***EVER WONDERED?*** For Today! Question; How can I guarantee my eternal destination (heaven)? Response:- ** S. Michael Houdmann Supporter, Got Questions Ministries-- *Face it. The day that each of us will step into eternity may come sooner than we think. In preparation for that moment, we need to know this truth-not everyone is going to heaven. How can we know for sure that we are one of those who will spend eternity in heaven? Some 2,000 years ago, the apostles Peter and John were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a large crowd in Jerusalem. It was then that Peter made a profound statement that resonates even in our post-modern world: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Even as it was then, in todays all ways lead to heaven climate, this is not a politically correct message. There are many who think they can have heaven without having Jesus. They want the good promises of glory, but they dont want to be bothered by the cross, much less the One who hung and died there for the sins of all who would believe in Him. Many dont want to accept Jesus as the only way and are determined to find another path. But Jesus Himself warns us that no other path exists and the consequences for not accepting this truth are an eternity in hell. He has told us plainly that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on him (John 3:36). Some will argue that its extremely narrow- minded of God to provide only one way to heaven. But, frankly, in light of mankinds rebellious rejection of God, its extremely broad-minded for Him to provide us with any way to heaven. We deserve judgment, and instead He gives us the way of escape by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Whether someone sees this as narrow or broad, its the truth, and Christians need to maintain the clear, untarnished message that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Many people today have believed a watered-down gospel that does away with the message of repentance of their sins. They want to believe in a loving, non-judgmental God who requires no repentance and no change in their lifestyle. They may say things like, I believe in Jesus Christ, but my God is not judgmental. My God would never send a person to hell. But we cannot have it both ways. If we profess to be Christians, we must recognize Christ for who He said He is-the one and only way to heaven. To deny that is to deny Jesus Himself, for it was He who declared, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). The question still remains: who will actually enter into Gods kingdom? How can I guarantee my eternal destination? The answer to these questions is seen in the clearly drawn distinction between those have eternal life and those who do not. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:12). Those who believe in Christ, who have accepted His sacrifice in payment of their sins, and who follow Him in obedience will spend eternity in heaven. Those who reject Him will not. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of Gods one and only Son (John 3:18). As awesome as heaven will be for those who choose Jesus Christ as Savior, hell will be that much more awful for those who reject Him. Our message to the lost would be delivered with more urgency if we understood what the holiness and righteousness of God will do to those who have rejected the full provision of forgiveness in His Son, Jesus Christ. One cannot read the Bible seriously without seeing it over and over again-the line is drawn. The Bible is very clear that there is one and only one way to heaven-through Jesus Christ. He has given us this warning: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). There is only one way to heaven and those who follow that way are guaranteed to get there. But not everyone is following that way. Are you? ** Rotimi EWEDEMI, Very keen Bible Researcher-- *Dear Anonymous friend, your question is very timely and it is of utmost importance that we know the correct answer to the question. However, with your permission, the question requires an amendment of some sort. No doubt, you are concerned about how to get salvation. That is a good concern. But what is salvation? The Bible says that salvation, or to be saved, means to live forever, or to inherit everlasting life. And Jesus Christ, whom the Bible refers to as the means of salvation, plainly told us in John 17:3, as follows: For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He...gave up His only begotten...Son, so that whoever believes in (..clings to..) