FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY

Printed and Distributed by All Peoples Church & World Outreach, Bangalore, INDIA.
First Edition Printed: October 2005
Revised Edition Printed: February 2020
Revised Digital Edition: June 2021

Contact Information:
All Peoples Church & World Outreach,
# 319, 2nd Floor, 7th Main, HRBR Layout,
2nd Block, Kalyan Nagar,
Bangalore 560 043 Karnataka, INDIA

Phone: +91-80-25452617
Email: [email protected]
Website: apcwo.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James
Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical definitions, Hebrew and Greek words and their meanings are drawn from the following
resources:
Thayer's Greek Definitions. Published in 1886, 1889; public domain.
Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong,
S.T.D., L.L.D. Published in 1890; public domain.
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, © 1984, 1996, Thomas
Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.

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A Real Place Called Heaven

A REAL PLACE CALLED HEAVEN

My mother went home to be with Jesus on December 25, 2000. My dad, sister, and I, with
a few others, were by her side during her final moments here on earth. It was about 4:30
pm. Each breath she breathed came as a result of great effort. Then slowly, like a flickering
candle about to go out, her breathing gradually became weaker and weaker. Cancer had
eaten into her lungs and there was nothing more the doctors could do, to help her
recover. In those final moments, with her hand in mine, I prayed in the Spirit. The words of
our Lord Jesus—“I am the resurrection and the life”—immediately came to my mind. I knew
what the rest of the verse said, but I did not want to dwell on it. I did not want to accept
the fact that my mother was dying. I prayed, “Jesus, you said you are the resurrection and
the life.” I repeated that over and over. I was hoping that by a miracle my mother would
live. But within minutes, she was gone. With tears streaming down our cheeks and choked
voices, we tried to sing the chorus, “He is Lord, He is Lord. He is risen from the dead and
He is Lord.”

In the days that followed, I read many of the Scriptures that describe death and the life
hereafter. I made a choice to believe what the Bible teaches us about death and heaven.
These words brought great strength, comfort, peace, courage, and hope. I share some of
these with you in this book. All of us, at some time or the other, will come face to face
with death and the passing away of a loved one. My prayer is that the Word of God that
brought us comfort will do the same for you, in your hour of need.

Every human being will die once. The Scriptures teach us, “it is appointed for men to die
once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This eliminates reincarnation—the idea
of cycles of birth–death–rebirth—with opportunities to make amends for the sins of the
previous life. Every person goes through this life just once, faces death except for those
who will be “caught up” (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and then steps into eternity.

We are eternal beings. Our present physical bodies are just temporary residences for the
eternal part of us—our spirits and souls. Death is simply a separation. The eternal—our
spirits and souls, leaves the temporary—our bodies, at the time of death (James 2:26).
The spirit and soul of a person will continue to exist, either in heaven or in hell.

Life After This Life

John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he
shall live.

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A Real Place Called Heaven

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

As people who believe the Bible, we are assured that death is not the end. Those who die
believing in Jesus, will live. When a believer in Christ dies, that believer’s soul and spirit go to
be with Jesus in heaven. That person’s body seems lifeless, but that person is still alive.
That person is merely living in a different world—a world that we cannot normally look
at. One day, “… God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus … and the dead in Christ
will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:14,16).

That is why the Bible refers to death as “sleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15). From our
natural perspective, because the dead body is inactive, as is the case when a person is
asleep, so also death is considered as sleeping. Soon, when the day breaks and the Lord
Jesus who is the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) and the “Light of the world” (John
8:12) comes, those who have died will awaken out of their “sleep,” with new resurrected
bodies.

Since we are convinced that there is life after this life—both presently and in the
resurrection—we do not “sorrow as others who have no hope.” We know beyond a
shadow of a doubt that our loved ones who have died in Christ are alive and well, this very
moment. Their physical bodies will surely be raised, and we will see them. This death—this
separation—is only temporary.

Stepping Out Of Earth, Stepping Into Heaven

2 Corinthians 5:1-8
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further
clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a
guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the
Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the
Lord.”

