The Glory Now Revealed: What We'll Discover about God in Heaven

by Andrew M. Davis

Believers know that when we die we enter heaven and will spend eternity there with God and the saints who have gone before us. But what actually happens in heaven? What are we going to be doing there? Won't it get boring at some point?

According to Scripture, a large part of our experience of heaven will be a continual revealing of God's glory. Not just his glory in the moment, but during all of time. The mysteries of providence, the hidden movements of God throughout history, and the forgotten and unnoted works of even the most obscure of God's people will be unveiled so that we can see how wise, loving, gracious, and powerful our God is. And though we will experience perfection in heaven, we will never be omniscient, which means we will always be learning more about God's glory, inspiring us to return joyful praise and thanksgiving.

If your vision of heaven has been limited to clouds and harps and angels, it's time to expand that view with the truth found in this biblically based look at the afterlife.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2021

About the author

Andrew M. Davis is pastor of First Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina, and a visiting professor of church history at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chairman of the governance committee of the Gospel Coalition, Davis has written articles for TGC's popular website and has spoken in plenary and breakout sessions at TGC's national conference. He is the author of An Infinite Journey, named by Tim Challies as one of the top ten books of 2014.

Reviews

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the year. Andy Davis gives a huge gift to the church with this biblical explanation of the doctrine of heaven and how our expectations over it shape our lives here and now. One who takes these words to heart will live an other-worldly life of holy sacrifice. Glorious!

[Tanner Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often times after pondering heaven, we think “Welp, I’m ready to go.” This book does that, but in all likelihood, we aren’t dying tomorrow. So it makes us go “Well now it’s time to do all I can for Christ and store up as much treasure in heaven as possible.” Such an enjoyable read!

[Jordan Giuliani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. I think this book helped me grasp a lot more how incredible, infinite, eternal, powerful, mighty, sovereign, wonderful and amazing our God and Father is! It also left me in deep awe and wonder of Him. The book focuses on the heavenly memory of earthly history. It also emphasizes that our life matters on this side of eternity and ultimately urges you to do all things for the glory of God each and every day. A great read!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book about what the “heavenly review” of all of history will be like. Andy Davis tackles questions of memory in Heaven, rewards in Heaven, and who will be honored in Heaven, among others. The final chapter gives applications for how meditating on the reality of Heaven impacts our lives now. Definitely recommend!

[Emily Kyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was really well done. He shared a lot of things about heaven that I honestly had never thought about and it made me excited to be there one day. He also wrapped it up really well and gave good applications for living now. His main point was to show whether our heavenly selves will remember different aspects of our earthly experience, which was very interesting but got a little repetitive halfway through because his answer was always, “yes we will remember ____ because it brings God glory.” Overall though it opened my mind a lot to a new way of thinking about what we will do and experience in heaven.

[Alexander Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic deep dive into what our experience will be like in heaven. Biblical and so fascinating

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed and affirmed most chapters in this book, at times feeling inspired and motivated to live a more Christ Centered life now because of the glory that awaits. The reason I wouldn’t rate this book 5 stars is due to the fact that Davis, at places, puts too much into the “not yet” category of the popular eschatological theme: already not yet. For example, his view of demonic activity is far too inspired by the enlightenment and he seemed to say that demonic activity can only at best be speculated in this life and only properly understood in the next. I don’t believe this is a biblical perspective and can be harmful for those who God would be pleased to deliver through revealing the schemes of the evil one here and now so that he or she can “resist him that he may flee (James 4:7).”
Additionally, when discussing how this life can be full of mystery that leaves us wondering why God allows certain things to happen or why God chooses to do things one way as opposed to another, Davis encourages readers that one day we will understand and for now God has given us “theological principles” through which we can navigate the twists and turns of the road. I agree with him that God indeed gives us the theological principles and that it is an extremely comforting thing to know that God is sovereign and powerful, yet again though, this view assumes that this loving personal God doesn’t draw near and give direct personal and intimate comfort in this life hardly at all. I find that tragic and deeply unbiblical. What Davis seems to be saying is God doesn’t directly speak into our lives now, that is saved for the not yet and these theological principles are for us now.
I’m sure Davis would add some nuance to what I just said and may affirm that he does believe God draws near, I would just argue that based on what he says in this book he probably falls into the category of people that are hyper focused on the cerebral and question just about every claim of subjectivity as it relates to communicating with God. I don’t want to comfort people only with theological principles I want to also encourage them to seek God diligently so that they might hear from him and be encouraged as they continue on. God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

[Hope Curtsinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book challenged me in some good ways! i wouldn’t say my previous views of heaven were necessarily boring as the author writes many have about but reading this book certainly expanded my view/thoughts of the Lord, which is always needed. & it also corrected some of my thoughts about heaven (the continual learning in eternity as God reveals to us rather than knowing all. i didn’t think we will be omniscient but i didn’t consider the dynamics of learning.) i was also reminded as i read this book that having answers for all my questions about heaven (or anything in life) shouldn’t be my goal, but knowing the Lord & glorifying Him in daily obedience should be. i’m grateful for the encouragement & accountability of an eternal perspective!

[Mallory Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing read, Davis fills the pages of this book with biblical knowledge of heaven as well as church history. I do wish there was more of an explanation of the difference between the heavenly intermediate state vs the new earth.
What I gained from this read was:
- a greater love for God’s providence and sovereignty
- a deeper fear and reverence of the Lord, a longing for heaven
- a greater understanding of my feebleness
- a wonder and awe at what our loved ones who trusted Christ are experiencing
- a desire to be bold with the gospel
- a deeper understanding of my sin and a deeper love for Christ
- conviction to pray more fervently.

