Catholic's Question

God Revealed provided the basics of God’s purpose, plan and answers the most typical questions. Answers to be valid must come from the scriptures. There were a number of things that could be further clarified, but in no way change anything from God Revealed. In God Revealed the word BELIEVE is frequently used and if you want to understand God it is important to use His definition of words. These definitions are provided in the context of the scriptures. I released a new post called “What Believe Means,” which is a common subject discussed on the pages of “Heaven Coach,” “Catholics Question,” and the book, “What Is Life All About.” Nonetheless, there remains confusion about the meaning of BELIEVE. There is no complexity as the scriptures are crystal clear, but as a result of strong prejudices and centuries of deceit most referring to themselves as Christians, are NOT.
Additionally, God Revealed opened the door to some other important understandings and it was determined the following subjects could bring some added clarity to understanding God and life.

The following subjects are covered in God Revealed2:

1) Consequences of the Absence of Evil and How You Can Discern God
2) Freedom of Religion
3) The False Appearance of Life
4) When There Is Nothing – The Reality of Life

The truth is seldom realized, so if and when you BEGIN to come to grips with it, the manner of your life to that point might be seen as very wasteful having been spent on temporary, vain things. This is because the truth is so different since the emphasis needs to be on the soul. Suddenly living for yourself and all you can amass in pleasure and possessions is the wrong goal. Realizing life is about the soul drives a different set of actions for the person who truly wants to be successful in life. You owe it to yourself (and to those you love) to find the truth about life. Instead of going aimlessly through life, and only occasionally stopping to wonder, “what is life all about” move quickly to get into a position where you know THE TRUTH.
A brief mention of the topics and their purpose in God Revealed2 is below and were selected to bring more clarification, a better understanding of God.

• Realizing God is the absence of evil leads to several obvious conclusions and helps in finding the truth, especially as related to religious groups.
• People prize the freedom to worship, but never make the distinction of truth versus error. To achieve “absolute in freedom of religion,” people and governments open the doors to religions without any scrutiny. Scrutiny never harmed the truth, but is a terror to immoral and unethical religions.
• Life appears to be after a certain pattern (or patterns) and that appearance is just one million miles from the truth. Nonetheless these patterns of life are widely accepted and revered, albeit totally false. A high level pattern is born/die/out of existence or a religious pattern might be born/accept Christ as personal savior/ die/heaven.
• Finally coming to grips with “NOTHING” is what we all face. We came and leave our existence with nothing, actually we leave with less than we came as our physical existence is gone. Yet, we came without sin and may (hopefully not) leave in the state of sin.

1) Consequences of the Absence of Evil
and How You Can Discern God

You can discern the “correct” religion or at least easily eliminate many of the religions if you understand God is the perfect absence of evil. You can come to this conclusion from the scriptures, but since people read into the scriptures what they want, some background on this subject may help. Try reading “God Revealed1” as this provides some background for God being the absence of evil. In turn, the topics on this page are meant to be helpful in better understanding that page. The ultimate goal is to help you get to heaven always in accordance with what God has revealed.
So, when you understand there is no evil in God and you look at Catholicism and their cruelty and historical forced adherence to their invented doctrines and to their contrived organization it is easy to see this is not of God. The point is that from its beginning, Catholicism was exceedingly violent, cruel and murderous to protect their power over people. Such paranoia the world had never seen and through the Catholic ages even the smallest thing in opposition to their teachings or belief’s would result in torture and death. Such an organization is very distant, infinitely distant from God. There is no hiding this.
Islam, has a basis in violence as a result of their creator, Mohammed and his Koran. Seldom has there been a more “bloodthirsty” and immoral individual. There is no hiding this.
Catholicism and Islam are incredibly far from God, the God of the bible, the God who is the absence of evil. Both of these religions claim to be doing the will of God. That is ridiculous as God in no way promotes evil. Islam is always trying to defend their God, Allah as though He needs defending. They are worried their god is offended and of course He is deeply offended, but by Catholicism and Islam and their atrocities and claims.
God’s plan ends in perfect justice, but until then He is just keeping score of good and evil. Some of humankind’s religions severely discipline their members and that includes threats and/or mental or physical violence. The irony of justice from Catholicism and Islam is mind-boggling – how can illegitimate, unjust organizations dispense justice? Well of course, it is not justice, but the opposite, namely selfishly guided motives to maintain their power over people.
Yes, Catholicism today is no longer like “early Catholicism.” The Catholicism documented by world history from the 7th through the 19th century is the “early Catholicism.” There is no denial of this even among the Catholic leadership. The Catholic Inquisition represented the long reign of terror that included continuous paranoid tortures, murders beyond the imagination of anyone with decency. These claimed religions (Catholicism and Islam) are not of God – but the opposite. Early Catholicism (when they were making their rules, creating their pope and instituting the most severe penalties for heresy) was evil in every way and very, very far from the absence of evil (God). The rules of these religions, the religions themselves are human-made.

