Requirements for going to Heaven
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
My Desire: - Is not to never just read the Bible to get a sermon, but to read the Bible to get to the heart of God. It is my mission through any message I deliver and especially this message about Heaven to cause you to search the scriptures and find the heart of God yourself. I want to cause you to search the scriptures wherein them you think you have eternal life for these are they which testify of Him. I want you after the end of this lesson to know with surety what it takes for you to get to heaven, what heaven really is, what it is not, who enters heaven, and who doesn’t. I am determined to destroy common misconceptions about heaven and bring understanding to those that are truly yearning to get to the heart of God.
WATCH THIS: - Everyone wants to know about heaven, and everyone wants to go there. Recent polls suggest that nearly 80% of all Americans believe there is a place called heaven. This is somewhat encouraging because it states even in this skeptical age of doubters and total disregard toward anything Holy there is still something deep inside the human heart that cries out, there’s got to be more. Something more than the pain and suffering of this life. Something more than 70 or 80 years on planet earth. Something more than being born, living, dying, and then being buried in the ground. After all this mess we go through in life there must be more than just this and that’s it when this is over. Heaven is that more people are looking to understand and hoping for.
PRAYER: -
OPENING STORY: - There is a story about a rich old man who, on his death bed, negotiated with God to allow him to bring his earthly treasures with him when he came to heaven. God's reaction was that this was a most unusual request, but since this man had been exceptionally faithful, permission was granted to bring along just one suitcase of his most prized possessions. The time arrived, the man died and presented himself at the pearly gates, with suitcase in hand - both hands since he had stuffed it with as many bars of gold bullion as would fit into the suitcase. Standing at the pearly gates Peter said, "Sorry, you know the rules - you can't take it with you." But the man protested, "God said I could bring one suitcase." Peter checked, found out that this man would be an exception, as he prepared to let the man enter, he said, "OK, but I will have to examine the contents of your suitcase before you pass through the pearly gates." He took the suitcase, opened it, saw the gold bars and asked questionably, "You brought PAVEMENT?"
This story is full of misconceptions and false statements about heaven. The concept of Peter standing at the gates of heaven is an interpretation or rather a misinterpretation of Scripture. Matthew 16:19 says “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. Some interpret this as Peter being the Saint who is physically holding the keys at the entrance of Heaven, but others interpret it to mean Peter was entrusted to bring the Gospel to the lost. Looking at this interpretation, Peter has the authority to open the gates by sharing the Gospel. Most of us have heard that heaven is a place where the streets are paved with gold, the gates are made of pearl, and the walls made of precious jewels. Those images come from Revelation 21, this picture is in all reality describing the New Jerusalem the Holy City of God.
The New Jerusalem, which is also called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, the City Foursquare, and Heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22 – 24; and 13:14, but it is most fully described in Revelation 21. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” We need to understand the context of the scriptures in order to properly be able to know how to use them and what they are actually saying.
Understand that here in Revelation 21,(you really need to take time a read this chapter in its entirety – it is only 27 verses long), the recorded history of mankind is at its end. All the ages have come and gone; the dispensations are over. Christ has gathered His church in the Rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:15 – 17. The Tribulation has passed Revelation 6 - 18. The Battle of Armageddon has been fought and won by our Lord Jesus Christ Revelation 19:17–21. Satan has been chained for the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth Revelation 20:1–3. A new, glorious temple has been established in Jerusalem Ezekiel 40 - 48. The final rebellion against God has been squashed, Satan has received his just punishment, and is spending eternity in the lake of fire Revelation 20:7–10. The Great White Throne Judgment has taken place, and mankind has been judged and given it’s punishment in the lake of fire for all eternity or reward with Christ for all eternity having heard the words of Matthew 25:23 “Well Done my good and faithful servant enter in the Joy of the Lord” Revelation 20:11 – 15. We arrive at Revelation 21, after the re-creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth, God reveals the New Jerusalem. John sees a glimpse of it in his vision: “The Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” Revelation 21:2. This is the city that Abraham looked for in faith Hebrews 11:10 “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. It is the place where God will dwell with His people forever Revelation 21:3
The New Jerusalem or The new heaven and new earth are what some call the “eternal state” and will be the place “where righteousness dwells” according to 2 Peter 3:13 which says “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”. Isaiah 65:17 says that “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Things will be completely new, and the old order of things, with the accompanying sorrow and tragedy, will be gone. The Inhabitants of this celestial city will have all tears wiped away Revelation 21:4. This is HEAVEN on EARTH!!! This is literally what God intended in the beginning Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth”.
