* ALL Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity *

[Patriot]

What should be the focus of a Christian funeral?​

Answer

There should be a vast difference between a Christian funeral and that of a non-believer. It is the difference between light and darkness, joy and sorrow, hope and despair, heaven and hell. A Christian funeral should, first and foremost, reflect the words of the Apostle Paul: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Paul uses the euphemism “fall asleep” to refer to those who have died in Christ. The grief of the relatives of an unsaved person is not to be compared with that of those whose loved one died knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We grieve in a completely different way because we know we will see them again. The unsaved have no such hope, so their despair is complete and unrelenting.

Perhaps no other event in life brings us as close to the reality of eternity as death. One moment our loved one is here—breathing, communicating, heart beating—and the next moment he is gone. Even though the body remains, anyone who has been present at the moment of death knows that body is empty and the person who once inhabited it has left. If the deceased was a Christian, it is the knowledge of his destination that gives us the hope that unbelievers simply cannot experience. That hope should be the focus of a Christian funeral. The message of that hope should be clearly proclaimed, whether by formal preaching of the gospel of Christ or by memorials by those who knew the deceased and can testify that he/she lived in the light of the hope of eternal life available in Christ. If music is to be part of the funeral, it too should reflect the joy and hope being experienced at that very moment by the departed soul.

Above all, a Christian funeral should provide a glimpse into that brighter world, a world where all Christians will be reunited, where the bonds of love shall be made stronger than they were here, never again to be severed. It is only this hope that can soothe the pains of grief at parting. It is only when we can look forward to a better world, knowing we will see our loved ones again, love them again, and enjoy worshiping God with them forever that our tears are made dry. A Christian funeral should be a celebration of the joy of these glorious truths.

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

What are the five heavenly crowns that believers can receive in heaven?​

Answer

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.

1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).

2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.

4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians 1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV).

5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (John 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).

James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12). The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). As His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations—as long as we live—may we ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.

For Further Study​

Your Eternal Reward: Triumph & Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ by Erwin Lutzer

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[Patriot]

 

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[Patriot]

Does John 3:13 mean that no one went to heaven before Jesus?​

Answer

In John 3:13 Jesus says to Nicodemus, “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man.” This verse is somewhat difficult to interpret and is often misunderstood. It is also frequently used by those who want to find contradictions in the Bible.

We must keep the verse in context. In verses 10-12, especially, we see that Jesus is talking about His authority and the validity of His teaching. Jesus tells Nicodemus that He has been teaching what He knew firsthand: “We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen” (verse 11). Then, in verse 13 Jesus explains why He is uniquely qualified to teach of the kingdom of God—namely, because He alone came down from heaven and possesses the knowledge to teach people about heaven. Jesus alone has seen the Father, and He alone is qualified to declare God and make Him known (John 1:18).

The gist of John 3:13 is this: “None of your earthly teachers can really teach you about heaven, because none of them have actually been there. However, I have been there. In fact, it is My home. I have come to you from heaven, and I have brought with Me experiential knowledge of that place. My testimony carries weight; I can tell you the truth about salvation.” The NLT brings out the meaning well: “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven.”

In claiming a heavenly abode, Jesus was claiming deity. Nicodemus himself had already admitted that Jesus was extraordinary when he said, “We know you are a teacher who has come from God” (verse 2).

Jesus was not teaching that no one had ever gone to heaven before. Obviously, the Old Testament saints had gone to heaven (or paradise) when they died (Mark 12:26-27), and Enoch and Elijah had been taken there without dying (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11). Rather, He was teaching that, of all rabbis, He had the best credentials. Jesus has direct contact with heaven; He is an expert on the subject.

For Further Study​

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

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[Patriot]

Do we receive mansions in heaven?​

Answer

The night before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples that He would be leaving them and that they could not go with Him (John 13:33). Peter asked where He was going and why they couldn’t go with Him, and Jesus assured them that they would follow Him eventually (John 13:36–37). Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2–3).

This saying of Jesus has confused many because of the King James Version’s use of the word mansions. In the KJV, John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” The picture conjured by many who read this is based on common ideas of “mansions” in this world. Poems are written and songs are sung about our “mansion just over the hilltop.” But does heaven consist of large, imposing, estates dominated by opulent residences? Do each of us really get our own Monticello, Montpelier, or even greater manse? Such an idea is unwarranted, based on John 14:2.

