For centuries, traditional Christianity have been proclaiming that all who trusted in Jesus Christ will go to heaven when they die, regardless of what happen between the time of acceptance and death. Theologians and preachers have been trumpeting that heaven is the reward of the saved. Such doctrine has been built into the psyche of Christendom that countering such doctrine would almost certain be branded a heretic. Truth is, that is not what Scripture teaches.
At the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus said, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5. In Revelation 5:10, the Apostle recorded, And hast made them (the saints) unto our God kings and priests, and they (the saints) shall reign on the earth. These verses show us that God's plan for the saved is to rule on earth with Christ after their resurrection.
Christ was given the right to rule in the kingdom of God by God the Father before His return to earth - Daniel 7:14 clearly reveals that He is coming for His people and the kingdom of God will be on earth, not the saved going to heaven - that all people, nations and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. It goes on to reveal that the saints will possess the kingdom of God - 7:22. Similarly, the book of Revelation affirms the Lord's teaching that the saved is to share rulership in the kingdom of God with Christ over all nations and peoples on earth - And He that overcome, and keep my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations (Revelation 2:26; 5:10) ; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
In John 3:13, Jesus said, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. So did the Apostle Peter preached on the day of Pentecost that David is both dead and buried and his sepulchre (tomb) is with us unto this day - Acts 2:29. A few verses down in verse 34, it was recorded for us that David is not ascended into the heavens. Since David is a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), fell asleep and saw corruption (Acts 13: 36) what is the basis to assume that all other believers will pop up in heaven with they die? This is simply baseless assumption albeit with good intention to soothe and comfort those who are bereaved and mourned!
The Lord Jesus Christ's throne is in Jerusalem on earth as He will sit on the throne of David when He returns (Luke 1:32-33) while the Heavenly Father's throne is in heaven. Together with the resurrected saints (who will by then be born again as immortal spirit-composed beings), they will execute judgment upon all people of the earth - Jude 15. When James and John came to Jesus to request tenure on the throne in the kingdom of God, the Lord replied that such positions are not His to give - but it shall be given them for whom it is prepared (Mark 10: 35-45). The implication is that whom the Father has called (John 6:44, 65) and are prepared to pay the price of obedience will qualify (for many are called but few are chosen - Matthew 20:16; 22:14).
When the Lord returns, He will separate the sheep (right hand) and the goat (left hand) and those on His right hand who are blessed of the Father will inherit the kingdom (of God) prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:33-34). The Scripture is explicitly clear about man's ultimate destiny but Satan deceived humanity into believing that the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven is heaven itself, which is not. God's standard is very high and all born again saints made immortal spirit being endowed with authority and power from on high will judge even the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). It is not merely "believing in Jesus and get to heaven when you die" philosophy propounded by man. Millions simply believe on Him but not His words and teachings!
During memorial services, pastors who conduct the services will often preach on John 14:1-2, comforting those who mourn to take heart that their loved ones who passed on are "now in heaven with mansions far better than earthly ones". The appropriate translation ought to be rooms or offices, where those who are called will be given different appointments, based on rewards (Luke 19: 12-19), in the kingdom of God much like in large corporations where office bearers have their own rooms or offices to work in.
True Christians are overcomers (Revelation 3:5,21) destined for great works (Ephesians 2:10) and not simply get to heaven to "walk the pearly gates and streets of gold" or "frolicking the beaches all day" in wanton idleness for all eternity! God did not create the universe with trillions time trillions of stars just for show - it has to have a purpose for humanity to have dominion over all his creation (Colossians 1:16-17) - of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom... forever - Isaiah 9:7.
Men and women of faith who died have yet to receive salvation - not even patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later named Israel) - these all died in faith and were buried in the graves, not having received the promises (of salvation and city of Jerusalem where the kingdom of God will be headquartered) - Hebrews 11:8-16. All are awaiting for the resurrection, for if there is no resurrection, our faith is all in vain - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In Genesis 5:24, it was recorded that Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him. Many concluded that Enoch was "taken up into heaven". But he was not found (Hebrews 11:5) with his body removed by God to another place for burial (just like Moses) - the same word used for transporting Jacob's body to Sychem for burial (Acts 7:16).
One often hears in Sunday school of how prophet Elijah was "taken up by a whirlwind into heaven " - 2 Kings 2: 1 &11. In biblical term, the word "heaven" has three meanings - the first heaven is the atmosphere that envelops earth while the second heaven is the outer space where no man can survive unaided; and the third heaven is where the throne of God is (2 Corinthians 12:2). Since Jesus Christ categorically states that no man has been up in the third heaven (John 3:13), that leaves one of two possibilities. But no man can survive in outer space without oxygen and the right equipment, Elijah must have been somewhere on earth but at a different location! Some years later Elijah wrote a letter rebuking king Jehoram for not following the ways of his father Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 21:12). Since only earthlings sent letters, Elijah cannot be in the third heaven!
An important point worthy of note is the patriarchs of old who were people of faith has yet to receive the promise of salvation because God's plan encompass all of us who would believe in the church age - God having provided some better thing for us (those living in the church age including now), that they without us should not be made perfect (resurrected into immortal spirit beings) - Hebrews 11:40. The Lord's prayer is "Thy kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10) - not we get into heaven. Three times in Revelation 22 - verses 7, 12 and 20 - the Lord Jesus said "I come quickly" and "my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (verse 12). What an amazing and loving God we have yet so few truly understand His plan and purpose for humanity!