Understand Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, the place where King David, his son Solomon, and their descendants ruled “throne of the LORD.” 1 Chronicles 29:23. Jerusalem, called “the holy city,” thus represented God’s rulership in the family line of David. Nehemiah 11:1 says “And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities New Jerusalem, also called the holy city” it is made up of those who join Jesus and rule as kings over the earth. Revelation 5:9, 10 says “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”.
Revelation 21:1-5 paints a picture of our future. In it the heaven and earth we currently inhabit pass away. In their place are a new heaven and earth. And then the New Jerusalem, later described as the bride of Christ Revelation 21:9 descends from heaven to earth. Finally, the announcement from the throne of God is that He will now dwell among us.
This chapter of Revelation 21 is similar in many ways to the description of the Garden of Eden, the initial home of humanity. It appears that our end is a return to our beginnings, to what we were created to be in the first place. Here is a little Bible Trivia if you will - If you read the Bible backwards from Genesis 10 to Genesis 1 it pretty much is what we are headed to in God’s plan – from a world of Chaos to a Blissful Paradise which He originally created.
This view of Revelation 21:1-5 states that our abode in heaven is temporary. And that our permanent home is on a newly recreated earth.
So far, we have established that Heaven is a temporary place, that there will come a time when Heaven as we think of it will be here on Earth. The new heaven and the new earth is a recreation of the way things were originally when God created them in the beginning. The pearly gates and streets pathed with gold actually is describing the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God! Let’s now investigate some of the common misconceptions about Heaven.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF HEAVEN!
Misconception: - Heaven is a place where we will all be floating around in the clouds aimlessly as disembodied spirits with cute little babies as angles carrying a bow and arrow spreading love. Understand, we will have real “spiritual” bodies with physical substance 1 Cor. 15:41 - 44 says “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. We will be capable of talking, walking, touching, and being touched Luke 24; John 20-21. Christ’s resurrection body had an ability to appear suddenly, apparently coming through a locked door to the apostles John 20:19, and “disappearing” from the sight of the two at Emmaus Luke 24:31.
As far as little baby angels there is no Biblical reference angels being babies with wings and carrying a bow and arrow. This figure of baby angels was known in Renaissance art as the putto, Italian vernacular derived from the Latin word for boy, but its origins go much further back to the Greco-Roman world. “The conception of the putto reaches back in art to the classical world, where winged infants were believed to be a physical manifestation of invisible essences or spirits called genius, genii, that were believed to influence human lives”. Real Angels are warriors, messengers of God. Angels are not composed of physical matter but are spirit beings created by God Hebrews 1:14. They can take human form when God permits or wills it as in Genesis 19. There are different orders or ranks of angels in heaven. Those that covered the throne in heaven were mighty Seraphim angels. They had six wings that hovered over the throne of God. Two of the Seraphim’s wings covered their faces because God is so holy that even the Seraphim angels could not look upon God Isaiah 6:2. Another set of wings covered their feet for they were in the midst of holy ground where God abided and Moses Exodus 3:5 and Joshua 5:15 had to remove their shoes while in the presence of God. Angels do have some human features like feet, voices, and faces Isaiah 6:1-2.
Angels are neither male nor female although they always appear as a man when they take human form. They are nonetheless too powerful for humans to resist as a mighty Cherubim kept Adam and Even from entering back into the Garden of Eden because he also had a mighty, flaming sword Genesis 3:24. Daniel, in his vision, saw that the number of angels that could not be counted saying, “Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him…“Daniel 7:10.