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 AMP Similarly, Jesus words in John 17:3 apply: And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive.., become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent. John 17:3 AMP So, what anyone must do in order to get salvation is quite clear from Jesus words as quoted. Our goal, then, is gaining salvation, of course not by our own power, but through the grace and support of God. Having said that, we need to know and believe what God himself means by salvation. We have seen that salvation means living for ever, ultimately. The question, then, is: WHAT IS THE DESTINATION FOR THE SAVED? Is it heaven? Or, does God have the intention of taking all the saved to heaven? Most professed Christians--and of course they mean well and are very sincere in their believe--will say YES to the question. That is, all the saved will be taken to heaven to be with God and Jesus. But a serious study and meditation on the word of God will reveal that the vast majority of approved Christians who meet the requirement of John 3:16 and John 17:3 will inherit everlasting life on earth, while only a minority will inherit everlasting or immortal life in heaven. If one reads carefully Luke 12:32 and compares it with John 14:1-4, Daniel 7:13,14,18,21,22,27, it will be clear that Jesus promise to take people to heaven applies only to the people of the saints of the most high, or the little flock. The saints of God, or the little flock are being taken to heaven to perform special assignment, as clearly specified both in the old and new testaments. See Daniel 2:44; 7:13,14,21,22,27; Luke 12:32; 22:14,28-30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-4; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 1:5b-6; 20:4-6. These scriptures reveal that: 1. Jesus will be the king or ruler in the Kingdom of God, which is Gods Government that will rule the world in the future. That Kingdom will bring peace, justice and righteousness to the earth, Isaiah 9:6-7 2. Saints of God will rule with Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. 3. The number of the people of the saints of the most high is 144,000 spiritual Israelites. Let me quickly emphasize that this number is NOT, repeat NOT, the number of humans who will be saved. These are the ones that will inherit eternal life in the heavens. The Bible assures us that there will be a great crowd which no man can number. God has not placed a limit on the number of those to be saved. These will inherit everlasting life on paradise earth! Luke 23:42-43. After all, the Bible teaches that God created the earth for everlasting habitation by humankind, Psalms 115:116; Isaiah 45:18; Ecclesiates 1:4; Psalms104:5. Death entered the world through Adams disobedience, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:17-19; Romans 5:12. The tree of life in the garden was meant to be eaten by Adam for him to live for ever, Genesis 3:22-24. God made provision for mans salvation right there in Eden, Genesis 3:15. The seed of the woman was to be a deliverer of mankind, which Jesus proved to be, Revelation 21:2-4. Finally, it is God that decides destination for each saved human- whether heaven or paradise earth. ** Ben Zickefoose, Retired, Kinesiology Dept. ACU, TX & traveling ministry-- *After becoming a Christian, that is, after hearing the gospel, believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized, the Apostle Peter wrote about how to make one’s calling and election sure in 2 Peter 1:3-10. Peter wanted his readers to grow in the Christian virtues: “add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5b-7 NIV By doing this, the Apostle Peter assures his readers that they will make their calling and election sure and that they will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10 NIV Not only will they have these blessings, but they: 1. Will be effective and productive in their knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, v 8 2. Will not be nearsighted and blind, v 9 3. Will remember that they have been cleaned from the past sins, v 9 4. Will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ v 11 2 Peter 1 NIV 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings! ** Mary H-- *No-one but God decides who goes to heaven, and the only way is through Jesus and believing on him and following his life. Like It says in Matthew 20:20-23 and Mark 10:36-40.Even Jesus himself couldnt say who goes where, eveything is in Gods hands. He decides who goes to heaven. But you can give all your heart to God, and do what you can and leave it in Gods hands. Jesus says in the chapters above. Are you willing to drink from the cup of which I drink? And be baptized from the baptism i am baptised with? In other words are you willing to take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow him? (Matthew 16:24) And are you willing to be baptized with the word of God and take his word into your heart? Its through his life you will be saved. (Romans 5:10) We must follow Jesus life, then live it out, putting our sinful lives behind us. And God will decide where we are going. We should just be content with the day were in we dont know when the end of our life will be, today, tomorrow or in years to come? And live our lives as best as we can each day to please God! (James 4:13-17) In the bible Jesus also says, that many will turn back and those who endure to the end shall be saved! (Matthew 24: 12-13) and revelation 2:10 tells you to keep faithful until the end of your life! And he will give you his crown of life! ** Walrus theCat-- *Jesus Christs blood is sufficient to atone for your sins. You can believe on Him and have his righteousness credited to your account. To God be The Glory! CONTRIBUTIONS/COMMENTS ARE STILL WELCOMED. GOD BLESS YOU.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:26:45 +0000
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