What will heaven be like?

(Revelation 21:1-4 NKJV) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. {2} Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. {3} And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. {4} "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Heaven is the absolute enjoyment of the presence and power of God. It is where God's love is perfectly understood and where absolute total blissful happiness is normal. In heaven there will be no more crying or pain. It is ended. The days of suffering, meaninglessness, misfortune and calamity are over. It is a world ordered for good and for the very best. Should you go to heaven you will dwell in unimaginable wealth - yet without coveting, you will reign with Christ - in humility and meekness, you will have a life that goes on for all eternity full of purpose, love and meaning. It will be a place where every scar on your soul is healed, where every tear is forgotten and where the life of God flows through you like an ever flowing stream.(Revelation 21&22)

Snippet Courtesy of John Edmiston

What will hell be like?

(Matthew 13:47-50 NKJV) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, {48} "which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. {49} "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, {50} "and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

(Revelation 20:10-15 NKJV) {10} The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. {11} Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:12-15 NKJV) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. {13} The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. {14} Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

God is holy and must deal with sin. Sin can be dealt by us through repentance and faith and following Jesus in the pursuit of holiness. This way of dealing with sin leads to heaven. Or sin can accumulate and "store up the wrath of God for the Day of Judgment". People who have not dealt with their sin by repentance, faith and following Jesus will be destroyed - cast into the lake of fire. They are not deserving of, or fit for, heaven. They do not have a sinless "real self". Their real self is still sinful and wicked. Therefore it is destroyed and punished. Hell is not a sort of debauched party full of sinners having a good time, it is unrelenting anguish without any place for or possibility of rest and relief.

Snippet Courtesy of John Edmiston

Who is Jesus?

This question continues to plague many in today's society. It is a question that has created debates and caused wars but the answer can be found in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. There are also many references in secular writings of the period.

First and foremost He is the Son of God;

John 16:28 - "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."

John 20:21 - So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

John 20:28,29 - (28)And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" (29)Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

We can see from these brief encounters that Jesus knew who he was and proclaimed it to the disciples as well as us today. There is no doubt, based on scriptural evidence, that His claims are accurate and true. Even Thomas confessed Him as Lord, after he had beheld the scars. We today can rely on the testimony of scripture as well as that of other believers around the world.

What Must I do to be Saved?

To be saved you must turn away from sin, believe that Jesus died and was resurrected for you and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

First, you must examine your life. Being saved means having to let go of the things of this life that are contrary to what God wants. You can find what is contrary by studying the Bible. This turning away from selfishness and toward God is called Repentance (Matt. 3:7-10; Acts 3:19)

Secondly, you must acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the Cross to forgive you of sin. You take Him as your Savior to cleanse you from sin. As a substitute He paid the price due for your sin. (Rom. 5:9, 10; Titus 2:14)

Thirdly, you must ask Him to be Lord of your life, acknowledging openly and verbally that Jesus in not only your Savior but your Lord. (1John 2:23) This is the most difficult task because we don't want to let someone else rule our lives, even if it means a better life.

The Bible states that as many as received Him were given the power to become sons of God (John 1:12). So when you open your heart and receive Him, He comes into your heart, your inner person, through His Holy Spirit, and begins to live His life in you. From that point on it our privilege and call to confess what God has done (Rom. 10:9). This confession should be voluntary and as often as possible. Your testimony of what God has done in your life both encourages other believers and opens darkened eyelids of the non-believer to what God can do in a persons life, when He is allowed to work.

If you have just confessed Jesus as Lord please send us an email and let Pastor Jeff know of your decision so that we can pray for your continued growth and guidance.

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