"Although believers will not receive their resurrection bodies until the rapture, it is apparent that believers will have bodies in the intermediate state in heaven."

"Upon death the believer goes immediately into the presence of Christ in heaven, a realm far better than this earth…Heaven is our true home."

"The gap that separated the holy and righteous God from sincful humanity has been bridged through…Jesus Christ. Hence, in eternity God will dwell intimately with redeemed mankind. **p. 25"

"Heaven… is the eternal kingdom Christ will inaugurate at His second coming."

"The longing that God has placed in our hearts is for heaven, a better place, a better country."

"Existence continues at death for the believer in a fuller, more fulfilling way. Death should hold no fear for the believer."

"Jesus’ ultimate prayer for His own people is that they would be in fellowship with Him in heaven forever… Jesus wants us to be with him—and with each other—in His Father’s house."

"As believers we have no need to fear death. Christ himself assures us of a safe arrival home in heaven!"

"Scripture indicates that heaven is not distant but rather… heaven is near—in another realm."

"Every believer departing this old earth …immediately transitions into heaven and is welcomed home by Jesus himself."

"We are limited by our visual, physical senses; yet from the Scriptures we can readily conclude that heaven is indeed not distant at all. It is nearby."

"This kingdom Christ promised will be both a physical and spiritual kingdom. Only those who are ‘poor in spirit’ will inherit the kingdom (Matt. 5:3)."

"The church is the bride of Christ. The kingdom will be the eternal celebration of the wedding of Christ and the church. We will enjoy rapturous celebration as the bride of Christ in the eternal kingdom."

"The ultimate reflection of the Creator’s glory will be the redemption and glorification of our bodies, when at the rapture, our bodies are transformed into the image of Christ. (1 Thess. 4:116-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-56)."

"In heaven, “we will have a real body with a real voice—and we will recognize each other’s voice.”"

"Before the resurrection, we will have an intermediate body. Our final body will be like Christ’s."

"Will we recognize our loved ones? Yes! Scripture is abundantly clear on the issue. Jesus showed himself to numerous people following His resurrection."

"On the new earth—heaven—we will have perfect bodies, resistant to any ailment. Our new bodies will continue on forever, without missing a beat."

"“When we see one another in heaven, we will have beautiful bodies that will far surpass the beauty of our bodies on this earth."

"Many of the passages that describe the millennial kingdom also, in continuity, describe the new heaven and the new earth—the eternal state."

"God created man for fellowship… The fall of man ruined that and Paradise—that is, the garden of Eden—was lost, but on the new earth paradise will be regained and God will again fellowship with mankind in a unique sense."

"During the tribulation there will be a national turning of Israel to the Lord; they will walk in righteousness. … God established an everlasting covenant with Israel and it will be of everlasting duration."

"While we look forward to a new heaven, let’s first consider the new earth, for the new earth will indeed be like heaven on earth. We will live on a restored earth."

"We can look forward expectantly to a beautified, restored earth where there is complete peace, tranquility and safety. No crime. No storms. Only peace. What a hope!"

"As a believer is changed, receiving a glorified body, so similarly, the earth is changed into a new earth, unstained by sin."

"A magnificent restoration awaits us. … Christ comes in judgment; then restoration."

"The day is coming when God will get the attention of all humanity—worldwide. God will shake the earth."