Difference between revisions of "For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 4"

Latest revision as of 15:06, 18 September 2019

For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 4

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9,10—NIV)

Certainly we must have our sins forgiven if we hope to go to Heaven and escape Hell. The traditional preparation includes taking the "four steps of salvation." The four steps of salvation consist of a doctrinal statement pieced together by taking fragments of verses from several books of the Bible. Of course we have been taught not to derive doctrine by cutting and pasting verses in this fashion. But who cares? Everyone is doing it!

The four steps of salvation then become our ticket. The important thing is not to lose the ticket, although many believers contend it is impossible to lose one's ticket. Once we profess faith in Christ we are assured that no matter what we do we will escape Hell and go to Heaven when we die.

Other than this, no preparation appears to be necessary. We do not really have to gain victory over worldliness, bodily passions, or self-will because we will be made holy and righteous by dying or by the coming of the Lord.

As far as the rewards to the overcomer are concerned, we are an overcomer automatically by taking the four steps of salvation, it is claimed. Thus we are assured of our place on the Throne of Christ, although how this is related to our time spent in our mansion is not certain. Maybe we go back and forth between the Throne of Christ and our mansion.

The Bible says we have died with Christ and have risen with Him to the right hand of God. Again, it is difficult to see how this fits into having a moment's rest in our mansion. Perhaps once we die we come down from the right hand of God so we can enjoy our mansion.

Incidentally, some have said if you eat fruit in Heaven the juice evaporates so it will not soil your robe. Also there apparently is no dust to disturb the cleanliness of every room of your mansion.

Which reminds me, someone informed us that although the army of saints follow Christ in the attack of Armageddon, they do not actually fight because they would get their robes dirty if they did. Only Christ does the fighting. (Doesn't anyone care if Christ's robe gets dirty?)

It may be possible to eat whatever you want and never get fat or worry about a heart attack. Think of it! This appeals to me.

One part I especially like is the thought of going to the beach and not having to be concerned about the little children drowning. I have not really enjoyed the beach since our two boys came along, although as a youngster I spent the summer on the beach, which was only a couple of hundred yards from our house in Connecticut. I am a great worrier. Hopefully there will be nothing to worry about in Heaven.

Do you suppose there will be beaches in Heaven?

To be continued. For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 5

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-====For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 3====
+====For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 4====
-<p>I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; (Philippians 1:23—NIV) </p>
+<p>After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9,10—NIV) </p>
-<p>Now the question is, What will we do in Heaven for eternity? We can't talk about the weather since the weather is always perfect. There are no responsibilities, except perhaps for governing the nations of the earth, no trouble, no pain, no suffering of any kind, no death, just endless joy and peace. Do we just rest forever? Is there anything to do? Can we do whatever we want? Will it be possible to sin? </p>
+<p>Certainly we must have our sins forgiven if we hope to go to Heaven and escape Hell. The traditional preparation includes taking the "four steps of salvation." The four steps of salvation consist of a doctrinal statement pieced together by taking fragments of verses from several books of the Bible. Of course we have been taught not to derive doctrine by cutting and pasting verses in this fashion. But who cares? Everyone is doing it! </p>
-<p>If two people want the same thing, how will this be resolved? It seems when Satan and God were in Heaven together they both wanted the same thing. </p>
+<p>The four steps of salvation then become our ticket. The important thing is not to lose the ticket, although many believers contend it is impossible to lose one's ticket. Once we profess faith in Christ we are assured that no matter what we do we will escape Hell and go to Heaven when we die. </p>
-<p>Will our personality be changed to where we are content to do nothing of significance? Maybe there are computers or other items of interest. </p>
+<p>Other than this, no preparation appears to be necessary. We do not really have to gain victory over worldliness, bodily passions, or self-will because we will be made holy and righteous by dying or by the coming of the Lord. </p>
-<p>Adam and Eve possessed many of the blessings we have mentioned. Yet they brought ruin into Paradise. Will we be able to sin and bring ruin into Heaven? What will change us so we no longer can sin? </p>
+<p>As far as the rewards to the overcomer are concerned, we are an overcomer automatically by taking the four steps of salvation, it is claimed. Thus we are assured of our place on the Throne of Christ, although how this is related to our time spent in our mansion is not certain. Maybe we go back and forth between the Throne of Christ and our mansion. </p>
-<p>Some have said we will be praising God for ten thousand years. I have noticed that fifteen minutes is a long time for people to praise God unless there is a special Presence of God in the meeting. Perhaps there will be such a Presence of God that we will be able to praise God for ten thousand years. Are you really looking forward to this or are you tired and desire to rest for awhile? </p>
+<p>The Bible says we have died with Christ and have risen with Him to the right hand of God. Again, it is difficult to see how this fits into having a moment's rest in our mansion. Perhaps once we die we come down from the right hand of God so we can enjoy our mansion. </p>
-<p>Are you deeply interested in a mansion or do you care more for who will be in the mansion? Would you rather be in a mansion with people you don't care about or in a tarpaper shack with people you love? What does your answer tell us about your deepest desires? </p>
+<p>Incidentally, some have said if you eat fruit in Heaven the juice evaporates so it will not soil your robe. Also there apparently is no dust to disturb the cleanliness of every room of your mansion. </p>
-<p>How would you feel if Jesus asked you to do something you really did not want to do? Maybe no such thing takes place in Heaven. </p>
+<p>Which reminds me, someone informed us that although the army of saints follow Christ in the attack of Armageddon, they do not actually fight because they would get their robes dirty if they did. Only Christ does the fighting. (Doesn't anyone care if Christ's robe gets dirty?) </p>
-<p>But what do we do? </p>
+<p>It may be possible to eat whatever you want and never get fat or worry about a heart attack. Think of it! This appeals to me. </p>
-<p>What does Heaven mean to you? Would you change anything I have suggested? </p>
+<p>One part I especially like is the thought of going to the beach and not having to be concerned about the little children drowning. I have not really enjoyed the beach since our two boys came along, although as a youngster I spent the summer on the beach, which was only a couple of hundred yards from our house in Connecticut. I am a great worrier. Hopefully there will be nothing to worry about in Heaven. </p>
-<p>I asked one person what he wanted to do in Heaven. His answer was, "Play golf." I found this interesting because there are beautiful golf courses in our area. Yet he wants to go to Heaven to play golf. What do you want to do in Heaven? </p>
+<p>Do you suppose there will be beaches in Heaven? </p>
-<p>I hope I have included many of our thoughts and hopes concerning Heaven. If such be the case, how do we prepare ourselves for going to Heaven? Or is any preparation necessary? </p>
+To be continued. [[For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 5]]
-<p>We have already mentioned preparing for the "rapture" by jumping up and down. If this preparation is necessary, the pastors may wish to pay special attention to preparing the elderly or those with arthritis. A physician's advice may be indicated. We certainly do not want the infirm to be left behind. In fact, if the State of California gets wind of our preparations for the "rapture" the officials may insist that provision be made for the handicapped. </p>
-<p>When we built the baptistry in our church we had to make provision for those who might be strapped to a gurney and still desire to be baptized. Rather than secure a block and tackle to the ceiling and lower them into the water while on the gurney, we stated our intention to sprinkle these candidates with water. How much more important would it be to insure that all members of the congregation are able to participate in an "any-moment rapture"! </p>
-To be continued. [[For What Are You Preparing Yourself? 4]]