WHAT YOU WON’T FIND

IN HEAVEN

A Surprising Source of Hope

Stephen K. Moroney

What You Won’t Find in Heaven: A Surprising Source of Hope

© 2016 by Stephen K. Moroney

Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

LexhamPress.com

First edition by Weaver Book Company.

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Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

Print ISBN 9781683591900

Digital ISBN 9781683591917

Cover: J. R. Caines

Editing: Line for Line Publishing Services

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Earthly Life Now and Heavenly Life Later

2. Health Issues: No More Hospitals, Heart Disease, or Hospice

3. Emotional Issues: No More Personal Problems, Work Worries, or Family Feuds

4. Security Issues: No More Prisons, Passwords, or Protecting Ourselves

5. Social Issues: No More Terrorism, Tear Gas, or Tsunamis

6. Who Is in Heaven and Why It Matters

Appendix 1. Recent Visits to Heaven and Back?

Appendix 2. A Dozen Common Questions about Heaven

Acknowledgments

This book, like most, has been a collaborative effort. Many people read parts of the manuscript and offered constructive suggestions as I was working on it. Several members of my church also agreed to be interviewed and to have their thoughts included in the book. Special thanks to Abbey Allerding, Karelynne Ayayo, Michael Ayayo, David Beer, Kris Crosier, Ann Gardner, Joel Harris, Joy Harris, Stan Hinshaw, Bryan Hollon, Jonathan Holmes, Michael Howell-Moroney, Jillian Humphrey, Greg Jurica, Tim Keene, Jack Kragt, Roger Kunes, Margaret Moroney, Sue Moroney, Marsha Raymond, Dan Ring, Bob Robinson, Adam Romans, Sherry Shindle, Denny Thornton, Scott Waalkes, Tim Walker, and Helen Williams. Extra special thanks to Jim Weaver, who served as both the final editor and the publisher.

I want to thank the administration and trustees of Malone University for granting me a sabbatical leave in support of this book. My wife Sue’s patient support, constant encouragement, and wise suggestions were indispensable at every step along the way. Above all, I thank the one who descended from heaven so that his followers might live with him forever: Jesus Christ, who reigns from heaven with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever more.

Introduction

We all realize that the world is broken and we long, deep down, for it to be fixed. Things are not the way they are supposed to be, but in the afterlife we hope that everything will be made right. I have ideas about what heaven will be like and so do you. Some of our ideas are pretty wild. Over the years people have told me that heaven will include infinite supplies of chocolate with no worries about fat, or heaven ...