The great differentiation is that all human-made religions are physical versus the religion from God, which is spiritual. Human devised religions make rules, whereas the truth is spiritual, from God. The word of God is pure, perfect and not in need of (or allowing) private interpretation (2 Peter 1.20,21). The final revelation from God was completed sometime late in the first century. The true spiritual religion has a spiritual head, no human leadership. The church belonging to Christ has simply elders, deacons and members. The elders are servants, must meet certain qualifications, make no spiritual rules, oversee the flock, and receive no special honor. Jesus, who paid the price is the head of the religion of God. The differences between the truth about God and life are quite unlike the fabricated religions of humankind. Life is about the battle between good and evil – God being perfectly good (absence of evil) and humankind often making choices that are evil. God’s way is good and differing from His will means varying degrees of evil. Those “religions” that claim God is somehow associated with them and use cruelty, coercion and even murder as a means of pleasing God are most pathetic. If you want to understand God, understand His goodness. Understand, He could never be part of a religion invented by humankind, by those associated with atrocities or in any way evil. That is why, things must be done His way – in truth, free from evil. Imagine how far these human-manufactured religions are from God and how easy it should be to know that. The world likes to say God is love and although He is, they infer He will forgive a person despite what they do, despite who they “believe in” or how they live. God is separated from those who break His laws, because unrighteousness is evil and God cannot share eternity with evil. Jesus was God’s answer to have a path to Him – a perfect sacrifice – no sin, no evil in Jesus.

Note: A person may think that evil in some way had to originate with God since all things are from God. Please read God Revealed1 to understand why evil in no way originated with God.

God Will Not Be Spending Eternity with Evil

Sin must be forgiven and a person at the end of their life to be successful has to die free from sin. This is an enormous task – as life is difficult and poor choices lead to sin. There are so many obstacles to overcome and some are apparent and others, often wrapped in the veil called religion provide false hope. I wish there was a good way to describe the enormity of the difference between a person who fails and one who succeeds. The vast majority of the world never enters the race for heaven. They just live for themselves, maybe to some extent for others and don’t know or care if God exists. Then there are those who are associated with some religion, some religion started by some person. It may be some prominent religion and they go happily through life satisfied in their belief. They also are not in the race. All these people are in the stands watching life go by and some have an expectation of a next life even if it is non-existence. The different religions provide interestingly diverse views of achieving success in life leading to the best outcome.
Catholics try to die without mortal sin (a Catholic invented term) and think this will provide them heaven (eventually). Most Catholics live in a way to at least get them into purgatory. This is the Catholic invented waiting area of suffering until they paid the price sufficiently to get into heaven. How ridiculous, there is no such concept in the scriptures. Additionally, this goes against all the basic principles God has revealed. Disobedience of any magnitude cannot be eliminated by suffering. If so, Christ would not be needed. The invention of individuals confessing sins to a priest became an official doctrine of Catholicism at the council of Trent in 1551. Of course, they claim earlier dates and it is impossible to understand much of any of their doctrines or origins. Catholicism is just nonsense built on nonsense, beginning with their very existence. Priests, who hear the confessions, were not existent in the New Testament church. Evil is personified in Catholic hierarchy and in every doctrine of Catholicism simply because none of it is true. God defines what is evil and sin is evil. People often laugh at things that are sinful and take pleasure in unrighteousness. God calls the day’s evil because the time each person has is limited and thus the opportunities to align with Christ are limited. There is an evil day and it is the last day. There is evil speech. Yet there is no evil in God, but He certainly sees evil everywhere. Beginning in the garden of Eden and continuing through to the days of Noah and of course, to this day.

Genesis 6.5

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

God’s people know that sin is evil, but also know that knowing to do good and not doing it is sin (James 4.17). God requires a lot and failure to obey, grow and be fruitful is not acceptable. You will not find God’s people placing themselves in a position where they might end up participating in evil. Evil seems to be around every corner and stepping into it usually pulls a person deeper and deeper into its grasp. People accept abortion, accept homosexuality, accept lying (for a good reason or “little” lies), and live in envy / hatred / adultery / lewdness / selfish ambitions, and many other evils. Many of the religions of the world accept these things to various degrees and it is easy to see these religions are very far from God.

Unless you understand God, you might believe that those who commit or live-in” some of the things just mentioned above are the only sinners. God being the absence of evil will look at sin to include those who consent to such things as acceptable. Interestingly, those who accept these things will help in promoting them, maybe as just a free choice issue. Sin is a free choice and promoting a sin is a free choice. I often wonder how many have been damaged due to the broad acceptance of abortion or to live as a homosexual. People, especially impressionable young people see these things as acceptable choices, as options instead of the evil that society should place on these aberrations. Governments make the rules in relation to the nation, but God makes the rules in relation to eternity. Consider the people who speak favorably about sin, the voters who support various sins, the media persons who support it, the college professors who liberally accept all sorts of sin and the judges who rule in favor of evil and you have a very large number of people that just on these things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.