Jesus was not describing physical characteristics of heaven. He was assuring His disciples that they would have a place—a permanent place—in God’s abode. The Greek word translated “house” means “an abode,” literally or figuratively, and, by implication, “a family.” The word translated “mansions” (KJV) or “rooms” (NIV) means literally “abiding (not transitory) dwelling-places for individuals.” So, putting the Greek words together, Jesus is saying that in God’s home (heaven) there will be many people in the family of God all abiding together. In God’s heavenly household, believers will live in the presence of the Lord as a welcome part of His family. This is quite different from the vision of row upon splendid row of ornate mansions with manicured lawns.

The Lord assures us that He is preparing a place in heaven for His own, those who have come to Him in faith. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit prepares the redeemed on earth for their place in heaven. One day, all those bought with the blood of the Lamb will be part of a “great multitude in heaven that no one could count,” all standing before the throne (Revelation 7:9). Here, again, the imagery is of multitudes of people together, not individuals living separately in personalized mansions.

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

Will more people go to heaven or to hell?​

Answer

The question of whether there are more people in heaven or hell is answered by Jesus Himself: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).

Only those who receive Jesus Christ by faith are given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). We cannot go to heaven through Mohammed, Buddha, or other false gods of man’s making. Eternal life is not for those wanting a cheap and easy way to heaven while continuing to live their own selfish and worldly lives on earth. Jesus only saves those who fully trust in Him as Savior (Acts 4:12).

So, what are these two gates in Matthew 7:13–14? They are the entrance to two different “ways.” The wide gate leads to the broad way or road. The small, narrow gate leads to the way that is narrow. The narrow way is the way of the godly, and the broad way is the way of the ungodly. The broad way is the easy way. It is attractive and self-indulgent. It is permissive. It’s the inclusive way of the world, with few rules, few restrictions, and fewer requirements. Tolerance of sin is the norm where God’s Word is not studied and His standards not followed. This way does not develop or champion spiritual maturity, moral character, commitment, or sacrifice. It involves following “the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2). The broad way “appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Those who preach a gospel of inclusivity where “all ways lead to heaven” preach an utterly different gospel than the one Jesus preached. The gate of deception, self-centeredness, and pride is the wide gate of the world that leads to hell, not the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Most people spend their lives following the masses who are on the broad road, doing what everyone else does, and believing what everyone else believes.

The narrow way is the hard way, the demanding way. It is the humble way, and those who travel it recognize that they cannot save themselves and must depend on Jesus Christ alone. It’s the way of self-denial and the cross. The fact that few find God’s way implies that not many seek to find it. However, God promises that all who seek it diligently will find it: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). No one will stumble into the kingdom or wander through the narrow gate by accident. Someone once asked Jesus, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He replied, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to” (Luke 13:23–24).

Many will desire to have the benefits of that narrow door, the door of salvation, but “will not be able.” They are unwilling to trust Jesus alone. They are unwilling to give up the world and its attractions. The way of Christ is the way of the cross, and the way of the cross is the way of self-denial. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:23–24).

Jesus knows that many will choose the wide gate and the broad way that leads to destruction and hell. And He said that only a few will choose the narrow gate. According to Matthew 7:13–14, there is no doubt that more people will go to hell than to heaven. The question for you, then, is “which road are you on?”

For Further Study​

Encountering World Religions by Irving Hexham

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[Patriot]

What are the gates of hell?​

Answer

The phrase the “gates of hell” is translated in some versions as the “gates of Hades.” “Gates of hell” or “gates of Hades” is found only once in the entire Scriptures, in Matthew 16:18. In this passage, Jesus is referring to the building of His church: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

At that time Jesus had not yet established His church. In fact, this is the first instance of the word church in the New Testament. The word church, as used by Jesus, is derived from the Greek ekklasia, which means the “called out” or “assembly.” In other words, the church that Jesus is referencing as His church is the assembly of people who have been called out of the world by the gospel of Christ.

Bible scholars debate the actual meaning of the phrase “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” One of the better interpretations to the meaning of this phrase is as follows. In ancient times, the cities were surrounded by walls with gates, and in battles the gates of these cities would usually be the first place their enemies assaulted. This was because the protection of the city was determined by the strength or power of its gates.

As such, the “gates of hell” or “gates of Hades” means the power of Hades. The name “Hades” was originally the name of the god who presided over the realm of the dead and was often referred to as the “house of Hades.” It designated the place to which everyone who departs this life descends, regardless of their moral character. In the New Testament, Hades is the realm of the dead, and in this verse Hades or hell is represented as a mighty city with its gates representing its power.

