HEAVEN-BOUND
OR AN ALTERNATIVE?
May 2009 article by Chris Butler
Two recent news headlines reported that we go to heaven when we die. I thought that, 25 years ago, but when my father died and was cremated, something did not add up. The vicar was talking of a resurrection of the dead but also that he was going to heaven. I asked him what his thoughts were about going to heaven and could he show me a verse in the Bible to this effect. His reply was that I shouldn’t look too deeply into the Bible as I would find things I wouldn’t like.
I thought that a strange answer so I searched for myself and fortunately (a coincidence I thought at the time but now believe that it was in God’s plan) a leaflet came through my door inviting me and my family to the local Christadelphian meeting place to learn more about the Bible. It turned out to be the best thing that has happened in our lives because I learned, by reading the Bible for myself which is what Christadelphians encourage you to do, that God has a plan and purpose with this earth and mankind upon it. Let’s just go back to the thought that we go to heaven when we die and see what the Bible has to say about it.
“Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.” (Ecclesiastes 3 verses 19-20 – NIV).
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward , and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun”. (Ecclesiastes 9 verses 5-6 – NIV). Verse 10 of the same chapter goes on to say: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
Verses in the New Testament take up the same theme. Jesus says in the gospel of John chapter 3 verse 13: “No-one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.” This was referring to Himself, of course.
The world as it is today begs the question why would we want to hang on to this life if we can live forever in heaven? But is there then no hope for a better life? Well, yes and the Bible has the answer. We must bring God into our lives and learn about what He has to offer or we will be as the people Jesus was talking about in the gospel of Luke chapter 13 verses 1-5. “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish”.
So the Bible message is that we must admit our failings and turn our lives around to serve God through His son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that we can take part in a new and better life. Acts 3 verses 18-21 says: “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”
When will this be? We read in Acts chapter 1, verses 9-11 that Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended into Heaven but will be returning to this earth to set up the Kingdom of God and to judge the world in righteousness. It is this Kingdom that is the reward for a faithful life of trying to serve God – a new world order on a beautiful earth where there will be no more death, no suffering or pain, where with renewed bodies all will serve God and His Son and live for ever. If we die before Jesus comes again, we will be raised, judged and either accepted or not into this Kingdom – it is not an automatic right that going to heaven seems to be for some people. We have to acknowledge Jesus as our Saviour, be baptised so that our past sins can be forgiven, and do our best, with God’s help, to lead a better life.
If you want to be there, and who wouldn’t, you have to do something about it now, as in previous articles we have the Bible evidence to show that time is short – Jesus will be here soon. If you want further help in your search for Bible truths, get in touch with the Christadelphians.