Can we know we are going to heaven?

Randy Alcorn in his book Heaven tells the story of Ruthanna Metzgar , a professional singer, and her husband who were invited to the wedding of a very wealthy man. She was the singer at the ceremony. Afterwards the couple went to one of the most prestigious venues in the area for the wedding feast. They climbed the stairs to the reception area glimpsing the most sumptuous food and wines being offered by waiters, tables laden with all manner of delicacies and decorated with ice sculptures.

At the top of the stairs a Maître d’ had a book with all the names of invited guests but when Ruthanna told him their name, he could not find it in the book. She explained that she was the singer at the wedding but the maître d’ was adamant, only those whose names were in the book would be allowed to the feast. Her name was not there.

He ordered a waiter to show the couple to the service lift where he pressed the button for the garage in the basement. In the car on the way home, her husband asked Ruthanna what had happened. Tearfully, she told him that she was too busy to reply to the wedding invitation. As she was the singer she didn’t think she needed to reply.

Heartbroken, she realised that this was a picture of how it will be for many people when Jesus comes again and they find their names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. They may have been too busy to reply to Jesus’ invitation or thought their activities would gain them entrance to heaven. Unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth.

But can we know we are going to heaven?

First of all we must realise we have nothing to offer God to get us into heaven. We are all sinners according to the Bible (Romans 3: 23) and therefore we have no automatic right to heaven.  ‘The wages of sin is death’ it says but fortunately goes on ‘but the gift of God is eternal life’ Romans 6:23.

Salvation is a gift – a free gift but it has to be asked for and accepted. This is no time for false modesty and feelings of unworthiness. No one is worthy of this gift. Realising that is a great place to start.

Being sinners our eternal destination is hell, separated from God forever (see my blog 'O hell!'). We need a Saviour, someone perfect who can save us by taking our place and dying for us. But no one is perfect, not even one. The most well known verse in the Bible says For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3: 16. God sent Jesus, his son, as the Saviour of the world. 

He was perfect and a man. He lived amongst us and died the most awful, cruel, painful death on the cross even though he had done nothing wrong. Though we deserve to die for our sins, Jesus died in our place, our substitute. Our debt has been paid in full. We have not only been declared innocent of all of our sins but God has given us his righteousness as well. We are in right standing with God. Therefore we can enter heaven to spend eternity with him.

No one else could do this – only Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’ Acts 4: 12.

God freely offers us forgiveness of our sins and his righteousness but we have to avail ourselves of it. It is not automatic. If we want to be forgiven we must recognise and confess our sins. We have to stop doing things our way and start doing them God’s way. We have to invite Jesus to be Lord of our life.

Everyone is offered this free gift of forgiveness for sins, salvation and eternal life with him in heaven. Neither religious activity (Matthew 7: 21 – 23) nor assuming you are a Christian gains us entry to heaven.  There is nothing we can do, achieve or offer that will earn us a place in heaven. It is a gift of grace For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God –  not by works, so that no one can boast Ephesians 2: 8 – 9. God gives it to anyone who asks. Every sin is covered. God knows it all, loves us and forgives us freely and totally - if we ask. That's grace.

Only Jesus can get us there but we have to believe, humbly ask his forgiveness and hand control of our lives to him. Then we will receive the gracious gift of eternal life. When we do that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life – no turning away from heaven.

You were made for Jesus and you were made for heaven but the two go together.  You cannot have one without the other. You have to accept this wonderful gift offered to you so one day you can experience the wonder of spending eternity with Jesus in heaven.

‘On the cross, Jesus experienced the Hell we deserve, so that for eternity we can experience the Heaven we don’t deserve.’

If you would like to become a Christian and receive this free gift and know that you are going to heaven, please pray this:

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge I am a sinner. Thank you that you love me so much that you came to earth and died on the cross for me.  I ask that you forgive me for all my sins. I am truly sorry and repent of them all. I now ask that you become Lord of my life. I hand control of my life and destiny to you. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen

If you have said this prayer truthfully and sincerely, it is vital you tell someone preferably another Christian what you have done.  You then need to find a church or some other believers to help you come to know Jesus better and grow in your Christian faith.