Jesus refers here to His impending death. Though He would be crucified and buried, He would rise from the dead and build His church. Jesus is emphasizing the fact that the powers of death could not hold Him in. Not only would the church be established in spite of the powers of Hades or hell, but the church would thrive in spite of these powers. The church will never fail, though generation after generation succumbs to the power of physical death, yet other generations will arise to perpetuate the church. And it will continue until it has fulfilled its mission on earth as Jesus has commanded:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).

It is clear that Jesus was declaring that death has no power to hold God’s people captive. Its gates are not strong enough to overpower and keep imprisoned the church of God. The Lord has conquered death (Romans 8:2; Acts 2:24). And because “death no longer is master over Him” (Romans 6:9), it is no longer master over those who belong to Him.

Satan has the power of death, and he will always use that power to try to destroy the church of Christ. But we have this promise from Jesus that His church, the “called out,” will prevail: “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

For Further Study​

Four Views on Hell, Second Edition by Burk & Stackhouse

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[RiverOL]

Obedient Leadership In The Face Of Laws To Kill Babies​

The Enemy is great at paralyzing our faith through fear. We stare at the opposition long enough and we lose our courage to do what God has called us to do. Elijah, the prophet of God, stood against the enemies of God and stood for the Lord God. The Lord is asking each of us to do the same.


The 2024 Presidential Election of the United States is complete and with it came some laws that have been codified. One of those laws codified is in Colorado, the state where I pastor, Vanguard Church. The people of Colorado have decided to ratify into the state constitution the right to take the life of a baby up to the day before the baby is born. We have now become known as the state of death. Colorado is now the most dangerous place in America for an unborn baby to live. During the time of Elijah, because of Ahab’s leadership, babies were being offered to the gods sadly like they are today in Colorado.

God told Elijah to go show himself to Ahab. It took massive courage to do this because Elijah knew it could cost him his life. He did it anyway.

What evil has God asked you to confront in your life? How is God asking you stand for Him in your life? Like Elijah, are you doing it?

Elijah confronted the people of God in front of the prophets of Ahab, 450 of them. He says in 1 Kings 18:21, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” We need this kind of leadership today in the pulpits across America and around the world. We need pastors crying out like prophets for the holiness of God to be the focus of God’s people.


In 1 Kings 18:30 Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” This is obedient leadership. Elijah repaired the altar of God in front of the people of God. God’s people need to see God’s leaders restoring the church as an altar for Jesus.

Once the altar of God was restored, then Elijah did what any great preacher would do, he asked the Lord to send his presence through him so the people of God could see the presence of God in him. In 1 Kings 18:36 Elijah said to God in essence, “God you are in charge, let them know I am not, and then let them know I have done what you told me to do.”

If I had a nickel for every time someone has told me in my life, “Kelly, I respect you for doing what you “think” God wanted you to do.” I would be a rich man! Elijah is saying here, “No, you don’t understand, I didn’t do what I think God wanted. I did what God told me to do.” We need pastors like this today in America and across our world.

Now you might say, “What if I am wrong?”

Let God address you, but you go do what God has asked you to do, immediately and regardless. Live that way! It’s God’s way. It is the obedient way. Don’t put confidence in yourself, put it in your obedience to Jesus. Stake your success not on your ability but God’s faithfulness to answer your request. Elijah said to the Lord in 1 Kings 18:37, “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” This is how we experience a holy awakening in our world.


This great act of God’s power at the hands of Elijah propelled him into the limelight of the opposition. Most of the opposition melted at Elijah’s courage to obey the Lord, but Jezebel revolted against him even more. This will also be the case for you. The greatest stronghold of the Enemy will seek your life, this is what Jezebel did to Elijah. In 1 Kings 18:46 it says, “The Lord gave special strength to Elijah.” Then due to Jezebel’s opposition to Elijah, just a few verses later it says in 1 Kings 19:3, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.”

Standing publicly against policies like the abortion amendment that passed in Colorado is very unpopular in our day and it will bring with it undesirable opposition and oppression.

I can relate to Elijah. I am sure you can too. Elijah eventually begged God to die. Sometimes this is what the pastorate feels like to me. The oppression kills my will to live. Elijah ran and hid in a cave.

Maybe you have lost your will to live and serve the Lord as a pastor due to the never-ending negativity that you see around you and, in the world, where you are trying to make a difference. You are not alone.


God came to Elijah and said, “Why are you in this cave?” Elijah tells him in so many words, “I lived for you, and I am not sure it is worth it.” God sends Elijah a series of experiences from a wind to an earthquake, to a fire but God’s voice was not in any of those. Instead, after all this commotion, the Bible tells us that God sent the sound a gentle whisper in 1 Kings 19:12.

