100 books like Heaven

Tim Warner is mostly unknown, but his research has led to uncovering facts that many believers do not know about regarding the end times. He provides ample evidence of what the early Church believed and traces a change in belief systems about Bible prophecies over time. It is important to see how these cultural developments infiltrated the Church. 

The clearest analysis I found out about was an abrupt change in view beginning with Athenagoras. He was a philosopher who became a Christian but kept Greek beliefs about the afterlife instead of adopting ancient Hebraic teachings. The Church inherited these Greek beliefs without a historical basis.

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is a highly contested topic, especially relating to Bible prophecy. Many Jews and Christians believe that a final temple needs to be rebuilt, such as mentioned in Revelation Chapter 11. However, the Dome of the Rock is currently located on the Temple Mount, so this brings up a major dilemma.

Christian Widener has spent a lot of time researching the true location of the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant rested. He provides clear evidence about the original location that allows for prophecies to be fulfilled without disturbing the Dome of the Rock so Jews and Muslims can share the Temple Mount.

Some of the big topics within Bible prophecy are the Great Tribulation Period with the Antichrist at the helm, and whether Bible believers will be raptured before or after this period of distress. The authors tackle this tough question with sound biblical evidence to support their claims.

Unfortunately, their findings go against many popular opinions of the modern Church and there is great debate amongst believers about the Rapture. This is why their book is very important to provide much needed information for those who hold differing views.

The Book of Revelation is the most famous prophecy book ever written, yet it is extremely difficult to comprehend with its extensive use of symbology and apocalyptic tones. Many scholars have tried to interpret its meaning and have been humbled. Robert Adams provides extensive knowledge of the mysteries found in Revelation while making it easier for readers to understand. Perhaps this is because of the link between Revelation and the Book of Daniel. An angel stated to Daniel that the meanings of end-time prophecies are "sealed until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9b).

Thinking about the hope of heaven kept my mental health positive while going through cancer treatments.

This book includes several near-death experiences of people all over the world who literally died for a moment and saw the afterlife. As a witness to the spiritual realm, they give us vivid descriptions of heaven and what they saw while their physical bodies were dead.

These amazing stories from people of different ages and religions point to the reality of a beautiful place that I can’t wait to experience after I die.

Dante's Divine Comedy is an epic poem in three volumes. It's perhaps the most beautiful poetry the world has ever seen.

Read it in Italian! Even if you can't read Italian, read it in Italian. Read it out loud, and you'll see what I mean. The language is so beautiful. Then read it in translation.

In it, Dante describes three worlds. The inferno is hell. An intermediate world called purgatory represents the hardest efforts that we make to be good people on Earth. The third volume is paradise.

The entire book was a huge influence on my early writing, which launched the life planning movement. My first book was divided into three segments: Childhood (inferno), Adulthood (purgatory), and Maturity (paradise), representing “the hero’s journey.”

The title is taken from the John Milton poem, Paradise Lost: “Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n,” and tells the story of the War in Heaven before the Creation from the point of view of the bad guys. So basically, we get the Devils’ (not a typo, by the way) point of view, and, like in Milton (arguably), they are the heroes of the story. Instead of the classic two-dimensional villains who exist solely to oppose the hero, Brust flushes them out so well that you can’t help but root for them. Nor can you understand why anybody would like this God dude or his weird ‘son’, Jesus. The devils in question are Satan and Lucifer, curiously split into two characters for this story, which provides further opportunities for plot and character development.

I’ve had friends tell me that they don’t want to love another dog because they can’t bear it when the dog dies. It’s hard to lose a pet, no matter whether you are old or young. Dog Heaven allows us to imagine our old friends in an afterlife that’s fashioned just for them. God knows what dogs like—a place to run, dog treats in funny shapes, fluffy clouds as dog beds, and special homes where they are petted and reminded how good they are all day long. This hopeful picture book offers comfort as our Angel dogs “will be there when old friends show up. They will be there at the door.” 

Written by a neurosurgeon who had absolutely no faith or belief in an afterlife, he made an about face after a life-threatening coma and a near-death experience.

This book is his own personal story and truly, it is both inspiring and life changing for the reader. His views on the purpose of life after this experience is so uplifting! 

Mitch Albom creates a heavenly world for the main character, Eddie, who has just ascended from earth after saving someone at the carnival where he worked; thus, meeting his own tragic demise.

What strikes me most in this story are the seemingly irrelevant connections we make in life and how those connections could have a deep and lasting impact. Every single thing we do or say or the people we touch is purposeful here, and drives us, our souls, to seek grace in all that we do.