Posted byBrother Tyrone
I was discussing with a friend about going to heaven, and where in the scriptures you might find it. Of course, I knew that there are no scriptures of going to heaven, where our Lord Jesus Christ lives with the Father and the Holy Angels.
In John 3:13, we read where Jesus was talking to Nicodemus and one of the statements that He made was, “…no man has ascended up to heaven”. Now when Jesus said this, you would think that is the end of the conversation of going to heaven, but it is not. So let’s find out if we can find where Heaven is that Jesus says in John 7:33-34: “Where I go you can not come’. Yes, Jesus said that you can not come where He and the Father dwell. So, how can anyone be in Heaven, except God and the Holy Angels?
In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Paul talks of Jesus going to the third heaven Wait a minute, did he say—the third heaven? Where are the first and second heavens? What I will do at a later date is write about the creation in more detail, but for now I will show the three heavens. In the first chapter of Genesis the Lord divided the waters from the waters and there was firmament between the waters. In Genesis 1:6-7, And the Lord called the firmament Heaven that was under the water that was above. God put the sun, moon stars in the firmament of heaven, Genesis 1:14-17. This is the second heaven.
If you have ever flown in an airplane, then you have been to heaven, the second heaven where the clouds, moon, sun and stars are. For the earth is still in the water. 2 Peter 3:5 tells us that the Earth is in the water that is above and out of the water that is on the Earth. So, above the stars is water that separates the heavens. Turn to Psalms 148:2-5, we read in Psalms that the water separates the heavens, the second and third heaven, which is the Heaven of Heavens, where the Lord lives with the Father and Holy Angels.
The Earth is also called heaven, in Matthew 24:31, we read where Jesus refers to he Earth as Heaven when He talks of His Angels gathering His elect from one end of heaven (Earth) to the other. Now that we can see that there are three heavens, let’s continue on and see if anyone was taken up to the third heaven.
In 2 Kings 2:1, it sounds like Elijah was taken to Heaven by the Lord. Skip down and read verse 2:11, where Elijah was taken up in a chariot into heaven. But not the third heaven, for the Lord said, no man can come where He is. The heaven that Elijah was taken up to was the second Heaven. Now, skip down to 2 Kings 2:15-17, we read how the sons of the Prophets would like to go and find Elijah. It seems that they knew he was just sent to some place else on the earth. They also worried that he may have been cast upon a mountain or in some valley. The people in that time knew that on one could go to Heaven. We also read in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15, how later Elijah wrote a letter to Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, telling him about all of his wickedness and how he made Judah to sin. Elijah had to still be some place on the Earth to be able to write a letter to Jehoram, King of Judah.
Some people read in 2 Corinthians 5:1 and take this to mean that they are going to heaven to receive their tabernacle (body), but if you keep reading, in 2 Corinthians 5:2, it tells you that your house comes from Heaven, you are not going to heaven to get you body.
Well, let’s just see who wants to go to Heaven and who tells you that you are going to Heaven. In Revelation 12:7-9 we read that there was war in Heaven and the Devil and his angels were cast out. So, the Devil and his angels were cast out, they were cast into the Earth. Jesus said Himself in Luke 10:18, that He beheld Satan fall from Heaven. Now we know that Satan, who came from Heaven and the angels that followed him, were cast to the Earth, to deceive the whole world. How has he deceived the whole world? He did it with false doctrine.
He is the one that says you are going to Heaven, because he wants to go back to Heaven. Turn to Isaiah 14:12-14, you see that Lucifer (the devil) wants to return to heaven (make his homecoming), the one that came from Heaven.
He, also, is the God of this world. Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:4, and we read how the God of this world has blinded (deceived) the people. Turn to Luke 4:5-7, here we read that the Devil wants to be worshipped, for all the kingdoms had been delivered to him and he will give the glory of them to whomsoever will worship him.
Now, mind you, that he is speaking to the Lord, who was at that time in the flesh. So, now we know who is the God of this world and wants to go to heaven.
He, also, has Shepherds, Watchmen; that put forth his gospel. Turn to Isaiah 56:9-11, it says “his watchmen”. In 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15 we read of the Apostles that preach another Jesus, who transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ, but are really ministers of the Devil teaching people that they are going to Heaven and that the first day of the week is the Sabbath Day.
In Acts 2:29, 34 we read that David is both dead and buried and has not ascended up into the Heavens. Now if David is not in Heaven, then how can you say anyone else is in Heaven? I know that you can get into the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, but nowhere in the scriptures can you read where we will go to Heaven and be with the Lord.
Remember what the Lord told Adam in Genesis 3:19, “..from dust you came and to dust you return”, not from Heaven you came and to Heaven you will go. Every person who dies makes his homecoming, when he is buried in the ground. Now, I ask you, who went to Heaven that has died, except Jesus?
