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The Assurance Of Life In Heaven... It's NOT Too Late!!!
The Lord's Offer
Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me . . . for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
The Bible tells us the Kingdom of Heaven will be filled with peace and beauty . . . and it tells us Heaven is where we will find our "rest" and our "peace"... forever and ever and evermore!!! The Bible says no human words can ever fully describe the awesome beauty, and grandeur, and restful peace that awaits all those who will humbly and gratefully accept and receive God's gracious and loving offer to enter into and abide in His Eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
The Bible warns every person has a soul, and every soul will be judged . . .
The real life God has prepared for us will not start until after our Earthly body dies. The Bible says this short life on Earth is merely a test, and God is using this time to separate the "wheat from the chaff" and the "sheep from the goats," separating those people who sincerely want to be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven through trusting in His Word . . .
First, the "Bad News" (let's hear the bad news before the good news) . . .
Our Problem ...
1. The problem is most people don’t believe (or won’t believe) they will really be judged after they die. It is a fearful thing so most people simply deny it, trivialize it, or just ignore it.
Yet, the Bible clearly warns . . .
"And as it is APPOINTED for men (all mankind) to die ONCE, but, AFTER this (death ... when our body dies but our souls move on) the JUDGMENT" (There is no reincarnation ... no temporary "Purgatory"... no "it's all over") (Hebrews 9:27) (God warns it is the "SECOND" death we have to be "saved" from.)
2. The Bible clearly warns there are two deaths: The first death is the death of these earthly bodies which we will all experience (unless the Rapture happens first) ... And then the SECOND death which is being cast into Hell (which is the death we are told to fear) . . .
"He that hath an ear, (that's everybody) let him hear what the Holy Spirit says unto the churches; He who overcomes (through faith in Jesus Christ ...Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) shall NOT be hurt by the second death (Hell)." (Because we've been saved from our sins and from Hell) (Revelation 2:11)
that has part in the first resurrection: (for those will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven) on such the second DEATH (Hell) has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ (Messiah), and shall reign with Him a
thousand years."
"But the fearful, (afraid of what 'others' might think about following and trusting in Jesus) and unbelieving, and the abominable, (this covers many sins including sexual immorality, homosexuality, etc.) and murderers, and whoremongers ('porneo' ... from which we get the word 'pornography'), and sorcerers ('pharmakeus' ... drugs), and idolaters, (desiring-loving anything such as work, sports, music, etc.) more than God ... and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:
which is the second
DEATH (Hell)."
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But instead fear Him (God...Jesus) who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell." (The second death ...) (Matthew 10:28)
Our Predicament . . .
The Bible warns NO sinners
will “inherit” (or "will enter into") the Kingdom of Heaven ... "If we say that we have no sin,
The Bible warns until we acknowledge we are sinners and we desperately need a "Savior" to save us from our sins we won't be saved from Hell.
How many sins does it take to make a sinner? One.
The Bible warns if we commit one sin we are guilty of all sins (James 2:10). So, whether we have committed (or are committing) any sin the Bible warns against such as gossip, harboring hate in our heart, murder, stealing, sexual immorality (sex outside of marriage), homosexuality, abortion, adultery, refusing to forgive someone, telling a lie, being greedy and selfish with all that God has freely given us, being self-righteous (looking at the splinters in everybody else's eye (life) while ignoring the logs in our own), being filled with 'sinful pride' (unwilling to submit to authority or to anyone - "Nobody is going to tell me what to do!"), breaking the marriage vows (divorcing) for any reason other than what the Bible approves, having been "disobedient to parents", or a "drunkard", or using drugs for pleasure or addiction, or having enough material comforts to "feel content without God" and without acknowledging and sincerely thanking Him for them, or feeling "discontent" with whatever it is we do have (such as our wife, husband, job, house, money, car, circumstances, etc ... called “covetous” in the Bible), or are short-tempered, rude, and angry (symptoms of sinful "puffed up" pride) . . .
WHATEVER the sin is in our life the Bible promises God will forgive us IF we ask and are willing to "repent" (which simply means turning back to God and His ways and turning away from all those things the Bible says are wrong ... and seeking His help when we can't do it on our own.) We are also to trust in Jesus (Yeshua) completely (even when we fail ... and we will all fail) and admit our sins to God and sincerely ask for His forgiveness. God offers this gift of forgiveness through His Son who lovingly PAID for ALL of our sins (past, present, and future) on the Cross, with His blood which "washes away ALL our sins."
All believing Christians who enter into the Kingdom of Heaven have had to come face-to-face with the fact we are all sinners and desperately need a "Savior" to save us from our sins and from Hell . . . and through repenting (turning away) from those things which are against God's Law and by trusting in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) and His completed work on the Cross, we can have ALL of our guilt lovingly and graciously removed from us as far away as "the east is from the west."
