I've noticed that when loved ones pass on it is said that they have gone on to heaven. I'm noot entirely sure of this, in fact I think not but I would like someone to clarify this for me. Is there any scriptural backing for this?
Not so sure about heaven, but certanily with the Lord. Then again we will probably be outside of time when we die so we might have already not yet stood before the judgement seat :-?
To be with the Lord is heaven to me.
Accroding the 2Cor 5:8 to be absent from the body(i.e. dead) is to be present with the Lord. The Lord ascended to Heaven 40 days after His ressurection to be seated at the right hand of the Father. So I would say that yes when a saint dies he/she goes immediately to heaven.A point to remember is that Heaven is not going to be our final destination. Instead it's eventually going to be the new heavens and the new earth where we will live with God in the New Jerusalem. Philo could elaborate this point more elequently and probably more correctly than I could but the heaven that exists now is the throne of God and serves as a holding place for the departed saints until the judgment as I see it.In Christ,Jeremy Hulsey
Did we talk about this before? Here is a gentle starter. Heaven and how to get there
Jeremy posted: A point to remember is that Heaven is not going to be our final destination. Instead it's eventually going to be the new heavens and the new earth where we will live with God in the New Jerusalem.I wonder whether we might have bit of confusion here over the different ways the scripture uses the word 'heaven'. As mentioned in the little tract linked in the earlier posting; the scriptures use the word heaven for 3 different locations; the air above us, the starry heavens, and the heaven of heavens. I don't think And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Rev 21:1 KJV) is referring to the heaven of heavens.If you want to make it more complicated something has already happened in the 'heaven of heavens'. (Heb 9:23) I can't see why that would need to be renewed now that it has been thoroughly purified?
Are the "new heavens and earth" new because they're being purified or is it because God is inaugurating a new age??
Are the "new heavens and earth" new because they're being purified or is it because God is inaugurating a new age??Jesus used the language of regeneration to describe this consummation of the ages. (Matt 19:28) I don't think the new heaven (singular) and earth need purifying. I think they are the replaced physical creation. They arrive only after the first heaven and earth have passed away. (Rev 21:1) I don't see this new heaven and earth as process ie purifying but as an instant creation.The process of the 'passing away' is the melting of the elements (2 Pet 3:10). This is a final and absolute judgment rather than a purifying process.
I think about this occasionally and I always think about that scripture that says something about those that are asleep in Christ will rise first or something (may have to correct me as I am no theologian!) and I wonder if it means that if someone dies before Christ comes again then they will kind of be put on hold until that moment but that maybe to them, it may just be like blinking.
I haven't been involved in any discussion of this subject and I was curious. I will check out the link you sent in your post and see what it says.thanks
I read the scripture you sent and I was wondering if that referred to us wanting to be seated in heavenly places with God in spirit as opposed to being in the body? Also the bible goes on to say that we all have to be judged by Him at some point so can we in death be in His presence and await judgement also?
very interesting and simple to understand indeed. I long to go there. What's next Philologos
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