THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN
Two weeks ago we discussed "The Prospect of Heaven."
The idea that heaven exists as a wonderful eternal home without pain, sickness,
death
or sorrow makes it the desire of all who believe in life after death.
Everyone with and sense wants to go to heaven a place of happiness, for
the only
alternative is eternal torment and agony in hell (Matt25:46).
Heaven is a place of promise from God, but
it is not an unconditional promise meaning that everyone who has ever lived
and died will go there.
Then the king will say to those on His right hand 'Come, you blessed
of my, Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the
world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and
you gave Me drink.. I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked
and you
clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you
came to Me.' "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart
from Me,
you cursed; the everlasting fire prepared or the devil and his angels.42
for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave
Me no
drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked
and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
(Matthew 25)
Our faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel
are essential to being saved eternally in heaven." For we must all appear
before the judgment seat
of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according
to what he has done, whether good or bad " (2 Cor. 5:10). " He who believes
and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned" (Mark 16:16). "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:16-17).
No one has the promise of heaven who does not have
faith in Christ, obey the gospel and live a faithful (not perfect) life.
The promise is open to all
who will accept it on God's terms. Otherwise, there is no hope! —Ted