Misconception: - Many Mansions - There are a couple of passages that are, at least in popular thought, considered to be descriptive of heaven. In John 14:2 tells us that there in the Father’s house there are many mansions. Most modern translations use rooms or dwelling places rather than mansions. But it is still common to hear older people talk about their mansion in heaven.
WATCH THIS:- Mansion is a dwelling place CORRECT – 1 Corinthians 6:19 says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own”. So, when He says many mansions in my father’s house we are the mansion because we are the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost – Christ in us the hope of Glory.
Misconception: - Streets of Gold and Gates of Pearls – We already established that this is describing the Holy City the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. Revelation 21:9-10, you will find that this chapter is describing the bride of Christ, the church, rather than heaven. It is a symbolic description of the glory of Christ’s bride, and God’s presence within. This is heaven on earth when God comes and establishes the Kingdom of God on earth like it was originally supposed to be in the Garden of Eden.
Misconception: - That the present Heaven, is where Christians go when we die, is the same place we will live forever. In fact, when we die, we go to be with Christ, which is wonderful, but we are incomplete, in a pre-resurrected state, anticipating Christ’s return to earth, and our resurrections. 2 Corinthians 5:6 says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. The place we’ll live forever will be where God is and when He comes down to dwell with us, on the New Earth and the New Heaven in the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:1-3.
Misconception: - There will be nothing to do, and it’ll be boring and predictable. The Bible doesn’t say everything that we will be doing in Heaven, but it does give several references to things that we will be doing. I found this to be very interesting in my studies - In Luke 23:43, Jesus declared to the thief on the cross, "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise". The word Jesus used for "paradise" is paradeisos which means "a park, that is, specifically an Eden a place of future happiness, paradise". Paradeisos is the Greek word taken from the Hebrew word pardes which means "a park: - forest, orchard" (Strong’s Concordance). Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me "en paradeisos," not "en nephele" which is Greek for “in clouds.” The point is that Jesus picked and used the word for "a park." Not just any park but "the paradise of God" or park of God which for us will be a place of future happiness. Does this sound like a boring place? When you think of a park, do you think of boredom?
The Bible states we will worship the Lord. Revelation 5:13 shares, "And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'" This will include worship alongside angels, who cry Holy, Holy, Holy night and day Revelation 4:8 as well as believers from all ages and locations, from every nation and people on earth.
We will feast and eat with the Lord and His people: Isaiah 25:6 says "On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined" Some other scriptures that talk about feasting or eating in eternity future are Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30.
We will live together with all other believers in heaven. This will include the saints of old such as Abraham, Moses, and David. How exciting will this be? In addition, it will include being reunited with believers who are parents, grandparents, spouses, children, grandchildren, and other loved ones from whom we have endured painful separation in this life. This alone is exciting enough to greatly anticipate heaven.
We will celebrate for eternity in heaven. For those who enjoy parties, heaven will be the greatest party of all time. Revelation 19:9 and other places describe the future marriage supper of the Lamb as a time of great joy and celebration.
This is just some of the things we will be doing in Heaven.
Misconception: - We’ll be absorbed with God and lose our identities. That is Hinduism, not Christianity, but surprisingly many Christians believe it. Resurrection means we will retain our identities and be forever reestablished as individuals, liberated to see God and worship him as our primary joy and the source of all joys. Job said, Job 19:26-27 “And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another”. 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 says “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory”.
Misconception: - When we die, we become angles. No, we do not!!! Death is a relocation of the same person from one place to another. The place changes, but the person remains the same. The same person who becomes absent from his or her body becomes present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. We won't be angels, but we'll be with them”.
OK – hopefully I have destroyed some of the misconceptions of Heaven. Now let’s get a better understanding of Heaven.
Question:- If when we die we go to heaven then what is the purpose of resurrection? Awesome question – there is a great amount of confusion regarding what happens after death. There are those that hold the belief everyone sleeps or what is called soul sleep until the final judgment, after which everyone will be sent to heaven or hell.
Some believe that at the moment of death, people are instantly judged and sent to their eternal destinations. IF this was in fact the case the again WHAT WOULD BE THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION.
