Looking Toward Heaven

This Bible subject is very popular; you will not find many religious people who do not entertain it with some degree of enthusiasm. The very idea of “heaven” brings to mind “joy” and “happiness”, “peace and good will”. In fact, this is so much the case that many minds become blind to the consequences of believing in “heaven”. Taken in its fullest context, faith in “heaven” is a very sobering concept. It is important to remember that, as with all other scriptural truths, we must accept the entire body of truth concerning it, the road that reaches it, and its frightening alternative.

To truly believe in “heaven”, one is compelled to believe in the God who provides it–omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, AND JUST. Heaven is a reward to be gained by a life lived in a certain way–a way determined and implemented by a God of JUSTICE and MERCY.

While the certainty of this place is not questioned by believers, the location and nature of it are subjects of interest and discussion. From the same Bible which convincingly affirms its reality we gain ALL that can be known of it, and are led to trust in God that it will live up to expectations.

Often, our ideas of heaven are stimulated by passages that refer to its opposite. The warning in 2 Thess 1:7-9 of the destiny of those who “know not God, and obey not the gospel” leads us to strive toward a different destiny–going to “heaven”–and seek to “‘know” and “obey”. In fact, sometimes our “hope” of going to heaven is more one of “hoping” NOT to go to “hell”. It is not reasonable to trust in Bible teaching on “heaven” and reject that same source on “hell”. In obtaining “heaven” (referred to in Scripture as “everlasting life”, a “crown of righteousness”, a “crown of life”, etc.) one must submit to divine directions regarding it. “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way” (Matt 7:13, 14) that leads to it, and few there be that find it. People get so wrapped up in the thought of “going” to heaven, that they ignore the “process” included in “going”.

¨ Jesus said unless one is born again, he will not see the kingdom of God – John 3:3-5

¨ He taught that we must actually DO the will of God to enter – Matt 7:20, 21

¨ He taught that one must be “faithful unto death” to receive the crown – Rev 2:10

¨ He said that if one “looks back”, he is not fit for it – Lk 9:62

Heaven is a beautiful and pleasant place, but in the words of the old spiritual song: “All people who talk about heaven ain’t goin’ there..” We need to look to ourselves, and to God’s roadmap–can we honestly say WE are going there? –AcBelue

Editorial: Remorse and Repentance

                “I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, Like an untrained bull; Restore me, and I will return, For You are the LORD my God. Surely, after my turning, I repented; And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.’” (Jeremiah 31:18-19)

            In 586 B.C. Jehovah enabled the Babylonians to defeat Jerusalem, burning the city and destroying Jehovah’s Temple that Solomon had built many years before. The Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar had twice before carried away captives from Judah. A third wave of prisoners would be taken several years after the destruction of Jerusalem. These captives would remain in Babylon, and the land God promised to give His people would lie desolate for seventy years (Jer. 25:11-12; 29:10).

            But the story did not end with God’s people in defeat. God’s prophets anticipated the restoration of His people and a return to the land (Jer. 30:3; Eze. 39:25; Joel 3:1; Am. 9:14-15). This hope was partially fulfilled under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. These men provided civil and spiritual leadership to help re-establish the Israelites in Palestine and to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezr. 3:8; 6:14-15; 7:7-10; Ne. 2:12-18). But national restoration was not all that God promised; it was not even the greatest work that He had in mind. The LORD God intended to bring His people out of captivity to sin under the leadership of the Branch of Righteousness, Jesus Christ (Jer. 30:8-9; 33:14-17; Lk. 1:31-33).

            The passage quoted above describes the remorse and repentance of those to whom God would extend mercy. They had been punished by God and had suffered the consequences of disregarding His law and His purpose for their lives. They now regretted the sinful folly of their youth and the bitter fruit it had borne. They were ashamed of the freedom from the demands of righteousness that they had formerly reveled in.

            Sadly, some people who claim to be saved never feel this type of shame for their sin. They may walk the straight and narrow, but they glory in the memory of the “good old days” when they sowed their wild oats and lived apart from the restraint of spirituality. One wonders how we can be saved from sin if we enjoy the bondage associated with it. Repentance is a necessary prerequisite of salvation; unless we repent we will die (cf. Lk. 13:3). Repentance is not merely sorrow, nor is it merely a change of life. It is the change of life that comes from godly sorrow (2Co. 7:10). There can be no return from sin without genuine remorse that leads to repentance. –The Editors

The Truth Does Not Fear Investigation

    There’s a good saying that brethren have used over the years to show our sincerity in what we practice and preach: "truth does not fear investigation." The idea is that if one is genuinely concerned about doing right, he’ll not be afraid of someone else questioning what he does. By frequent examinations and regular defenses one is constantly kept "in check." If by an "investigation" one’s preaching and/or practice is proven true, great. If however it is proven to be false, there’s a sense in which this is also great, for now the sincere individual can make the necessary changes to get back on track and be right.

    Unfortunately, not everyone is interested in truth. Some are content to go on in their error hoping no one will ever challenge them. If they are questioned, too many write it off as being "bothered" and ignore the "investigator." How sad!

    Those fearful of investigation need reminding of what Peter wrote, "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..." (1 Pt. 3:15). When a person gets to the point where they cannot defend or give an answer for what they’re doing, it’s time to do something else. While error may clam up, get aggravated and run from it - truth does not fear investigation. What about you?

--David McPherson

One Final Thought: The Cell Phone versus The Bible

What would happen if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phone? 

Æ   If we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

Æ   If we flipped through it several times a day?

Æ   If we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

Æ   If we used it to receive messages from the text?

Æ   If we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

Æ   If we gave it to Kids as gifts?

Æ   If we used it when we traveled?

Æ   If we used it in case of emergency?

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because of an unpaid bill...Jesus already paid in advance.

And, best of all...no dropped calls!        --Anonymous

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