This is totally for Christian's

[2bme]

When I look around at our society and how it functions, there's one thing I have to admit we can't possibly be ready for.

Heaven.

I can't see how we would be able to adjust in that timeless existence of being as one community, with one heart and one soul. Because heaven would be the flipside of everything we are determined to believe is good to become here. What I mean by flipside is that we have yet to emulate how a real heaven should be on earth. So I'll break it down like this.

How I perceive heaven would function.

1: I perceive heaven would have no use for money or monetary systems.

2: I perceive heaven would be a community of equals.

3: I perceive heaven as a place of absolute openness.

4: I perceive heaven without borders, race or creed.

I think that's fair breakdown.

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

I don't know I really don't know.

 

[lforrest]

When I look around at our society and how it functions, there's one thing I have to admit we can't possibly be ready for.

Heaven.

I can't see how we would be able to adjust in that timeless existence of being as one community, with one heart and one soul. Because heaven would be the flipside of everything we are determined to believe is good to become here. What I mean by flipside is that we have yet to emulate how a real heaven should be on earth. So I'll break it down like this.

How I perceive heaven would function.

1: I perceive heaven would have no use for money or monetary systems.

2: I perceive heaven would be a community of equals.

3: I perceive heaven as a place of absolute openness.

4: I perceive heaven without borders, race or creed.

I think that's fair breakdown.

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

I don't know I really don't know.

Something can be gleamed from Luke 16:9 "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

Also John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions.

Heaven is God's dwelling singular, so we can know this verse isn't about admission into heaven itself. So from that I interpret this to refer to the mansions of the inhabitants of heaven.

This also implies that there is a freedom of association within Heaven.

 

[Wrangler]

Heaven is God's dwelling singular, so we can know this verse isn't about admission into heaven itself.

Heaven has the strictest immigration policies for good reason.

I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth.

Haven't you though? God and his anointed are called Father and Son. The Anointed taught is to pray to OUR father, meaning his as well ours. Doesn't that give us the clue that heavenly community is family oriented? All are beloved. All are good. All are important.

And like family, there is hierarchy and order in heaven. One Lord or King.

 

[Matthias]

When I look around at our society and how it functions, there's one thing I have to admit we can't possibly be ready for.

Heaven.

I can't see how we would be able to adjust in that timeless existence of being as one community, with one heart and one soul. Because heaven would be the flipside of everything we are determined to believe is good to become here. What I mean by flipside is that we have yet to emulate how a real heaven should be on earth. So I'll break it down like this.

How I perceive heaven would function.

1: I perceive heaven would have no use for money or monetary systems.

2: I perceive heaven would be a community of equals.

3: I perceive heaven as a place of absolute openness.

4: I perceive heaven without borders, race or creed.

I think that's fair breakdown.

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

I don't know I really don't know.

“The meek will inherit the earth.” - Jesus, Sermon on the Mount

 

[ScottA]

When I look around at our society and how it functions, there's one thing I have to admit we can't possibly be ready for.

Heaven.

I can't see how we would be able to adjust in that timeless existence of being as one community, with one heart and one soul. Because heaven would be the flipside of everything we are determined to believe is good to become here. What I mean by flipside is that we have yet to emulate how a real heaven should be on earth. So I'll break it down like this.

How I perceive heaven would function.

1: I perceive heaven would have no use for money or monetary systems.

2: I perceive heaven would be a community of equals.

3: I perceive heaven as a place of absolute openness.

4: I perceive heaven without borders, race or creed.

I think that's fair breakdown.

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

I don't know I really don't know.

That's fair...and understandable. But it is also the logic responsible for hypocrisy and a host of religious misunderstandings--and divisions.

Starting with "How I perceive heaven would function." What "function" is there in "I am?" To the contrary of an ideal or "functioning" society, what the scriptures refer to is we becoming One with "I am", and thus rather, "we are" and forever shall "be."

