I have a question that has been on my mind a lot. I see on here mixed feeling about one subject and that is when we die where do we go. Some say we will just die and not go to Heaven or hell just die and I have always been taught from the time I was 10 years old or so and went to Church that if you are not a Godly person then you will go to hell and if you are a good God fearing person and saved you will go to Heaven. So I would like to know the real truth about it and I know Jesus said not many will make it to Heaven and I also wonder about that? Thanks
There is a discussion about your exact question currently. My belief is what the scripture says, found at the bottom of that page. Everyone will sleep until they await judgment only then will people go to heaven or hell.
Adam thank you. One thing that sticks in my mind is it is said in the Bible that not many will make it to Heaven so that is what makes me think about it. Just like I said I have been taught that everyone who is saved and is a believer and walks right with the Lord will go to Heaven and the ones who do not will go to hell! I want to go to Heaven but I know I am falling short at times so I hope the Lord will forgive me. Nothing bad just at times I am not doing what I should be doing but I always pray every day and ask him to forgive me!
I think all Christians struggle with the temptations of sin. Paul wrote about his struggle: Romans 7:19
In my opinion there's a difference in a Christian genuinely trying to follow Jesus and occasionally messing up and getting a little off track...
VS.
A Christian who assumes he's saved, because grace, and now feel entitled to sin as much as he wants, because grace. He used to follow Jesus, but doesn't really think about it much anymore. He calls himself a 'good person' by his own standards. He enjoys the world, enjoys indulgences (sin) and rationalizes it as being OK. Then puts the world first pursuing fun, money, status, and following Jesus becomes a lower priority. He assumes he's going to heaven, because grace and his actions don't matter anymore and he's a 'good person'.
In my understanding, the Christian who knows he's a flawed sinner and desperately needs Jesus's grace and follows Jesus and tries to emulate Him and apply His teachings is on solid ground. The fact that someone cares and is thinking about it is a heathy sign: Luke 12:5. Sounds like you fit in this category. Remember Paul killed Christians and was forgiven, so no sin other than blasphemy is too great to be forgiven, if genuine repentance.
But the Christian who already assumes he's all good, and uses grace as a license to justify committing unlimited sin and following the world instead of Jesus, I believe is in danger.
Jesus warned His followers (Christians) over and over about heaven and hell through His parables, etc. That few people will go to heaven and most will go to hell.
Matthew 7:21
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."
James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
TO: Norman Walker, that is what God expects us to do! Keep his commandments. It is hard to live perfect in an imperfect world, and though there is never an excuse for sin, we as flesh fall short and we know we need to make it right; that's when our advocate Jesus Christ steps in and he states I condemn thee not, go and sin no more! You don't know me, but I want you to know that I am writing your name down so we can pray for you. Keep the Faith and endure.
Just as you stated there are mixed beliefs on "where we go when we die". As Adam has posted a thread for you with numerous posts on this subject.
I will bring another point up. If anyone has done any research on NDE's or "near death experiences" where people die physically, come back to life, and have experiences. There are many and of coarse they are personal though some have things that are alike or similar. Things like out of body experiences where the person sees their dead body etc, angels, being brought into paradise/Heaven, seeing dead relatives, even some people experience a place they would call hell. People meeting Jesus Christ. Like said many, many, experiences. Some people die, and are brought back, and have no experience.
After coming to the Lord I was lead to meet a man who was killed, with two other friends, in a head on collision with a truck on a highway. His Testimony, shortened, was he and his two friends(in their spirit or ghost) ended up walking down the street from where the accident was. A light appeared and they were all standing before Jesus Christ. He was told he had to come back and his two friends went with the Lord. As I don't know about the two friends, who did not make it, he was an atheist when this happened. Though after the miracle of him coming back to life the first thing he spoke about was seeing Jesus Christ. As now he has his own ministry and has been leading people to the Lord ever since.
In reality what happens after we die, I believe, is unique with each person. I myself have faith that those who are with the Lord shall never see death. Going to be with Him where He is when our physical life ends. John 11:25-26.
One day we will all find out. To be with the Lord Jesus Christ, follow Him in His ways, doing the Will of our Father and producing good fruit in the Spirit are the ways to life. Live to please the Father and serve Him, with a pure heart, and there should be nothing to fear.
Thank you for your kind reply. It gives me joy you received comfort. Telling me it was for you.
I know there are different beliefs on this issue and that's ok. Though I have faith we are to be with the Lord where He is in His Glory.