When Jesus rose He was not there, Matthew 28:5-6, His body was gone. So, how come everyone else’s body is still here , that is, if they have gone to Heaven? I pray that you can see no one is in Heaven, but Elohim and the Angels. Just think about this, when you say the Lord’s prayer Matthew 6:9-13, you are asking for the Kingdom to come to Earth. Even Job talked of being asleep in the grave till the Heavens be no more; that he would be there until the Lord call him, Job 14:10-15. So even Job knew he was not going to Heaven, because, he asked that the Lord hide him in the grave till His wrath is past.
In John 5:25, 28-29, we read that Jesus talks about calling all from the grave—not calling all from heaven. If you read very carefully, He is talking about the first and second resurrections. In Revelation 20:4-6, you read about the first and second resurrections. As you have read, those that come up in the first resurrection, will reign with Christ a thousand years. However, the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished.
Nowhere do you read that anyone is in Heaven, even when you read Solomon’s writing, Ecclesiastes 9:4-5, he talks about “the dead know not anything”:
So I ask: Why Do Preachers Keep Teaching A Lie—the lie being that when you die you are going to Heaven?
Here is the answer: John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Peace,
Brother Ty
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3 comments:
I was wondering if you would comment on the apparent difference between Heaven and Paradise. Paradise would seem to be a place that believers go, since Jesus told one of the two thieves on a cross with him, "today you will be with Me in Paradise.” [Luke 23:43 NKJV](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/ ?book_id=49&chapter=23&verse=42&end_verse= 44&version=50&context=context)
The other interesting story, told also by Jesus was of the beggar Lazarus and a rich ruler, who both died. Lazarus was held in Abraham's bosom, but the rich ruler was in torment as he begged for a drink. He was told that there was a great gulf that separated them and it could not be crossed. [Luke 16:19-31 NKJV] (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=luke%2016:19-31;&version=50;)
It sounds to me as if Paradise as described by Jesus is a place very different from Heaven. What do you think?
Hello SS,
First, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.
Now as to the first part of your question: What is the difference between heaven and paradise? Well at this present time paradise is in heaven. When you read 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, you should have noticed that Paul said Jesus was in the third heaven in verse four he said he was caught up into paradise So, we see paradise is in the third heaven, where no man can go.
Now, let’s take a look at paradise, turn to John 14:1-2, Jesus tells us that in the Father’s house are many mansions. So, where is the Father’s house, with many mansions?
Turn to Hebrews 11:8-10, Abraham looked for a city whose builder was God, but they are not in this city, yet. Because they all died in faith having not received the promises, for God had prepared a city for them. Wait a minute didn’t Jesus say in John 14:2, “In His Father’s house were many mansions” and that He went to prepare a place for us? The Father’s house is that city, with many mansions; in paradise.
Turn to Revelation 21:2-3, we see the Holy City coming down to us which is the Father’s Tabernacle (house with mansions). This is paradise that is to come down to us after the second resurrection and the White Throne Judgment.
Turn to Revelation 22:14, and read how you may enter the city when it come down from heaven, this city is Paradise. There is much more that can be read, on this subject, but I hope that his will give you some insight on God’s plan for us.
Now, as to your question about Jesus telling the thief that he will be in paradise, Luke 23:43, the thief asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus said unto him that he would be with Him in paradise. It was not going to be that day, He (Jesus) was telling him that day. Move the comma in the 43rd verse from behind thee to behind today, and you will get a better understanding of what Jesus meant. The thief could not have gone to paradise with Jesus that day because Jesus was in the grave for three days and three nights, Matthew 12:39-40. Also, when Jesus rose at the end of the third day, He told Mary, “touch me not”, for He had not ascended unto the Father, who lives in the third heaven where paradise is; the thief will be in the second resurrection when paradise comes.
There is much more that I could write about paradise, such as the question of Lazarus and the rich man. This is a parable that Jesus is speaking figuratively of the future; and really takes place after Judgment day. Notice in the parable that Jesus us telling us that Lazarus died and was carried by the Angels to Abraham’s bosom. But notice that the rich man died and was buried then the rich man spoke to Abraham, asking him to send Lazarus to put some water on his tongue for he was being tormented in the flames, read Revelation 20:12, 15. Then he asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his brother not to come to where he is. Abraham told him they had Moses and the Prophets (and ALL mankind also), let them (us) hear them. He said send one from the dead then they would repent. But Abraham said, if they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded, not even if one was rose from the dead. Wait a minute, “rose from the dead”, Jesus was speaking of Himself, and he had not yet died for our sins and been resurrected (rose from the dead).
Now, turn to John 8:49-52, Jesus was talking to the Jews, but it was what the Jews said in the 52nd verse, that Moses and the Prophets were dead. So, the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable (story) that is future, because the first and second resurrections have not happened, yet.
There is much more I could speak of on this subject, but watch for upcoming post as they will touch on many subjects, such as Creation, Sabbath, The Dead, Great Tribulation, and more.
Peace,
Bro Ty
Ummm wow! I am going to bookmark this post for future reference! Its too late to gain a complete understanding of what is going on here!
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