Then there are those like me that believe that when a person dies, their souls/spirits are sent to a temporary not eternal heaven or hell, to await the final resurrection, the final judgment, and then the finality of their eternal destination. Understand we are a Trichotomy which means we are made up Spirit Soul and Body. The body is created from the dust of the ground the spirit of man is the breath of God the result is man became a living soul Genesis 2:7. Ezekiel 18:4 says “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.
You must now understand Divine Order when a person dies the body goes back to where it came from the dust of the earth, the spirit which is the breath of God goes back to God and the soul which is a result of the breath of God belongs to Him go back to Him. The soul is the part of us that consists of the mind (which includes the conscience), the will and the emotions. This is the part of us that goes back to God and waits for the resurrection of the glorified body.
The Bible says after death this happens?
First, for the believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that after death believers’ souls/spirits are taken to heaven, because their sins are forgiven by having received Christ as Savior (John 3:16, 18, 36). For believers, death is to be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). However, passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 describe believers being resurrected and given glorified bodies. If believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, what is the purpose of this resurrection? It seems that while the souls/spirits of believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, the physical body remains in the grave or rather goes back to the dust. At the resurrection of believers, the physical body is resurrected, glorified, and then reunited with the soul/spirit. This reunited and glorified body-soul-spirit will be the possession of believers for eternity in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21-22).
Second, for those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Savior, death means everlasting punishment. However, similar to the destiny of believers, unbelievers also seem to be sent immediately to a temporary holding place, to await their final resurrection, judgment, and eternal destiny. Luke 16:22-23 describes a rich man being tormented immediately after death. Revelation 20:11-15 describes all the unbelieving dead being resurrected, judged at the great white throne, and then being cast into the lake of fire. Unbelievers, then, are not sent to hell (the lake of fire) immediately after death, but rather are in a temporary realm of judgment and condemnation. However, even though unbelievers are not instantly sent to the lake of fire, their immediate fate after death is not a pleasant one. The rich man cried out, “I am in agony in this fire” (Luke 16:24).
Therefore, after death, a person resides in a “temporary” heaven (Abraham’s Bosom a place of rest and peace) or hell (fire & torment). After this temporary realm, at the final resurrection, a person’s eternal destiny will not change. The precise “location” of that eternal destiny is what changes. Believers will ultimately be granted entrance into the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Unbelievers will ultimately be sent to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). These are the final, eternal destinations of all people—based entirely on whether or not they had trusted Jesus Christ alone for salvation (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36).
DEFINITION OF HEAVEN.
According to the KJV Dictionary online the region or expanse which surrounds the earth, and which appears above and around us, like an immense arch or vault, in which are seen the sun, moon and stars.
Among Christians, the part of space in which the omnipresent Jehovah is supposed to afford more sensible manifestations of his glory. Hence this is called the habitation of God and is represented as the residence of angels and blessed spirits. Deuteronomy 26.
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word šamayim is the primary word translated as heaven. The NIV Word Study Dictionary defines this word as “region above the earth: the heavens: place of the stars, sky, air; heaven: the invisible realm of God.” As you can see, it has a variety of usages.
In the New Testament, the Greek word ouranos is the primary word translated as heaven. This word is defined as “sky, air, firmament, any area above the earth; heaven(s), the place of sun, moon, and stars; heaven, in which God dwells.” Like šamayim, this word is used in a variety of ways.
Both words refer to the physical realm that we live in. But they also refer to the supernatural realm of God. This is because there was not a clear distinction between the two in the Hebrew mind. The sky is up there. But God’s throne is also up there, beyond the stars Job 22:12 says “Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are”. In ancient Hebrew thought, the heavens consist of everything that is up there and that is still the thought we have today when we say up there.
WHAT IS HEAVEN?
Heaven is a very common term in the Bible. You will find it used for the sky; for the space beyond our atmosphere; and for God’s dwelling place. Jesus frequently talks about the Kingdom of Heaven as a present reality with a future final fulfillment. And heaven is frequently associated with the home of believers when we leave this life. A home in Christ, in the presence of God.