Yet, Jesus warns 'many' who
call themselves Christian will not enter into His Kingdom of Heaven ... "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. (In your love for Jesus Christ ... God's Word) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (and into the aloneness, darkness, and torments of Hell) Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' ... (No thanksgiving ..."I've done it on my own ... I don't need God") He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:14-17,22)
A stark warning . . .
"For if we sin willfully (with no remorse, no repentance, and no battle with the Spirit inside us) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26) (And without a "sacrifice for our sins" we have no hope of escaping Hell ...)
ALL believing Christians have had to come face-to-face with the fact we are all sinners and desperately need a 'Savior' to save us from OUR sins and from Hell. Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) commands us to "love our enemies" ... and you can't love someone without warning them when they are in great and grave danger ...
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God" Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, (sexual immorality ... sex outside of marriage ... Greek word "pornea") nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, ... will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such WERE some of you. ('Repent' means to stop and turn back to God and His Word) But you were washed (the innocent blood of Jesus "washes us clean" from all our sins) But you were sanctified (means "set apart" ... believers are "set apart" from the Judgment) But you were justified (justified means "just as if our sin had never happened") in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Now, for the Good News ... ("Gospel" means "Good News" in Greek!!!)
"If we say that we have no sin,
(He is filled with grace and mercy ... and is longing to forgive.)
"As many as I (Jesus) love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Which means turn away from sins and turn back to God) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes (the world's desire to hate, reject, or be ashamed of Jesus Christ ...) I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne (in Heaven), as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne. (What an awesome promise) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (This means His offer and promise is for everybody!!!) (Revelation 3:19-22)
Jesus Christ (Messiah) said He came to "save sinners" ... lots of them ... both Jew and Gentile ... any and all who would believe and trust in Him. God has gone to incredible lengths to make it simple for us to enter into His Kingdom of Heaven. His offer is free and it is not based on our righteousness or "goodness," but on His ...
Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) died to provide our way into His Kingdom of Heaven. He came to save us from Hell. He paid the debt for all of our sins on the Cross. Jesus lovingly and willingly took the punishment and torment which would be "due" for all of our sins (past, present, and future) upon Himself. Our debt, "paid in full," by Him. We only have to accept it in faith by sincerely believing and trusting in Him alone to save us from our sins ... and "repenting" from our sins (which means to stop and to turn back to God and His ways (which are good) through Jesus.)
When we sincerely repent and place all our trust in Jesus Christ there is a substitution of His perfect righteousness (and innocence) for our unrighteousness (and guilt). The Bible says we are first "washed clean" by His innocent blood ... then we are "clothed" in His righteousness (through faith.) His perfect Righteousness is placed UPON us ... and our sins ("filthy rags") are gone!!!
The penalty for our sins has been "paid in full." We are "MADE righteous" through Christ Jesus and are now made acceptable to God ... forever and ever!
The Bible also warns we can never "earn" our way into Heaven through "good works," good deeds, money, or through anybody else. The Bible says we are saved (from our sins and from Hell) through "faith" and faith alone ... faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ... faith that His innocent and righteous blood which was shed on the Cross washes away all our sins ... faith that He was buried and was raised from the dead the third day (as "the first fruits of the Resurrection") ... and that He now is seated on His throne in Heaven ("interceding" and "mediating" for us) . . .
"For by GRACE you have been saved (from your sins and from Hell) through faith (in Jesus Christ ... Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ("Grace" is getting something we don’t deserve … we can't buy this gift) NOT of works, (we can’t enter Heaven through any “good deeds” we have done) lest anyone should boast." (It’s a gift from God … we have to thankfully receive it) (Ephesians 2:8)
The Bible warns Jesus (Yeshua) is the door ... the only door into Heaven ... and it is His innocent blood that washes us clean from all of our sins. His blood on the Cross was shed for us to protect us from the second death which we are told is the darkness, loneliness, and torment of Hell . . .
Jesus said to him, "I am the Way (into Heaven), the Truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father (into Heaven) except through Me." (John 14:6)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I AM the Resurrection and the Life. (in Heaven) He who believes (trusts) in Me, though he may die, (our bodily death) he shall live (forever ... in Heaven). And whoever lives and believes in Me shall NEVER die (the "second death" ... in Hell). Do you believe this?’" (This is the question every man and woman must answer ...) (John 11:25)
"IF you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus AND believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (And welcomed with tears of joy into the Kingdom of Heaven ...) (Romans 10:9)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ ... Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) should not perish (in Hell) but have everlasting life (in Heaven). For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (into Heaven). He who believes in Him is not condemned (to Hell); but he who does not believe (in Jesus-Yeshua) is condemned (to Hell) already" (The implications of this verse are staggering!) (John 3:16-18)
The Bible warns it won't be easy ...
