by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
Inheritance
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
The Holy Scriptures teach clearly that heaven is a real place, a permanent place, a personal place and a holy place. It is also an inheritance for those who say “yes” to Jesus Christ.
In his gospel, the beloved John conveys a powerful truth of what one must become in order to inherit eternal salvation. “…I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) And once more, “…You must be born again.” (John 3:7) Twice Jesus tells Nicodemus, already a Pharisee and religious leader, “I tell you the truth…”
The truth for you is that a preacher saying nice things, nor beautiful hymns being sung at your funeral, nor the local paper announcing that you were a member of such and such church, nor even being in church nearly every Sunday will gain you entrance into heaven. Being truly born again is a necessity.
Many Scripture passages tell what God will do for a person who through repentance accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Ezekiel 36: 26, 27 is one of the most clear. It has been used frequently by Dr. Billy Graham to explain what God wants to do in the hearts and lives of those coming forward to receive the forgiveness found only in Christ. The verses say, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
A “heart of stone” is inflexible, unyielding and insensitive. It is not apt to receive from or have any devoted affection toward its Creator. A man with a heart of stone has no fellowship with the Lord. He does not do the will of God, thus, he does what seems right in his own eyes which will lead to his own destruction. God alone gives physical life and He alone can give spiritual life in what Jesus says is being “born again.”
When God supernaturally gives a repentant person a “heart of flesh” and puts His Spirit in a new believer, that person becomes sensitive and alive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Only then can he determine and do the will of God. This enables him to know the joy that comes from obedience to the Word of God. Once the Holy Spirit of God has entered the heart and life of a repentant person, they are never the same! Guaranteed! The Bible says they are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus made these truths very clear to Nicodemus, and He desires to make them crystal clear to all who will hear even now. In heaven there will be only those who are born again, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord.
The Holy Spirit moved the apostle Paul to write to (and about) authentic Christians, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9) Will you receive Christ today?
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
Sooner or later you are going to experience physical death. You have a specific quantity of days to inhabit this earth and God alone knows their number. God’s Word is clear, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27)
Physical death is part of the curse that has come upon man since Adam and Eve. God told them after their sin, “…you [will] return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Until Christ returns, all of mankind will experience physical death. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) However, Jesus shares a powerful truth that is for all who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord.
Twice in today’s text, Jesus refers to heaven as being a “place.” Heaven is not a surreal, fairy-tale kingdom. It is literal and more real than the house you live in. The New American Standard Bible has the best translation when saying “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places…” “Places” (Greek topos) means places in which one dwells, an abode or a home. These are permanent habitations of eternal rest and peace.
Revelation Chapter Seven records the beloved John’s vision of seeing a “…great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne of God and in front of the Lamb [Jesus Christ].” Matthew Henry in his exposition of heaven in Revelation 7: 15-17 says, “[Christians will be] happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. Heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of sloth, it is a praising delightful rest.”
Jesus is faithful. When He says He is preparing a place for Christians that is what He means. He also states another compelling fact that is a blessing to those who have lost loved ones who were born again Christians and for the children of God who are facing the trial of death. Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die…” [spiritually, to be raised physically at the resurrection of believers]. After saying these words, the Lord asked a question of His listeners that is still relevant to us today, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Place of Reunion
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
The Holy Scriptures teach clearly that heaven is a real place, a permanent place, a personal place, a holy place and a place open only to those who have been truly born again. The Bible also reveals that heaven is a place of reunion.
In 2nd Samuel we see a very clear picture of God’s grace, mercy and comfort in the joys of heavenly reunion. We serve a God who chastises acts of sin, yet His repentant children have the sure hope of His forgiveness and of seeing loved ones who have died “in the Lord.” In Chapter 12 of 2nd Samuel we read of the prophet Nathan’s rebuke of God’s anointed king. King David had surrendered to his fleshly desires ultimately leading to adultery, a child conceived out of wedlock and murder. As we continue to read 2nd Samuel Chapter 12, we see that King David was going to suffer the consequences of his selfishness and uncontrolled lusts. It was only after God sent Nathan to expose David’s sinful actions that the King was able to come before God with a humble and contrite heart fully surrendered to God’s will. Even though the consequences of sin can have an extraordinary cost, there is forgiveness and mercy to be found for those who have a truly repentant heart before God.
We know that David had a right heart before God for, instead of adding rebellion to his list of sins, David sought the Lord’s mercy, interceding in prayer for the child who was struck with an illness that would lead to his death. (2 Samuel 12:16, 18, 22) Even after the boy died, David does not fall into bitterness or rebellion. He clings to a truth that is for all who have lost young children or Christian loved ones. That truth is found in 2 Samuel 12:23, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Don’t fail to catch that truth, “I will go to him.”
King David found something to cling to and the Scripture says that he also “comforted his wife…” (2 Samuel 12:24) Their consolation came in knowing they would see their son again.
