that is what we are taught, sure, but "after you have literally died" is implied there, right?
we are told that we will "go to heaven" after we have died, if and only if we hold the correct "beliefs" or do the right altar works, and the connection to Apollos and the Elysian Fields is never made clear. Apollos waters, yes. Funny we even have a current idiom for "watering" things too huh
Actually, every one that believes in Him even former believers that dies are present with the Lord; it is what resurrected body that one will be raised in is the question per what they built on that foundation; as a vessel unto honor to attend the Marriage Supper in Heaven at the pre great tribulation rapture or after the great tribulation to serve the King of kings as the least in the kingdom of heaven; hence the vessels unto dishonor.
but this obviously goes against much Scripture, and misrepresents heaven to boot, doesnt it?
The kingdom of heaven is within you
I came that you might have life, more abundantly
etc?
plus the satans dialectic, see, you cant hide that wadr
Not sure what wadr means but let us consider this verse too, but I shall keep it in context for why He said that.
John 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
So what you referenced to the kingdom for having life is God being in us since we are now members of that kingdom and our spirit shall be received to be present with the Lord apart from the body, and yet we labor for the high prize of our calling to be that vessel unto honor in His House by looking to the author & finisher of our faith to help us lay aside every weight & sin..
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So that means even former believers are called to depart from iniquity since that foundation stands sure along with that seal of adoption.
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
I hope He is helping you to see why I believe the way that I do for why the least as in the vessel unto dishonor that did not depart from iniquity, are still in His House.
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Cutting it off here so the post will not be too long, but God be willing, I shall continue to answer the rest of your post for which I thank the Lord for you for staying in this conversation with me.