What was this gentle whisper? We would call it, “The still small voice of the Holy Spirit.” It is the voice of God that speaks to our soul. It is the game changer.

This still small voice said to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:15, “Go back the same way you came.” In essence, “Keep doing what you’re doing for the Lord, it matters!” God says to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:15, “Travel to the wilderness of Damascus.” The same road God would eventually meet the Apostle Paul on to convert to him to his great missionary journeys. He tells Elijah in 1 Kings 19:16, “Anoint Hazael, anoint Jehu, anoint Elisha.” In essence, “raise up some new leaders.”

It may look like were losing some of the battles God has asked us to fight. Instead of getting discouraged that your work is not paying off like you thought, ask God to raise up new leaders to join you.


God said to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18, “I will preserve 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal.”

God is not done. And neither are we.

The solution to obedient leadership in the face of fear is not quitting but raising up new leaders like Elijah to battle with you.

Be like Elijah, find your anointing oil and get busy anointing a new generation of leaders. A generation of babies are dependent upon it!

Blessings,

Pastor Kelly

 

[Patriot]

What is the river of life?​

Answer

The precise phrase river of life does not appear in the Bible. However, Revelation 22:1–2 does refer to “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The apostle John, in his vision of the New Jerusalem, describes the river as flowing “down the middle of the great street of the city.”

The “water of life” referred to here does not have to be considered physical water as we know it. Rather, the water flowing from the throne is probably symbolic of the water of eternal life, crystal clear to reflect the glory of God in a dazzling, never-ending stream. The fact that the stream emanates from the throne tells us that eternal life flows from God to His people.

Water is a common symbolic representation of eternal life in Scripture. Isaiah refers to drawing water from the “wells of salvation” with joy (Isaiah 12:3). The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah rebuked the Israelites for abandoning God’s “spring of living water” and digging for themselves their own cisterns which could not hold water (Jeremiah 2:13). The Israelites had forsaken the living God, who alone provides eternal life, to chase after false idols, worldliness, and works-based religions. Men do the same today, refusing the water of life only Christ provides for a parched and dusty life of materialism and self-indulgence.

Jesus encouraged the Samaritan woman at the well to take from Him the water of (eternal) life so that she would never thirst again spiritually (John 4:13–14). Those who believe in Him, Jesus goes on to say in John 7:38, will have streams of living water flowing from them. Water is an appropriate and easily understood symbol for life. Just as physical water is necessary to sustain physical life on earth, living water from the Savior is necessary to sustain eternal life with Him. Jesus is both the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and the source of living water, sustaining His people forever.

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

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[Patriot]

Will there literally be streets of gold in heaven (Revelation 21:21)?​

Answer

Heaven’s streets of gold are often referenced in song and poetry, but they’re harder to find in the Bible. In fact, there is only one passage of Scripture that mentions streets of gold, and that refers to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem: “The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). Earlier, John had described the whole city as being “of pure gold, as pure as glass” (verse 18). Do these verses tell us that the streets (and the city) will be literally made of gold in heaven? If so, what is the significance of having literal streets of gold?

The Greek word translated “gold” in Revelation 21:21 is chrusion, which can mean “gold, gold jewelry, or overlay.” To translate it as “gold” makes perfect sense. Interpretative difficulties arise when attempting to determine which parts of the Bible to take literally and which parts to take figuratively. A good rule of thumb when studying the Bible is to take everything literally, unless it doesn’t make sense to do so. In this passage there’s no reason the gold must be figurative. John isn’t just throwing out random descriptive terms; his mention of a “gold” street seems meant to be taken literally.

Earlier in Revelation 21, John is given a rod to measure out the city (verse 15), and he records precise measurements. Then he says, “The wall was made of jasper” (verse 18) and describes the city as composed of pure gold (verse 18). The foundations of the city walls are garnished with many specific precious stones and jewels (verses 19–20). The gates are made of pearl, and the main street is made of gold (verse 21). Everything in the description is specific as to composition, and there are no similes used—the street is not said to be “like gold,” but “of gold.”

So, if heaven’s streets are made of gold, what is the point? Why is this an important detail? First, the gold is valuable. The streets of gold in the New Jerusalem indicate the worth of that place. In this world, we walk on gravel or pavement or asphalt. There, we will tread gold as if it were a commonplace building material. Everything in the New Jerusalem will be proportionately finer, richer, and more precious than anything we can imagine here.

