How Sinful Is Sin?
So God created man in His own image;
He created him in the image of God;
He created them male and female.
Genesis 1:27
This does not make reference to a physical image as God is Spirit. (John 4:24). Human kind was made, though with attributes of God in the way of Spiritual and Moral capacity.
God created everything from nothing and placed man on the earth to inhabit and care for it. Fellowship would be the outcome between the Creator and His creation.
Mankind was created in God’s image and as such was intended for the purpose of representing who God is. God’s first couple was to procreate human life in the image of God as God is love. (1John 4:7,8). His whole purpose was to have a loving relationship with His created children.
This would not be a forced relationship, however, as God would endow mankind with an attribute called ‘CHOICE’.
But of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst of the garden,
God had said; “You shall not eat it,
nor shall you touch it, lest you die.”
Then the serpent said to the woman,
“you will not surely die.”
Genesis 3:3,4
This tree was in the center of the Garden of Eden, home to Adam and Eve. It was called the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and was the only thing they were denied. This couple was the epitome of God’s perfect creation living under complete perfect conditions when approached by satan who was the one indwelling the serpent. Satan is the father of sin which is deliberate defiance of Divine instruction. (John 8:44)
Sin starts with temptation then choice, and then quickly moves to disobedient action. Eve listened, as Adam stood by while satan insinuated doubt and denial of God’s Word. Sadly they ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil thus disobeying their loving Creator. They had known good, now they would be introduced to evil.
By the one action of disobeying God, Adam and Eve’s perfect nature was immediately turned into a sin nature. This once perfect couple would now be made aware of the presence of sin, the power of sin, and the penalty of sin.
Adam’s sin was a conscious rebellion against God. His refusal to obey resulted in the “Fall Of Man” and began the spiral downfall leading to every kind of sin, suffering, and pain up to an including physical, spiritual and eternal death for mankind.
So…What In The World Is Going On?
Therefore, just as through one man sin
entered the world, and death through sin,
and thus death spread to all men,
because all sinned.
Rom. 5:12
The entry of sin and death into the human race came by one man, Adam. He had been given everything perfect with only one command from his Creator—do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. His disobedience caused all to inherit, through procreation, Adam’s fallen state and depravity. So, ALL sin because ALL are sinners.
Running through one’s veins is a natural inclination to do one’s own self serving desires. A rebellious and disobedient attitude toward God is sin. People have an earthly existence that is ruled by a corrupt nature. Sin is not a word used much today, in or out of church, but that does not make it non-existent. Guilt, helplessness, hopelessness and even varying degrees of remorse are by-products of sin.
Each confirms the inheritance of sin from Adam daily. It is not a sin, but the inherited propensity ‘to sin’ by nature that rebels against God continually. Man’s inability to remedy the problem lies in the fact that man’s own nature is the problem.
For out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Matt.15:19
The heart of man is his very person and his problem. It is his psychological core. Thus, sin is not just an action but is expressed in motives, character, and attitude. Thoughts, words, and actions are first thought up out of the heart, considered in the brain, and then physically manifested in the person.
I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind. Even to give
every man according to his ways.
According to the fruit of his doing.
Jer. 17:10
God knows the inner most thoughts and motives that man thinks he is hiding. Sin conjures up the blame game, excuses, fault finding, anything to put the wrong conduct in someone else’s court. But, God sees the heart, the mind, and the motive behind every deed.
For all have sinned
And fall short of
the Glory of God.
Rom. 3:23
Christ is God’s Glory and ALL fall short having been recipients of sin through Adam. ‘Fall short’ is a single Greek verb, in the present tense, meaning it is a continuing action; Mankind ‘Keeps on falling short.’
Sin is man’s nature manifested in practice and/or choice. It is ensconced within the inner being and manifests through thoughts, words, and actions. There are not BIG and LITTLE sins, as sin is sin and all have consequences.
Sin is a barrier between man and God. As long as one chooses to stay in their sinful state there will be no communication or fellowship with God in the here and now or in the hereafter.
If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
Deception is evil. It has no purpose other than to conceal or pervert the truth for the sole reason of misleading. Deception began with satan deluding himself into believing he could ‘set his throne above the stars of God’ (Is.14:13). He in turn deceived Eve into believing she could be ‘like God knowing good from evil’. (Gen. 3:5).
