Heaven is an exclusive place

Have you ever wondered what heaven is really like?

Scripture gives us some glimpses of heaven and the New Jerusalem.  We read about the pearly gates, the streets of gold, the tree of life and the flowing river.  We know every tear will be wiped away.

Yet, there is quite a lot we don't know.  What will we look like?  How will we recognize people in heaven?  What will it feel like?

I don't know the answers to those questions.  I do know it will be greater than anything we could ever imagine.  The images we have in our head--be they from Hollywood, scripture or a combination of the two--will pale in comparison to how awesome heaven will really be.  I'm fairly certain of that.

I also know this:  heaven will be a lot better with you there.

You see, I know one thing for sure about heaven:  it is an exclusive place.  Not everyone goes to heaven.  Not everyone gets to stand in the presence of God forever.  Only a few get in.  Only the followers of Jesus get access.

Why? 

Heaven is a sinless place.  Sin cannot enter that realm.  Only by taking on the sinlessness of Christ can we ever hope to attain a presence in the Holy City with a Holy and all-powerful God.  Therefore, heaven is exclusive for Jesus' followers.

The cool thing about Jesus is he is inclusive of anyone who seeks to follow him.  If you follow him, he'll include you among his disciples.  Then, like the rest of his followers, you get exclusive access to him for eternity.

That's pretty cool.

In John 14:6, Jesus declared he is the only way to heaven.  No other paths get there.  Not all religions are right.  Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ gains you entry to heaven.

So are you in or out?  That's a question only you--and the Lord--knows.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotion to a false god

Image
Last week, at Disney World, I went to retrieve our stroller from the stroller parking section.  As I searched among the hundred or so strollers, I finally found mine and started to move it.  As I pulled, it snagged on a woman's garment.  Panicked, I looked up and saw it was a Muslim women in full Muslin dress.  Her body was completely covered.  Only a slit for her eyes was visible.  I was careful not to yank, and I tried to apologize as the hook of the handle caught part of her garment.  She didn't say a word and we both quietly went on our ways. As I walked away, I felt pity on her.  For one, it's Disney World in June in Florida.  I strode along in shorts and a very thin T-shirt.  Both were soaked in sweat.  I had already consumed two bottles of water and still felt weary.  She was dressed head to toe in heavy garments.  I can't imagine how hot she was pushing a stroller with two kids through a mass of people in hum...
Read more

Bearing Responsbility

Image
I remember when my daughter was first born. Amid the excitement and joy came an overwhelming feeling.  This baby, which I held in my hands, was now my responsibility.  When she got sick, needed feeding, required a diaper change, or had to be corrected and taught, those responsibilities fell to me as her father.  In a matter of a few minutes, I had been entrusted with a new life on planet earth. Looking back on that day six years ago, I was excited but scared.  Yet, that is nothing compared to the responsibility Joesph must have felt.  Joseph was a righteous man, according to scripture, and he knew one thing for certain - Jesus was not his biological son.  Thus, he planned to divorce Mary quietly and be rid of the whole matter. And before we vilify Joseph, know that he could have done much worse.  By law, Mary could have been stoned to death.  His divorce was a form of mercy.  She would live and he would be rid of the stigma of an unfait...
Read more

Following Jesus' Example

Jesus was not a convential man. Often, when Jesus taught, he challenged the status quo.  He also liked to use object lessons and parables to illustrate his points about faith and a relationship with God. One night after dinner, during the last week of his life before the resurrection, he finished eating, took off his outer garment, grabbed a towel and started to wash the disciples' feet. Stunned, Peter protested, but Jesus said it had to be done.  He had to allow Jesus, his rabbi, his teacher, his Lord, to become a servant and wash Peter's dirty, worn feet.  So he did.  Jesus washed all their feet that night.  Then he said:  You need to do this too. Too often in Christianity today, there is an attitude of moral superiority.  We love to build beautiful church buildings, boast of our attendance, brag about our programs and talk about the money we give.  At the same time, we turn our nose up to the alcoholics and drug addicts and homeless and...
Read more