In Hope of a Heavenly Home
Possibly one of the most desirable considerations that enter the mind of man is the desire to go to Heaven sometime after life ends here on earth. I am sure that most people that believe in the teaching of the Bible about the resurrection, the judgment, and the assignment of the wicked to eternal misery in hell are thoughtful about these events.
To this subject let us consider a few facts that the Bible reveals about heaven and those that will ultimately go there.
1. It is a fact that the Bible teaches clearly that there is a heaven for the righteous and a hell of fire for the wicked someday –
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. KJV
2. That there will be an eternal place of torment for the wicked is also clearly taught in the Bible –
Romans 2:2-11 – 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shall escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. KJV
3. The decision to pursue heaven as an eternal home for the followers of Jesus Christ teaching is a most wise and comforting pursuit; Note the Bible facts:
1 John 5:11-13 – 11 and this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. KJV
1 John 5:20 – And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. KJV
INDEED: Jesus told His disciples before He left this earth that a home-coming awaited them someday in the future when they would be reunited with Him –
John 14:1-4 – 14:1 let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. KJV
The promise to Jesus disciples in John 14:1-4 is good for all those that imitate the example of those disciples and do the works of God while they live here in the earth. Indeed; the true Christian will one day be resurrected to live eternally in a special prepared place by Almighty God forever …
Consider the following promises in the Bible for those who choose to follow and obey the Lord’s instructions:
John 3:15-17 – 15 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. KJV
John 12:44-50 – 44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 for I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. KJV
Romans 2:3-11 – 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shall escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasures up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. KJV
Man must make a choice in this world about whether he/she will go to heaven or to eternal punishment. One of the saddest situations in my experience is to see a man or woman that I know who ought to become a Christian and serve God faithfully come to a sudden and unexpected death without having decided to serve God by becoming obedient to God’s Plan of Salvation that is clearly taught within the pages of the Holy Scriptures.
Please note the following facts about salvation from sin and consider your own condition today:
GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR SALVATION FROM SIN
Hear the gospel: Rom. 10:17-18 – “So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. ASV
Believe the gospel: Mark 16:16 -“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.”
Repent of past sin: Acts 2:38 -“And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ASV
Confess with the mouth Christ – Rom. 10:9-10,
Be baptized for remission of sin – Acts 2:38
After a person becomes a Christian they are to pursue righteousness. To pursue righteousness simply means that the new Christian is to study the Bible, adapt their lifestyle to the examples of Christians and Apostolic teaching found in the Holy Scriptures; notice the instruction in the following …
1 Thessalonians 4:1-124:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. KJV
2 Timothy 2:15-25 – 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 but in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 but foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strafes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; KJV
REMEMBER THIS;
Hebrews 12:28-29 – 28 wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1 Peter 1:7-9 – 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. KJV
DEAR BRETHREN …
Let us go forward, seeking that eternal home that the Lord Jesus Christ has promised to the faithful; May we continue to work the works of God.