Oh hell!

Hell is a topic rarely mentioned these days even in Christian circles apart perhaps from the expletive ‘What the hell!’.  This is a terrible oversight on behalf of those who know or should know that hell is the default destination of mankind after death. 

I suspect that all the hellfire and damnation preachers from past times have given hell such a terrible reputation, a reputation it completely deserves, that it seems one doesn’t speak about it in polite company, rather like the drip on the end of Uncle Harold’s nose that nobody mentions.

Jesus had no such qualms. He had a lot to say about hell. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad the path that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.’ Matthew 7: 13 -1 4.

That knocks on the head universalism; that everyone is going to heaven. It is my belief that the Church and Christian’s reticence to talk about heaven and hell has led to many of the theories of our eternal destination readily expressed but none of which mentions hell.

Most people hope they are going to heaven and believe either that their good works balancing out their bad works (not sin – please) will mean God is bound to let them into heaven. Alternatively the atheistic view is that when we die, that’s it – curtains. We exist no more. For there to be any form of afterlife means the person of God has to be included and he is the creation of Man, not the other way around. Time and space do not permit reincarnation and other theories.

Everyone knows what they believe or at least hope for when they die but few have any credible, authoritative basis for that belief. The Bible is clear about the afterlife – it is either heaven or hell -  but few want to talk about it, let alone believe what it says. Unfortunately that all too often includes Christians.

If anyone dares to admit they maybe they are hell-bound, usually with a self-deprecating shrug, it will be depicted, in their minds at least, as a place where all the old sinners congregate to party, swapping hair raising stories of their Godless exploits over a few drinks.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Unfortunately the Bible depicts hell as ‘a blazing furnace where there will be gnashing of teeth’ (Matthew 13: 42 and 50). In fact the term ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’ is referred to six times in Matthew alone. Jesus’ words – not mine. No mention of parties. In fact it is when one sinner repents that there is rejoicing and that is in heaven (Luke 15: 7 and 10).

All references to hell in the Bible talk of weeping, torment, eternal punishment, fire or blazing furnace. In fact in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus that Jesus told (Luke16: 19 – 31), the rich man was fully conscious of his torment and punishment. What’s more is that, according to Jesus, this punishment is for eternity (Matthew 25: 46).

The Bible says of those who die without Jesus in 2 Thessalonians 1: 9 ‘They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.’  God is the source of everything good therefore hell without God must be the absence of all things good – no love, no community, no fellowship, no friendship. Misery loves company but hell will be misery alone. Hell will be a place of ‘utter inactivity and insignificance – an eternal non-life of regret’. It will be place of punishment for sins with no relief. That reality should break our hearts.

Some of course, including well meaning Christians, cannot possibly believe that an all-loving God would send anyone to hell. That, with the greatest respect, shows no understanding of either God or ourselves and trying to take the moral high ground with God is total arrogance.

What is incredible is not that God sends anyone to hell – and he doesn’t, they send themselves  – but that God should let any man into heaven.

God is divine, majestic, omniscient, transcendent, pure, spotless and holy. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Man, aside from God is sinful, rebellious, arrogant, wicked, malicious, envious – in fact everything that God is not.

Why on earth would God have anything to do with his sinful creation? Why would he remedy man’s sin by sending his Son Jesus to die for people like you and me? Because He loves us. There is no other reason that would make any sense. He wants us with him in heaven for eternity. In fact as Randy Alcorn says in his definite book Heaven, ‘Consider the wonder of it. God determined that he would rather go to hell on our behalf than live in heaven without us.’

So Jesus holds out this wonderful promise of eternal life and when we accept it, acknowledging that we are sinners in need of a Saviour and asking God to forgive us our sins, he not only takes away our sins but he transforms us into the likeness of His Son. We become glorious (2 Corinthians 3: 18 and Philippians 3: 21).

