Heaven

[Billy Cox]

I anticipate that in heaven I'll see someone and say, "Wow! I didn't expect to see you here." To which they will reply, "Yeah! I was thinking the same about you."

I've been reflecting on how many artificial explanations we have that explain who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. I go back to the ending of the book of Job and ask who among us knows the mind of God.

[BobHunt]

I go to church and pay tithe! I know Im saved. I help my neighbors. I read a few verses each day and pray at least 15 mins. Do you think I will be there?

[Mark Doble]

There will be allot of surprises when we get there eh! However, if you accept Christ as your saviour and recognize Him in your life you will be there.

[Hans Deventer]

Mark, I read little in my Bible about "accepting Christ as Saviour". I read about believing in Him, and since faith without works is dead and no faith at all, I guess the Lord is right to warn us:

MT 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

That's probably also why Hebrews 5 says:

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.


Accepting Christ is great! But God forbid we ever give the impression that it means anything else than obeying Him.

[Billy Cox]

And I wonder why the Bible is not more forthcoming to tell us at what point the disciples and Paul prayed the sinner's prayer and at what point they were sanctified wholly.

[Hans Deventer]

I think I have an idea about that, Billy :basic03

[Chris Baker]

I anticipate that in heaven I'll see someone and say, "Wow! I didn't expect to see you here." To which they will reply, "Yeah! I was thinking the same about you."

Whew. For a moment there I thought you were going to ask us to name names. :D

[Mark Metcalfe]

As I waited in line outside the Pearly Gates, I could hear weeping and wailing
coming from the other side of the wall. When I finally got to the gate, I asked
Saint Peter if I was in the line to heaven or not. He said, "yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was getting concerned because of all the noise of weeping and wailing."

"Oh that," he replied. "Those are the Nazarenes. They just found out that
Wednesdays don't count."

(I suppose I could update this joke.)

Mark

[Ian Gentles]

My biggest surprise will be...I'm there! :)

[Alex Manly]

I agree with Ian......For me it will be "WHEW I made it!!!!"

[Barbara Moulton]

I agree with Ian......For me it will be "WHEW I made it!!!!"

There won't be any "whew" for me. I have put my faith in Christ so I am not worrying if I'll make it.

For I know whom I have believed and am pursuaded that He is able to keep that which I've commited unto Him against that day.

[Audrey Hanson]

A story I read about Mother Teresa:

Someone asked Mother Teresa how a loving God could condemn people to hell. She replied, "He doesn't have to. We choose. Either we spend our life on earth seeking Him or we spend this life denying Him. If we have spent our lives seeking Him, when, after death, we are faced with His Light, we will run to it. If we have spend our lives denying Him, we shall turn away from His Light and run into the darkness. God doesn't have to condemn us. We choose." (paraphrased)

I struggled with this question when I was young and this explanation has made some sense to me, especially in terms of those who have not heard the Gospel. I pray that I will run into His arms. I'm pretty sure I will but I sometimes wonder if I hate sin enough.

[Jeff Scott]

Audrey-

I have trouble separating "hating sin" from "hating sinners". I focus my attention on loving God. When I do that, sinning doesn't make any sense for my life. I don't have to hate sin to not do it. Then again, I don't have to like sin to do it either. Heaven won't be about not sinning, it'll be about loving God.

Just my take on it.

By the way, I loved your post on racism in the church.

Jeff

[BobHunt]

I agree with Barbara, it wont just be "by the skin of my teeth" doesnt it say somewhere that He will give us an abundance entrance......someone help me...or am I misquoting?