The consequences of being deceived are never good. Satan’s self-deception got him kicked out of heaven. Eve being deceived brought not only her and her husband’s death, but all of mankind’s as well.
The word today is full of deception, lies, dishonesty, distrust of each other and refusal by the people to acknowledge God. Because of corruption of morals there no longer is mutual support and encouragement for one another.
The ultimate deception is people have the foolish notion they can hide their sins from God, when in fact, they cannot even hide them from others who are as blind as they are. The heart is more deceitful than anything else. (Jer.17:9).
Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in Thy sight:
that You may be found just
when You speak, and blameless
when You judge.
Ps. 51:4
God is the One who establishes the standard of right and wrong. People belong to God and He has established His standards for their protection as people sin against people. But ultimately, sin is against God thus He is justified when He acts in judgment. God is indeed LOVE (1 John 4:8). But, He is also just and there will be a judgment of sin.
Sin destroys individual lives and the moral fabric of a society. God alone created the earth’s natural order and has given instruction on His moral order as to how it is to be obeyed for social order to be peacefully enjoyed.
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
And your sins have hidden
His face from you, So that
He will not hear.
Is. 59:2
God did not create robots and as such human beings can choose to respond obediently or disobediently to God’s instructions. Obedience brings promise of BLESSINGS, whereas disobedience warns of TROUBLES TO COME. All choices have consequences, some immediate and some in the near or distant future.
To choose sin separates man from God for Eternity. Man, through his sin can decide to not listen to his Creator. On the other hand, God can and will choose to not hear or answer prayers of the wicked, vile, depraved, or just simply the disobedient. God is not obligated to listen to those who rebel purposely against His Divine Order.
And even as they did not like
to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a debased mind,
to do those things which are
not fitting; being filled with all
unrighteousness, sexual immorality,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
full of envy, murder, strife,
deceit, evil-mindedness; they are
whisperers, backbiters, haters of God,
violent, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents,
undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,
unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing
the righteous judgment of God,
that those who practice such things
are deserving of death, not only do the same
but also approve of those who practice them.
Rom. 1:28-32
If one chooses to ignore God, He in return will deliver them over to their heart’s desire. Their heart’s desire will give birth to sin and sin gives way to death both physical and spiritual throughout eternity (James 1:14-15).
The pattern of evil becomes the lifestyle of habitual defiance towards God leading to them being rejected by God. Their conscience is so seared they openly love their sinful practices and applaud those who think as they think and do as they do.
They ignore the fact there is judgment to come and consequences to pay. They may applaud those who disobey and/or reject God but in the end this will not be based on a group plan. Judgment day will be individual taking into consideration every thought, word and deed with no excuses accepted. God is not mocked. What man sows he will also reap (Gal. 6:7).
For if we deliberately go on sinning
after receiving the knowledge of
the Truth, there no longer remains
a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying
expectation of judgment and the
fury of a fire about to consume
the adversaries. It is a terrifying thing
to fall into the hands of the Living God.
Heb. 10:26,27,31
This applies to anyone who understands Christ’s atoning work for sin on the cross but deliberately turns away from it. Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin. If one walks away from something they are walking towards something else someone else. There actually are only two directions to walk toward; Jesus and life or Satan and death. There is no middle ground.
Those who reject God’s mercy will have a dreadful experience and no more excuses. Sin is an evil, manifested in disbelief hardening one’s heart. This ultimately results in outright antagonism to the Gospel. Choosing to follow the path of unbelief can only lead to eternal damnation.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:12; 16:25
A man’s way of life left on his own without God may seem right to him, but sin and foolishness only lead to physical, spiritual, and eternal death.
The action of one man; Adam, resulted in sin and death to all. But, the work of another brought justification and reconciliation to all who will accept Him. God; Himself resolved the sin issue in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God in flesh form and He did not enter earth’s realm for ‘nice people’, but for ‘sinners’ which entails the whole human race.
There is no one on earth
that does good
and never sins.
Eccl. 7:20
Therefore, God has announced unseen but eternal realities.
Reality #1
Eternal life by accepting Christ
as God’s personal provision of redemption.