When people die in Christ, their spirits and souls leave the earth and enter heaven. They
have changed residence. They have exchanged their earthly home for a heavenly one.
They have checked out of earth and checked into heaven! In this earthly house they
“groaned”—faced all kinds of hardships, pressures of life, challenges, suffered
persecutions, battled sicknesses, and so on. But the instant they died, they left all these
miseries behind and stepped into life in heaven. They are absent from this world, absent

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from our midst, and absent from their physical bodies. However, they are present in
heaven, they are present with the Lord, they are present in their eternal home—a house
not made with hands.

To Depart Is Far Better

Philippians 1:20-24
20 According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far
better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

In view of the above fact, for us believers, “to die is gain.” To depart and be with Christ is
“far better.” Death is not a defeat. Death is not a time of despair. Death is an entry into
something that is far better, something that is more glorious than our finest hour on
earth. Our loved ones who died in Christ are now experiencing things we have never
experienced. Yes, their absence is felt after their departure. Our heart misses their company,
their fellowship, and the times we shared. But that pain and longing is just something we
experience. Our loved ones, on the other hand, are experiencing great joy. They are in the
presence of Christ. Looking at their departure from this perspective should cause us to
lay our personal sorrow aside and rejoice in their joy—in their gain!!

Heaven Is a Wonderful Place

John 14:1-2
1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you.

John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold
My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Most of us who believe in Jesus may never have seen the Lord and heard His audible
voice. We may have only felt His presence, experienced the leading of His Spirit, tasted
the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:5). However, the
moment believers in Christ die, they go to be with Jesus. They are where He is and can
see His glory. They enter the place that the Lord Jesus has prepared for them. They are
clothed in garments of white (Revelation 3:5). They see the heavenly creatures worshipping
and giving glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever
and ever (Revelation 4:9). They join in this unending worship. They meet with the
millions who have gone on before us. There is so much more, both what we know and

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A Real Place Called Heaven

what we do not know, about the glories of heaven! Our loved ones, who have departed
in Christ, are in heaven—a wonderful place!

Comfort One Another With These Words

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with
the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

One of the primary reasons for the Lord to reveal truths about death, heaven,
resurrection, and the life hereafter is for us to be people of hope. With this hope founded
on the Word of God, we can comfort one another. These Scriptures have been given so
that we can be comforted—strengthened and energized to continue in the work of the
Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). However, we cannot draw and experience the comfort of the
Scriptures if we do not choose to believe in them and act upon them. We need to conform
our thinking, our believing, and our behavior to what the Scriptures teach us.

Some of us, in times of grief, prefer the sympathy of men over the comfort of the
Scriptures. We enjoy the attention we receive, and the sympathetic gestures people
make. However, people cannot continue providing their sympathy forever. And when
this stops, we feel that no one cares, and no one understands what we are going
through. However, the truth of the matter is that we are at fault. We have a weakness
for depending on the sympathy of people rather than depending on the comfort of the
Scriptures. We must overcome this weakness. We must discipline ourselves to meditate
on God’s Word and draw strength from Him and His Word.

Unanswered Questions

Often, at times like these, there are many questions that can arise and remain
unanswered: Why did someone die so young? Why did they have to die of sickness, in
an accident, or through some other calamity? Why were they not healed, protected, or
delivered by the power of God? Why? Why? Why? The questions can seem endless. As
we mature in our walk with God, we will learn to accept the fact that there are many
questions that will remain unanswered on this side of heaven. Of course, we can always
attempt to provide answers like “lack of revelation knowledge,” “lack of faith,” and so
on. But all these answers are, at best, an attempt to provide an answer and we do not
know for sure. Each situation is unique with many variables, and so much is unknown to
us. For now, we know in part, but then when that which is perfect has come, we will
know just as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:10,12). “The secret things belong to the
LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children

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A Real Place Called Heaven

forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). It is wise to
accept the fact that we may never have definite answers to such questions. However, we
must continue to live by the things that we do know.

While We Are Still Here On Earth

2 Corinthians 5:9-10
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things
done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us.

Those who have died and gone on before us have left us their life’s testimony. They have
done what they could for the Kingdom of God. And today, perhaps, they are looking
down from the galleries of heaven, on us who are still running life’s race. We must,
therefore, make it our aim to run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
We must endeavor to be pleasing to Him in everything we do. We cannot remain in our
place of sorrow or grief. We must arise from the place where we bid farewell to our
loved ones and keep moving on in the call of God. For one day, we along with those who
have gone ahead of us in Christ, will stand before the Lord to receive according to what
we have done for His Kingdom here on earth. May all who have gone on before us find us
faithful!