You see hell is where mankind is going unless they take hold of God’s amazing gift of eternal life in heaven with him. As Christians we need to find ways to again express the reality of heaven and hell to a generation with a high level of entitlement for whom the very idea of going to hell is a complete antithesis.

Perhaps we need a glimpse of the eternal torment and punishment of hell to make us more effective in reaching out to a lost and broken world.  Teresa of Avila was still traumatised years later after her glimpse of hell. In the past, people were frightened into the Kingdom. Now maybe we need to love people with a love so strong, so powerful, so transforming, so kind and so gracious that people clamour to know the God who loves us so they too can know him.

Hell is real and it needs to become real and dreadful to Christians and non believers alike. Let no one be able to say, like the rich man in the parable in Luke 16 that they didn’t know. A choice must be made and Christians being silent on the issue is tantamount to sending someone on a known road to destruction.

God’s gracious offer of eternal life in heaven is open to all – but it has to be spoken about, asked for, and taken.

The best is yet to come - hopefully!

One of the advantage’s of being older is that you have a longer view of life, a greater overall perspective and the wisdom that comes from having seen many things at least once before.

The disadvantages are that it can feel like the best has already happened and a slight worry that you did not make the most of those times; that it is all downhill from now on.

In my own life, the previous seasons such as having young children at home has long gone. One of the times I enjoyed very much was when our children were grown up and they had not yet, or were only just, married or had their own children. We did some really fun things together as adults. Those days are gone but now we are in the completely different yet wonderful season of having young grandchildren with all the joys and noise that it brings!

In my spiritual life I can look back on the wonder of when we were first saved and lapping up every morsel about our newfound faith.  Later there were the amazing days when God’s Spirit was poured out in a sovereign move in the Christian school where I worked. Then came the incredible meetings following the Toronto outpouring when we lingered in God’s presence and felt God’s love in manifest ways. One of highlights of my middle age was taking young people on short-term mission and now in later life when there is still much to give there can nevertheless be a feeling that the best is past.

I wonder whether the disciples felt like that. Did they look back fondly on the wonderful days when Jesus first called them from the fishing nets and tax booth? Did they remember with longing the incredible crowds and when they were first sent out to do the Master’s work? As they felt the opposition to Jesus grow and the fear that their beloved Master was going to be crucified did they look back with longing for the early days?  As the horror of Jesus’ death unfolded did a terrible feeling that the best was past overwhelm them?

But with the benefit of hindsight we know that for the disciples the best was still to come. There were still crowds to be preached to, nations to evangelise, miracles to perform and the joy of persecution and martyrdom following in Jesus’ footsteps. (For us Western Christians that may seem an odd thing to say but read James 1: 3 and Matthew 5: 11 – 12).

The wisdom that comes from walking with God for over 30 years is a valuable resource. There is the knowledge and wisdom that comes from reading the Bible and praying through some of the difficult times in our own lives, in those around us and especially in the church. Finally there is the faith and trust in God that has been built, honed and refined through the good times and especially the not so good times. These are great assets which God will not let rust or wither.

Therefore I must turn my eyes from the past, refuse any lingering regret and fix my eyes firmly on Jesus believing that despite the passing years, the inability to do all I used to do, the stiffness in my joints, my spirit is increasingly alive to the possibility of all God can and will do to those who submit themselves to him and trust him to open fresh doors and opportunities.

So may I encourage you that if you are in the prime of life to make the most of every day and opportunity and if, like me, your prime is a distant memory then join me in putting your best foot forward, even if it is arthritic and determining to boldly go where you have not been before because the best is yet to come.

What do we make of Donald Trump

So what do we make of Donald Trump? 

This blog may at first glimpse seem off the wall from my usual blogs concerning Walking in our God given destiny in 21^st century but this is not political but an honest attempt at trying to find a Godly response to what is happening in USA right now under President Trump.

My question is neither rhetorical nor is it an occasion for vitriol or vilification or even for blind adoration. It is a question asked by a Brit who having listened and read many of the arguments for and against President Trump, Christian and secular is feeling very confused.

