Heaven Exists

Heaven Exists

Before we get into the existence of heaven, let's consider exactly when do we go? As with numerous Biblical topics, many churches, under Christianity's umbrella, have different beliefs on these topics. The following are my thoughts as reinforced by the specified verses from several Bible versions.

As a believer, as soon as you die, you go to heaven. The briefest, most precise biblical verse addressing this issue is Luke Chapter 23, verse 43. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Truly I say to you. Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Not to be flippant, Jesus did not say, “Just wait until I come back two more times and I will give you a new body.” He said, 'Today!' That was and continues to be His promise.

Let Scriptures Enlighten Us. We are told that in Heaven there is a diverse assembly of Jesus, angels, and the believing women and men who were sanctified and made perfect. These individuals are not decomposing in some grave awaiting their resurrection, but have preceded us to Heaven and await our joining them.

However, do you realize that you were born headed for hell? The truth, according to the Bible, is that hell,—not heaven—is our default destination. Unless our sin problem is solved once and for all, we can’t enter heaven. As soon as unsaved persons die, they are judged and dispatched to Hell. Luke Chapter 16 offers a glimpse of life in hell: The time came when the beggar (a believer) died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man (a non-believer) also died and was buried. He was sent to the place of death and was in great pain. He saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his arms. He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to me so that he can dip his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am suffering in this fire!’ Friends, if that does not describe hell, what does?

Possibly, the Biblical verses causing the most consternation are found in John Chapter 5, verses 25-29. “Verily, verily I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself, and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth—they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

This particular passage allows some to consider that we will be bound in our earthly graves until the resurrection. Based on this and other passages, some Seventh-Day Adventists teach that when believers and nonbelievers die, they are in an unconscious state until the resurrection of the dead. Most of Christianity, however, does not agree with that philosophy. Southern Baptists, as do most Protestant Churches, believe those that die in Christ go immediately to Heaven. Many students of the Bible believe that phrase, “those in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth,” refers to those that were in the grave until Jesus was born to his ministry here on earth.

Seldom do I include an entire chapter from the Bible in these brief essays. However, Hebrews 12 is such a seldom referenced, yet relevant and instructive travel guide for our journey to heaven, it needed to be presented here from the easy to read version (ERV).

The Saved accept God's Discipline. We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.

You are struggling against sin, but you have not had to give up your life for the cause. You are children of God, and he speaks words of comfort to you. You have forgotten these words: “My child, don’t think the Lord’s discipline is worth nothing, and don’t stop trying when he corrects you. The Lord disciplines everyone he loves; he punishes everyone he accepts as a child.”