We often think of heaven. It may be due to a song we have just sung. We may have heard someone speak of heaven in a sermon or Bible class. Personal conversations may have included mention of heaven. Surely, everyone who has heard of heaven who believes the Bible’s description of heaven wants to go there, whatever the cost. One might have little to give up. On the other hand, some might have many things to put away, even things that are not wrong or sinful in themselves.
Your attention is now devoted to John 14:1-6, where Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way you know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Cf. Acts 4:12. Jesus’ Father’s house is in heaven. Matthew 6:9 says, “Our Father which art in heaven.” Daniel 2:28 proclaimed, “There is a God in heaven.” 1 Peter 3:22 says Jesus “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;….” 2 Corinthians 12:2 describes God’s dwelling place as the third heaven. That is above the first heaven, our atmosphere (immediately above), above the second heaven, the moon (240,000 miles), sun (93,000,000 miles), and even the stars (light years).
God’s house has many mansions, and Jesus is there preparing a place for the saved. (John 14:2). This earthly body is the result of the seed of a man and the seed of a woman coming together, producing a frail human body which will one day die. (Hebrews 9:27). This present mortal, corruptible body will one day be changed into an immortal, incorruptible body, which can never be destroyed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58). When the saved’s “earthly house of this tabernacle” is “dissolved, we have a building of God, and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1, 2). The song, No Tears in Heaven, is most comforting, and is based upon Revelation 21:1-4. However, the wicked, inactive people will “go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46). Peter describes heaven as “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven,….” (1 Peter 1:3-5). It is described as a “rest” in Revelation 14:13; Matthew 11:29; and Hebrews 4:9-11. Which will you choose? You have but one life to choose.
Paul thanked God that the Romans had ceased to be unrighteous sinners, and that they had become servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17, 18). Perhaps they had committed some of the sins mentioned in Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; or Revelation 21:8; or others.
The great news is that they had “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered” them. (Romans 6:18). At the point of their obedience to the doctrine of Christ, “then”, they were freed from sin, becoming servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17, 18; 1 John 1:9-11). They, like the Ethiopian eunuch, obeyed from the heart (Acts 8:36, 37), being grieved that they had transgressed God’s law. (2 Corinthians 7:9-11). They had obeyed the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:8, 9), who taught them to hear (Mark 12:29), believe (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3, 5), confess (Matthew 10:32, 33) and be baptized. (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:1-5; Galatians 3:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:13). They were not saved until they “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered” them. When they obeyed, “then” they were made free from sin.
These who were once servants of unrighteousness were freed from sin, and they became servants of righteousness. They denied “ungodliness and worldly lusts” and lived “soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;….” (Titus 2:11, 12).
Beloved, think of all the evil things going on around you. Hopefully, you are not a part of any of it. All who are unrighteous, and even Christians, need to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11). Like Jesus, tell the old lying devil, “Get thee hence” (Matthew 4:10), or “Get thee behind me, Satan.” (Luke 4:8).
How much do you want to go to heaven? What are you willing to give up? God doesn’t want you to perish. (2 Peter 3:9). He wants you to obey Him NOW! (Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7). The devil wants to take you to hell, an everlasting fire, the second death, a place prepared for the devil and his angels. (Mathew 25:41; Revelation 21:8). Satan is telling you not to get in a hurry, to WAIT, because you still have time, especially if you are young. He wants you to believe that you have a life before you. James 1:10, 11 and 4:13, 14 remind all that life is short, and that no one has promise of another day. You could be like the rich man of Luke 12:20, “This night shalt thy soul be required of thee.” Do not let the lying devil (John 8:44) deceive you as he did Eve (Genesis 3:1-5), and take you with him to an eternal hell.
Obey Jesus without further delay. Call the one who gave you this tract, or the one whose name appears at the end of this brief message to aid you in putting on the Christ who loved you so much that he was willing to suffer death upon the cruel cross, shedding His precious blood for you to save you. Enjoy the rest of your life here, and enjoy an eternity with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the redeemed of all ages. CALL NOW!
It Is Written 