But, according as it is written, that which the eye did not perceive, and the ear did not hear, and to which the heart of man did not ascend - whatever God makes ready for those who are loving Him
Paul to the Corinthians (1) 2: 9, Concordant New Testament
Part of the heresy which many feel that I have delved into is the question of when and where we will partake of the experiences of heaven. According to the church religious leaders, those who have accepted Christ Jesus and have lived righteously are believed to be in heaven as we speak. This would include the saints and martyrs of old. But here lies the problem for many believers, we're told that accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is paramount to our ascending into heaven. But to live righteously? This coming from those who make it a point each and every day to remind us that we are but sinners in need of a Savior. Not only that, in the face of the reality that the Father has dispatched His Son that He would be that propitiation for our sins, they continue to preach that it is sin which keeps us from a close relationship with the Father. How does that work? Did God intend that sin would continue to thrive despite the willing sacrifice of His Son? I would say no to that nonsense. It is for beliefs such as this that I am criticized for speaking blasphemy. But how is it that I can be accused of blasphemy if all I am doing is relating what is spoken in the scriptures? A judgmental Christian friend of mine is quick to point out that I simply cherry pick verses to fit my own narrative. Well, if this is true then many believers are guilty of the very same thing I am being accused of. So, on that topic of heaven, who is it that will, or are, granted that status of being within the presence of the Lord? One of the main promises we have of being in heaven is that we will be in the continual presence of the Father. This is supposedly the reward of those who accept Christ Jesus and live a righteous life. Well, I have trusted and lived my life for Jesus but, according to those in the church, I cannot "Punch my ticket" to heaven unless I live righteously. This raises an interesting question, who is it that can be saved?
I have realized that it is not God Who has placed such rigorous requirements upon His children in order to be rewarded with their eternity in heaven. The apostle Paul has spoken to the truth that it is only through the grace and love of the Father by which we are saved {Paul to the Ephesians 2:8-9}. That's it, by God's grace and that's all. There is NOTHING which we can do in order to earn our way into heaven. Nowhere is this point driven home than the day in which Christ Jesus declared to the two thieves crucified next to Him "Verily, to you I am saying today, with Me shall you be in paradise" {Lukes Account 23:43}. Had these two thieves lived a righteous life? Yet here is Jesus declaring one favored to enter into the Lords kingdom with Him. For his part this man asked of Jesus "Be reminded of me, Lord, whenever Thou mayest be coming in Thy kingdom {Lukes Account 23:42}. So can we say, then, that those who have believed in Christ Jesus now reside in heaven? Or, as I have been ridiculed for believing, are we experiencing the Lords kingdom as we speak? Do we live in the presence of God? Jesus Himself has declared that we now live our lives within the Father {Johns Account 14:20}. There have been a few descriptions given which give us a clue as to what heaven looks like. However, Paul makes it clear that man has not perceived what God has prepared for those who love Him {Paul to the Corinthians (1) 2:9}. Whatever it looks like, it is clear that God has created the heavens AND the earth {Genesis 1:1}. It is my belief that there is not much of a fine line between the two. Rather, I believe that heaven is but another dimension to which our eyes have not yet been opened. Does that mean that we could be experiencing the Lords kingdom without knowing it? Absolutely! One thing I do know, is that I do not need to compete to get there.
"In My Fathers house are many abodes; yet if not I would have told you, for I am going to make ready a place for you"
Johns Account 14: 2, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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