Heaven

[lentz]

No tears No pain No hunger No sadness No unrighteousness.
As I prepare to shed this body,I am convinced there is a better one waiting.
Could this be the many mansions Christ spoke of in John 14?

 

[Beetow]

~
Heaven? Not Interested!

It's an alien world with which I am totally unfamiliar; and when I leave here, I will
be leaving behind everything dear to me, e.g. photos, mementos, souvenirs,
collections, sights and sounds, mountains, creeks, rivers and forests, clothing and
equipment, landmarks, entertainment, hobbies, a spouse, BFF, etc, etc.

The culture shock tsunami of leaving all that I know & love and going to a foreign
land where I know & love nothing at all, is not my idea of a good time. Personally; I
dread the thought of having to start all over again from scratch.

For many of us working stiffs, the first day on a new job is stressful and quite an
adjustment. The night before that first day can cause enough anxiety to keep us
awake worrying about what we might expect.

I'd imagine that, whether we end up in the right place or the wrong place in the
afterlife, we will be just as stressed on our first day there as the first day here on a
new job.

The anxiety associated with death is to be expected seeing as how most of us have
no experience at all with that particular journey. But much of my own anxiety in
regards to death is related to what comes after. Pity there are no guide books
available in print to prepare us in advance for the adjustment folks are required to
undergo as they struggle to fit into Heaven's (or Hell's) way of life.

** The one thing I do look forward to in Heaven is the possibility of a library where
everything that can be known about the cosmos is stored. Carl Sagan would've
loved a library like that because he went to his grave with a lot of unanswered questions.
But now they'll never be answered because Carl was, at best, an agnostic, and at worst,
an atheist.
_

 

[Beetow]

~
I once heard a minister tell the story of a fictional busload of Hell's inmates who
were given a 30 day furlough for some R&R in Heaven. They all came back the first
night because God's world was such a bore.

There were no wild parties, no clothing-optional beaches, no bars, no night clubs,
no porn, no escort services, no pigging-out at buffets, no fights, no profanity, no
ribaldry, no free sex, no vulgar late-night comedy, no exotic dancers, no X-rated
movies, no junk food, no tobacco, no marijuana, no meth, no ecstasy, no LSD, no
hunting for sport, no fishing for sport, and no casino gambling.

And the hellsters didn't particularly care for the isolation. None of the good folk in
Heaven wanted to associate with them: they were ostracized, they were
segregated, and they were quarantined.

Heaven is a pleasant utopia. It's etiquette, its dress code, and its rules of conduct
and civility; were way too constraining for the hellsters. Especially suffocating is the
mandatory self control everyone has to exercise in their choice of words to avoid
hurting people's feelings.

Take for example Wall Street barracudas. Do you really think they'd be happy in
Heaven? Or sweat shop operators? Or influence peddlers? Or lobbyists? Or J
walking pedestrians? Or LGBTQ? Or greedy capitalists? Or unscrupulous social
networking moguls? Or cheap politicians? Or Communists? Or bookies? Or
hoarders? Or black marketeers? Or militant activists? Or Critical Race theorists? Or
1619 Project proponents? No. No. No. You see many of the interests that concern
Hell's people are unacceptable in Heaven; and in point of fact, none of Heaven's
people even want to hear about that stuff. For them that scene is over and they
don't want it back.

You know what else is lacking in Heaven? Religious tolerance. There is only one
religion up there. What's that tell you? Well; it tells me that the establishment
clause of the US Constitution's first amendment doesn't fly in Heaven. The
theocratic monarchy in Heaven insists upon dictating everyone's religious
preference.

All in all: Heaven's utopian society, coupled with its 24/7 Big Brother oversight,
universal surveillance, and strict morality, was just simply too much to ask in
exchange for some time off. Heaven, to the hellsters, was little more appealing
than a get-away in one of North Korea's prison camps.
_

 

[B-A-C]

I think some people have the idea that hell might not be a "utopia", bit it isn't really that bad.

But according to the Bible, it is a place of pain and torment.

Luke 16:23; "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24; "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
Luke 16:28; for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

Some say the story of Lazarus and the Rich is simply a parable, I would disagree, but it doesn't matter because parables always agree with the reality of the truth they are revealing. In the story hell is a place of torment.
Besides there are plenty of other scriptures, that are not part of any parable.

Rev 14:9; Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11; "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

Matt 5:22; "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Matt 18:9; "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.

There is no purgatory, there is no third "grey area" destination. You're either with Jesus or you're in hades. Those who are in Hades will eventually get cast into the Lake of Fire.

Matt 13:42; and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 13:50; and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I have lived an adventuous life. As many of you know, I was a fireman for almost a decade. I have been burned. I've had broken bones. I've had multiple bruises all over me. I've been in so much pain I had
to clench my teeth. I've gotten third degree sun burn. I gotten burns from a hot stove. Some of them lasted for a few days, I couldn't sleep at night because there was no relief from the pain.
A few hours was bad enough for me. A day or two was almost more than I could take. But imagine feeling this forever.... forever.... forever... did I mention it's forever?

Trust me, hell will not be a desirable place for anyone. Certainly not more desirable than Heaven/Paradise/the New Jerusalem/New Earth. Hell and the Lake of Fire will be infinitely worse than any of us can imagine.

 

[Dave M]

I have herd some say hell is used figuratively in the bible there is no such place. I do not hold that belief. I have herd some say we dont go to heaven, yet the bible says souls under the alter, I would have to guess those souls our people from earth, and that alter is in heaven, but then again revelation is the bool with more figurative language then any other book in the bible

Revelation 6:9​

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.

another place in revelation talks about people worshiping before the thrown of God, I would have to believe that was in heaven

Revelation 7:13-17​

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

another interesting thing mentioned also in Hebrews and I am sure others places in the bible is that in heaven there is a heavenly temple, the one on earth was actually just a sort of copy of the one in heaven. So now that Jesus died for us and the Holly Spirit lives in us, the temple on earth is no longer that make sense. I can see God still having his temple in heaven though

 

[B-A-C]

I have herd some say we dont go to heaven, yet the bible says souls under the alter, I would have to guess those souls our people from earth,

A lot of it has to do with timing.

