The following [in blue] is a list of questions an atheist asked in a Facebook group. My answers [with minor additions] are below.
**copied from another group***
SOME FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HEAVEN:
The following are questions I posted on a Christian forum. Instead of answers, I was blocked. I thought they'd take advantage of this to "win me to Christ?" Anyways.
1. Does heaven exist? If so, where's evidence?
2. According to the bible, heaven is described as streets of gold. Why is it decorated with gold? Is gold still valuable in heaven?
3. People (or faithful Christians) will be rewarded in heaven, according to the bible. But what are they going to do with those rewards? Since obviously, there's not going to be any needs in heaven?
4. Those who diēd as infants, are they going to grow up in heaven? Or they'll remain infants?
5. Are you going to chat with Jesus, Moses, Adam, Eve, etc? What kind of things will you be talking about?
6. Is thinking going to take place in heaven? Because we normally think about how to solve problems, how to use creative techniques, etc. But since there's no problems in heaven, then what exactly are Christians going to be thinking about?
7. If you get to heaven and discover someone you loved hasn't made it, will you miss them, or you'll be emotionally numb?
8. Can you be happy and joyful, even while other people are being tortūred simply because they didn't believe in the correct religious teachings? E.g. people who are born in India are most likely Hindu. And those in Saudi Arabia are mostly Muslim. Because religion is not discovered, it's inherited.
9. What are you going to be spending your time on in heaven? Praising God for eternity? Day and night? Is this something God enjoys?
10. Are people going to sleep in heaven, or their eyes will be open 24 hours for eternity?
11. Are people going to be learning in heaven? Will ignorance exist?
12. Satan was kicked out of heaven, according to the bible, his crime was a wrong thought. What guarantee do you have, that you'll not develop a wrong thought while in heaven, especially that you had many of them on earth?m he [[sic]]
//1. Does heaven exist? If so, where's evidence?//
Read books on Near Death Experiences like:
a.) Near-Death Experiences as Evidence for the Existence of God and Heaven: A Brief Introduction in Plain Language by Steve Miller
b.) Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises & The Exhilarating Future that Awaits You by John Burke
//2. According to the bible, heaven is described as streets of gold. Why is it decorated with gold? Is gold still valuable in heaven?//
You have to understand that there's a difference between the conscious disembodied condition during the Intermediate State which may simulate physical reality, and the Eternal Kingdom of God on Earth [and heaven?] after the resurrection of the body. The description of gold streets could be figurative. Though possibly literal. Just because some streets are gold doesn't mean all are made of gold. Also, gold will have aesthetic value because of its beauty, but not the same financial value. There will be no lack in heaven, so the "economy" will be different.
Rev. 21:5-7 LSB
[5] And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” [6] Then He said to me, “They are done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. [7] He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
//3. People (or faithful Christians) will be rewarded in heaven, according to the bible. But what are they going to do with those rewards? Since obviously, there's not going to be any needs in heaven?//
Rewards come in different forms. From closeness in rank and nearness to God in the kingdom; to responsibilities in ruling cities, peoples and angels [Matt. 19:28; Luke 19:16-19; 22:30; 1 Cor. 6:3]; greater honor [Rom. 2:6-10]; etc.
Read these sermons:
1. The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
https://gospelmeals.blogspot.com/2020/05/heaven-by-edward-d-griffin.html
3. When I Was A Child by Edward D. Griffin
//4. Those who diēd as infants, are they going to grow up in heaven? Or they'll remain infants?//
They will either slowly grow up in the afterlife, or be fully grow instantaneously [like Adam & Eve].
//5. Are you going to chat with Jesus, Moses, Adam, Eve, etc? What kind of things will you be talking about?//
Yes, we will have relationships and conversations with Jesus and the other redeemed people. Probably with angels too. Topics? Virtually everything. But sanctified conversations. Topics will include Redemptive History in the wide [civilizations] and narrow [individual]. The wonders of creation and New Creation. Old and New heavenly Music. Maybe even old and New novels.
//6. Is thinking going to take place in heaven? Because we normally think about how to solve problems, how to use creative techniques, etc. But since there's no problems in heaven, then what exactly are Christians going to be thinking about?//
There may be more scientific discoveries to be found in the New Creation. In physics, mathematics, philosophy. Read Griffin's sermon on "When I Was A Child" linked above.
//7. If you get to heaven and discover someone you loved hasn't made it, will you miss them, or you'll be emotionally numb? //
Your thinking will be so sanctified that in one sense you will be sad that any human made in God's image is in hell, but at the same time be fully convinced and satisfied that it's perfect justice. You'll be able to see that then, even if in this life it might not seem so.
//8. Can you be happy and joyful, even while other people are being tortūred simply because they didn't believe in the correct religious teachings? E.g. people who are born in India are most likely Hindu. And those in Saudi Arabia are mostly Muslim. Because religion is not discovered, it's inherited. //
That's a misrepresentation. They are in hell for their sins against God, themselves and others, not merely because they didn't believe the right things. God didn't have to provide salvation to anyone or send them the Gospel message to believe. God would have been within His just rights to withhold both atonement and the Gospel from them. And God does withhold the message from some.
//9. What are you going to be spending your time on in heaven? Praising God for eternity? Day and night? Is this something God enjoys? //
Read the sermons I linked to above.
//10. Are people going to sleep in heaven, or their eyes will be open 24 hours for eternity? //
They probably won't need to, but will likely be able to. Eating will probably not be necessary, but it will be part of the pleasures and rewards of heaven [Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:29; 22:18]. So why not also with sleep?
//11. Are people going to be learning in heaven? Will ignorance exist? //
Yes. See Griffin's sermons above.
Eph. 2:7 ESV
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:12 ESV
[12] It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
//12. Satan was kicked out of heaven, according to the bible, his crime was a wrong thought. What guarantee do you have, that you'll not develop a wrong thought while in heaven, especially that you had many of them on earth?m he//
Not merely wrong thoughts, but evil and rebellious thoughts and actions. The person of Satan [who wasn't named "Satan" at the time] attempted to overthrow God and usurp His position/throne. See Isa.
14 and Ezek. 28 which are chapters about human kings at the surface level of the text, but probably have a secondary meaning regarding Satan's rebellion and fall from his former high status among God's angels.
