Lesson 4: Forever - Where Is Heaven? (3)

Who are the people of heaven, and where will be their levels of importance? Will everyone be the same? Will we be angels when we get to heaven?

First, we will not be angels. The Bible tells us that we will "judge angels" in heaven (1 Corinthians 6:3). In Hebrews 2:7-9 the Scriptures talk about Jesus being for "a little while made lower than the angels." We are now lower than the angels, but if we are to be partakers with Christ we shall be above the angels in heaven as He is now.

There have always been at least three differences of people here on earth. The three divisions are Gentiles, Jews, and Christians. The promises to these three groups of believing individuals are quite different from each other. Let's look at each group separately.


The Jews, obviously, are the people known in the Bible as Israel and today are called the Jews. The promises made to these people come both through Abraham and David. To Abraham was promised a country and a people. The people would be a perpetual people, and the country would be theirs forever. Now if forever doesn't mean eternal, then "forever" has no meaning. To David was promised a kingdom forever. Again, if forever doesn't mean eternal, then "forever" has no meaning. We know, obviously, that the grand fulfillment of this promise was the Messiah, the Christ – Jesus. But the Jews also understood this to be a promise to them. They longed for a home, and that longing has not diminished one bit in our culture today. They long for a home, they long for peace and they will have it when their promises from God are at last fulfilled. There are, of course, believing and unbelieving Jews, and the promises will only be fulfilled to those who believe in God.

Christians are not the same as the Jews. Christians make up a body called the Church, which is also called the bride of Christ. The Church has a very specific promise of being united with Christ in a very special relationship for all eternity. The Church, or bride of Christ, will remain with Him in that relationship for all eternity. There is a wedding ceremony coming, and according to Scripture, they are those who will be invited to this ceremony. In other words, there is the bride, and they are guests. So a distinction is made for this Church as the bride of Christ.

*What does it mean to you to be part of the Church?