At the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus said, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5. In Revelation 5:10, the Apostle recorded, And hast made them (the saints) unto our God kings and priests, and they (the saints) shall reign on the earth. These verses show us that God's plan for the saved is to rule on earth with Christ after their resurrection.
Christ was given the right to rule in the kingdom of God by God the Father before His return to earth - Daniel 7:14 clearly reveals that He is coming for His people and the kingdom of God will be on earth, not the saved going to heaven - that all people, nations and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. It goes on to reveal that the saints will possess the kingdom of God - 7:22. Similarly, the book of Revelation affirms the Lord's teaching that the saved is to share rulership in the kingdom of God with Christ over all nations and peoples on earth - And He that overcome, and keep my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations (Revelation 2:26; 5:10) ; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).
In John 3:13, Jesus said, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. So did the Apostle Peter preached on the day of Pentecost that David is both dead and buried and his sepulchre (tomb) is with us unto this day - Acts 2:29. A few verses down in verse 34, it was recorded for us that David is not ascended into the heavens. Since David is a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), fell asleep and saw corruption (Acts 13: 36) what is the basis to assume that all other believers will pop up in heaven with they die? This is simply baseless assumption albeit with good intention to soothe and comfort those who are bereaved and mourned!
The Lord Jesus Christ's throne is in Jerusalem on earth as He will sit on the throne of David when He returns (Luke 1:32-33) while the Heavenly Father's throne is in heaven. Together with the resurrected saints (who will by then be born again as immortal spirit-composed beings), they will execute judgment upon all people of the earth - Jude 15. When James and John came to Jesus to request tenure on the throne in the kingdom of God, the Lord replied that such positions are not His to give - but it shall be given them for whom it is prepared (Mark 10: 35-45). The implication is that whom the Father has called (John 6:44, 65) and are prepared to pay the price of obedience will qualify (for many are called but few are chosen - Matthew 20:16; 22:14).
When the Lord returns, He will separate the sheep (right hand) and the goat (left hand) and those on His right hand who are blessed of the Father will inherit the kingdom (of God) prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:33-34). The Scripture is explicitly clear about man's ultimate destiny but Satan deceived humanity into believing that the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven is heaven itself, which is not. God's standard is very high and all born again saints made immortal spirit being endowed with authority and power from on high will judge even the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). It is not merely "believing in Jesus and get to heaven when you die" philosophy propounded by man. Millions simply believe on Him but not His words and teachings!
During memorial services, pastors who conduct the services will often preach on John 14:1-2, comforting those who mourn to take heart that their loved ones who passed on are "now in heaven with mansions far better than earthly ones". The appropriate translation ought to be rooms or offices, where those who are called will be given different appointments, based on rewards (Luke 19: 12-19), in the kingdom of God much like in large corporations where office bearers have their own rooms or offices to work in.
True Christians are overcomers (Revelation 3:5,21) destined for great works (Ephesians 2:10) and not simply get to heaven to "walk the pearly gates and streets of gold" or "frolicking the beaches all day" in wanton idleness for all eternity! God did not create the universe with trillions time trillions of stars just for show - it has to have a purpose for humanity to have dominion over all his creation (Colossians 1:16-17) - of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom... forever - Isaiah 9:7.
Men and women of faith who died have yet to receive salvation - not even patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later named Israel) - these all died in faith and were buried in the graves, not having received the promises (of salvation and city of Jerusalem where the kingdom of God will be headquartered) - Hebrews 11:8-16. All are awaiting for the resurrection, for if there is no resurrection, our faith is all in vain - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
In Genesis 5:24, it was recorded that Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him. Many concluded that Enoch was "taken up into heaven". But he was not found (Hebrews 11:5) with his body removed by God to another place for burial (just like Moses) - the same word used for transporting Jacob's body to Sychem for burial (Acts 7:16).
One often hears in Sunday school of how prophet Elijah was "taken up by a whirlwind into heaven " - 2 Kings 2: 1 &11. In biblical term, the word "heaven" has three meanings - the first heaven is the atmosphere that envelops earth while the second heaven is the outer space where no man can survive unaided; and the third heaven is where the throne of God is (2 Corinthians 12:2). Since Jesus Christ categorically states that no man has been up in the third heaven (John 3:13), that leaves one of two possibilities. But no man can survive in outer space without oxygen and the right equipment, Elijah must have been somewhere on earth but at a different location! Some years later Elijah wrote a letter rebuking king Jehoram for not following the ways of his father Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 21:12). Since only earthlings sent letters, Elijah cannot be in the third heaven!
An important point worthy of note is the patriarchs of old who were people of faith has yet to receive the promise of salvation because God's plan encompass all of us who would believe in the church age - God having provided some better thing for us (those living in the church age including now), that they without us should not be made perfect (resurrected into immortal spirit beings) - Hebrews 11:40. The Lord's prayer is "Thy kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10) - not we get into heaven. Three times in Revelation 22 - verses 7, 12 and 20 - the Lord Jesus said "I come quickly" and "my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (verse 12). What an amazing and loving God we have yet so few truly understand His plan and purpose for humanity!
