THE BASICS OF THE GOSPEL
We were created in the image of God (Gen.1:26) with great capabilities to rule and reign with Him in His creation (Gen.2:5-9). God is spirit (John 4:24) and we are spirit & soul (1 Thess.5:23-24) to relate to and experience God, and live, in a physical body to be able to interact with the world around us. But because of sin Adam and Eve were put out of the Garden of Eden, and all humanity since are born with a propensity to sin (Rom.7). As a result of sin, death (Rom.5:12, Rom.6:23) became a reality. But Jesus provides us a way back to God and gives us eternal life (John 3:16). As a result of being born again, and having the Spirit of God living in us (Rom.8:9, 1 John 4:4), a Christian will not suffer eternal separation (death) from God. The body will still die (Heb.9:27) but the inner man (spirit & soul) will live eternally with Him (John 3:18,36).
THE SUPERNATURAL
A lot of people have had NDE (near death experiences) and were resusitated and could tell of unusual sights and sounds of the afterlife. Some of their stories agree with Scripture and others do not. Recently, I have read three books written by medical doctors who interviewed patients who told of a NDE. Some had experiences of falling into a dark place, others told of seeing a bright light (Jesus- the light of the world) who was welcoming them into a place like a beautiful garden, flowing streams, seeing and communicating with friends and making new acquaintances.
One thing that stood out to me was the ability to communicate without speaking words as we do on earth. They often described it as speaking telepathically, hence, no hindrance of a language barrier. Some also mentioned suddenly knowing things that they had not been taught on earth nor told when they got in this place.
WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR ETERNITY
If these experiences are true, they are revealing to us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. But there are some things we can experience now in this life. First, we have Jesus living in us (Col.1:27). Second, we have the Spirit of God in us. They are active and often speak to us through the written Word of God! Or our conscience. Or dreams, visions, counsel of a friend, preached Word, a spiritual gift, etc. We are spirit beings and need to sharpen our ability to hear and see in the spirit realm all that is possible for today. I think that too often we have relegated all supernatural things to the afterlife when much of it can be experience in this life.
Spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, and ministries of the Spirit are all for this life! They will not be needed in Heaven for it will be operating on a higher dimension than earth presently is. Perhaps, we need to pray as the Apostle Paul did in Ephesians 1:15-23. Read it, Re-read it. Claim it for yourself. IT IS FOR TODAY!