good cause for retracting their merriment on some future occasion. But the angels know what Christ meant when He said, 'I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand' (John 10:28); therefore they rejoice over repenting sinners because they know they are saved."

C.H. Spurgeon, one of my favorite teachers, never fails to deliver.

Back to the book. John had some interesting things to say about Heaven, and I highly recommend the book for his take on what the scriptures teach. He also debunked those Heaven-Hell jumpers with their false notions, and delusional dreams they write about, in claims of having experienced God's true heavenly kingdom.

But when it comes to the Appendices, especially that of Thomas Boston, if you are like me, you will notice the redundancies of his thought, and will surely become weary of reading this book. I had to force myself to finish. And I think they should've ended the book with C.H. Spurgeons sermon, but I know why they ended with Ryle's sermon; it was more of an evangelization method, which is also a good way to end a book.

Also, I saw a person review this book, and say that John "Utterly demolishes" the doctrines of soul sleep, and purgatory. Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say, he "Utterly demolishes" those doctrines, but he did provide ample scripture support from the New Testament, to support his views. I am also an advocate of, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord," but John did not address the scriptures from the Old Testament that seem to teach that when we die, we go into "Soul Sleep."

This is actually another reason why I bought the book, I hate that evil doctrine of "Soul Sleep," and I wanted to see if John, really "Utterly Demolished" it.

William Hendriksen wrote a book, entitled, "The Bible On The Life Hereafter," in which he clearly explains what such passages as Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 actually mean.

All in all, this book was OK, and if you are trying to find out what is inside the gates of heaven, you will be at a loss of that information, until you die (and only if you're elect, of course).

This book, explains from a scriptural standpoint, what God has revealed to us, about heaven. It's not a fairy tale about someone who thinks they have been, and are returning with a message from God, that has nothing to do with what the bible says. I don't know why people waste their time listening to such people, but I do know one thing;

Jesus is God.

Another great book by Dr Macarthur. This book provides the biblical answers to that questions that many Christians, including myself have about heaven and angels. It really fills you with amazement of what is to come.

I think the book was biblically sound. It abolishes the new age believes of what heaven is like and gives a biblical definition of what heaven is like.

This book didn't deliver..... I was disappointed with the way the author delivered his information. I felt like instead of giving me ideas on what is in heaven he was too busy debunking everybody else and telling me why they were wrong. Having a hard time finishing it up...