Reality #2
Incarceration in eternal torment known as hell,
by not accepting His living provision
to keep one from this horrific disaster.
Hell: A Final Destination
And just as it is appointed for people
to die once and after this, judgment.
Heb. 9:27
Death is not cessation or annihilation, but transition from one place to another. Unlike spiritual death in the here and now which can be corrected, physical death and eternal separation from God cannot be reversed.
Judgment day is the final day of reckoning when God will settle all accounts. On this day one will receive their reward for obedience to Christ and entrance into His Kingdom. Otherwise, judgment and punishment is reserved for rejection and disobedience, and entrance into hell.
One day the sons of God came to present
themselves before the Lord, and Satan
also came with them. The Lord asked Satan:
“Where have you come from?”
“From roaming through the earth,
Satan answered Him,
“And walking around on it.”
Job 1: 6-7
We have an enemy lurking around who does not intend to spend eternity in hell alone.
Hell is the highest reward the Devil can offer
you for being a servant of his.
Billy Sunday
The Hebrew word for hell is ‘Sheol’ meaning Hades or the world of the dead (as if subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates: grave, hell, and pit.
There are three different words used for hell in the Greek:
Hadies– Hades or the place (state) of departed souls: grave, hell (Matt. 11:23-24).
Gehenna– a name for the place of everlasting punishment- (Heb. Origin). (Is. 30:33, Matt. 10:28)
Tartaroo– comes from Tartarus (deepest abyss of Hades); incarcerate in eternal
torment.(Rev. 20:14,15).
Because of man’s sin nature and deceptive hearts (Jer. 17:9), it is safe to say, most everyone sincerely believes they are not so bad as to deserve the final destination of hell. It is actually not a matter of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ as deception has purported for centuries. If one could inquire of those who are now in hell very few if any, probably thought hell would be their final destination.
Doing great ‘good works’ no matter how moral or determined, is not going to get one into the Kingdom of Heaven, or worse yet, keep one out of the depths of hell.
So…What In Hell is (Really) Going On?
For starters the inhabitants of hell are demons at this time. Demons are evil, twisted beings that occupy hell but have access and ability to indwell or tempt and torture humans thus giving a taste of hell here on earth.
There are many descriptions of hell given throughout scripture, none of which seem too appealing. Here are a few, as it will not take long to get the idea.
“They will throw them into the
blazing furnace where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matt. 13: 42, 50
Sorrow and/or remorse for their actions will cause the weeping. Extreme anxiety and pain will cause the gnashing of teeth. There will be tortures of the mind and body in the way of inexpressible pain, rage, and the blackest of despair.
One day the poor man died and
was carried away by the
angels to Abraham’s side.
The rich man also died and was buried.
And being in torment in Hades,
he looked up and saw
Abraham a long way off,
with Lazarus at his side.
Father Abraham!, he called out,
‘Have mercy on me and send
Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger
in water and cool my tongue,
because I am in agony in this flame!”
Luke 16: 22-24
Most scholars say this is a parable. Since the poor man is given a name, which is not so in other parables, this is a true event. Jesus is explaining life after death, either in the comfort Jesus offers or the place of conscious torment separated from God.
Hades refers to the place of the rebellious unbelievers prior to final judgment in hell. Through their own fault of rejecting the ONE who could/would keep them out of this state, they will eternally be excluded from all that is good, and never able to escape all that is evil.
“Their worm does not die and
the fire is not quenched.”
Is. 66:24; Mark 9:48
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 66:24 here and using a place outside of Jerusalem as an example as to what hell will be like. The place called Gehenna was a dump for refuse, carcasses, and the bodies of dead criminals where the fire never went out so as to cover the stench. Gehenna means ‘a place or state of misery’. To the Jews, worms (maggots) and fire represented internal and external never ending pain and torment. They would see the fires burning day and night, so they knew and understood what Jesus was telling them in His description of hell.
…and serve as an example by
undergoing the punishment
of eternal fire…
Jude 7
Sodom, Gomorrah, and several surrounding cities were biblical cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Just as God executed earthly fire on these cities, He executes judicial fire in hell. These cities surrounding them serve as a warning to ALL who rebel against, ignore, or reject God.
