Heavenly Country

Question #1

Who Gets to Go to Heaven?

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to

life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13,14

Look at the passages following 7:13-14. Jesus is clearly addressing those who are faithful, not those outside of the Church. See specifically 7:21-23.

Those who “...enter into the narrow gate...” will be those who “...hear these

sayings of Mine, and do them” (24).

Context Always Matters

Question #2

Who Does God want to Go to Heaven?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that

any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Second Peter 3:9

This verse represents God’s ideal will. It represents what He wants to happen, not necessarily what will happen. When free will (choice) entered the world then this conflict arose. God wants everyone to

repent (see Rom 3:23) and believe in Jesus who died for them (see Jn 3:16).

God’s Will: Ideal v. Reality

(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator

between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a

ransom for all...

First Timothy 2:4-5

When people reject God and His divine grace they bring upon themselves

punishment. First Peter 4:3-6 says, “...when we walked in lewdness, lusts,...and abominable idolatries (with) these

who speak evil of you. They will give an account...for this reason the gospel was

preached to those who are dead...”

God’s Will: Ideal v. Reality

Question #3

What is Required to Go to Heaven?

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He

has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16

Look at the passages preceding 11:16. These heroes of faith made choices to

serve God in face of stubborn circumstances and long odds. Like Moses they “...looked

to the reward” (11:24) and Abraham “...waited for the city which has

foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (11:10).

Context Always Matters

Matthew 5:12, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in

Heaven...”

John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s House are many mansions...if I go and prepare a

place for you, I will come again...that where I am, there you may be also.”

What Did Jesus Say?

Philippians 3:20, “...our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we eagerly await for

the Savior”

First Peter 1:3-5, “...(God) has begotten us again to a living hope...to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you...”

What about the NT?

Revelation 14:13, “...blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that

they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

Hebrews 4:9-11, “There remains a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered

His rest has ceased from his works...”

What about the NT?

Note that you cannot die “...in the Lord” if you have lived out of the Lord. The bliss of heaven for those who are there

is described as a “rest.” That word signifies work that is exhausting.

Turn to (and read) Matthew 25:31-45.

Context Always Matters

And these (the unrighteous) will go away into everlasting punishment, but

the righteous into eternal life.

Matthew 25:46

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15