Some seem to think he is the answer to all American woes and will lead the nation into her prophetic destiny, indeed some have gone as far as to proclaim that he is a Cyrus, come to do God’s will. Others see him as the devil incarnate – self-seeking, misogynistic, racist and all manner of other evils who will lead the nation down the slippery slope to hell.  However nothing is straightforward.

On the positive side he has appointed, I believe, nine Christians to his cabinet. Vice President Pence used 2 Chronicles 7: 14 at his swearing in. President Trump is also pro life and pro Israel – two incredibly important issues on God’s heart. Surely it is time to reverse the terrible slaughter of unborn children and maybe this is a start. It certainly is a turning point.

The matter of Israel is even more interesting. America may think it is the leader of the free world and the most important nation on the planet but on reading the Bible it seems clear that Israel is at the centre of God’s plans – it has been from the start and it most certainly will be at the end. The Jews are God’s people and Israel is their nation and the land was given to Abraham and his descendants thousands of years ago. Nations that support Israel are never disappointed.

However on the negative side, there is much to criticise apparently and everyone is doing so. Most issues though need to be looked at far more closely than the press or anyone else is doing. The latest is his ban on immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries. There are howls of protest from across the planet yet an excellent alternative view can be seen here:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/444370/donald-trump-refugee-executive-order-no-muslim-ban-separating-fact-hysteria

Why is it that Donald Trump is stirring up so much hysteria?  He is certainly different and does things differently. He is no politician and as everyone keeps repeating he has no political or military experience. But so many things just do not add up.

If he is a misogynist why did he have Kellyanne Conway as his successful presidential campaign manager? She is now a presidential aide. Can he be anti immigration – when he himself and his wife are immigrants?  Are his protectionist policies an attempt to protect American jobs or foolishness in today’s global economy? Surely as a businessman who has a global empire he has thought about these things? The Mexican wall paid for by the Mexicans sounds the height of folly bearing in mind it was started once before and ground to a halt over the cost. 

There are so many questions with no answers. So many loose ends that do not tie up and much that on the surface does not make sense. Is Donald Trump leading the nation into the abyss or into its God given destiny?

So as Christians what should our response be? Firstly we can and should respond, especially if you are American, by writing in a respectful way to the White House expressing your concerns. I do not believe criticising, carping or even hate speech on social media or from our mouths is appropriate as Christians.

Secondly we all must pray – the Bible is quite clear we should pray whether we agree with our government and the people sitting in power in our nation or not. So with the permission of Suzanne Ferrett who wrote the following as part of her prayers and declarations for a nation (www.passionforthenation.uk) I respectfully suggest we pray this or something similar regularly and consistently and then let God do what only God can do.

“Behold I do a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and give heed to it. I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”

Isaiah 43:19

Lord we speak over America today – Your plans are for good and not for evil, that this new season has a new reason.

We lift up Donald Trump to you and we thank You for the Godly inheritance within his family and for the prophetic words over his life.  In the Name of Jesus, we decree that as he has been inaugurated into the United States Presidency, Your hand and Your mantle will come upon him.

We call him into Your will and into his destiny that You will make him and shape him, that he will speak Your words and fulfil Your desires.

Even as all authority is established by You, we decree through this president and his team, Your laws and Your standards will be put in place; that you will lead them and guide them, that they will work with transparency, integrity and honour and we speak Your wisdom to them in the Name of Jesus.

We decree and declare that in the days ahead You will position America according to Your will and purpose.

If you read this and do not believe that God is able, nor even want God to do this, may I suggest you pray it and let God show you what he wants and what he is able to do? If you read this and something positive stirs within you, may I suggest you keep praying till we see how God answers?

USA may not be our nation but we are all dependent on one another and it is in all our interests that America prospers and is not torn apart by hatred and violence.

God bless America.

There are two footnotes here. Firstly if I have over-simplified complex issues, I apologise. Secondly please respond if you have something constructive to add but I will delete inappropriate comments.