…their share will be
In the lake that burns
with fire and sulfur…
Rev. 21:8
These tell of a grievous consequence for rebellion against God and disobedience toward God. There lies ahead great sorrow and pain for those who insist on living selfishly and indifferently toward God. The lake of fire is the FINAL DESTINATION of everyone and everything evil and wicked.
Jesus talks more about hell than He does about heaven. He also describes more detail about hell than He does about heaven. Jesus knew there was a place called hell and warned against the absolute torture of this reality. There will be no second chance, as this will be an ETERNAL SEPARATION from GOD for evil deeds and lack of FAITH and UNBELIEF IN HIM.
“But I will show you the One to fear!
Fear Him who has authority
to throw people into hell after death.
Yes, I say to you,
this is the One to fear!
Lk. 12:5
The word fear in this verse means ‘to be in awe of’ (a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder, admiration, terror).
Here Jesus is making clear that God is not just over the temporal but the Eternal also. God’s power is not limited to this life, but extends through and beyond death. Jesus did not teach that hell was figurative or symbolic, but it is a real place in which real experiences of agony take place between death and resurrection of unbelievers. Hell is a place reserved for those who reject God and rebel against His grace, mercy, and love in the person of Jesus Christ.
We are born condemned because of the sin nature we inherit at birth. We thus need a Rescuer, Redeemer, and Savior to keep us from hell. God has provided a way for sins to be forgiven. If one chooses to not accept His generous offer of Jesus Christ, then they will spend eternity in hell separated from Him, as they wish. God does not send people to hell, they choose to go.
God will not drag anyone kicking and screaming into His Heaven. If hell seems more appealing, He has provided a way…just ignore Jesus! But, without His offer of salvation one will learn the reality of true hell.
Abandon all hope,
You who enter here!
Dante
How Great A Salvation
For certainly, Christ is much more
Powerful to save than
Adam was to ruin.
John Calvin
Death was introduced into the human race by Adam and his sin against God’s instruction. Life restored was introduced into the human race by Christ and His obedience to God’s authority. Jesus Christ does completely reverse the sin nature and separation from God into a divine nature and restoration to God. Therefore, a reversal from sin nature to divine nature also reverses the eternal destination of an individual.
Humanity without Jesus has the potential for kindness and friendship with others. Human good, however, does not automatically put one in right standing with God. His only plumb line is the positive or negative response to the One He sent. (John 6:29). One’s response is expressed through motives, character, attitude, as well as actions.
Both believers and unbelievers will stand before the Lord one day. Believers will go before the Beema Seat of Christ and will be rewarded for their faithfulness to Him. Christ rejecters will answer to God at the Great White Throne Judgment where…. every knee will bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom. 14:11). God will be conducting business with each individual at a time, as each will give account of himself to God. (Rom. 14:12).
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus
and you will be saved…
Acts 16:30, 31
For one to ask this question, one must first understand their condition, and thus their need. Salvation is simply expressed as; reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy in such profession. Good, busy ‘works’ are not part of the equation. All that God requires for reconciliation to Himself is belief in the One He sent, Jesus Christ. And that this One He sent did what He was sent to do. (John 6:29).
But God proves His love
for us in that while we
were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Rom. 5:8
Clearly Christ’s death was a death in place of others. He died for the ungodly while they were powerless in their sins.
In the Greek the term ‘Christ died for us’, is ‘HYPER” and means ‘in our place’. God’s love does not require human merit as there are no qualifications needed to bring forth this love, mercy, and compassion. All weak, ungodly sinners, even His outspoken enemies will not be left out of His love if they turn to Him in humble sincerity.
“There is salvation in no one else,
for there is no other name
under heaven given to people
by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
God has taken it upon Himself to reconcile man back to Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. God is Sovereign and Holy; consequently the sin issue cannot be overlooked and must be dealt with. Man, left to himself, does not always make wise choices because of the inherited sin nature. God provided no other Rescuer from sin’s hold, nor raised anyone else from the dead, so as to reveal His future intentions for all of mankind. Christ is God’s only provision for reconciliation with Himself. This is the ultimate in choices as it determines one’s final destination. That choice is; to take Jesus as Lord and Savior or have Him as Judge.