The story of how I came to meet that man is amazing. I know it was the Lord that brought us together. To share any of the experiences I've had after coming to the Lord gives me joy. As really some of the things only true children of God would believe. The one who always listens, to me, and enjoys it is my mother.
Keep your faith in the Lord. Praise Him, thank Him, tell Him how much you need Him and love Him. He hears everything. Always stay humble before Him. One thing I'd like to share to all is, those who stay humble before the Lord always hoping and begging for His mercy and forgiveness are the one who will receive it. He will exalt us in due time. Every single day when I pray, even if I don't think I did anything wrong, I beg for His mercy and forgiveness.
God is so perfect and above us we cannot even comprehend how glorious and pure He is.
A couple verses I will leave for the day:
2 Esdras 16:54 Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts:
Ecclesiasticus 43- By Him the end of them hath prosperous success, and by His Word all things consist.
We may speak much, and yet come short: wherefore in sum, He is all.
How shall we be able to magnify Him? for He is great above all His works.
When ye glorify the Lord, exalt Him as much as ye can; for even yet will He far exceed: and when ye exalt Him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough.
Who hath seen Him, that He might tell us? and who can magnify Him as He is?
There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of His works.
For the Lord hath made all things; and to the Godly hath He given wisdom.
Richard, your replies have truly blessed me today. God is so good. Long day working with Middle Schoolers, I went up aferwards to my high place on the mountain to read the Bible, pray, open my windows to the beautiful breeze and view of the valley. Then I read your comment on "mercy" and I nearly cried, so you know it touched the spirit. Thank you... Lately, the Holy Spirit has been leading me to praise God for his infinite mercy, and the more I do this, the more I melt in love with Him. In the past I had a tendency in the flesh to only seem my faults and heavy sense of self, sin, constantly battling a conscience of sin, despite prayer and much reading of the scriptures to the contrary. What finally has broken through is to praise God for his Infinite mercy through the Blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross, to only look to his mercy, not to my self at all...... And in this, nothing dark is left untouched. The more I sink in Him, his forgiveness and mercy, the cleaner he shows me I am in Christ. Utterly amazing grace!! It is so incredibly humbling, and joy is starting to trickle through. I can't tell you how happy I am to share with my brothers and sisters the joy of the Lord, and the gospel....
And how grateful I am for you Richard, your comments led me straight to the Lord in praise. I bless you in God's love.
I am very thankful for your kind touching replies Lauren. That sounds so beautiful where you are in the mountains. Myself also am at the most peace just being outside hearing the beautiful songs of His birds, the colors, trees, sky, clouds etc. This being only a touch of His glory. Praise be the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven for ever and ever!
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name;
Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalms 32:5 & 7 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Psalms 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
I looked and looked for a hiding place in the world, but found none, sadness and separation. I sought Him where he could not be found. With my mouth I praised Him, but my heart was far from Him, not yet willing to give up the world.
I felt a dart of joy just now as I read, "Thou art my hiding place." I let the world fall away. I had a dream for years, which I believed was placed in me by God, but I attached to the worldly aspect of it, and it came to nothing. The world is dead. My heart remained in shreds, before my Lord. My hope is in Him. He shall bring all to pass, and for my Father's glory. My increasing desire is that my Father be glorified. It is such a wonderful, terrible, majestic path, the way of faith, as we are stripped of our errors and clothed again in GRACE. Thank you for these scriptures, Richard, I feel renewed hope. At the bottom of the well of emptiness is His face, what unspeakable happiness! Blessings!
There is a discussion about your exact question currently. My belief is what the scripture says, found at the bottom of that page. Everyone will sleep until they await judgment only then will people go to heaven or hell.
Link
I think all Christians struggle with the temptations of sin. Paul wrote about his struggle: Romans 7:19
In my opinion there's a difference in a Christian genuinely trying to follow Jesus and occasionally messing up and getting a little off track...
VS.
A Christian who assumes he's saved, because grace, and now feel entitled to sin as much as he wants, because grace. He used to follow Jesus, but doesn't really think about it much anymore. He calls himself a 'good person' by his own standards. He enjoys the world, enjoys indulgences (sin) and rationalizes it as being OK. Then puts the world first pursuing fun, money, status, and following Jesus becomes a lower priority. He assumes he's going to heaven, because grace and his actions don't matter anymore and he's a 'good person'.
