GOD’S PROMISE
“For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish (in Hell)
but have everlasting life (in Heaven).”
(John 3:16)
It has been said that for those who sincerely place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save them from all their sins, this short, trouble filled life on Earth will be the closest thing to Hell we will ever experience. But, for those who reject or ignore Him this short life on Earth will be the closest thing to Heaven …
The Bible warns everyone on Earth is a sinner and without a “Savior” will be condemned to Hell – “the second death.”
We are told the execution of this judgment will take place after this body dies …
“And as it is appointed
for men to die once,
but after this the judgment”
(Hebrews 9:27)
Yet, God promises us there is an escape for every man, woman, boy, and girl in the world who will simply accept it. It is this death (in Hell) that Jesus willingly and lovingly stepped forth from Heaven to save us from.
God has gone to extraordinary lengths and pain to provide a narrow path of escape from the utter darkness, aloneness, and torment of Hell. Jesus completed all of the work for us.
He was the only one who has ever loved you (and me) enough to substitute Himself for you (and me) on the Cross.
He suffered and died on the Cross to save you from Hell. This is why He is called “Savior.”
We cannot enter Heaven because of the good deeds we have done or think that we have done. We cannot enter Heaven because we were baptized as a baby or were confirmed into a church. There is no other person here on Earth, regardless of their title or position who can save us, and there is no ritual or donation of money that can provide entrance into Heaven, or provide an escape from the alternative.
The gospel (good news) is that if we simply believe in our hearts that Jesus suffered and died for all of our sins, and that He was buried, then rose again the third day, and ask Him to come into our life as Lord and Savior … then, our life after death is certain.
For if we acknowledge Him as King, we shall enter into His Kingdom. If we deny Him as King, we shall be denied entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. There is life after death. An eternal life beyond anything we can ever imagine … it’s God’s Promise!
It is simply our faith in Jesus Christ.
A faith that believes only His Blood on the Cross can wash us clean of all our sins, and only His Resurrection can provide the way to eternal life into the Kingdom of Heaven …
The “all roads (religions) lead to Heaven” or “I’ve been a good person, so I’ll go to Heaven” philosophies are wrong and deadly.
Three times Jesus prayed in the garden just before His Crucifixion, “If it is possible (if there is ANY other way), then let this cup (His suffering and death on the Cross) pass from Me.” Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (in Heaven), and NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Jesus Christ stepped forth from Eternity to provide us with a way, the only Way into His Kingdom of Heaven. He knew what was about to happen to Him when He prayed in the Garden. If there was any other way into Heaven, then Jesus didn’t have to suffer and die on the Cross.
You see it has nothing to do with how good we are (or think we are), for we are all saved through His righteousness, not ours.
This is the precious gift God offers to us – eternal life in Heaven. We can’t buy it, and we can’t earn it. “Grace” means getting something we don’t deserve … and His gift of life in Heaven is already paid for.
The Bible tells us God loves each of us so much that He thinks about us constantly, day and night. His thoughts of us outnumber the grains of sand. A love so deep for us that He even allowed (and watched, heartbroken) His Son, His only begotten Son, sent forth from Heaven, willingly suffer and die for us (through an act of love, strength, and courage that is beyond our ability to comprehend), so that any who believe in Him will not die, but will enter into His Kingdom, through His righteousness, and will share in His glory and inheritance.
But, He has given to each of us the free will to make our own decision to accept or reject His offer. He loves us and His wish is that all would accept His offer. That is why He has made it so simple for us and why it is based on His grace and not our “goodness,” lest any of us should boast, or get “puffed up.” All we have to do is accept it and believe it. If we sincerely ask Him into our lives, He will do the rest.
This short period of time which we have on Earth simply gives us the time to choose our own destiny. Where we will go after this body dies is our choice.
The moment our soul or spirit is released we will be both conscious and aware of the decision we made, or didn’t make. God freely offers each of us a gift of life in Heaven. Our acceptance of His offer, through Christ, comes through faith …
“For you are all
sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus …
There is neither Jew
nor Greek (non-Jew),
slave nor free,
male nor female,
for you are all ONE
in Christ Jesus”
(Galatians 3:26,28).
So, no matter who we are or what we are, the Bible says our path to Heaven is all the same.
We are all saved from Hell through our faith and love for Christ Jesus.
Our perception of God and Heaven may now seem a little hazy, but then (as soon as this body dies) we will see everything clearly. We’re told nobody on Earth will fully understand all these things. As the Apostle Paul tells us we will not see clearly until after this body dies . . .
“For now we see as through a glass, darkly,
but then (after we die)
face to face …”
(1 Corinthians 13:12).
If you sincerely ask Jesus into your life He will reveal Himself to you and will warmly welcome you into His Kingdom of Heaven.
A Kingdom so beyond our ability to comprehend that Paul tells us there are no human words that can describe its peace and beauty …
“No eye has seen,
nor ear heard,
nor have entered into the heart
(or even the imagination)
of Man (Mankind … men and women)
the things which God
has prepared (in Heaven)
for those who love Him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)
The Apostle Paul was willing to endure terrible pain and suffering as he looked ahead to the life in Heaven God has prepared for all who love Him …
“For I consider
that the sufferings
of this present time (in this life)
are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall
be revealed in us (in Heaven).”
(Romans 8:18)
Most of us have a conception that eternity “is just lots of time” … This concept is wrong.
Eternity in God’s Kingdom of Heaven is disconnected from our physical property of time (a concept that Einstein and modern physics have helped us understand a little).
Heaven will be incredibly beautiful, peaceful, exciting, restful, never ending … and never boring!
The Bible reveals God’s love for each of us, including His gracious offer of citizenship in His Kingdom, as sons and daughters, adopted in grace. All we have to do is accept His offer, through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Please remember, God loves you more than words can say. He knows the pain and heartbreak we feel … for He has felt it, too. The Bible says our spirit inside us will someday “groan” to leave this earthly body.
The Bible clearly warns there will be difficulties, pain, and suffering in this life, especially for those who place their love, faith, trust, and obedience in Jesus Christ. Our real life, in Heaven, is yet future …
“The Spirit Himself
bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs —
heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ,
IF indeed we SUFFER with Him“
(Romans 8:16) (All will have some battle scars)
“Because NARROW is the gate,
and difficult is the way
which leads to life (in Heaven),
and there are FEW who find it.”
(Matthew 7:14) (Most will despise, deny, or fear ridicule)
Jesus is our Hope …
Although there are times we may feel alone and abandoned, He will never forsake you or leave you.
The Bible says the true child of God will find suffering in this life.
Each of us will have our faith tested.
Jesus waits for us to ask Him into our lives to help, to strengthen, to comfort, and to heal. He lovingly wraps His arms around the lonely and the brokenhearted. Jesus will never cast away or turn away any man or woman that willingly comes to Him, regardless of how young or how old, or how good or how bad.
Any and all who come to Him with a sincere and humbled heart are welcomed with open arms.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Jesus is God. He now prepares our place in Heaven where there will be no fear, no worries, no pain, no heartbreak, and no tears.
He will see you through these difficult times.
Trust in Him … and with open arms and tears of joy He will be there to welcome us into His Kingdom …
It’s God’s Promise!