For I passed on to you as most
important what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures,
that He was buried,
that He was raised
on the third day
according to the scriptures.
1 Cor. 15:3-4
This is the basic fundamental, essential teaching of the gospel. He died physically before a large crowd of people. He was buried to prove death had occurred. He then was seen by some to prove He had been resurrected. There are those who choose not to believe these events, but that makes them no less fact and truth.
This is the message of faith
that we proclaim:
if you confess with your mouth
“Jesus is Lord”
and believe in your heart that God raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved.
With the heart one believes,
resulting in righteousness,
and with the mouth one confesses,
resulting in salvation.
Rom. 10:8b-10
Salvation is not a complicated process in revealing or receiving the message. One only needs to ‘confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord’. In other words acknowledge to God that Christ is God in human manifestation. Believing from the ‘heart God raised Him from the dead’ is salvation.
For He says: At an acceptable time,
I listened to you, and in the day
of salvation I helped you.
See, now is the acceptable time;
now is the day of salvation!
2 Cor. 6:2
Salvation is God’s initiative. The day of salvation is the present Age of Grace. Thinking that later may be a better time to take this conversation up with the Lord could be dangerous because you could miss the gracious opportunity altogether. NOW is the time to accept and receive God’s forgiveness. NOW is the time to accept the gospel of reconciliation with God through Faith in Jesus Christ. God has a final call, final opportunity for everyone to accept or reject His Merciful invitation to spend eternity with Him. We do not know what tomorrow may bring. (James 4:14)
SO…WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
- Recognize you are a sinner by nature. (Rom. 3:10, 23)
- Recognize you cannot save yourself. (Titus 3:5)
- Recognize God in flesh form in the person of Jesus Christ being made the perfect sacrifice for sin, died in your place.(Rev.1:5)
- Recognize Christ was buried to prove death. (1 Cor. 15:4)
- Recognize Christ was resurrected on the third day. (Acts 10:40; Rom. 8:34)
- Recognize Jesus Christ is the ONLY LORD & SAVIOR. (John 14:6)
Christ’s humiliation and death, by way of the cross indicates how incredibly serious God is concerning sin.
“For I will be merciful
to their wrong doing,
and I will never again
remember their sins.”
Heb. 8:12
This is not about cleaning one’s self up; it is about being a sinner in need of a Savior. It is not about a religion, it is about a person, Jesus Christ. An innocent animal had to shed its blood in the Garden of Eden so that Adam and Eve’s nakedness could be covered (Gen. 3:21; Lev. 17:14). Jesus has shed His blood so all mankind’s sin can be covered. Without the covering of Jesus all will be found improperly clothed on the Day of Judgment.
I have written these things
to you who believe in the
name of the Son of God
so that you may know that
you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13
Hoping of heaven after leaving planet earth is not part of the equation. Eternal life is based on facts not feelings. Believing that Jesus is the “Immanuel” God promised to send, is salvation (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23)
Immanuel means ‘God is with us’.
Jesus left His Holy Heavenly Home to come to sin filled earth so as to reconcile man back to God. He did not do this in a way of secrecy but visibly to give assurance of eternal life with Him for those who accept that fact.
Belief that God sent His ONE and ONLY Son as a sacrifice for the world’s sin, is salvation (John 3:16). There are no works or merit involved in this process. This is not earned, deserved, or bought. Salvation is given by the Will of the Sovereign Creator God, through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe means to receive God’s word for what it is…TRUTH!
But one thing I do;
forgetting what is behind
and reaching forward
to what is ahead.
Phil. 3:13b
Once forgiven, one is no longer controlled by their past. Many have done things for which failures, guilt, and shame have been the result. Many relied on what they considered to be virtuous deeds and achievements resulting in pride, arrogance, and deception.
Going to God through Jesus changes the outlook, as then, one can look forward to who God will help them become. There will be no dwelling on the past as one concentrates on their relationship with Him NOW.
Mankind was not meant to be distracted by their past wrong practices as this ruins one’s present efforts. Life becomes fuller, and more meaningful, as you grow in what God had intended all along for your life to become.
The only difference between
saints and sinners is that
every saint has a past
while every sinner has a future.