Second, the gold is beautiful. The streets of gold and the whole city will gleam with an unmatched luster. Twice, John compares the purity of the gold in heaven to glass: the street is “as pure as transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21), and the city is “as pure as glass” (Revelation 21:18). Commentator Albert Barnes takes this to mean “that the golden city would be so bright and burnished that it would seem to be glass reflecting the sunbeams. . . . It is certain that, as nothing could be more magnificent, so nothing could more beautifully combine the two ideas referred to here—that of ‘gold and glass’” (Notes on the Bible, 1834).

Third, the gold is transparent. According to Revelation 21:21, the gold comprising the streets in heaven is “clear as crystal” (CEV) or “like transparent glass” (NET). This quality would set heavenly gold apart from earthly gold, to be sure. In our understanding, transparent cannot be a descriptor of gold. But heaven (the new earth) will be a place beyond our understanding. “Excellencies will be combined in the heavenly city which now seem incompatible” (Jamieson, R.; Fausset, A. R.; and Brown, D.; A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, 1882).

Fourth, the gold is pure. Everything about the new earth is pure, as God is pure. “The words of the Lord are flawless, . . . like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6). The streets of gold in heaven reflect the pure light of God’s blazing glory. And God’s ability to purify is not confined to gold; God has purified all who will enter heaven through the blood of Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Not only is God’s holy city pure by His design, but so are the citizens of that city.

Fifth, the gold will last. The streets of gold in heaven denote the solidity and eternality of the new earth. The new earth will be a place of freedom from all sin and corruption (see Isaiah 35:8 and Revelation 21:27). Nothing will tarnish, rust, or grow dim. Everything and everyone will be forever flawless and absolutely impeccable.

Of course, there are some good teachers and scholars who do not hold to the idea of literal golden streets in heaven. It is a detail open to debate. However, taking the text at face value within the context of the whole chapter, there seems to be no reason to doubt the gold is literal.

Our focus in the New Jerusalem will not be the streets of gold. Perspectives will change, and what we treasure here will be trod underfoot in heaven. We may amass gold on earth, but one day we will see it as nothing more than paving material. Heaven will be a beautiful place, but nothing will ever be more beautiful or of greater value than the God who loves us and died to save us.

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

Do the souls of aborted babies go to heaven?​

Answer

Abortion as we know it today was not practiced in biblical times, and the Bible never specifically mentions the issue of abortion. It is clear from the Scriptures that an unborn baby is known by the Lord, even from the time of conception (Psalm 139:13-16). Although the Bible does not mention abortion or aborted babies, we do have two keys to help us unlock the answer to the question of whether the souls of aborted babies go to heaven.

The first key is from the only passage in the Bible where something specific is said about the death of infants. In 2 Samuel 12 we learn of David’s affair with Bathsheba, another man’s wife. David was informed by the prophet Nathan that the child produced by that union would die. David then began to fast and pray, asking the Lord to not carry out His judgment. When the child did die, David got up from praying and fasting and ate something.

When asked about this behavior, David uttered the words recorded in 2 Samuel 12:23, “Now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” David’s words reflect a clear understanding that the child could not come back to earth, but David would be with his child one day in heaven. This indicates not only David’s assurance of his own future in heaven (Psalm 23:6), but also the assurance that his child would share that future. From this account, we can conclude that infants who die are destined for heaven.

The second key to dealing with this issue is an understanding of the character and attributes of God. A God of justice must punish sin, for the Bible teaches us that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Neither an unborn child nor an aborted baby has had the opportunity to willfully sin; however, every child conceived bears the sin nature inherited from Adam (Psalm 51:5) and is therefore subject to judgment. At the same time, God reveals Himself as a God of goodness and mercy (Psalm 136:26). He is “gracious in all His works” (Psalm 145:17). It could very well be that God, in His grace, applies the sacrifice of Christ to the unborn victims of abortion. We know Christ’s blood is sufficient for such a thing. After all, Jesus died “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

The Bible does not specifically say whether or not an unborn child who dies goes to heaven. Without a clear passage, we can only speculate. However, we know of God’s love, goodness, and compassion. We know of David’s confidence that he would be with his child again. And we know that Jesus invited the children to come to Him (Luke 18:16). Based on these sureties, we believe it is appropriate to conclude that the souls of children are immediately in the presence of God when their lives are cut short by abortion.

Part 2: If aborted babies go to heaven, why is abortion wrong?

