Tag Archives: how to go to heaven

HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE

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As Christians, the one thing we all look forward to is heaven. It is always interesting to read others’ thoughts and feelings about what they think it may be like. Despite all of the pleasant thoughts and speculation, not a whole lot is known about this wonderful place. However, it is always very encouraging to reflect on what we do know. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” It is from this passage that we can see 4 points about heaven.

(1) It is Imperishable. Everything we have on earth is perishable. Everything from our food, clothing, houses, cars, buildings, and even everything in nature. We know that one day all that we have will perish by fire (2 Peter 3:12). Despite what is normal for us here, it will be quite the opposite in heaven. Things are temporary here, but heaven is permanent. When we get to heaven, we will be in a place that will never go away.

(2) It is Undefiled. Once again, the world we live in today is full of corruption and dishonor. This is not something that we will find in heaven. There will be no sin and no corruption. Things will not become soiled and defiled. We will not have to worry about tears, hurting, and other negative aspects.

(3) It Will Not Fade Away. We already know heaven will be eternal and not fade away, but this can go even further. This is talking about something that never fades, never becomes dull or boring, and never corrodes. Even though we sometimes get tired of being in the same house or city, we will never get tired of being in heaven even though it is eternal. This will be the perfect home.

(4) It is Reserved in Heaven. Just like fancy hotels and restaurants, we have to make reservations if we want to be there. There are no tickets at the gate to get into heaven. We cannot buy it, and we definitely cannot earn it. This is something that is freely given by those who are baptized and obey God’s commands (2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:21; etc). When we obey God, we essentially get a place in heaven reserved for us. We get or names on the “guest list.”

Heaven truly sounds wonderful just from the little we can learn from 1 Peter 1:3-4. This is something we do not want to miss out on. Have we reserved our spot in heaven yet? Have we given up our reservations? Heaven is one thing we simply cannot afford to miss. Let’s makes sure we are doing what it takes to receive this wonderful inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, will not fade away, and can be reserved in heaven for us.

Brett Petrillo

How to get to heaven

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Joe Rosa had already run 7 laps.  He was on his way to breaking the New Jersey state record for the 3,200-meter run.  Then, with one lap left to go, track meet officials came out and forced Joe off the track and out of the race.  With storm clouds looming overhead and lightning striking around, the officials decided to make the safe, and ultimately right, decision to end the race.  They brought the runners off the track and told the crowd to vacate the metal bleachers.  Not only was Joe on his way to breaking the record, but his twin brother was in second place as well.  As you might imagine, many were quite upset with the officials’ decision.  They didn’t understand why the officials didn’t just let one more lap go by.

Surely Joe wanted to finish this race quite badly.  After all of the practice, all the training, and all of the conditioning, this was the moment he had been striving for.  He was probably going to make state history.  But in the end, the weather and the officials got in the way of Joe finishing the race.

Whether we realize it or not, we are all in the race to get to heaven.  However, this is not a race where the first person who crosses the finish line wins.  It is a race where anyone who crosses that line wins.  But unlike Joe Rosa’s race, this is a race that cannot be stopped by threatening weather.  This isn’t even a race that can be halted by officials.  This race is one that continues until death.  The problem is, even though the race goes on, many Christians have already stopped running.  Some are even going the wrong direction.

There are many aspects of this life that try to “force us off the track” and make us quit.  Riches, immorality, lies, blaming God, and the list goes on an on (Galatians 5:7).  As we are running on the path to heaven, we will come across temptations.  If we give in to these temptations we get off track.  Sometimes these temptations even lead people to quit.  Despite all of these temptations, there is not a single aspect on this earth that can “force” you to quit the race to heaven.  Quitting the race to heaven is always a choice.  Joe probably would have done anything to cross that finish line.  Surely he would have braved the weather and the surrounding danger.  He wanted the prize.

What are we willing to do to achieve that prize in heaven?  When it comes to finishing the race or quitting, selfishness is our biggest obstacle.  We have to get out of our own way.  Are we willing to put ourselves aside and obey God (Luke 9:23)?  As Paul said so powerfully, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).  No matter what we deal with, let’s make sure we finish the race!

–Brett Petrillo