Rev 21:1; 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.
Rev 21:2; And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3; 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,

Rev 21:22; I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Rev 22:1; Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Rev 22:2; 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.
Rev 22:3; 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;
Rev 22:4; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Rev 22:5; And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Some people believe when you die, you immediately go to heaven. Other's believe in soul sleep. If you believe we go to heaven immediately that's fine. Then you go to heaven... for a while.
If you believe in soul sleep, then we never go to heaven. The New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven, and this is where the throne of God is. ( Rev 22:3; ) This is where Jesus and the Father sit on
the throne. Not heaven.

1Thes 4:17; Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

So we shall always be with the Lord, but where? The Lord will be in the New Jerusalem.

I don't think the unsaved go to heaven to be judged either.

Rev 20:11; Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
Rev 20:12; And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Rev 20:13; And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

I don't know here this place is... but it says that the earth and heaven itself try to flee away from this place where everyone will be judged. If it's not heaven or the earth, then where is it?

This leads to another question. When the old heaven and earth are passed away. The new heaven and earth appear and the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven ( the new heaven? )
Who are these people?

Rev 22:14; Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15; Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

No tears No pain No hunger No sadness No unrighteousness.
As I prepare to shed this body,I am convinced there is a better one waiting.
Could this be the many mansions Christ spoke of in John 14?

"Mansions" is a "enthusiastic interpretation" of a word having nothing to do with "Mansions".

The verse would be more accurately rendered as: In my Father's FAMILY there are many "placements", I go to provide a PLACE for you. If a Pastor tells you he's got a "Place for you" in his church, He won't expect you to bring your bad, and set it up in the Narthex. I understand it as telling me that I'll be part of God's family system function - a part of what God's DOING - when I get there (instead of alone picking my harp on some cloud). Why would I need a "Mansion" (or even a tent) where there's no night, no weather, no need for a bathroom, etc.

 

[Oseas]

I have herd some say hell is used figuratively in the bible there is no such place. I do not hold that belief. I have herd some say we dont go to heaven, yet the bible says souls under the alter, I would have to guess those souls our people from earth, and that alter is in heaven, but then again revelation is the bool with more figurative language then any other book in the bible

Revelation 6:9​

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.

another place in revelation talks about people worshiping before the thrown of God, I would have to believe that was in heaven

Revelation 7:13-17​

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

another interesting thing mentioned also in Hebrews and I am sure others places in the bible is that in heaven there is a heavenly temple, the one on earth was actually just a sort of copy of the one in heaven. So now that Jesus died for us and the Holly Spirit lives in us, the temple on earth is no longer that make sense. I can see God still having his temple in heaven though

The testimony of JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

Mat.5:5 -Blessed are the meek:for they shall inherit the earth.

Re.5:10 -And hast made us unto our GOD kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

John 17:15 - I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil.

Jo. 17: 16&11- 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one,as we are.

Jo.17:6-8 & 18

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy Word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

24 Father,I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou has given me: for thou loved me before the foundation of the world. 15 I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil.

Revelation 11:15-19

15 ...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead,that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets,and to the saints,and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

19 And the temple of GOD opened in heaven... (The Temple of GOD now is the true Church of the Lord, the body of Christ-John 2:19 combined with Hose 6:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:16, that SAY: --> for ye are the Temple of the living GOD; as GOD hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be my people.)

----------

What my Lord JESUS said is that ' they which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels (Example: Genesis 19:1-4. Take a look); and are the children of GOD, being the children of the resurrection.

And Paul Apostle revealed: Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation is in heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8. Take a look. Are you in heaven or not? Or you don't know?); from whence also WE LOOK for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall CHANGE OUR VILE BOVY(this is not a magic, this is a process, it is(will be) worked) that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the WORKING whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

And Paul said more: 1 Corinthians 15:24-27 and 51-55:

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to GOD( Revelation 11:15-18), even the Father; when he shall have PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND ALL AUTHORITY and POWER.

25 For JESUS must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

51 Behold, I shew you a MYSTERY; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all BE CHANGED, (not by magic, but a process)

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (in the last seven years of this world of Devil- Revelation 11:15 and 18.Take a look), at the last Trump (1Thessalonians 4:16 combined with Daniel 12:1-3.Take a look):for the Trumpet shall sound (Revelation 11:15) and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (not by magic, but a process)

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 

[Beetow]

~
I've heard tell of folks thoroughly unable to form attachments to anything, to
anybody, and to any place. When they leave this life, they will leave nothing behind
of sentimental value; nothing in the least, nothing at all. It's like they lived their
entire lives as turnips and carrots instead of sentient beings.

I'd imagine that when folks like that undergo the birth about which Jesus spoke at
John 3:3-8, and its effects begin to take hold, they feel very different, i.e. normal,
like real people. That must be quite an adjustment.

● Rom 8:11 . . If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you,
the He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through His spirit, who lives in you.

● 2Cor 4:16 . .Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being
renewed day by day.

For example: I came to faith in Christ at the age of 24. At that time I was the
poster child of misogyny. My hatred for women was so strong and so bitter that I
had difficulty even speaking to them in a civil manner let alone dating one. Well; in
time that went away and I was able to get married and have a family of my own.

I suppose a psychologist would posit that I outgrew my hatred for women, but what
do they really know about mental health that Christ doesn't know?
_