Heaven One Day: There is a literal place called heaven in a faraway land. It is the hope of countless people, that one day they will go there to live forever. But, my friend, I am afraid many will miss heaven because they have failed to prepare as they should have. We have been told how to go there but few are traveling on the road that will get them there. Let me ask you a question. Do you want to go to heaven one day? Why do you want to go to heaven? Are you so living today that at the end of this life’s journey you will be accepted and allowed to enter through the pearly gates?

Everyone says they want to go to heaven when they die, yet few want to read the Bible, pray, go to a Bible Church, or be around godly people. So why would they want to go to heaven where praise and worship of God will be going on forever?

The word heaven is found in our Bible five hundred and fifty one times. It is often used as the home of God. It is where myriads of angels live with He who is the sovereign ruler of the universe. How far is it to heaven? No one knows. But there is a way to contact heaven and communicate with the Creator Himself if one approaches Him in the prescribed manner. Personally, I think this is awesome that the One whose name is Holy, would lend His ear to the voice of man.

The Way to Heaven: People often talk about heaven in terms of hope and expectancy sometime in the future. It is where they want to go when this life here is finished. According to different people there are a number of ways that will enable people to go to heaven one day. Is this true?

The apostle Paul stated there is only one gospel message that will get men to heaven;

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:8 NIV

One of the most popular ways you’ll hear people say why they will go to heaven is because God loves them, or that he would not allow them to miss heaven to go that other place called hell. After all, “a good God would never do that!” “Never” allow people to suffer in such an awful place, they say.

Another way to go to heaven you will hear quite often, for some reason is because, “I am a good person. I work hard and support my family. I am a law abiding citizen. Surely, God will let me go to heaven one day.” Folks, if the people making all these claims about why they should go to heaven would read the Word of God they would realize that NONE of these reasons are found in the Word!

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

This is how you get saved folks, and then you will go to heaven one day. YOU BELIEVE AND CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! Then you shall be saved!

Then, of course there are all of those in many different religions not founded on the Bible who claim that their beliefs are the only ones that will permit someone to go to a place of rest and comfort when they die. A place where they will become gods, or something greater than what they are today.

All of these belief systems may sound good and reasonable to some, but the only problem is, according to the Word of God, no one will get to heaven by any of these routes. These ways to go to heaven are by the wisdom of man, but not by the knowledge and wisdom of God.

Home of the Holy: Heaven, the home of God is only for the holy. What man is holy among men? What man is without sin among earth’s inhabitants? Sin disqualifies any man from living in a holy place. So how does man think he deserves to go to heaven when he cannot rid himself of his sin? Humble yourself before Jesus! He died on Calvary’s cross for all sin! If your attitude isn’t right you will never be able to humble yourself and accept what the Word of God says we all can receive once we are a child of God. Especially salvation!

But for some there seems to be a problem with this. Have you noticed how many people fail to go to church because they do not like being told about their sin, about being judged, and about hell? Although many may not admit this is the reason that keeps them from church. So to avoid such a message from the preacher they always seem to have other plans, more important things to do other than go to church. Many say, “I’m just as good as those at that church.” And they are! It is not a matter of being good it is a matter of having a Savior. Does my reader have a Savior? The only Savior that God accepts?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ephesians 1:3-4

Satan deceives many from knowing the savior and they don’t even know it. When I was in college the professor in one of my classes stated to me, “There is more than one way to heaven.” Of course, I disagreed! Fortunately, I passed my class. Because someone states emphatically what they believe, it does not make it true. Only the Word of God is true. Teaching contrary to what the scriptures say is error and damning.

When we deny God’s Word as the final absolute authority for our lives, we are in for trouble and shame. How many students in schools and colleges are misled by their teachers or professors who have an anti-god, or anti-religious agenda. They despise Jesus Christ the Son of God. They are rebelling because they have rebellious hearts. So they promote their humanistic philosophy. Too many are as God says, rebellious;

Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: Isaiah 30:1 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Isaiah 30:9

People of Faith: Heaven will be the home of a special group of people. They are the people of faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

So many verses in the Bible tell us of the importance of faith. Let me share with you several familiar ones.

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

What is it one must believe about God? Jesus said;

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

I know this bothers some people, but Jesus and God are one and the same. God, through the incarnation took on a human body and nature to come into the world so he could die in man’s place to pay for man’s sin. He did this because of his great love for us. Why? He wants us to live with him in heaven forever. So he came to take care of all of our sins on the cross so that whosoever would believe in him would have everlasting life and live in an eternal paradise.

All of us who are part of the church age will have a special prepared place to live which is called the New Jerusalem. It will be nearly a fifteen hundred mile cube with a street of gold. The walls of the city will have twelve single pearls named after the twelve tribes of Israel and twelve beautiful foundations of various stones named after the twelve apostles of Christ.

We are told there will be no temple there, because God and the Lamb of God are the temple of New Jerusalem. There will not be any sun either because the glory of God will lighten it and the lamb is the light.

In that place of beauty and rest there will be nothing to harm, pollute or cause fear.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8

All the believers in Jesus will be so happy, so excited, so blessed and that is only the beginning of living forever with our savior who loves us so much. And to think all other peoples could be there too, if they would have only repented of their sins and trusted him as their savior.

The Forbidden: There is going to be some things that are forbidden in the special prepared place for the children of God. While we were in this world they brought much sorrow to our hearts, but in that heavenly city, we will not experience them anymore.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.    Revelation 21:1-5

Yes, this world we live in is a beautiful place, but it is nothing compared to what is awaiting all who repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their own personal savior. In heaven there will be no taxes, no repairs, no insurance, no health issues, or anything to bother us. But even more wonderful is we will be with many of our loved ones and we will get to know all of God’s children of all ages. However, the most fascinating, adorable one of all we will long to be near is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven is just for those who have humbled themselves and admitted to God that they are a sinner, and have asked him by faith to forgive them. This shows they are trusting Jesus as their very own personal savior. My friend, are you saved today? Do you know this for sure? As Jesus himself said;

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44

Father, how we praise you for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. How wonderful is the grace of God that would save sinners from their sin. We pray for our readers and ask your will be done in their lives, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. Preacher