"I Have Questions About Heaven!"
Scroll down and read the answers
"What Is Heaven Like?"
We sometimes think of heaven like a paradise vacation: more beautiful and warm than we could imagine. Sometimes people imagine it is just like earth, only better! But Revelation 21-22 describes heaven as a place of immense beauty all centered around the person of God. In heaven, we will finally see God for who He is, and worship Him.
Revelation 21:4 says "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." It is a place where the curse of sin will no longer be felt, and where all that is wrong in this life will be finally dealt with and eradicated.
Can you imagine what that would be like? To be in a place where there is no theft, lies, sorrow, money problems, murder or abuse? The truth is that what makes this life so hard is what makes heaven so great. Here, we experience the effects of sin in the world, and there in heaven there is no sin. The beauty and purity are a picture of a life without sin.
When you read about the streets made of gold and the gates made from pearls, where God's presence shines on everything, you might think: "Wow. I'm not sure I belong there." Read on to find out how you can not only go to heaven, but make sure you belong there.
"Who Gets To Go To Heaven?"
Many people think that everyone gets to heaven. They say that all people are essentially good, and so everyone will eventually make it to heaven. Some even teach that while a person not be in heaven immediately after they die, they might at least get there after experiencing a "purgatory."
But the Bible teaches that sinners will not be in heaven. In Revelation 21:7-8, God says: "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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." Those who will not make it to heaven include unbelievers and liars. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever sinned? If so, you are unqualified for heaven.
What makes heaven perfect is the absence of sin, so if I am going to get to heaven, I can't have even one sin on my account. It only takes one sin to keep us out of heaven, and if we are honest, we have committed many sins.
"Does that mean that heaven is empty except for God?" No, there are those in heaven, but only those whose sins are forgiven and completely removed. If you want to go to heaven, you have to have your sins removed God's way, and He will accept you into heaven. If you will get to heaven, you must have someone else's righteousness...
"What Is Hell Like?"
The Bible uses picturesque language to describe Hell as a place of fire, torment, darkness, pain, and regret. But the most vivid description of Hell is "the second death." You may think you will only die once, but the Bible teaches that those die in Christ will die twice. Hell will be a place where sinners continally die.
One passage that talks about it says: "he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night."
It's not a fun place where people party. It's a place to avoid. Jesus talked more about Hell than He did heaven. But Jesus did much to rescue us from Hell...
"How Do I Get To Heaven?"
Heaven is yours if your sins are forgiven. How can your sins be forgiven? It is not through religious ceremonies like baptism, confirmation, communion, or church attendance. Those things might be good, but the Bible never says those things can save us.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says "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." We can't do anything to take our sins.
Jesus went to the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Jesus became sin for us, so that we could have His righteousness. He paid 100% of the penalty we owed.
"How Can I Be Sure I'll Be In Heaven?"
God says that it is God's grace that saves us. We obtain that grace by faith. Faith is not a fuzzy feeling, but a decision based on belief. When you believe God is telling the truth, you place your trust in Him.
- It is an assurance that since Jesus paid everything, there is nothing left to pay.
- It is a resting in His righteousness, not my own.
- It is trusting the promises of God to take my sins away through the sacrifice of Christ.
When we believe in God's promise about Jesus, He sees our faith as righteousness. He counts Jesus' perfect life as our perfection, and gives us the promise of heaven.
