The Path to Heaven – Part 2

Romans 8:34 “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

Our small group lesson reviewed the gospel events leading up to “glory”, we find that our first parents sinned against God and fell, but in the fullness of time, Jesus became flesh and blood (God incarnate), born of a virgin, born without sin. He was tempted as we are, but He never sinned. Jesus was crucified, made sin for us, died, and was buried. On the third Jesus rose from the dead. He was seen multiple times by numerous people, all of whom could testify to His resurrection. Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection He ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us who are believers in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ – the Way.  The Holy Spirit was then given to everyone who would believe in Jesus Christ. The Spirit is the guarantee of a believer’s entrance into heaven at death and the redemption of the body. When a believer in Christ dies, he or she is absent from the body and present with the Lord. At some future point in time, Jesus will leave, bringing with Him the souls of all believers who physically died before His return. Each of our souls will be reunited with a resurrected, immortal, imperishable body like the body of Jesus Christ. When Jesus returns to earth, He will subdue the nations. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom or our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Jesus will reign for one thousand years. At the end of that time, the devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20). The unsaved dead of all ages will then stand before the Great White Throne of God. The “Day of Judgment” is a day of justice and mercy from the Lord. The unbelieving dead – along with death and Hades – will be cast into the lake of fire. Then there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Note our paradise lost, then God’s plan and offer of salvation remedy – Jesus is the path to heaven. For those Believers, who are still on this side of eternity, Christ is in heaven now interceding for us – telling Father God that we are His. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly “good news” for the lost sinner who takes God’s offer of heaven over hell.

Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Heaven is the Believer’s kingdom and home. We shall be forever in Lord God’s presence. The word “Tabernacle” in the passage above means dwelling place of God with God’s gracious presence. Our Creator Father resides in Heaven and is always “in the house”. In the kingdom of heaven there is no fear here, no tear here, no death, no mourning, no crying, nor pain; unspeakable joy in glory and rejoicing in pure adoration of our Almighty Maker and merciful Redeemer Savior. With this Promised Land as our assured future, the Believer has this “eternal perspective” now, so start the rejoicing and let the rest of the world know the Way, the Truth and the Life. The "River of the Water of Life" is there to forever quench our thirst, with the "Tree of Life" on its bank to forever quench our appetite in paradise regained. The fruit of the Spirit will forever be in season in heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “ For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Revelation 22:1-4 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

Have compassion on and mourn for the lost; rejoice for the saved in victory and glory. Live for Jesus Christ – the path to Heaven!

John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

 

In Christ, Brian