Oscar Wilde
HEAVEN: A Real Destination
“I have never seen
what to me seemed
an atone of truth
that there is a future
life…and yet…
I am strongly inclined
to expect one.”
Mark Twain
According to many polls taken approximately 80% of Americans believe there is a heaven to reside in after leaving planet earth.
Many expect a life after death by the many answers people give when asked if they believe they will go to heaven when they die. Many answers are: ‘I hope so’, ‘I think so’, ‘I think I have a good chance’, or ‘I’ve done good things and bad things and I just hope the scales will balance out in my favor’.
Where exactly is heaven? No one this side of heaven knows the exact geographical location. It is much more important to focus on WHO than the geographical location concerning heaven. All that is known is learned from scripture and that is the location of heaven is up. (Ps. 14:2; Is. 63:15a; Jo. 6:38; Acts 1:11).
Scripture does, however, give a description of three different heavens. There is the first that makes up the atmosphere heaven (sky). This pertains to the air that is breathed within the space surrounding earth. In this area birds fly and clouds move. (Gen. 1:7, 8). The second is the celestial heaven which pertains to outer space, sun, moon, stars and far beyond. (Deut. 4:19; Gen. 1:16).
The third heaven is referred to as the highest heaven and is considered the spiritual heaven (2 Cor. 12:2-4). It is the realm beyond the physical, visible universe where God is said to dwell. (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:39; Ps. 33:13, 148:4). However, the exact location where God resides is not revealed in scripture as God is Spirit and not limited to one geographical place. Heb.4:14, however, states… Jesus passed through the heavens. This is in the plural giving evidence there is more than one heaven.
So What In The Name Of Heaven Is Going On?
The heavens indeed
the highest heavens,
belong to
the Lord your God,
as does the earth
and everything in it.
Deut. 10:14
This not only reveals heaven is real but that it is a real place. From nothing God created the heavens and earth and everything in them. (Gen. 2:1).
He created all, thus He owns all. But…by GRACE He initiated a special relationship with people, whom He also created. (Gen. 1:27). All this was done for people’s good and God’s GLORY.
He is the Sovereign Ruler over all His creation which is an immensity one cannot conceive of. One can see the starry heavens, the visible arch where clouds move, but yet there is a universe above that and millions/billions of galaxies beyond that. All this, up to the highest heaven belongs to God.
Therefore you should pray like this:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done in earth
as it is in heaven.
Matt. 6:9,10
‘Our Father in heaven’ indicates a loving personal relationship with His children, those who are Believers in Jesus Christ. God created heaven and earth and so chooses His Will be done in both places. People do God’s Will through obedience, through looking to Him for guidance and the means to accomplish His purposes. God is above in His heaven unseen yet VERY REAL. On earth God has gathered people (Believers) together, cleansed them from sin through Jesus Christ and given them a new spirit so as to make known to the world His existence. This is all initiated by God in heaven to man on earth. Sin and death have no place in heaven thus the prayer is for God’s purposes to be on earth as they are in the real abode of heaven.
Jesus came near and said to them:
“All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and in earth.”
Matt. 28:18
Jesus is clearly stating here that heaven is a real place and one He has complete Sovereign Authority over. Also stated is His Authority (power) in earth.
Recognizing Christ’s atoning death on the cross for sinners, being buried to prove death occurred; culminating in His resurrection on the third day is salvation. Once someone accepts and believes these truths, their final destination upon leaving earth will be heaven.
A believer is IN Christ while on earth and WITH Christ in heaven when their earthly journey is over. Christ has been given all authority as He is man’s reconciliation back to God the Father who is in the highest heaven.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when
You come into Your Kingdom.” And He
said to him, “Truly I tell you, today
you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Lk. 23:42, 43
Paradise is ‘paradeisos’ in Greek means: ‘park’ (Eden). The word paradise is only used three times in the New Testament and envisions complete happiness, joy and peace (Lk. 23:43; 2 Cor.12:4; Rev. 2:7). In most religions paradise is considered the ultimate destination.
Apparently even a thief on a cross believed there was life after death as he asks for mercy from Jesus. Both were about to take their last breath and yet Jesus assures this thief that because of his faith he will reside with Him in Paradise (Heaven). It is interesting to note this criminal on the cross appears to have had more faith in who Jesus is than many of those who had been following Him. (Lk. 24:21).