All in all this study of heaven helped me to desire to live in light of eternity.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good stuff, reminded me of Alcorn’s “Heaven” in that he proposes thoughts about heaven then gives support but doesn’t claim to be definitive. I found a couple chapters to be weaker than others in the case but overall it was very good. Made me long for heaven, and I hope much of what he proposes is accurate.

[Colette A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! Was a great precursor to my Revelation Bible study. Makes me long for heaven and challenges me to live in light of eternity now.

[Mackenzie Bare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that explores many different insightful angles of what we will experience in Heaven. Also ends with a great application of how meditating on heavenly realities can influence our life here. Would recommend.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't back this up with Scripture, but one thing I'm almost certain of regarding heaven is that there will be no passwords, no passcodes, no checking your email and finding the numbers you need to continue to this page.

For that matter, I'm pretty sure there won't be any email to cheeck in heaven. That alone ought to make one eager to be among the elect.

Andrew M. Davis backs everything up with Scripture in "The Glory Now Revealed," although there perhaps is room for debate regarding his interpretations.

It's passing strange that I read this book, since I disliked a book I read previously about heaven and concluded that it wasn't the genre for me. It seems to me that books about heaven, or at least the book that I am not mentioning by name here, are written with a First World audience in mind. It seemed to be written to reassure people who, although they would never verbalize this, vaguely wonder if heaven will really be a step up. Streets paved with gold are well and good, they may think, but will Amazon be able to make deliveries on those streets?

Christians in undeveloped nations and those facing persecution have no such concerns.

I read "The Glory Now Revealed" because it was recommended to my by a friend who also loaned it to me. It certainly was an improvement, in my view, over That Other Book.

"The Glory Now Revealed" seems to me to be a much more sober -- and sobering -- look at what the Bible says, or seems to say, about heaven. Andrew M. Davis takes on some tough questions, such as: Can I be happy in heaven if I know some of my loved ones are in hell?

I'm curious about one thing it didn't address -- and if it is addressed and I missed it, I sincerely apologize. It seems to me that the Bible doesn't really say a whole lot directly about heaven, and that authors such as Davis must infer from other texts to reach some of their conclusions. But one of the direct statements comes from Jesus, as recorded in Luke 20:35: "... those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage."

Jesus seems to me to be saying that marriage will cease to exist in heaven. Otherwise, the carping question asked by the Sadducees wouldn't have been answered. I think this is a passage Pastor Davis might have addressed. Again, if he did and I somehow read past it, I do apologize.

[Andrew Jetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book did not meet my expectations. Anyone seeking an in-depth dissection of scripture as a means to extrapolate what we can expect in Heaven I suspect will share in my disappointment. That is not to say that this is a bad book, but it becomes evident early in that the author has a very particular idea of what Heaven will be like represented in their concept of "The Heavenly Review of History. Bible verses are used to support his viewpoint, but rather than a methodic analysis, the book comes across more as a friend explaining his idea to you, quoting the versus that they believe support their opinion. Again, not terrible, not not what I was looking for.

Outside of this missed expectation - the book does dive into what comes across to me as "filler" material where church history is recounted and simply asked to be considered in the context of The Heavenly Review.

For those who struggle to think that Heaven can be anything other than sitting on clouds playing harps, this book definitely points the reader in the right direction. The ideas presented are interesting but fall short for those prone to more critical analysis.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure I agree with everything here (or even much at all), but it has caused me to think a great deal about what I do believe and dig a little deeper into learning why.

And for the record, I’m not at all saying I’m surely right and he’s wrong. His arguments actually make a lot of sense, and I can’t prove him wrong. I just think the mind of God and therefore the fullness of what we can expect to find in heaven are mysteries to our finite human minds, so simple human explanations just aren’t adequate.

[Andrew Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t think of any other book I’ve read recently that’s been as hope-inducing, Scripture-saturated, gospel-filled, and heart-encouraging as this one. I was simply blown away and found myself more in awe of God and longing for heaven than perhaps I’ve ever been. Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven” has been the seminal work on heaven for some time now, but I believe this book by Andy Davis has dethroned Alcorn’s work (though it’s still excellent as well).

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Davis’ meditations on heaven have enriched the way I look forward to it and long for it. This book is not just a study about heaven and what we get out of it, but an examination of who God is—which is the point He makes, that our eternity will be a heavenly education about the character of God and His work throughout history. Great book; each chapter is encouraging as much as it is convicting.

[B.J. Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

What will life be like in the eternal state? Andy brings texts to light that I hadn’t considered before and it was thrilling. This book is free from speculation and chock full of bible. His contention is that if we thought more about heaven we’d be happier, more hopeful, and busier about Christ’s work. I think he’s right.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many books have been written about Heaven. The author takes an interesting approach. He deals with questions such as "Will we remember our sins in Heaven?" and "Will we know about family members who may be in Hell?" He believes that Heaven is a dynamic place and not passive.

[Sean Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as Alcorn, but also nothing at all like Alcorn. Davis' book is more narrow, but it addresses a very important subject, namely, how will we relate to history as we inhabit eternity. Great book and well worth the read.

[John D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a study of heaven

Much like Alcorn’s book, this is not a (Biblical) study of heaven. It is one man’s imagination spilled out on paper. So much of what is written is from the sanctified conjecture of his mind.

[J. J.]

Excellent. Thorough. Pulls in good insights from Edwards and helps make him accessible to a broader audience. The Christian biography vignettes were strong and edifying.

[Scott Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thought-provoking and Scripturally-supported book.

[David A Chumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this perspective on Heaven. It does make a believer think about now and what Heaven could be like in the future.

[Doug Van Meter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very helpful. The final chapter pulls all of the insights together in a most practical way. I will be recommending, and returning to this book often.

[Unchong Berkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting aspects of heaven we often don’t think about. Great for eternal perspective.