In my understanding, the Christian who knows he's a flawed sinner and desperately needs Jesus's grace and follows Jesus and tries to emulate Him and apply His teachings is on solid ground. The fact that someone cares and is thinking about it is a heathy sign: Luke 12:5. Sounds like you fit in this category. Remember Paul killed Christians and was forgiven, so no sin other than blasphemy is too great to be forgiven, if genuine repentance.
But the Christian who already assumes he's all good, and uses grace as a license to justify committing unlimited sin and following the world instead of Jesus, I believe is in danger.
Jesus warned His followers (Christians) over and over about heaven and hell through His parables, etc. That few people will go to heaven and most will go to hell.
Matthew 7:21
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."
James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
1 Peter 1:13
Romans 11
John 14:15
Matthew 12:31-32
Romans 14:12
1 Peter 1:5
Just as you stated there are mixed beliefs on "where we go when we die". As Adam has posted a thread for you with numerous posts on this subject.
I will bring another point up. If anyone has done any research on NDE's or "near death experiences" where people die physically, come back to life, and have experiences. There are many and of coarse they are personal though some have things that are alike or similar. Things like out of body experiences where the person sees their dead body etc, angels, being brought into paradise/Heaven, seeing dead relatives, even some people experience a place they would call hell. People meeting Jesus Christ. Like said many, many, experiences. Some people die, and are brought back, and have no experience.
After coming to the Lord I was lead to meet a man who was killed, with two other friends, in a head on collision with a truck on a highway. His Testimony, shortened, was he and his two friends(in their spirit or ghost) ended up walking down the street from where the accident was. A light appeared and they were all standing before Jesus Christ. He was told he had to come back and his two friends went with the Lord. As I don't know about the two friends, who did not make it, he was an atheist when this happened. Though after the miracle of him coming back to life the first thing he spoke about was seeing Jesus Christ. As now he has his own ministry and has been leading people to the Lord ever since.
In reality what happens after we die, I believe, is unique with each person. I myself have faith that those who are with the Lord shall never see death. Going to be with Him where He is when our physical life ends. John 11:25-26.
One day we will all find out. To be with the Lord Jesus Christ, follow Him in His ways, doing the Will of our Father and producing good fruit in the Spirit are the ways to life. Live to please the Father and serve Him, with a pure heart, and there should be nothing to fear.
God Bless.
Thank you for your kind reply. It gives me joy you received comfort. Telling me it was for you.
I know there are different beliefs on this issue and that's ok. Though I have faith we are to be with the Lord where He is in His Glory.
The story of how I came to meet that man is amazing. I know it was the Lord that brought us together. To share any of the experiences I've had after coming to the Lord gives me joy. As really some of the things only true children of God would believe. The one who always listens, to me, and enjoys it is my mother.
Keep your faith in the Lord. Praise Him, thank Him, tell Him how much you need Him and love Him. He hears everything. Always stay humble before Him. One thing I'd like to share to all is, those who stay humble before the Lord always hoping and begging for His mercy and forgiveness are the one who will receive it. He will exalt us in due time. Every single day when I pray, even if I don't think I did anything wrong, I beg for His mercy and forgiveness.
God is so perfect and above us we cannot even comprehend how glorious and pure He is.
A couple verses I will leave for the day:
2 Esdras 16:54 Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts:
Ecclesiasticus 43- By Him the end of them hath prosperous success, and by His Word all things consist.
We may speak much, and yet come short: wherefore in sum, He is all.
How shall we be able to magnify Him? for He is great above all His works.
When ye glorify the Lord, exalt Him as much as ye can; for even yet will He far exceed: and when ye exalt Him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough.
Who hath seen Him, that He might tell us? and who can magnify Him as He is?
There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of His works.
For the Lord hath made all things; and to the Godly hath He given wisdom.
Have a Blessed day in the Lord!
And how grateful I am for you Richard, your comments led me straight to the Lord in praise. I bless you in God's love.
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name;
Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalms 32:5 & 7 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Psalms 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Stay rooted in God's love. Blessings.
Amen.
I felt a dart of joy just now as I read, "Thou art my hiding place." I let the world fall away. I had a dream for years, which I believed was placed in me by God, but I attached to the worldly aspect of it, and it came to nothing. The world is dead. My heart remained in shreds, before my Lord. My hope is in Him. He shall bring all to pass, and for my Father's glory. My increasing desire is that my Father be glorified. It is such a wonderful, terrible, majestic path, the way of faith, as we are stripped of our errors and clothed again in GRACE. Thank you for these scriptures, Richard, I feel renewed hope. At the bottom of the well of emptiness is His face, what unspeakable happiness! Blessings!
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?