5
 Partner with All Peoples Church
All Peoples Church ministers beyond its own borders as a local church by reaching out all
across India, especially North India, with a special focus on (A) Strengthening Leaders,
(B) Equipping young people for ministry and (C) Building up the Body of Christ. Several
training seminars for young people, and Christian Leaders conferences are held
throughout the year. In addition, several thousands of copies of books are distributed
free of cost in English and other Indian languages with the purpose of equipping
believers in the Word and in the Spirit.

We invite you to partner with us financially by sending either a one-time gift or a

monthly financial gift. Any amount that you can send to help us in this work across our
nation will be greatly appreciated.

You can send your gift by cheque / bank draft payable to “All Peoples Church” to our
office address. Else you can remit your contribution directly by bank transfer using our
bank account details.

Account Name: All Peoples Church

Account Number: 0057213809
IFSC Code: CITI0000004
Bank: Citibank N.A., No. 5, M.G. Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Kindly note: All Peoples Church can only accept bank contributions from an India based
bank account. When making your contribution, if desired, you can indicate the specific
APC ministry area where you would like your contribution to be used. For additional
details please visit apcwo.org/give

Also, please remember to pray for us and our ministry whenever you can.
Thank You and God Bless!
 FREE PUBLICATIONS

A Church in Revival* Offenses—Don’t Take Them

A Real Place Called Heaven Open Heavens*
A Time for Every Purpose Our Redemption
Ancient Landmarks* Receiving God’s Guidance
Baptism in the Holy Spirit Revivals, Visitations and Moves of God
Being Spiritually Minded and Earthly Wise Shhh! No Gossip!
Biblical Attitude Towards Work Speak Your Faith *
Breaking Personal and Generational Bondages The Conquest of the Mind
Change* The Father’s Love
Code of Honor The House of God
Divine Favor* The Kingdom of God
Divine Order in the Citywide Church The Mighty Name of Jesus *
Don’t Compromise Your Calling* The Night Seasons of Life
Don’t Lose Hope The Power of Commitment*
Equipping the Saints The Presence of God
Foundations (Track 1) The Redemptive Heart of God
Fulfilling God’s Purpose for Your Life The Refiner’s Fire
Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Spirit of Wisdom, Revelation and Power*
Giving Birth to the Purposes of God* The Wonderful Benefits of speaking in Tongues
God Is a Good God Timeless Principles for the Workplace
God’s Word—The Miracle Seed* Understanding the Prophetic
How to Help Your Pastor Water Baptism
Integrity We Are Different*
Kingdom Builders Who We Are in Christ
Laying the Axe to the Root Women in the Workplace
Living Life Without Strife* Work Its Original Design
Marriage and Family
Ministering Healing and Deliverance

PDF versions of all the above books are available for free download from our church website at
apcwo.org/books. Many of these books are also available in other languages. To request your
free copy of these books, please send an email to [email protected]
*Available only as PDF

Also visit our church website for free Audio and Video sermons, Sermon notes
(apcwo.org/sermons), and many other resources you can use.
 About All Peoples Church

At All Peoples Church (APC), our vision is to be salt and light in the city of Bangalore and
a voice to the nation of India and to the nations of the world.

At APC, we are committed to presenting the complete, uncompromised Word of God in

the anointing and demonstration of His Holy Spirit. We believe that good music, creative
presentations, brilliant apologetics, contemporary ministry techniques, latest
technology, and so on, can never substitute the God-ordained approach of proclaiming
the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit with signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4-5; Hebrews 2:3-4). Our theme is Jesus, our content is the
Word, our method is Holy Spirit power, our passion is people, and our goal is Christlike
maturity.

With our main base in Bangalore, All Peoples Church has several other church locations
in India. To get a current listing and contact information of All Peoples Church locations,
please visit our website at www.apcwo.org/locations or send an email to
[email protected].
 DO YOU KNOW THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU?

