When do you go to heaven?

[tizzo]

fatz, I appreciate the concordance reference but I absolutely agree that there IS a heaven. Whether or not we go there is where my question lies.
SoCal, I must admit, what you said holds water.
But again, where you end up makes no difference as your "Purpose" will be the same.

 

[fats71]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2590619
and that has nothing to do with the thread... you need to relax and enjoy a nice conversation that everyone is having. i've shown passages saying that you wait till judgement day, yet no one can show that you go to heaven immediately upon death. i'm just wondering where the idea came from.
I am relaxed their is a lot of emotion left out of text was not meant hostile.
I will researchh it for you and post inn a bit.
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2590631
fatz, I appreciate the concordance reference but I absolutely agree that there IS a heaven. Whether or not we go there is where my question lies.
SoCal, I must admit, what you said hold water.
But again, where you end up makes no difference as your "Purpose" will be the same.
It was directed to someone who said thhe BIBLE does not mention heaven. I would have to look it might have been deleted or edited if it is not still above this somewhere.

 

[fats71]

Philippians, chapter 1, where he says in verse 23, “I am hard pressed from both directions having the desire to depart and be with Christ.” That statement, “to depart and be with Christ” leaves no room for anything in the middle--“to depart and to be with Christ,” and we know where Christ is: He’s at the right hand of the throne of God on High. Right? We see Him in the vision of Revelation 4, and Revelation 5, and where is He? He is the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and John says that throne was in heaven because he was caught up to heaven to see it. So, “to depart and be with Christ,” is clearly the promise that is given to the believer who dies.
2 Corinthians, chapter 5, also says, and I think this is equally strong, verse 6, of chapter 5, 2 Corinthians, “While we were at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight.” Verse 8, “We are of good courage, and I say, prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8, “to be absent from the body; to be at home with the Lord.” To depart is to be with Christ. And I think one other Scripture, perhaps that we could add to that would be the text of Hebrews 12:23, where you have the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are in heaven. Hebrews 12:23.

 

[fats71]

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)
Also:
Romans 8:38-39
Revelation 2:11
Believers enter the Lord's presence at death.
In essence, the moment we die, our spirit and soul go to be with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (NLT)
Philippians 1:22-23
But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. (NLT)
Believers will dwell with God forever.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)
Also:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Jesus prepares a special place for believers in heaven.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (NIV)

 

[crashbandicoot]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2590413
"...processed"

For some reason I am thinking the DMV .
Take a number . Your pull the tang and your number 348,876,354,193. About that time you here a lady at the counter say NUMBER 4 I can help you over here .

 

[fats71]

Originally Posted by Crashbandicoot
http:///forum/post/2590685
For some reason I am thinking the DMV .
Take a number . Your pull the tang and your number 348,876,354,193. About that time you here a lady at the counter say NUMBER 4 I can help you over here .
LOL, I think the one calling out the number speed reads the numbers so it wont take but a second
Someone I think it was socal said that when we go satan will be there and Jesus will be there as wee are judged. I always' think of JESUS being the attorney and satan being the prosecutor....

 

[renogaw]

I agree, there's a lot of passages saying that people will be with God, Jesus, etc, and with references meaning they will be in Heaven with them. BUT i'm not asking that.
WHEN does someone go to heaven? The more and more i'm reading and researching today, it honestly is pointing towards the dead rising to be judged.
Revelation 20:12-15 (King James Version)
12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire
What does vs 13 mean? is this where purgatory came into the picture?

 

[rylan1]

Originally Posted by Jmick
http:///forum/post/2590533
If you're comfy with your church condemning most the world to hell that's fine with me. I thought it was an interesting question...certainly not a great question but an interesting one at that.
That is an interesting question, however many of the third world countries have very large Christian populations...

 

[jennythebugg]

Originally Posted by Jmick
http:///forum/post/2590518
I find it interesting how the majority of the Christain world is white and the non Christain world is darker skinned and according to some if you don't accept Jesus as your savior you go to hell? So I guess, most whites go to heaven and most non whites go to hell...if there is indeed a god, is it fair to assume it thinks less of non whites since the majority of them will go to hell?
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
i got this here at this link

 

[nacl freak]

I had an out-of body experience 28 yrs ago. I was at total peace. According to my physician they coded me for 35 min, it seemed only seconds
I was not in heaven. My story is posted under non religious. I believe in the hereafter.I know it exsist.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2590697
13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire[/I]
What does vs 13 mean? is this where purgatory came into the picture?
Verse 13 could be referring to people who died before Jesus died. Their bodies would have returned to the earth. Their souls would be in the place called Abrahams bosom. They may be there until the tribulation wherein the remaining people of the earth are judged. It would be a good question for Pastor's Perspective on the radio station I listen to.....107.9 KWVE San Clemente.
I think, in the statement above, that I'm wrong here.
Only the just would go to Abraham's bosom. The unjust went to another part of Hades. So the judgement in verse 13 most likely refers to the dead that did not go to Abraham's bosom.
I found a link, too. http://www.biblepath.com/questions/answer31.html