For Further Study​

Rethinking Life: Embracing the Sacredness of Every Person

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[Patriot]

If aborted babies go to heaven, why is abortion wrong?​

Answer

We who defend the sanctity of life sometimes face questions similar to this: “Why do you say abortion is wrong, if babies go to heaven when they die?” That question often has a follow-up: “Aborted children never have a chance to grow up and reject Jesus; thus, by your own reasoning, abortion fills heaven and keeps people out of hell. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Considering abortion as mercifully sending babies to heaven is an invalid option for Christians for several reasons. First, if we believe that heaven and hell are real, then we have to believe that there is a God. And, if there’s a God, we need to care what He’s said on the subject of abortion. By that measure alone, we cannot justify killing the unborn, an action that God expressly forbids (Leviticus 20:1–5; 2 Kings 24:2–4). God commands us not to commit murder (Exodus 20:13), He knows the child before birth (Jeremiah 1:5), and, in the Mosaic Law, He prescribed punishment for killing an unborn child (Exodus 21:22–25). Abortion is never an act of mercy; it is always an act of shedding innocent blood (see Proverbs 6:16–17).

So, the first reason that we reject the idea of a mercy-motivated abortion is fairly simple: because God said not to kill. Regardless of what else we may think, God told us that killing the innocent is wrong. Period. Just as with a parent-child relationship, the only thing we ultimately need to know is that the Father has said, “No.”

The second reason that abortion cannot be justified as a merciful act is that we are not absolutely sure what happens to those who die before they are born. We have many good reasons to think they’ll be in heaven, but we don’t have explicit biblical proof. So we can’t definitively say that aborting a soul will rescue it from hell. We dare not take such an awful risk with the souls of other people.

With both of those reasons in mind, we can pose a useful statement: “God didn’t just kill Cain before he sinned.” That fact doesn’t tell us exactly why we should not abort a child for mercy’s sake, but it does tell us that God does not see killing to prevent sin as a viable option.

A third reason that we cannot justify abortion on the basis that it sends babies to heaven involves eternal rewards. An aborted child has been denied the chance to serve God in this life and gain rewards for heaven. A child killed in the womb is being denied the chance to honor God in this world and earn rewards in the world to come. The chance to serve God is one of the things abortion steals from a human being.

Logically, the attitude that abortion is merciful in that it sends babies straight to heaven would lead us to kill all children, unborn or not. After all, if it really is “better” for them to be dead, then we should do them the favor of killing them and sending them to a better place. Anyone who takes seriously the idea that babies in the womb should be killed to send them to heaven would logically have to favor the killing of every single child who is—in his opinion—under the age of accountability. Following the same rationale, he’d also be inclined to kill other believers to prevent them from sinning any more before they get to heaven.

Given that God is a God of logic, and given that He specifically tells us to protect the weak and innocent (Proverbs 31:8–9), to have children (Genesis 1:28), and to see them as a blessing (Psalm 127:4–5), we can’t justify abortion on any moral grounds whatsoever. Abortion is the murder of the unborn, and we can’t mitigate the heinous nature of the act by injecting some perverse sense of human “mercy” into the equation.

Part 1: Do the souls of aborted babies go to heaven?

For Further Study​

Rethinking Life: Embracing the Sacredness of Every Person

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

Will we eat food in heaven?​

Answer

Many people ask whether we will eat food in heaven because eating is not only necessary but also so very enjoyable! Many people conclude that what is enjoyable on earth (sex, family relationships, etc.) will naturally be present in heaven. While we will definitely have the fulfillment of all enjoyment in heaven, it will be because we are in the presence of the Lord. Whatever we enjoy in heaven won’t be there because we enjoyed it on earth but because it finds its fulfillment in God. The Bible does not give us a detailed answer to the question of eating food in heaven, but a few observations from the Scriptures are in order.

When the Lord Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion, He referred to eating and drinking in the kingdom: “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God’” (Mark 14:25). The earthly millennial kingdom is certainly in view here, and in that kingdom many will have already received their resurrection bodies. It would appear from this statement that we, in our glorified bodies, will eat and drink in the millennial kingdom. Jesus ate food post-resurrection (Luke 24:42), so it stands to reason that we will, too. But what about eating food in the heavenly kingdom?

When John had his vision of the New Jerusalem, he saw “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:1–3, NKJV). This text does not say whether we will actually eat the fruit of the tree of life.

Eating from the tree of life is mentioned in Jesus’ message to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:7. The Lord makes this promise: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” If we are to take this literally, the tree of life will grow in the heavenly kingdom, it will bear fruit, and we will eat of that fruit.

So, we might eat food in heaven, but we cannot know for sure what the menu may contain. It has been suggested that our diet will be like that of Adam and Eve in paradise before the fall: “God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food’” (Genesis 1:29).

