My father went to heaven over 20 years ago now. Briefly, just after he entered that eternal place, we saw glimpses of him there. I am not sure why the Lord allowed us to see him there, maybe because we had prayed and wept over his hard heart for so long, God in His loving kindness wanted to assure us he had made it past those pearly gates!

My daughter was five years old when she had a dream she saw her grandpa in heaven going into stores. I thought it was odd, but intriguing. That is why, when I read the book “A Place Called Heaven,” and the author Richard Sigmund describes “stores,” it really grabbed my interest.

There was a whole lot more to Sigmunds story than just stores! This man was in an auto accident. Although he doesn’t say exactly how long he had been declared dead, he was in the morgue with a sheet over his head when he awoke! Sigmund says he had a tour of heaven while “dead” physically. What he saw is fascinating, and exciting. That book made me want to live for God here on earth so I could not only get to heaven someday, but get the most out of it. What he saw is totally biblical, but it takes what to us mere mortals seems abstract and makes it as real as the McDonalds down the road.

Here’s a few things we can expect in heaven:

Ever want to float? “Through the gate along the pathway were many beautiful houses-mansions. And they had verandas on the second, third, even fourth floor. People would stroll off the edge of their verandas and very easily float to the ground.” He also describes people floating and swimming in a lake and playing under the crystal clear water. No one drowns, because in heaven, Sigmund readily points out “there is no death.”

Are there Children in heaven? Sigmund sees children playing everywhere. In nurseries, riding horses, swimming, painting, singing. “heaven is a place you want to go, Just to be around the children if nothing else.” He explains that they continue growing in heaven. If you have lost a child, be assured that little one is having the best childhood of all! Be sure to get to heaven so you can meet up with them.

Will You be bored in heaven? In the movie “All Dogs Go to Heaven,’ the main character hates the ethereal music and slow motion existence of heaven. If Sigmund truly saw the real heaven, I can assure you we will never be bored! It is a world... it is THE world, of eternal delights! We continue to learn and grow and utilize all the gifts that God gave us, and build on our knowledge from the earth. “Our education is not complete when we leave the earth,” Sigmund says “We have only just begun.” There is also incredible music, interesting people to talk to from all the ages, more creation to explore… Heaven is the exclamation point of life!

How does Prayer Work? Sigmund says that “No prayers go unanswered-even wrong prayer. Sigmund says he saw angels passing through a special building carrying golden censers with prayers before the throne. “The prayers are precious cargo and are treated as such,” he explains. “The prayers are brought before the face of God. Instantly the angels go back for more.

What do Angels do? Sigmund describes different “classes” of angels, such as “warring” angels that garnish swords and spears and do battle for us here on earth. Each one had a highly specialized job, and special skills to do Gods work. Angels wait to do Gods will. God waits for us to pray, and he will send his angels in our behalf. They are eager, but we often leave them waiting. Angels also protect, care for, give wisdom, and some simply worship.

Please don’t miss out!

People prepare your heavenly homecoming based on exactly what you would want, expect and love. God has planned an eternity of cool, interesting, and exciting things especially tailored just for YOU!

There was a time I was so depressed and so discouraged about my life I contemplated suicide. I engaged in sin I never thought I would! It was a terrible time, and I was certain I was destined for hell. Even those who loved me most gave up hope on me during that season. I was weak, morally and physically, but I longed to return to the decent human being I had been before my fall. My old Christian friends rejected my pitiful attempts to return, and it made me want to quit trying to return. I wanted to give up all hope and die. At that time something whispered into my heart. Who knows, maybe it was one of those angels Richard Sigmund saw. “Whatever you do, make it to heaven,” It said.

It was as though, I knew, something greater that lived beyond my world knew a precious secret and wanted to share it with me. If I could get past my selfish wanderings, even if I had to deal with incalcuable losses, heaven was this amazing place well worth any suffering I may have to endure in this fragile body.

Reading Sigmunds book was, for me, a great encouragement to do just that: Get to heaven.

Not by my own good works, because no soul would ever get there based on Gods standard of perfection. But based on accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Believing that, receiving that, and trusting Him  with that.

I am certain now that I am going to heaven.

Make sure you are too. It is worth it all!

What is Heaven Like?

between Heaven and Hell