What If Jesus Was Serious about Heaven?

A Visual Guide to Experiencing God’s Kingdom among Us

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Many Christians think about heaven as a distant place we go after we die. But what if it's a very real kingdom available to us right now, here on earth?

In What If Jesus Was Serious about Heaven?, Skye Jethani unpacks what Jesus really said about heaven and how it can transform our faith today. The fourth in Jethani's popular What If Jesus Was Serious? series, this guide includes the author's hand-drawn illustrations in each chapter.

Jethani explores the importance of the kingdom of heaven in Jesus's ministry, message, and parables. In doing so, he redefines the popular understanding of heaven as a celestial home for the dearly departed and reimagines our role in God's kingdom here on earth. This book shows what Jesus and his first followers knew about heaven that we get wrong and helps us recapture what it means for God's kingdom to be present on earth right now.

Contents

Introduction: Redrawing Our Map of Heaven
Part 1: The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near
Part 2: The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like . . .
Part 3: Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven
Part 4: I Am Going to Prepare a Place for You
Part 5: The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord


Endorsements

"In this accessible little book, Jethani masterfully translates critical theological insights about heaven into punchy, impactful, moving prose. These chapters are short enough to be used meditatively and devotionally, but sufficiently weighty and scholarly to help thoughtful Christians go deeper in biblical study and understanding. Best of all, Jethani makes Jesus, the kingdom of God, and the reign of heaven look beautiful, joyful, compelling, and liberating. If your experience of Christianity has been impoverished or even, at times, miserable, this book will offer aid and a luminous, sturdy hope."

Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest; author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night

"Skye has written a Christ-exalting, clear, and compelling vision of the new heavens and new earth. How you view the future informs how you live in the present. Read this important book and gather with friends in a small group to explore the beauty of what our future holds."

Derwin L. Gray, cofounder, Transformation Church; author of God, Do You Hear Me?

"Many good Christians assume they know what Jesus said about heaven. But Skye Jethani calls us to think again, reexamining which parts of our vision of heaven have come from cultural assumptions instead of the Bible. With his characteristic clarity and signature illustrations, Skye helps us rediscover what heaven meant to Jesus. More than that, he invites us to recognize that heaven is not our future destination but rather God's present location--the place where he dwells and rules--and thus represents the shape of our mission on earth. This book offers a life-altering paradigm shift, because how we think about heaven affects how we live on earth."

Glenn Packiam, lead pastor, Rockharbor Church; author of The Resilient Pastor and The Intentional Year

"There are few topics more misunderstood in the American church than heaven. What If Jesus Was Serious about Heaven? addresses our confusion with thoughtful provocations, insightful corrections, and solid biblical teaching. This is a resource that doesn't just fix bad theology; it also orients believers in Christ toward the beautiful picture of cosmic redemption actually found in Scripture."

Kaitlyn Schiess, author of The Ballot and the Bible


The Author

  1. Skye Jethani

    Skye Jethani

    Skye Jethani (MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is an award-winning author, former pastor, and speaker. He is cohost of the popular Holy Post podcast, with over 600,000 downloads per month. Jethani has written numerous books, including the What...

    Continue reading about Skye Jethani


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