In the end, we don’t really know if, or what, we will eat in heaven. Believers only “know in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). The joy of being forever with the Bread of Life is beyond our ability to comprehend, for “what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

How can it be said that we have everlasting life when we still die?​

Answer

The Word of God assures us that all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will have everlasting life (John 3:16; 6:47; 1 John 5:13). The Greek word translated “everlasting” means “perpetual, eternal, forever.” Perhaps the word perpetual best explains the biblical concept of everlasting life; it is life that, once begun, continues perpetually into eternity. This speaks to the idea that man’s life is not merely physical. Rather, the true life of human beings is spiritual, and while the physical life ends, the spiritual continues throughout eternity. It is perpetual. It is everlasting life.

When God created Adam and Eve, He put them in the Garden with the tree of life, intending that they would live joyously forever, both physically and spiritually, but they sinned and brought physical and spiritual death to themselves and to all subsequent generations (Romans 5:12–14). God then sent Adam and Eve from the Garden and stationed cherubim to guard the way to the tree of life, and He did so because in His mercy He did not want man to live forever under the weight of sin. But sin must be punished and the only acceptable punishment to a holy God is everlasting punishment (Mark 9:43–44). However, our merciful God sent His Son as a perfect sacrifice to suffer, once for all time, the punishment due mankind for sin, thereby providing a perfect way to the tree of life for anyone and everyone who believes in Him (1 John 5:12; Revelation 22:14).

We receive everlasting life by dying to our own efforts and receiving Christ Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, and, when we do, we are instantly reborn and made alive in Christ. We may not feel any immediate change, but there has in fact been a rebirth in the heart (John 3:6–7), and we are now free of the fear of death; we have the promise of God that we will never die spiritually, but instead will live forever with our Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10). Later, when we die physically, our soul will immediately be with the Lord, and still later, when He returns, the Lord will resurrect our bodies to meet Him in the air. As for those Christians who are alive at His return, their bodies will be changed “in the twinkle of an eye,” and they will not experience even physical death (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

Jesus Christ instructed the apostle John to write the last book of the Bible, and therein we again read about the tree of life: “To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7b).

It is in Christ that all Christians trust, and it is in God’s power that we rest, assured of our everlasting life (1 Peter 1:3–5). The one true God created all things, and He is in control of life and death and rebirth. He will keep His word. Our God is all-powerful and full of grace and truth (John 1:14), and He wants us to know that our eternal state is assured: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Do you have everlasting life with God?

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

 

[Patriot]

How is physical death related to spiritual death?​

Answer

The Bible has a great deal to say about death and, more importantly, what happens after death. Physical death and spiritual death are both a separation of one thing from another. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. When understood that way, the two concepts are closely related. Both physical death and spiritual death are included in the very first references to death.

In the creation account (Genesis 1—2), we read how God created a variety of living beings. These animals had life, an inward element that gave movement and energy to their physical bodies. Scientists are still at a loss to explain what truly causes life, but the Bible is clear that God gives life to all things (Genesis 1:11–28; 1 Timothy 6:13). The life that God gave to mankind was different from that which He gave to animals. In Genesis 2:7, God “breathed into [the man’s] nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Whereas animals have a purely physical life, humans have both a physical and a spiritual element of life, and the death we experience likewise has both a physical and a spiritual element.

According to Genesis 2:17, God told Adam that, if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would “certainly die.” Some skeptics have tried to use this verse to show an inconsistency in the Bible because Adam and Eve did not die the very day they ate of that fruit. However, there are different types of life, and there are different types of death. A person can be physically alive and spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1, 5) and vice versa (Matthew 22:32). When they sinned (Genesis 3:7), Adam and Eve immediately lost their spiritual life. They become “dead” to godliness, they forfeited Eden, and they came under God’s judgment (eternal death). Their shame triggered a correlating action, as they hid from God (Genesis 3:8)—their internal separation from God manifested itself in an external separation from Him.

In addition to the immediate spiritual death they experienced, they also began the process of physical death, even though it took many years for death to have its full effect. The process of death can be seen in a bouquet of flowers. Those flowers, growing in a garden, were plainly alive—they were connected to stems and roots and received nourishment from their respective plants. When the flowers were separated from their life source, they still had the appearance of life and can maintain that appearance for several days, depending on the conditions. But, regardless of the care they are given, cut flowers are already dying, and that process cannot be reversed. The same is true for mankind cut off from God, their source of life.