But as it is written, ‘What no eye has
seen, no ear has heard, and no human
heart has conceived-
God has prepared these things
for those who love Him.’
1 Cor. 2:9
There is a wonderful eternal future that awaits BELIEVERS, those who have repented and committed their lives through FAITH in Jesus Christ and trust Him as their personal Lord and Savior. This world is not all there is, as we do not cease to exist when our current life ends.
Blessings of Salvation have been prepared by God the Father. They are being carried out by the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Spirit puts in one’s heart a future that is unimaginable.
For this reason I kneel before
the Father from whom every
family in heaven and on
earth is named.
Eph. 3:14, 15
In reverence before God, Paul is referring to believers from all generations and nations that make up all of history. He is speaking here of those who have died and are now in heaven, and those alive on earth.
What makes all believers a family is they all have the same Father who created everything and everybody. He is a Father who leads, protects and loves His children.
Just one thing! As citizens of
heaven, live your life worthy
of the gospel of Christ.
Phil. 1:27
The word, gospel in the Greek is: Euangelion and means, ‘good news’. The gospel of Christ is His death, burial, and resurrection, taking upon Himself people’s sin, dying in their place and saving them from God’s judgment to come. That was an EXTREME SACRIFICE for sin if indeed there is no citizenship to be had in heaven…if indeed heaven is not a real and final destination.
Walking worthy of the gospel of Christ, is anything done in faith for the good of others and the Glory of God. As citizens of heaven this is the responsibility given to all that are in the family of God.
…because of the hope
reserved for you
in heaven.
Col. 1:5
This hope is stored up in heaven because Christ, the Living Hope, is there. Because of Christ’s Ascension into heaven (Acts 1:10, 11), and His present intercession on the behalf of believers (Heb. 7:25), heaven is a certain reality. If one believes Jesus died in their place for sins committed either by nature and/or choice they can have a confident hope of heaven as their real and future destination.
For Christ did not enter
a sanctuary made with
hands (only a model of
the true one) but into heaven
itself, so that He might now
appear in the presence of\
God for us.
Heb. 9:24
All die physically, but because Christ died in the sinner’s place, upon acceptance of this fact, one will not die spiritually separated from God throughout eternity. His death is always before God as the perfect sacrifice for past, present and future sins for those who accept His Gracious Gift of Salvation. Jesus is currently in the presence of God the Father acting on behalf of the believer, but promises to return one day and raise to life those whom the Father has given Him, to eternal life in a heaven without sin.
But based on His promise, we wait
for new heavens and a new earth,
where righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:13
‘New’ means new in quality as in different from before. Mankind will be go through refiner’s fire just like the heavens and the earth because sin-infiltrated, thus the need to go through the refiner’s fire so as to regenerate and cleanse. (Mal. 3:2). The new heavens and earth will be new in quality because righteousness (right living with God) will prevail in the real physical, permanent residence where God, Himself lives.
As God altered the earth through the rushing of water in Noah’s day, at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ, He will alter the heavens and the earth by fire. This cleansing however, will do away with sin once and for all.
He will wipe away every tear
from their eyes. Death will
be no more; grief, crying,
and pain will be no more
because the previous things
have passed away.
Rev. 21:4
The cleansing of the heavens and earth by fire will occur after Christ’s 1,000 year reign and satan and his followers are thrown into the BURNING LAKE OF FIRE. In this new cleansed heavens and earth there will be NO death, sorrow, crying or pain.
All the above will be replaced with Eternal Rejoicing and Praising the One True Living Creator God.
Heaven is a prepared place
for a prepared people.
David Jeremiah
Jesus went away to prepare a place for those who have put their Faith and Trust in HIM as their Lord and Savior. (John 14:3). Preparation for a heavenly eternal life is done while here on earth. Again, death in the mortal body is not cessation of life. Spiritual life begins in a real destination called heaven when this earthly life ends. Those BELIEVING IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST will experience in heaven the restoration of all that was lost in the Garden of Eden.
So, which will you choose?
HELL…burning for all eternity with satan
or
HEAVEN…living peacefully with God in His Beautiful Kingdom
BIBLICAL PEOPLE 