Imagine Heaven by John Burke
Week 12: Chapter 11 — God's Presence — The Core of Heaven
Read Chapter 11 of Imagine Heaven. Key Scripture: Revelation 21:3; John 17:3; Psalm 16:11.
Previewing Week 12 of Imagine Heaven
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 17-week guide when you’re ready.
All the beauty, all the reunions, all the meaningful work — Burke argues that the core of everything in Heaven is the presence of God himself, and that everything else flows from it.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Burke argues that the greatest thing about Heaven is not the streets of gold, the reunions, or the beauty — it is God himself. Do you find that idea genuinely thrilling, or does it feel abstract and distant? Be honest.
2.Revelation 21:3 declares, 'God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.' Burke sees this as the fulfillment of everything in Scripture — from Eden, to the Tabernacle, to the Temple, to the Incarnation, to eternity. How does seeing this as a through-line in the biblical story deepen its meaning?
3.NDE survivors who encounter the Being of Light consistently describe it as the most profound, overwhelming, and transforming experience imaginable — one they never want to leave. Does that description make you more or less eager to know God personally right now?
a.What does it say about our current capacity for God that even NDE survivors can barely describe the experience in words?
b.What practices or habits might help you grow in your experience of God's presence now, as a foretaste of eternity?