About 2000 years ago, God came into this world as a man. His name is Jesus. He lived a
perfectly sinless life. Since Jesus was God in flesh, everything He said and did revealed
God to us. The words He spoke were the very words of God. The things He did were the
actions of God. Jesus did many miracles on the Earth. He healed the sick and suffering.
He opened blind eyes, unstopped deaf ears, made the lame to walk and healed every
kind of sickness and disease. He fed the hungry by miraculously multiplying a few loaves
of bread, calmed the storm and did many other wonderful things.
All of these actions reveal to us that God is a good God who wants people to be
well, whole, healthy, and happy. God wants to meet the needs of people.
So why then would God decide to become a man and step into our world? Why did
Jesus come?
All of us have sinned and done things that are unacceptable before the God who
created us. Sin has its consequences. Sin is like a great unsurpassable wall between God
and us. Sin separates us from God. It prevents us from knowing and having a meaningful
relationship with the One who created us. Therefore, many of us try to fill this void with
other things.
Another consequence of our sins is eternal separation from God. In God’s court, the
penalty for sin is death. Death is eternal separation from God in hell.
But the good news is that we can be free from sin and be restored to God. The Bible
says, “For the wages [payment] of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world when
He died on the cross. Then, three days later He rose again, showed Himself alive to
many and then went back into heaven.
God is a God of love and mercy. He does not wish that any person be lost in hell.
And so He came, to provide a way for the entire human race to be free from sin and its
lasting consequences. He came to save sinners—to rescue people like you and me from
sin and eternal death.
To receive this free forgiveness of sins, the Bible tells us that we have to do just one
thing—accept what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross and to believe in Him whole-
heartedly.
“… through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts
10:43).
… “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
You too can receive forgiveness and cleansing for your sins if you will believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ.

The following is a simple prayer to help you make a decision to believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for you on the cross. This prayer will help you
express your acceptance of what Jesus has done for you and receive forgiveness and
cleansing for your sins. This prayer is only a guideline. You can also pray in your own
words.

Dear Lord Jesus, today, I have understood what You did for me on the cross. You
died for me, you shed Your precious blood and paid the penalty for my sins, so that I
could be forgiven. The Bible tells me that whoever believes in You will receive forgiveness
for their sins.

Today, I make a decision to believe in You and to accept what You did for me, by
dying for me on the cross and rising again from the dead. I know I cannot save myself by
my own good works, neither can any other human save me. I cannot earn forgiveness for
my sins.

Today, I believe in my heart and say with my mouth that You died for me, You
paid the penalty for my sins, You rose again from the dead, and by faith in You, I receive
forgiveness and cleansing for my sins..

Thank You Jesus. Help me to love You, to know You more and to be faithful to You.
Amen.
 All Peoples Church Bible College
apcbiblecollege.org

All Peoples Church Bible College and Ministry Training Center (APC-BC), in Bangalore, India,
provides Spirit-filled, anointed, hands-on training and equipping for ministering in the
supernatural power of the Holy Spirit along with doctrinally sound and intellectually stimulating
study of God's Word. We believe in developing the whole person for ministry emphasizing godly
character, deep roots in the Word of God, and powerful demonstrations of signs, wonders and
miracles—all flowing out of an intimate relationship with the Lord.

At APC-BC in addition to sound teaching we emphasize the love of God in demonstration, the
anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit and the supernatural work of God. Several young men
and women have been trained and sent out to fulfill God's call over their lives.

We offer three programs:

➢ One-year Certificate in Theology and Christian Ministry (C.Th.)

➢ Two-year Diploma in Theology and Christian Ministry (Dip.Th.)
➢ Three-year Bachelor’s in Theology and Christian Ministry (B.Th.)

Classes are held each weekday, Monday to Friday from 9:00am-1pm. Day scholars, working
professionals, and homemakers can attend these classes and continue with their workday after
1pm. Separate hostel facilities are available for men and women who desire to be residential
students. Students participate in field work, special seminars, prayer and worship times in the
afternoon sessions, each weekday from 2pm-5pm. The afternoon sessions are optional for day
scholars (non-residential students). All students are encouraged to serve at one or more local
churches over the weekends.

To apply online, and for more information about the college, curriculum, eligibility criteria,
tuition costs and to download the application form, please visit: apcbiblecollege.org

APC-BC is accredited by the Nations

Association for Theological
Accreditation (NATA).