The physical death that entered the world with Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12) affected all living things. It is difficult for us to conceive of a world without death, but that is what Scripture teaches was the condition before the fall. All living things began the process of dying when sin entered the world. When physical death occurs, there is a definite separation of the life from the body. When that separation occurs, there is nothing man can do to reverse it. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and death comes upon everyone because everyone has sinned. Everyone is subject to physical death because of the presence of sin in this world, as well as his or her own personal sins. From a human perspective, physical death seems to be the ultimate punishment, but there are deeper levels of death to be considered.

The life that God breathed into Adam (Genesis 2:7) was more than just animal life; it was the breath of God, resulting in a being with a soul. Adam was created spiritually alive, connected to God in a special way. He enjoyed a relationship with God, but when he sinned, that relationship was broken. Spiritual death has implications both before and after physical death. Though Adam was still physically alive (but beginning the dying process), he became spiritually dead, separated from relationship with God. In this present life on earth, spiritual death brings great loss: we lose God’s favor, the knowledge of God, and the desire for God.

Everyone begins life “dead in . . . transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), resulting in a life focused on sinful desires. Jesus taught that the only remedy for spiritual death is a spiritual rebirth (John 3:3–5) through faith in Him. This rebirth results in a re-connection to the source of life. Jesus pictured this in John 15:1–6. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Without a connection to Him, we have no real life in us. When we have Jesus, we have life (cf. 1 John 5:11–12).

For those who refuse to accept God’s salvation, physical death and spiritual death culminate in the “second death” (Revelation 20:14). This eternal death is not annihilation, as some have taught, but is a conscious, eternal punishment for sins in the lake of fire, where individuals are separated from the presence of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Jesus spoke of this eternal separation from God in Matthew 25:41 and referenced the conscious torment of individuals in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31).

God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We do not have to remain spiritually dead. To repent means to change one’s mind and involves confessing sin to God and turning to Christ. Those who have received God’s salvation have turned from death to life (1 John 3:14), and the second death has no power over them (Revelation 20:6).

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

​

 

[Patriot]

What does it mean to be absent from the body (2 Corinthians 5:8)?​

Answer

The phrase absent from the body is found in 2 Corinthians 5:6–8. Paul states that he is confident in his eternal destiny and longs for the day when he can be “absent from the body” and be present with the Lord he loves and serves. To be “absent” from one’s body simply means to die because, at death, the spirit is separated from the body and moves to another place—either heaven with the Lord or hell, separated from God for eternity.

Like Paul, Christians can always be “we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident . . . and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6–8). When a born-again believer dies, his soul goes immediately into the presence of the Lord. There, the soul consciously awaits the resurrection of the body. To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote this from a Roman prison:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:21–24).

Paul’s desire in life was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. If he lived, he could continue to labor for the Lord. If he faced execution, he would depart this life and be with Christ. He desired to be with his Savior, but if he remained on earth, he could continue to minister to others.

There are some who believe in soul sleep, the doctrine that, when a person dies, his body and soul sleep in the grave, awaiting the resurrection. But if this were true, why would Paul not want to live to minister as long as possible, rather than sleep in a grave? And if it were true that the body and soul are never separated, it would be impossible to ever be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

We conclude, then, that believers who die are indeed absent from their physical bodies and present with the Lord in conscious bliss awaiting that grand resurrection day!

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

What is Abraham’s bosom?​

Answer

The term “Abraham’s bosom” is found only once in the New Testament, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), in which Jesus was teaching about the reality of heaven and hell. “Abraham’s bosom” in this story is also translated “Abraham’s side” (NIV, ESV), “next to Abraham” (CEV), “with Abraham” (NLT), and “the arms of Abraham” (NCV). These various translations speak to the enigmatic nature of the Greek word kolpos.

All these translations are attempting to convey the sense that Lazarus went to a place of rest, contentment, and peace, almost as though Abraham (a highly revered person in Jewish history) was the protector or patron. In a sad contrast, the rich man finds himself in torment with no one to help, assist, or console him.

Contrary to some contemporary thought, the Bible does teach that both heaven and hell are real places. Each person who lives will spend eternity in one of these two places. These two destinies are portrayed in Jesus’ story. While the rich man had lived for the day and only focused on life here on earth, Lazarus endured many hardships while trusting in God. So, verses 22 and 23 are significant: “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Death can be thought of as separation. Physical death is the separation of our body from our soul/spirit, while spiritual death is the separation of our soul from God. Jesus taught that we ought not to fear physical death, but we should be most concerned about spiritual death. As we read in Luke 12:4-5, Jesus also said, "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” Jesus’ use of the term “Abraham’s bosom” was a part of His teaching to focus the minds of His hearers on the fact that our choices to seek God or disregard Him here on earth literally affect where we spend eternity.

For Further Study​

Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!