Heaven is the heritage of every believer because Christ conquered death and Hell and Satan by Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection from the dead. The Scriptures inform us that all sin, and every other evil, are forever excluded; no fruits of sin will be found there-no curse nor sorrow nor sighing, no tear, no death: the former things are passed away.
HEAVEN IN THE BIBLE!
As believers we look forward to life beyond this earth and away from this earthen vessels in which we currently dwell 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 says “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit”.
WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?
Unfortunately, the Scripture does not give us a lot of information about what awaits us. But there are a few things we know about heaven. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him”.
We know that we will experience it with transformed bodies not as disembodied spirits. 1 Corinthians 15:35-57 says “But some man will say, how are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain”..
That we will in some way be like Christ 1 John 3:2-3 says “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”. and in some way, we will be like the angels Matthew 22:30 says “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven”,
The pains of this life will be left behind Revelation 21:4 says “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”.
Believers from every nation will praise God together Revelation 7:9 says “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands”.
We will be with the Lord forever 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”. and we will share in the glory of Christ Romans 8:17 says “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”.
But what heaven itself is like is unknown. 1 Corinthians 2:9 does give us a clue though, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” What God has prepared for us is beyond our ability to grasp now. It is indescribable to our human minds. So, while we may not know what heaven is like fully, we can look forward to it with expectation and exceeding great joy.
The idea of working in heaven is foreign to many people. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches it. When God created Adam, Genesis 2:15 He “And the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it”. Work was part of the original Eden. It was part of the perfect human life. God Himself is a worker. He didn’t create the world then retire. Jesus said, John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work”. Heaven too will be a place where we serve and work. (I have a friend that always says she is ready to go to heaven so she can rest – sorry buddy there is gonna be work to do in heaven as well).
Only one thing will keep us out of heaven, and that is our sin. One reason is because sin is rebellion against God and there can be no room in heaven for a rebellious attitude. But the deeper reason is because God is 100% Holy, and even one sin - just one - would be enough to banish us from His presence. The Bible says that in God’s eyes, James 2:10 says “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it”.
UNDERSTAND: - This is why we can never save ourselves by our own good works, because no matter how good we are, we will never be good enough to stand in God’s presence. And therefore, we need Christ, because He came into the world to pay the price for our sins. He was without sin, but on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He took the punishment we deserved and when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus into our hearts we are reconciled with God adopted as Sons of God and become joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
BEING GOOD ISN’T ENOUGH!
?:- There is a common assumption in the world that states as long as you lead a good life, as long as you are not a murderer, pedophile, rapist, or evil person, as long as you treat people right, you give to the poor, you go to church from time to time and you are basically a morally clean person that you will be able to go to heaven. However; the thought that all good people enter heaven isn’t a truth that is found in the Bible. This belief assumes that though some bad people need punishment with Hell’s damnation and that most people are generally good and entitled to go to heaven. It also assumes that the entrance to heaven is based on merit and our actions, and not because of God’s grace. However there’s no righteous deed no amount of money, no super acts of charity that we can do that will earn us a place in heaven Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”.
Whenever a person dies, we will say they’re in heaven and those are words used to comfort the grieving, however; we must understand Heaven is NOT the default destination after someone dies. Despite this fact, an overwhelming majority of people believe that they will head to the eternal afterlife with God in heavenly bliss at death. The optimism is great, but we must remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Hell is our default destination according to the Bible. Jesus, however, gave us the way to fix our sin problem and change that setting. Once we put our hearts towards God and ask for forgiveness, we can begin the process of becoming Sons of God and inherit Heaven.
As I recently stated many people believe that the answer to the question of how to get to heaven is to be a good person. You haven’t murdered anyone. You don’t steal. You don’t curse, too much. You don’t lie, too often. You’re not a drug addict. You don’t cheat. You rarely gamble. Your conscience is clear because you aren’t nearly as bad as the people you read about in the newspapers or see on television. You’re just like everyone else you know, and you can’t all be going to hell. So, you’re pretty sure that after you die God is going to let you into His heaven.
