The Bible says there is a difference between the things that are seen and the things that are not seen. Here is the text:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
The Bible is telling us that the things that are seen are transient; meaning they are not permanent, but lasting only for a short time.
This means there is much more to life than those things which we cannot see. For instance, no one living has ever seen God, because God is invisible. How then can we know about “the things that are unseen are eternal” to which the Scripture refers. For that we must go to the Book of all books—the Holy Bible also referred to as the Scripture.
Here we read: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
The word Scripture or Scriptures simply means the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible., with God as its divine author.
The Bible is “God’s Word,” which God uses to communicate to all mankind. And it has been proven to be the most trustworthy Book ever written. It tells us everything we need to know about this present earthly life and the life to come after we pass away.
“The Bible,” writes William MacDonald, “is profitable for doctrine, or teaching. It sets forth the mind of God with regard to such themes as the Trinity, angels, man, sin, salvation, sanctification, the church, and future events.”
“Again it is profitable for reproof. As we read the Bible, it speaks to us pointedly concerning those things in our lives which are displeasing to God. Also, it is profitable for refuting error and for answering the tempter.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 2124 Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Millions of people over many years have looked to, and relied on, the Bible as a source for help, comfort, guidance and inspiration; especially in difficult and uncertain times.
Here’s what God declares about His word, the Bible: “So shall my word be that goes out of my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Not only is God invisible to the human eye, so also is heaven—God’s abode or “dwelling place.” How then do we know for sure that these two unseen realities of God and heaven do actually exist? The Bible has the answer.
The Bible begins with this. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It is most noteworthy that the Bible doesn’t begin with a study or an argument of who God is, and proof of His existence while presenting the account of creation at the very beginning of all Scripture. Amazing! Isn’t it?
It is also recorded in the book of Psalms about God as Creator. “Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (Psalm 146:6).
There is yet another reference to God as Creator. Acts 4:24 tells us, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.”
We must therefore conclude from the biblical accounts that God is the Sovereign Creator of the universe. No human contributed anything, and neither was involved with its creation.
God also created heaven. And heaven is where God lives, rules, and sustains the world. Also, heaven is a “prepared place for prepared people.”
The Bible says to Christians, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:1.2). Things that are above is a direct reference to heaven itself.
Christ says to Christians, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
It was clearly not God’s intent that man should live on the earth forever. Therefore, He says to believers in Christ Jesus, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Likewise, the patriarch Abraham “was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Obviously, the city is in heaven
This world is not the permanent home of Christians; we are just passing through to our final destination which is heaven.
Another reality about heaven is this: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
God is eternal and heaven is also eternal. Both exist and both are unseen realities. All praise and glory be to God, forever and ever. Amen.