1. Yes, there is to be "no use for money", for everything that is God's is to be Ours.
2. "A community of equals" is an inaccurate way to describe what shall be. Contrary to how most would consider equality, it is equality that is competitive rather than what the scriptures actually describe. Where is the equality in "a body of many members"--different members? In such a state or existence, equality is not a matter of "equally ours", but rather us being "equally God's." So, you see, we are often guilty of looking at things (many things) backwards.
3. #3 is great! Even so, our Oneness is the oneness that comes by following--as the body (every part) does what the Head desires, rather than with the kind of equality we think of.
4. "Borders"--there are no bounds but many limits--not unlike freedom and borders. "Race"--oh, there is indeed race--"a coat of many colors"...without the coat, or "skins" as it were. Remember, the promise of God--the sign--is a rainbow. As for "creed"--our creed is not our own as we would look at it now--but is His--as we will see it in heaven.

The scriptures state that there is only One who lives in perfect harmony with God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is only "in Him" and the making of "One new man" that we shall emulate such a communion--of which we have indeed just barely, barely touched upon.

 

[bdavidc]

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

Scripture never describes heaven in terms of human vision or social correctness. Heaven is not something we conform to by evolutionary goodness. We are born fit for heaven through new birth. "Jesus replied, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." ~John 3: 3 Do not pray for humanity to evolve its way into heaven. Heaven operates on the forgiveness of sins, not a fixing of society. The question is not if we are good enough for heaven, but if we have been made right with God through Christ.

 

[Matthias]

“The meek will inherit the earth.” - Jesus, Sermon on the Mount

 

[2bme]

Scripture never describes heaven in terms of human vision or social correctness. Heaven is not something we conform to by evolutionary goodness. We are born fit for heaven through new birth. "Jesus replied, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." ~John 3: 3 Do not pray for humanity to evolve its way into heaven. Heaven operates on the forgiveness of sins, not a fixing of society. The question is not if we are good enough for heaven, but if we have been made right with God through Christ.

No one needs to believe in something that someone says is real. I question anyone who tells me that it's enough to believe and not look any further than that.

 

[2bme]

Like I said before: Why do people claim they know something as a fact. But refer to what they say they know as a belief?

 

[maria878]

When I look around at our society and how it functions, there's one thing I have to admit we can't possibly be ready for.

Heaven.

I can't see how we would be able to adjust in that timeless existence of being as one community, with one heart and one soul. Because heaven would be the flipside of everything we are determined to believe is good to become here. What I mean by flipside is that we have yet to emulate how a real heaven should be on earth. So I'll break it down like this.

How I perceive heaven would function.

1: I perceive heaven would have no use for money or monetary systems.

2: I perceive heaven would be a community of equals.

3: I perceive heaven as a place of absolute openness.

4: I perceive heaven without borders, race or creed.

I think that's fair breakdown.

When thinking in these terms about existing in that type of community, I don't see or know of anything Christian or non-christian that has emulated this type of community here on earth. So who of us will be ready to live in a place like that?

I don't know I really don't know.

I get what you’re saying. Heaven sounds like the opposite of how we’re wired right now. Maybe the point isn’t being ready now, but being changed then.

 

[Traveler]

CHRISTS Kingdom is going to be here on this earth with Christ being the king over a wor;d wide kingdom that never ends. Because of the resurrection we will be here as well in bodies that never grow old. We will not be playing harps up in the clouds.

 

[2bme]

I get what you’re saying. Heaven sounds like the opposite of how we’re wired right now. Maybe the point isn’t being ready now, but being changed then.

What's the point of living here then? Other things I see in this world is how those who preach love show hate instead, they preach peace and go out and wage wars, they preach forgiveness and stand in judgement over everyone, they preach contentment in Christ but are obsessed with trinkets and toys, they preach they know the truth and at the same time turn that tuth into a trivial festival, they preach sacrifice but count the cost of everything.