 

[fats71]

Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/2590697
I agree, there's a lot of passages saying that people will be with God, Jesus, etc, and with references meaning they will be in Heaven with them. BUT i'm not asking that.
WHEN does someone go to heaven? The more and more i'm reading and researching today, it honestly is pointing towards the dead rising to be judged.
Revelation 20:12-15 (King James Version)
12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire
What does vs 13 mean? is this where purgatory came into the picture?
purgatory is a myth and never mentioned in the Bible.
12-15 says
At the judgment, the books are opened. They represent Gods judgment, and in them are recorded the deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person's actual relationship with God. The book of life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them.
14 Says
Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. Gods judgment is finished. The lake of fire is the ultimate destinartion of everything wicked-- Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. John's vision foes not permit any gray areas in Gods judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ's confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, second chance, no other appeal.
I am headed to focus on the family thing and will explain 13 when I get home.

 

[nacl freak]

So where was I? It seemed like a paradise, but I wasn't in his holy presence.

 

[reefreak29]

to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord, now that the lord is at the right hand of the father after the reserection there is no longer a waiting place. once we die we are in the presents of the lord, read 2 corinthians chapter 5, paul talks about it

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by nacl freak
http:///forum/post/2590938
So where was I? It seemed like a paradise, but I wasn't in his holy presence.
I would ask a pastor for their answer. The only thing I could say is that you did not go to heaven or hell because it was not your time to die. My opinion is that if you had you met God face to face you prolly would have stayed there. Same with the other option. There are many books on the subject. Some claim to know that heaven awaits and some claim to have seen hell. Others say there was neither, just peace and tranquility such as you experienced.
Since giving my life over to Jesus Christ I have changed. I have conquered things that I have battled all my life. I no longer fear death. Jesus changed who I am. I can feel Him working in my life. I am a new person. I searched through my old posts looking for some picture threads and I could see the difference in what I typed just a couple years ago.
I am convinced that heaven is real.
Here is a link to contact pastor Chuck Smith. He will surely be able to give you an answer to what happened when you died. http://www.twft.com/?page=Contact.Main

 

[fats71]

Originally Posted by nacl freak
http:///forum/post/2590938
So where was I? It seemed like a paradise, but I wasn't in his holy presence.
While your heart may have stopped you did not die as you are here writting today.
Socal seeing what you typed made my heart feel good.
GOD IS GOOD !!
I just got back from a bible study from focus on the family and I asked some of the other pastors that were there what they thought and they said the same thing I posted.

 

[lovethesea]

for many years I have wondered if where we live NOW is "hell" on earth and we have to earn our place in heaven??? Just beginning to wonder.....

 

[nacl freak]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2591239
I would ask a pastor for their answer. The only thing I could say is that you did not go to heaven or hell because it was not your time to die. My opinion is that if you had you met God face to face you prolly would have stayed there. Same with the other option. There are many books on the subject. Some claim to know that heaven awaits and some claim to have seen hell. Others say there was neither, just peace and tranquility such as you experienced.
Since giving my life over to Jesus Christ I have changed. I have conquered things that I have battled all my life. I no longer fear death. Jesus changed who I am. I can feel Him working in my life. I am a new person. I searched through my old posts looking for some picture threads and I could see the difference in what I typed just a couple years ago.
I am convinced that heaven is real.
Here is a link to contact pastor Chuck Smith. He will surely be able to give you an answer to what happened when you died. http://www.twft.com/?page=Contact.Main

I'm a beliver in Jesus. He has been my savior since I was 8. I know he is daily with me through the Holy Spirit. I personally have seen miracles happen. Not only in my life, but in my family's and my patients. These have been through God's grace and the sacrifice of my Lord and savior. Whether or not it was my destine time I don't know. Maybe it was another of his great gifts, allowing me to experience the peace that passes all understanding. I have only told one other person this story in 28 years. He thought I was a loon. As a side note, my son Dirk did not survive. I did grieve and question God .Praying daily for wisdom and understanding. My grief was so deep I myself wanted to die. No one could comfort me . One day about one year later I was crying and asking God for comfort my bible fell open to John 14;23-27. He gave me the peace and the Holy Spirt comforted me.Then as I was meditating on the Word,
I had a thought? An idea? Wishful thinking? A revelation? If heaven is perfect. Wouldn't souls?, people?, of all ages be perfect.No one could comfort me .I felt my loss was too great. I rejoice in your faith.Thank you for your reply.