Because heaven is a place of reunion, Christians who have had a baby or child die before reaching the age of account-ability will see that child again. Many have also suffered the loss of Christian parents, friends and co-laborers. However, there is a reunion awaiting them in heaven. There are multitudes of Holy Spirit-filled pastors, evangelists and missionaries, after having been used mightily of God to bring many sinners to Christ and then passing on to be with the Lord, that will be reunited in heaven with those who have responded with a heart of repentance to the Spirit’s call to come to Jesus. Others may only bring one or two souls with them, but every single person redeemed by Jesus’ shed blood is precious in God’s sight. Christians someday will see Elijah, John the Baptist, the twelve apostles and Paul and many other faithful servants of the Lord that were written about in the Bible and since who have given their lives to spread the Good News.
It will be The Grandest Reunion for those who have Christ as Savior and Lord. You’ve been invited! Don’t miss it!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Personal Place
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
Thus far we have Biblically observed that heaven is real and is a permanent place. Let us now consider that heaven is also a personal place. There is personal recognition and contact as well as intercession for Christians in heaven.
Contrary to some unbiblical opinions encouraged by wishful thinkers and TV shows, when Christians die they do not become angels. There is a clear distinction between the authority given to a Christian and the role of angels at the White Throne Judgment. (1 Corinthians 6:3)
A time is coming though when the dead in Christ will be resurrected and will be given glorified bodies. At the Lord’s transfiguration “…Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, which was fulfilled in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31) on the Cross of Calvary. The King James Bible says that Moses and Elijah “appeared in glory…” meaning literally they were glorified saints. This teaches Christians who have departed from this world are living in glory and will some day also receive a body to match. The “mortal will take on immortality.” (1 Cor. 15:53)
Not only is there a glorified body awaiting Christians some day, but personal intercession by Jesus now. In Acts 7 we see that personal intercession when Stephen was about to be stoned to death for his testimony of Christ. We read, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the throne of God. ‘Look,’ he said ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (v. 55, 56) “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ” (Acts 7:59) After Christ was raised from the dead, He had personal communication with two men on the road to Emmaus. He said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not Christ have to suffer these things and enter glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
It is amazing even now to see how slow of heart people are to believe all that Christ and Scripture has to say about heaven and God’s only way for a person to get there. Jesus is the only way! If you have allowed family, friends, so-called experts in theology, the media, or your own unbelief to make you “slow of heart”, you must reject these ideas completely and turn whole-hardheartedly to Jesus Christ through confession and repentance.
When you allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into agreement with God’s Word which says, “…all have sinned” and through repentance receive Christ as personal Savior and Lord, you will enjoy the Biblical revelation that heaven is a personal place, and you will establish an intimate relationship with Christ now, thus experiencing the benefits of being on the narrow road to heaven. You can know that Christ intercedes personally for you just as he did for Stephen at the throne of God, and He will speak to you as He did the two on the road to Emmaus through God’s Word as quickened by the Holy Spirit. Choose Christ today!
by Terry Laughlin | Apr 29, 2016 | Heaven
A Permanent Place
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going… I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-4, 6)
In this text we read that Jesus twice referred to Heaven as being a place. The Holy Spirit later moved the apostle Peter to give us additional revelation about the place where the born again Christian will spend eternity. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4) Peter gives us truth in this portion of Scripture that will take an eternity to fully grasp. One powerful truth is that we will be living face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father forever. There is no greater privilege given to man.
Peter reveals something else worth meditating on as we consider our inheritance of eternal life. It will “never perish, spoil or fade.” It will last forever. All that God gives us as we minister with Him throughout eternity will stay with us. There is no threat of losing anything or of losing the blessing of His presence. Once the child of God is received into heaven, their inheritance is sure and imperishable. It will not age, deteriorate or die; there will not be even a seed of corruption within it. This inheritance will never spoil or be defiled. Our resurrected bodies will never be polluted or corrupted with sin again. Residents of heaven will not need to pray for those who are sick or dying. Pharmacies and hospitals will be nonexistent. Accidents will not happen. No tears will ever be shed again over a lost loved one or over lost possessions.
Note that Peter tells Christians that this is a “living hope.” The word “hope” here is used differently than the way we normally think of hope. For example, many students have graduated high school and gone on to college “hoping” to graduate in four years or so. This is only an expression of a strong desire to attain a certain goal. These people have no absolute certainty that they will be able to do so, for they may be forced to sit out a semester or year because of financial hindrances, health needs, or family setbacks. The hope Peter speaks of (Greek elpis) is a sure thing, a confident expectation in the God of hope, the Author and Source of hope. This hope comes only to Christians who have an obedient walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Lip service without true faith will not open the door of your heart to the Holy Spirit’s enabling to enjoy this type of hope. Only a heart yielded to the Lordship of Christ can enjoy all the blessings of this assured outcome. This is a revelation that comes only from the Lord as you choose to believe the Word of God and as you surrender to the illuminating power of the Holy Ghost.
Choose this day to repent of sin and turn fully to Christ. You will then have that sure hope that many have in Him. You can know that heaven is not only a real place but also a permanent place prepared for you. Invite Christ into your heart and life today!
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