Heaven- How Do You Expect To Get There?
What does Heaven look like?
Heaven is a magnificent place filled with mansions, pearl gates, and streets of gold. It is a place where death does not exist. No pain, sorrow, or tears.
"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." John 14:2
"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Revelation 21:21
“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.” Revelation 21:4
How do you expect to get to Heaven?
There are many answers to this question. Let's take a look at a few and see what God says about it in the Bible...
Answer 1- When I arrive at the pearly gate I am hoping God accepts me for who I am and that I am good enough to enter.
"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." Ephesians 2:8-9
Answer 2- All the roads lead to the same place, we will all arrive at the same destination.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
Answer 3- Why wouldn't I go to Heaven? I'm a good person.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23
"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." John 3:3
Answer 4- I am sincere and have faith, that's good enough.
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15
Answer 5- I was raised in church, my whole family goes to church.
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses areas filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6
Answer 6- Why would I want to go to Heaven? Most of my friends aren't going to be there. I'd rather party with them in Hell.
"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."
Luke 16:23-26
How do you get to Heaven according to the Bible?
First, one must receive Christ. To receive Christ means that a person surrenders his self-will and invites Jesus to take control of his life.
"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:" John 1:12
You must also confess your sins to Christ asking for forgiveness and believe in Him.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
One day the Lord will return for those who are saved to take them back to Heaven with Him.
"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. 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." John 14:2-3
For Christ to take you with Him, you must be saved and your name must be written in the Lamb's book of life.
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27
Is your name written in this book?