"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life (in Heaven), and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14) (Our faith will be sorely tested with suffering and sorrow during this life ...)
But, for all who reject God's Love (Jesus Christ) . . .
"The Son of Man (Jesus ... Yeshua) will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom ALL things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness (sinning willfully … without repentance or remorse), and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42)
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself (his soul) destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me (Jesus Christ) and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed (on the day of Judgment) . . ." (Luke 9:25-26)
"Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me (Jesus Christ) before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8-9)
"So it will be at the end of the Age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50)
Our King . . .
"Now I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a Name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God. And the armies in Heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16) (Amen ...)
Many don't realize God’s loving offer contains both a “BLESSING” and a “CURSE” . . .
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (trusts) in Him should NOT perish (in Hell) but have everlasting life (in Heaven). For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (into Heaven). He who believes in Him is not condemned (to Hell); but he who does not believe (in Jesus Christ) IS CONDEMNED (to Hell) ALREADY" (The implications of this verse are staggering!) (John 3:16-18)
NOTE ON "HELL": There are TWO different words (and places) the Bible warns of (and describes) which were both translated (from the Greek into English) as the same word "Hell." First, there is the word "Sheol" which is the name of the place or "holding tank" where all those souls who will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven will be placed into before "the Great White Throne Judgment" (Revelation 20:11) and is described as "the deep or dark abyss" and "the bottomless pit" (also see Luke 16:23-25). Second, there is "Gehenna" which is the name of the final "place of darkness and torment" where all those who will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven will be "cast" into after "The Great White Throne Judgment" (Revelation 20:11), described as "the outer darkness" and "the lake of fire"..."where their (flesh-eating) worm does not die" (Mark 9:44) ... and where we are told Satan, the Antichrist, and all the demons will also be cast into. "Gehenna" (Hell) was (and will be) the "garbage dump" (which was filled with the unbearable stench of rotting and burned corpses) "outside the gate" of the City (Jerusalem) ... and HELL ("Gehenna"..."the outer darkness") will be located far outside the gates of "Heaven"... which is also called "The NEW Jerusalem"... and is described as the City of peace and beauty (and pleasant aromas), which "comes down out of Heaven" (Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 21:2) prepared for ALL who love God and His Word (and endure in faith).
Please Remember . . .
The Kingdom of Heaven is available to every man, woman, boy, and girl in this world. It is freely offered to any and all who will receive it. Simply learn of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), invite Him into your life as Lord, believe He died on the Cross for all of your sins and rose from the grave (proving there is life in Heaven). Learn of Him and believe in Him ... for He was the only one who has ever loved you enough to substitute Himself for you on the Cross (which represents Hell). He shed His blood, suffered, and died on the Cross as the "Passover Lamb of God" to save you from the utter torment and darkness of Hell ... if you will accept it.
That is why Jesus (Yeshua) is called "Savior." He now lovingly and graciously offers you life in His Kingdom of Heaven ... and it is a "take it or leave it" proposition. If you sincerely admit you have sinned (which means you will need a Savior) and sincerely believe Jesus lovingly paid the debt for all of your sins on the Cross, and honestly try to stop doing those things God says are wrong, you will go to Heaven ... It's God's Promise!!!
The only unpardonable sin is to reject God's love and His free offer of life in Heaven by rejecting Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who stepped forth from Heaven ... not to condemn the sinner, but to save the sinner (from Hell) and who willingly and lovingly shed His blood on the Cross so we can be washed clean of all of our sins. The Bible warns there will be no peace in our hearts until we make peace with God through His Son, the Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ . . .
For the Assurance of Life in Heaven . . . A.C.T. NOW!!!
- Acknowledge you are a sinner and have sinned against God's Law ... - Confess your sins to God - Turn back to God and God's Word ... and away from sinful activities ("repent") - Trust (believe) completely in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ... - That He died for your sins on the Cross ... - That He was buried ... - That He was powerfully raised (Resurrected) from the dead the third day ... - And that He is now seated on His throne ... in Heaven!!! (Notice He did all the work ... all you have to do is "believe.")
If you do these things … sincerely and in faith … the Bible says you can have the complete assurance of eternal life in Heaven. The Bible tells us Jesus (Yeshua) did all the work for you when He died on the Cross, was buried, and was raised (resurrected) from the dead ... The Bible says you can’t add anything to it!
The only thing God asks a non-believer to do is to "believe"... life in Heaven is a gift!!!
"Therefore being justified by FAITH, ("justified" means 'just as if all our sins had never happened') we have peace with God (this verse comforts like a soft pillow for a weary head ...) through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1)
And with open arms and with tears of joy He will welcome any and all into the Kingdom of Heaven who willingly come to Him through the One He sent forth to save us sinners ... Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ...'LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS"... our Savior!!!
Grace and Shalom
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