Many others believe that the answer to the question in how to get to heaven revolves around doing good deeds. They believe unfortunately that if: - You give money to beggars or food to the homeless standing on street corners give to UNICEF, Red-Cross, and other charitable organizations that this is how you get to heaven. You’re better than most of the people you know. In fact, you’re so good that you are convinced that, after you die, God will absolutely let you into His heaven.
There are those who believe that their religious rituals will be their pass into heaven. They feel if:- You embrace religion and live a religious life. You pay your tithes, take communion, sing on the praise team, usher and you even clean the toilets before and after every service that you are guaranteed to go to heaven. NOT SO!
Being a good person, being churchy, acting holier than thou and even cleaning the toilets isn’t going to get you into heaven, holding onto religious rituals and not having a relationship isn’t going to get you into heaven because all of these things DO NOT RECTIFY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.
When we sin, we fall short of God’s standards. Sin separates us from a relationship with God Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear”. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Psalm 51:5 says “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me”.
Sin is not allowed in Heaven; Heaven is a HOLY place. When Lucifer was lifted up in pride Isaiah 14:13-14 it says “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High”. God removed him from heaven because pride is sin. Sin has no place in Heaven.
God wanted to give us a way to free ourselves from our sin, so He blessed us with Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” Jesus died on the cross as the only one worthy to pay the penalty for our sins demanded by the holiness of God. But in victory over death, God raised Jesus from the grave, defeating the consequences of sin. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory”
WATCH THIS: - There is a part of History in the Bible where a young man asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life? We find this in Matthew 19:16 – 22 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions”. You see all the things that the young man did yet Jesus said there is more and it was the more that the young man wasn’t willing to do. as well as in Mark 10 & Luke 18.
GOD WANTS US TO GO TO HEAVEN!
Despite heaven not being our default destination that does not mean God doesn’t want us there. He is looking for us to come to Him! God would not have sent His only begotten son Jesus down to free us from our sins otherwise. In John 6:38, Jesus says “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
REPENT FOR OUR SINS!
Only when our sins are dealt with in Christ can we enter heaven. We cannot pay our own way. Jesus said, John 14:6 says, “No one comes to the Father except through me”. Acts 4:12 says “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”. Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf, God freely offers us forgiveness. You must accept Him into your heart, though, if you want to enter the eternal life.
In order to be forgiven of our sins we must recognize that we sin in the first place and then ask for forgiveness from God. Forgiveness is not automatic. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Christ offers to everyone the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. This gift cannot be worked for, earned, or achieved. It’s dependent solely on Christ’s generous sacrifice on our behalf.
WHO ENTERS HEAVEN?
Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. It is Theologically agreed that "poor in spirit" does not mean lacking in spirit, be it courage, the Holy Spirit, or religious awareness. Rather it is that poverty is not only a physical condition, but also a spiritual one. In fact, the more self-aware a person is of his or her spiritual poverty caused by the innate human condition of the sinful nature, they understand that without Christ I am nothing. The more one is humbly aware that they are "poor in spirit" left to his or her own ways without Jesus Christ as Savior. Without Jesus the Christ alive and active in one's soul, it remains in a completely impoverished spiritual state; once a person declares Jesus as Lord and Savior of his or her life, Jesus sustains them through a daily renewing of their poor spirit.
Matthew 25:33-34 says “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”. These are His sheep, those that hear and obey His voice John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.
Romans 8:17 says, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”.
Just from these few verses you see that in order to enter you must be poor in spirit – realize without Christ I am nothing, be His Sheep, and be children or Sons of God. There are several other scriptures that explain who enters into Heaven – Hebrews 12:23 “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect”. 1 Peter 1:4-5 says “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”.
Revelation 21:7 says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son”.
WHO DOES NOT ENTER HEAVEN?
Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. You see just because you go to church and say Jesus Jesus doesn’t mean Heaven belongs to you. Matthew 15:8 says. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me”.
Matthew 25:41 says, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”. These are the goats those that have not become His Sheep.
1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind”. The unrighteous will not enter Heaven.
Galatians 5:19-21 says “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
Revelation 21:8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”.
