Understanding Heaven Part 2
(All verses unless noted are from CEV)
In our last section we looked at why we should want to go to Heaven and the 3 types of Heaven(Sky, Stars, Divine Heaven).
In this section we will look at who will be going there and how we will get there.
Who will be going there?
Isaiah 55:9
9 Just as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
my thoughts and my ways
are higher than yours.
If God’s ways are higher than ours he would obviously have a standard for entering Heaven. What is that standard?
John 3:3-7
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you for certain that you must be born from above(the original Greek word meant “In a different way”) before you can see God’s kingdom!”
4 Nicodemus asked, “How can a grown man ever be born a second time?”
5 Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God’s kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. 6 Humans give life to their children. Yet only God’s Spirit can change you into a child of God. 7 Don’t be surprised when I say that you must be born from above.
Lets look at this same verse from the NKJV
John 3:3-7
3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Therefore, you must be born again by the Spirit of God to be able to go to Heaven.
“born of water”-does not mean baptism. Refers to our natural birth. Baptism has nothing to do with Salvation. It is merely an outward sign of your acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior.
What about people who have committed suicide?
Suicide-3rd leading cause of death ages 15-25
Someone commits suicide in America every 17 minutes.
The Bible gives us 7 accounts of people who committed suicide
1 Abimelech (Judges 9:50-54) 2 Samson (Judges 16:23-31)
3 Saul (1 Samuel 31:2-4) 4 Saul’s Servant (1 Samuel 31:5)
5 Ahitophel (2 Samuel 17:23) 6 Zimri (1 Kings 16:15-20)
7 Judas (Matthew 27:3-5)
In none of these cases is it ever stated in the Bible that these persons were condemned to hell. Most people are taught that suicide is a unforgiveable sin since the person cannot ask for forgiveness. Every believer will die with some unrepented sin they did not know about.
Romans 8:38-39
38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
God will welcome anyone into Heaven who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
We will not enter Heaven based on our works
No amount of good deeds, no amount of money, no amount of prayers said will gain us entrance into Heaven.
So now that we see who will go to Heaven, we ask “How will we get there?”
The simple answer
1 It depends on your spiritual status at the time of your natural death(Are you saved?)
2 It depends on your spiritual status at the time of The Rapture(Are you saved?)
What happens when we die?
In the Bible death means separation. It does not mean ceasing to exist. When a person dies there is a separation between the physical body and the soul/spirit.
When this separation occurs the body “falls asleep” and the spirit goes to one of two places depending on the persons relationship with Christ.
When we die, we enter a transitional state. We go to a “heavenly place” before our bodily resurrection.
The moment you die, your spirit will either go to heaven or hell.
Look at Jesus’ words to the criminal on the cross next to him
Luke 23:43
43 Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”
Until the time of the Rapture, the departed believer soul exists in a spiritual state.
2 Corinthians 5:1-5
5 Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2 While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. 3 We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked.
4 These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don’t do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. 5 God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it.
When Christ comes at the Rapture, spirits will be reunited with resurrected bodies. Believers who have died before us will be resurrected 1st then believers who are still alive will be taken up to Heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won’t grieve over them and be like people who don’t have any hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. 15 Our Lord Jesus told us that when he comes, we won’t go up to meet him ahead of his followers who have already died.
16 With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. 17 Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever.
The body that is resurrected will not be the same as the body that was left behind.
1 Corinthians 15:40,42-44
40 Everything in the heavens has a body, and so does everything on earth. But each one is very different from all the others. 42 That’s how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will live forever. 43 These ugly and weak bodies will become beautiful and strong. 44 As surely as there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies.
The quick answer on how to get to Heaven-Either accept Jesus as Lord and Savior before you die or have already accepted him at the time of the Rapture
What about the fate of unbelievers?
When an unbeliever dies, his spirit goes immediately into Hades. At the great white throne of judgment the bodies of all the lost will be resurrected and joined with their spirits to stand before the Judge of the universe.
Daniel 12:2
2 Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.
2 Thessalonians 1:8,9
Our Lord Jesus will punish anyone who doesn’t know God and won’t obey his message. 9 Their punishment will be eternal destruction, and they will be kept far from the presence of our Lord and his glorious strength.
There will be judgment in Heaven for all
Romans 14:10
10 Why do you criticize other followers of the Lord? Why do you look down on them? The day is coming when God will judge all of us.
1 Judgment of Faith
2 Timothy 2:11,12
11 Here is a true message:
“If we died with Christ, we will live with him.
12 If we don’t give up, we will rule with him.
If we deny that we know him, he will deny that he knows us.
2 Judgment of Works
2 Corinthians 5:8-10
8 We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord. 9 But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him. 10 After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.
1 Corinthians 3:12-14
12-13 Whatever we build on that foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Then everyone will find out if we have used gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw. 14 We will be rewarded if our building is left standing. 15 But if it is destroyed by the fire, we will lose everything. Yet we ourselves will be saved, like someone escaping from flames.
Our works will affect our rewards. The New Testament tells us about 5 Crowns that we will be given as reward for the work we do for the Kingdom of God while we are here on Earth.
The 5 Crowns of Judgment
1 The Incorruptible Crown/Victors Crown
This is a reward for those who consistently practice self-discipline/self-control over physical appetites.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! 25 Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. 26 I don’t run without a goal. And I don’t box by beating my fists in the air. 27 I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won’t lose out after telling the good news to others.
(Paul-struggles with the flesh)
Revelation 3:21
21 Everyone who wins the victory will sit with me on my throne, just as I won the victory and sat with my Father on his throne.
2 The Crown of Righteousness
A crown for those who eagerly await the return of Christ and live a righteous life.
2 Timothy 4:8
8 So a crown will be given to me for pleasing the Lord. He judges fairly, and on the day of judgment he will give a crown to me and to everyone else who wants him to appear with power.
3 The Crown of Life/Martyr’s Crown
Given to those who faithfully endure tests and trial of life.
James 1:12
2 My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble
Revelation 2:10
10 Don’t worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.
(Take Joy in Suffering-Right Track)
4 Crown of Rejoicing/Soul Winners
Given to those who lead people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
1 Thessalonians 2:19,20
19 After all, when the Lord Jesus appears, who else but you will give us hope and joy and be like a glorious crown for us? 20 You alone are our glory and joy!
5 The Crown of Glory/Elders Crown
Given to Pastors, and Church Leaders who lovingly oversee God’s people.
1 Peter 5:1-4
Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ’s suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us.
2 Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. 3 Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. 4 Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.
(Jim Jones/David Koresh-will not be getting this crown)
What will we do with these crowns?
In a loving act of worship, these crowns will be given back to God. In order to give all glory and honor to him, we will lay them at this feet.
Revelation 4:10,11
10 At the same time the twenty-four elders knelt down before the one sitting on the throne. And as they worshiped the one who lives forever, they placed their crowns in front of the throne and said, 11 “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created.”
In our next session, we will look at exactly what Heaven will look like and be like and what we will do there.
