Randy Alcorn. Heaven. Tyndale. 2004.
What are we here for? Can you know if you're going to heaven? Do we know what heaven is like? Can we even know if heaven exists? The answers are all in Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven.
In Part 1 of this review, we talked about A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Tolle's book talks about the "awakening," being necessary to a new earth. He actually says "creating" the new earth ourselves. It's the consciousness of the universe, a universal awakening that needs to happen, and Tolle believes is happening. He tells us that the universe was once formless, then expanded, and will return to formless.
It isn't that I don't understand his philosophy. I do grasp it, and there are core truths concealed within it. I say "concealed" because a simple human might not understand it.
For instance, I grew up knowing what "awakened" meant. "Awakening" is a lifelong concept grasped by some of our world's most common and decent inhabitants. It was, and still is, the realization of God. My grandmother, while only educated to sixth grade, operated on a higher consciousness and taught me to do the same. It's not just about us. It's about giving and loving.
The work that changed so many people's lives, The Purpose-Driven Life, said it in the book's first sentence in merely four words:
It's not about you.
What a concept.
Once you figure that out, you can know your purpose in life.
It is really simple. Jesus was a simple person here on earth. The old earth. Why was he simple and taught simple concepts? He wanted the poorest of the poor and the meekest of the meek to get his message. He didn't waste much time with the learned, teachers of the law and such.
With his death, an innocent man being charged guilty, it became possible for the corrupted earth to have a chance. To inherit a new earth.
Think about the word "inherit." Jesus didn't say he would give us a new earth. He said we would "inherit" it. Those who choose to believe would inherit it. The Bible describes in part what the new earth will be like, but actually none of us will know for sure until we are there. If it's a "state of being" or an actual place, I just know it's the final destination of true believers.
Jesus said the meek would inherit the earth. He said that because only the meek can accept his message. His total message. The meek won't be going in all directions searching out higher philosophy, trying to enlarge their consciousness.
Jesus also talked about little children. He told the crowd once that they would have to become like little children to get into heaven. What does that tell you? Little kids innocently believe until someone stops them from believing.
Preparing: Randy Alcorn says "People who want to go to Florida don't simply get in the car and start driving, hoping the road will somehow get them there. Instead they look at a map and chart their course...If you want to get somewhere, guesswork is a poor strategy."
Back to our purpose. When you realize the truth, and Jesus said "I am the truth," your purpose here on "this" earth begins coming out of the mist.
When I read the description of purpose in Eckart Tolle's book, I didn't get the energy and vibrancy I got from either Randy Alcorn's or Rick Warren's books. A couple of days into The Purpose-Driven Life I was antsy to get out and start doing things, start helping people. I was awesomely inspired! God is the creator, and he is our inspiration. He loves us. The alternative to that God-breathed inspiration and love is death.
On page 36 of Heaven:
After showing us the new heaven and new earth, Jesus says near the end of the Bible, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty, I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."
Are you thirsty?
If you are, you might want to check this book out. It's available at Amazon. There's also a Study Guide available.