HOW CAN I BE SURE I AM GOING TO HEAVEN?
This is the most important question of all. Here is a wonderful truth: God has made it easy for you to go to heaven. He did the hard part when he sent his Son Jesus to die on the Cross for you and for me. He paid the price for your sins so that we could one day stand before God in heaven. Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". He also said in John 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved". Jesus is not only the way to heaven; he is also the door to heaven. If you want to go to heaven, you've got to go through the door marked Jesus Christ. There is no other entrance. Buddha won’t get you there, Muhammed won’t get you there, Vishnu won’t get you there the only way is through Jesus Christ.
What we need is solid ground on which to stand. We have it in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our entire hope of heaven is wrapped up in what Jesus did when he died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose from the dead.
Realize no one goes to heaven by accident. Heaven is God's prepared place for a prepared people. Most people believe in heaven and think they are going there. But are they on the right road? Are they building upon the solid foundation of Jesus Christ?
The question I have for you today is - What is your hope for heaven? Colossians 1:27 says “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” then in John 3:5 Jesus says “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”.
To be born again literally means born from above. When you are born again, you experience a spiritual transformation and, a total change of heart. It’s more than a feeling of excitement or a momentary experience. To be born again is to be saved, it is to accept the plan of salvation that Jesus offered at Calvary. It is imperative that you understand the resurrection of Christ which points to our salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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.”
The only way you can come to God and experience what it means to be born again is through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. Ephesians 2:8-10 says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”, Titus 3:5 says “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”. Romans 10:13 says “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.
To receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord means more than accepting Him as a fact of history, a teacher, a prophet or an example. It means more than giving mental acknowledgement to the fact that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. It means that we turn from sin and with our whole heart trusts in Christ as personal Savior and Lord. It means to stop doing the things that are contrary to the Will and Word of God. It is becoming a new creature 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. The Bible says, John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”. No longer are you an enemy of God or a child of wickedness.
Closing - WATCH THIS:- On the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fell upon the 120 in the upper room and Peter preached the question was asked by those that heard the word – what shall we do - the Bible says in Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do”.
That is the ultimate question and the ULTIMATE ANSWER IS: THE REQUIREMNETS TO GO TO HEAVEN - ACTS 2:38 & 39 “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call”.
The Bible certainly does indicate that when we die, we enter immediately into God’s presence if we belong to Christ. From our earthly point of view, death looks somewhat like sleep but not from God’s point of view. Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. Philippians 1:23 says “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better”.
Realize that in Heaven we will be with God - and because of that, heaven is a place of exceedingly great joy. The Bible says in Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”.
No matter what we face now, no matter the trials and tribulations we face now, we can rest assure that our eternal hope is secure, and in God’s presence everything will be perfect. Although our desires may not be fulfilled in this life, in eternity all our longings will be satisfied. Once we enter heaven, we will be freed from sin completely and be Holy as He is Holy.
The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ - as He said in John 14:6 “no one comes to the Father but through Me”. However; those that put their faith in Jesus for salvation, they can rest assured that they will one day join Him in a beautifully prepared place for them.
People say there are many ways to God and that is a lie breathed in the pits of Hell. Jesus is the only way.
Joshua said in Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”.
We must stand with the same kind of tenacity and assurance in the fact of going to Heaven. If I would use a portion of the opening story although we know it is a misconception but I need you to understand the importance of what I am about to say and I appeared at the pearly gates and Peter said on what basis do you feel you can enter into Heaven I would have to say like one song writer put it and that would be this:- My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand. We must stand on and in Jesus. So, when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found! Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!
Colossians 1:27 says “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
You must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and build your hope on Him.
SUMMARY: - There was a song we used to sing, and it really sums up how we should stand and know what it takes to go to heaven. The words are: -
“If You Pray Right (Heaven Belongs To You)"
If you love right, heaven belongs to you
If you love right, heaven belongs to you
If you love right, heaven belongs to you
Oh oh, heaven belongs to you
If you sing right, heaven belongs to you
If you sing right, heaven belongs to you
If you sing right, heaven belongs to you
Oh oh, heaven belongs to you
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
