Get Real

What is Heaven Like?

For many, heaven is a state of being; for others, it’s a destination. If I were to ask 20 people on the street to tell me about heaven I would probably get 20 different answers, that is unless they used the same “guidebook” to give them answers about life and death.

The guidebook I use is the Bible. Why the Bible? Because the Bible outlines the doctrine of Christianity. It is an amazing collection of fulfilled prophetic and historical writings of a Man that was born to take away the sins of the world—at no cost—to those who would follow him.

Other guidebooks such as the, the New World Translation of the Bible (Jehovah’s Witness), the Book of Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints), Pali Canon (Buddhist) and the Quran (Islam), to mention just a few of the more well-known religions, have one thing in common—heaven. The word heaven may not be used, it may be other words like heavenly Kingdom, telestial/terestial/celestial, Nirbana or Nirvana. However, the idea is the same—a trouble-free time in the afterlife.

The difference, however, is that all of these teachings include the follower doing deeds or works in order to gain this desired resting place of the soul. Additionally, all of the founders of these religions are dead and in a grave somewhere. This is not so with the teaching of the Bible nor its founder Jesus Christ (see Trilemma article).

So what is heaven like? With nearly 700 references to “heaven” in the Bible, one begins to get an idea that it is a place like nothing humans can imagine, yet if we imagine a life without fear, tears or mourning we begin to envision it emotionally. Rust does not destroy and moths do not eat our clothes. Locking our doors is a thing of the past.¹

Finally, heaven is, "the dwelling of God with men; [where] he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."²

What is heaven like? I’m not sure words can capture it, but it sounds like a place that will surpass life even on my best day. If you read the end of the book (the Bible), you’ll see there is hope for all who believe there is a God and that belief is followed up with an active faith in Jesus the Christ.

What do you think? Is heaven in your future? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/resources.html

¹ Matthew 6:19-21

² Revelation 21:1-5

Is Hell a Real Place?

You will answer this based on your worldview. But, before you answer, read the last post. Are you doing your own “thinking” or have you accepted someone else’s conclusions?

Many people believe differently about this subject. Given the fact that no one has ever offered a first-hand testimony regarding the reality of the subject, it should be carefully examined.

First, where does this idea come from? Most religious belief systems refer to some idea of “hell” or “punishment.” It’s subject matter is also plentiful in several mythologies and literature. One thing that remains consistent concerning the subject is that it involves the after-life.

Second, what happens to us when we die? Again, this subject has filled volumes. However, what is one to believe when there are so many opinions out there?

I choose to believe a doctrine and a time-tested set of truths called the Bible. Yes, it is time-tested and consistently, from start of the story to the end of the story, reveals a God that is personable and cares for us. This is important because this book answers the question, “is hell a real place” and explains whom it was designed for.

In short, the location of hell (in the center of the earth or otherwise) is not what’s really important, what matters is that hell is eternal, it’s a place of torment, there’s mention of fire and God is not there. Yes, hell is a reference to judgment for those who do not choose Jesus Christ as their Lord.

The most stunning consideration I faced a long time ago came from these few words, “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”¹

However…

“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”²

I told you God cared about people. He cared so much he sent his son to die so that no one would have to face judgment. He offers salvation to any who ask.

What do you believe? I’d like to hear about it.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/resources.html

¹ Search results “hell”

² Heb 9:27-28 (NIV)

Just Think About It.

I think thinking has taken a back seat in our society. If you look around us you may notice everyone else doing our thinking for us.

For example talk show hosts such as Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly (O’Reilly factor) and Oprah fill the airwaves offering their opinion as though it were fact. We listen to CNN, MSNBC and Fox News and their opinions become “the way it is.” But is it really factual? Is it really the way it is?

Great thinkers like Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Kant and Kierkergaard of ages past have come and gone. However, while they were in their prime of thinking and writing there were plenty who observed and reviewed their works. I’m afraid were not critiquing like we used to. We might be debating but I'm not sure it is done with factual information.

We have talked recently about true truth. Ironically, you are reading my blog which is my opinion. However, it is based on facts, which I have searched out and found to be sound and true.

What do you believe and why? Choose any subject concerning your worldview. Do you believe it because of tradition; because it’s the generally accepted view of those you associate with; or because you’ve done your "homework" and know it to be true?

I look forward to hearing “what you think.”

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/resources.html

Does God Discriminate?

  A recent “on the street interview” revealed a participant saying, “…if you’re a good person, if you lead a wonderful life for a “god,” for a higher purpose, I don’t see why any god would discriminate and send everyone else who’s not of the right religion to hell, I don’t think that’s proper.”¹

  This person admitted to a place called hell and seems to think that God is being discriminatory by sending people who don’t believe in the “right religion” to this place.

  I am considering many questions based on this response. First, who defines what is good and what does a wonderful life look like? If one considers the relativity of this statement, then this person might think it’s okay to keep an extra $10 in change that was received accidentally. But, would he/she think it was okay for someone to steal $10 from them? If $10 is okay, what about $100 or $1000?

  Just as I discussed last time regarding degrees of truth, there cannot be degrees of good—not if there is a God that is just. I serve a God that is just, not discriminatory. Just as truth is not relative, God's response to us is not relative.

  It’s pretty simple, we’re all messed up, we’re all sinners who deserve death by a God is good and holy. However, because he does not discriminate, he makes salvation available to everyone who asks.

  I’ll look at another question raised by this interview next time.

  Question to ponder. When is it okay for someone to commit a wrong-doing against you?

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/resources.html

¹ Stonecroft Ministries