 

[2bme]

Don't worry about it: Because there is no reliable evidence of a heaven or hell. But if there is for some reason that I'm stupidly unaware, it will not be up to you or me to say who goes where. That's up to God to decide.

 

[Matthias]

Don't worry about it: Because there is no reliable evidence of a heaven or hell. But if there is for some reason that I'm stupidly unaware, it will not be up to you or me to say who goes where. That's up to God to decide.

You don’t believe that so why even say it?

 

[2bme]

You don’t believe that so why even say it?

Just pointing out a obvious flaw in people's beliefs.

 

[Matthias]

Just pointing out a obvious flaw in people's beliefs.

No offense intended, that’s the flaw in yours.

 

[bdavidc]

No one needs to believe in something that someone says is real. I question anyone who tells me that it's enough to believe and not look any further than that.

Nobody is asked to believe blindly or shut off thinking. Scripture never defines faith as accepting a claim because someone told you. Faith is trusting what God has testified and He repeatedly calls people to examine it.

Jesus said, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works” ~John 10:37-38.
Luke records the Bereans were noble because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify the message ~Acts 17:11.

So biblical faith is not refusing to look further. It is looking honestly and then responding to the truth God has revealed.

The real issue is not “just believe” versus “keep questioning.” The issue is what you do once the evidence is in front of you. God commands a response because forgiveness comes through Christ, not endless investigation: “God now commandeth all men every where to repent” ~Acts 17:30.

So no, Christianity is not asking you to stop thinking.

 

[bdavidc]

Don't worry about it: Because there is no reliable evidence of a heaven or hell. But if there is for some reason that I'm stupidly unaware, it will not be up to you or me to say who goes where. That's up to God to decide.

First, you’re right about one part. It is God who decides. No human sends anyone to heaven or hell. Scripture says, “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” ~John 5:22.

But God has already told us the standard He will use, so it is not unknowable. Jesus said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already” ~John 3:18. That means the issue is not our opinion about people. It is our response to Christ.

Second, the statement “no reliable evidence” assumes God has stayed silent. The Bible claims the opposite. Creation itself testifies God exists, “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen” ~Romans 1:20. And God did not stop there. He entered history in the person of Jesus, confirmed by works and witnessed publicly ~Acts 2:22.

So the question is not whether you or I get to decide who goes where. We do not.
The question is whether we accept the testimony God already gave about His Son, because forgiveness is tied to Him: “through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” ~Acts 10:43.

In other words, God will judge, but He has not kept the basis of that judgment hidden.

 

[2bme]

Nobody is asked to believe blindly or shut off thinking. Scripture never defines faith as accepting a claim because someone told you. Faith is trusting what God has testified and He repeatedly calls people to examine it.

Jesus said, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works” ~John 10:37-38.
Luke records the Bereans were noble because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify the message ~Acts 17:11.

So biblical faith is not refusing to look further. It is looking honestly and then responding to the truth God has revealed.

The real issue is not “just believe” versus “keep questioning.” The issue is what you do once the evidence is in front of you. God commands a response because forgiveness comes through Christ, not endless investigation: “God now commandeth all men every where to repent” ~Acts 17:30.

So no, Christianity is not asking you to stop thinking.

Yes it is.
Question: Am I free not to believe in a God?

 

[bdavidc]

Yes it is.
Question: Am I free not to believe in a God?

Sure, you are free not to believe in a God? You are free to choose, but not free from the consequence of the choice. God does not force belief. People reject Him all the time. Jesus said, “ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” ~John 5:40. So yes, you can refuse.

But Scripture is clear that unbelief still has an outcome. “He that believeth not is condemned already” ~John 3:18. Freedom of choice does not cancel reality any more than ignoring gravity stops a fall.

So you are free to not believe. You just are not free to make that decision neutral before God. Rejecting God is not treated as “no decision” by God. It counts as a decision against Him.