Heaven

[Bob Estey]

The world seems to think you can't go to heaven till you die. Jesus, of course, said otherwise:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17 RSV

So is the world right or is Jesus right?

 

[amadeus]

The world seems to think you can't go to heaven till you die. Jesus, of course, said otherwise:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17 RSV

So is the world right or is Jesus right?

Jesus! Was He not always on God's side?

 

[Bob Estey]

Jesus! Was He not always on God's side?

I believe so!

 

[amadeus]

Jesus! Was He not always on God's side?

For he that is not against us is on our part." Mark 9:40

 

[GISMYS_7]

Bible prophecy talks about super-plagues, super-wars, deception everywhere, the loss of human rights, churches falling away from the truth, and hundreds of other sad and frightening trends.



But the Bible also says, “Fear not!” We live in terrifying times, but we are not to be terrified. The times are not greater than the God who holds us in His hand.



In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples how the Father would soon send the Holy Spirit as their Helper. The same Holy Spirit lives in us. Then, in verse 27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” [NASB]



The Prince of Peace Himself gives you access to His peace. To the world, peace can simply be the cessation of hostilities. But God’s peace goes deeper. The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom.” It means “total wellbeing.” It has to do with every part of life.



Sometimes we lose peace because we choose not to access the peace He offers. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” That means to give His peace command over your thoughts and feelings.



2 Thessalonians 3:16 pronounces this blessing, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.” Jesus longs to give you His peace in every circumstance. Those circumstances include the times in which we live.



Do not fear the times.
Bible prophecy talks about super-plagues, super-wars, deception everywhere, the loss of human rights, churches falling away from the truth, and hundreds of other sad and frightening trends.



But the Bible also says, “Fear not!” We live in terrifying times, but we are not to be terrified. The times are not greater than the God who holds us in His hand.



In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples how the Father would soon send the Holy Spirit as their Helper. The same Holy Spirit lives in us. Then, in verse 27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” [NASB]



The Prince of Peace Himself gives you access to His peace. To the world, peace can simply be the cessation of hostilities. But God’s peace goes deeper. The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom.” It means “total wellbeing.” It has to do with every part of life.



Sometimes we lose peace because we choose not to access the peace He offers. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” That means to give His peace command over your thoughts and feelings.



2 Thessalonians 3:16 pronounces this blessing, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.” Jesus longs to give you His peace in every circumstance. Those circumstances include the times in which we live.



Do not fear the times. HL.

 

[amadeus]

And then again where and when is heaven? Or... what is heaven or the heavens? Is there more than one heaven?

 

[Bob Estey]

And then again where and when is heaven? Or... what is heaven or the heavens? Is there more than one heaven?

Would heaven be heaven if it doesn't include peace of mind?

 

[Davy]

There are only 2 different dimensions of existence according to God's Word.

1. this earthly one we live in
2. the Heavenly one of Spirit where God and the angels live, behind a hidden veil.

The sky around the earth is also called 'heaven', but it is not the same thing as the Heavenly dimension of Spirit where God's abode now is. The sky around the earth is still part of this material earthly dimension and universe.

Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of The Spirit is spirit. In Genesis 6:3 God revealed that He also created us with a spirit, and that we are not just flesh only.

 

[Bob Estey]

There are only 2 different dimensions of existence according to God's Word.

1. this earthly one we live in
2. the Heavenly one of Spirit where God and the angels live, behind a hidden veil.

The sky around the earth is also called 'heaven', but it is not the same thing as the Heavenly dimension of Spirit where God's abode now is. The sky around the earth is still part of this material earthly dimension and universe.

Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of The Spirit is spirit. In Genesis 6:3 God revealed that He also created us with a spirit, and that we are not just flesh only.

How do you explain, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"? Matthew 4:17

 

[Enoch111]

The world seems to think you can't go to heaven till you die. Jesus, of course, said otherwise:

Jesus did not contradict the fact that Christians (not the world) believe that those who die in Christ do indeed go tp Heaven. Earth is not Heaven.

 

[Enoch111]

How do you explain, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"? Matthew 4:17

Christ on earth represented the Kingdom of Heaven (also called the Kingdom of God) on earth. Those who believed on Jesus entered into the Kingdom of God. therefore He said that the Kingdom of God is within you.

 

[amadeus]

Would heaven be heaven if it doesn't include peace of mind?

Is peace of mind included in or a part of rest?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

 

[amadeus]

Jesus did not contradict the fact that Christians (not the world) believe that those who die in Christ do indeed go tp Heaven. Earth is not Heaven.

Earth may not be heaven, but may not heaven be found in or on earth? Was Jesus not in heaven even while he was still walking the physical streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago?

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." John 2:13

 

[amadeus]

Jesus did not contradict the fact that Christians (not the world) believe that those who die in Christ do indeed go tp Heaven. Earth is not Heaven.

It may be a fact that people called Christians believe that, but how much of that believed fact is Reality and how much of it is only unseen things hoped for? God knows, but God does not live by faith, does He?

 

[Bob Estey]

Jesus did not contradict the fact that Christians (not the world) believe that those who die in Christ do indeed go tp Heaven. Earth is not Heaven.

What is Jesus referring to when he says, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand"?

 

[Bob Estey]

Christ on earth represented the Kingdom of Heaven (also called the Kingdom of God) on earth. Those who believed on Jesus entered into the Kingdom of God. therefore He said that the Kingdom of God is within you.

You say "Christ on earth represented the Kingdom of Heaven." There is a difference between REPRESENTING the kingdom of heaven and BEING the kingdom of heaven. I would say Jesus IS the kingdom of heaven, and we have him right now, if we do as he says.

 

[Bob Estey]

Is peace of mind included in or a part of rest?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

I don't know, but what good is heaven if we don't have peace of mind? I would suggest peace of mind IS heaven and is obtainable by obeying Christ's command: "Repent." I think that is what Jesus is saying in Matthew 4:17.

 

[amadeus]

I don't know, but what good is heaven if we don't have peace of mind? I would suggest peace of mind IS heaven and is obtainable by obeying Christ's command: "Repent." I think that is what Jesus is saying in Matthew 4:17.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Indeed, where is it that Jesus says, our most important goal is to make heaven our home? I do not believe that is what he is saying here: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

 

[Bob Estey]

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Indeed, where is it that Jesus says, our most important goal is to make heaven our home? I do not believe that is what he is saying here: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

Well, we're supposed to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Isn't Matt 4:17 (Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand) exactly that?

 

[amadeus]

Well, we're supposed to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Isn't Matt 4:17 (Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand) exactly that?

Without really repenting how may we really seek those things? Even a man truly humble before God needs direction; he needs help... the kind of help that God is always willing to give to those who really and sincerely ask of Him.