Correct View of Evil and Good
Evil Disobedience, Good Obedience

Satan tempted Eve by saying she could be like God and discern good and evil by eating of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden. In fact, she did learn that going against God’s direction was evil. All her and Adam knew was here was something they should not do – eat of the fruit in the tree in the midst of the garden. Disobedience is evil, Adam and Eve certainly did not understand the consequences of evil. They were just about to learn. God has defined evil for humankind and typically we see this as sin (transgression of God’s law). God has revealed the consequences of sin using such terminology as, “will not inherit the kingdom of God” as an example. In whatever way we oppose God it is evil and there are consequences. One way Jesus said this is in Matthew 7.21 by indicating one must do the will of God, not merely say that Jesus is Lord.

Matthew 7.21

21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

In 2 John 1.9 we understand that we cannot have Christ unless we follow the doctrine of Christ.

2 John 1.9

9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

It is well understood that the God of the bible teaches that there are to be no gods before Him. Such gods would be the inventions of humankind, who they then follow and worship – not acceptable and accordingly there are consequences. False gods, false religions are in opposition to God and the consequence is primarily that those gods, religions do not provide the truth that a person needs to achieve heaven. The consequence is sort of built-in since each person needs the knowledge / truth to act on it to get into Christ. So, people to this day in the various religions do not have, we might say a knowledge of good and evil. Any variation from the truth is evil and the religions not consistent with the scripture are evil and their adherents will pay the consequence. People look at some religions of the world and say what wonderful things they do – look at how many people they help and yet they are evil? It remains a very good thing to discern good from evil. God is good, perfect in goodness, the absence of evil. Life is about the soul and each person needs the gospel message and to act on it. Certainly, the treatment of others is well defined in the scriptures and individuals “in Christ” are held to the highest standards as Jesus indicated in Matthew 25.35-45 and as seen in the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5.22-25.

God’s Actions Are Focused On His Purpose
Evil Is Never Acceptable
Avoid Evil In Your Life

We see God destroying the world, save eight souls in the days of Noah for the reason recorded in Genesis 6.5 “that every intent of the thoughts of his (humankind’s) heart was only evil continually.”
God destroys evil and He always will and for some they see evil in God for taking such actions. Yet, a person ought to take time to understand God as He has revealed Himself. People make choices and if they are in opposition to God they are evil. I do not know all the answers as to why God does things, but there are some potential explanations based on what God has revealed and some of thoughts are in “God Revealed1.” One might question God without understanding Him – very foolish – by saying there were innocent people, such as children when God destroyed the world with water. It is like saying, I am better than God, I am not that cruel. There will always be roadblocks for such people keeping them from arriving at the truth. God just might be wiser than you, infinitely wiser. The scriptures reveal God’s interest is in souls, the eternal part of each being and each person taken in the flood will be judged by a perfectly just God. No mistakes! Those children, I might imagine (and I do not know), were likely headed to be evil similar to the persons around them. Who am I to blame the creator with my minuscule mind? I know what I know and that is, “there is absolutely no evil in God.” I know God is the God of the bible and He is the Creator. I have no idea how He accomplished the creation. I know humankind is being tested and I know how one fails and succeeds in life. In that regard, God does perfect accounting. I do not see God anywhere in the religions of the world as they do not agree with what God has provided in the scriptures, but most frequently the opposite. The opposite character of humankind’s religions is the result of people believing they know how God thinks or how they think religion ought to be. Yet, God’s ways and thoughts are very different and infinitely more sophisticated than His creation.

Isaiah 55.9

9 “For the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

It is interesting how religions try to use the scriptures to validate their doctrines by claiming or suggesting they are based in God’s word. God in His perfection needs or allows no private interpretation for understanding. God says what He means and means what He says.
One way God says this is in 1 Peter 4.11.

1 Peter 4.11

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

There is nothing like the Catholic Church, its hierarchy, its rules and its obvious evil history to make a person think that is where truth resides. The doctrines of Protestantism (as varied as they are) are without any scriptural support. Humankind’s religions one by one are all exceedingly weak in their evidence and after a time few care – the exact opposite of what is needed, namely a love of the truth.
Life is very, very serious as it is very, very short and we tend to think we have tomorrow and we probably will, but in view of the consequences you (and I) need to get it right. Right comes from God and not from people who tell you this or that is right and that includes me. There is one solid thing and it is what God left for humankind – the word of God.

2) Freedom of Religion

The concept of Freedom of Religion is desirable and welcomed by most, however the God of heaven, the God of the bible does not want false gods/false religions before Him. Nonetheless, He also wants people to freely choose Him and living in a “place” where that is easier to do is a good thing. When you understand God and His purpose, it is easy to see why He would strongly condemn other deities. First, of course, other gods are in fact not true – there is only one God, one Creator. God’s purpose has to do with you, with you being able to have the opportunity to share eternity with Him. He has provided you the opportunity and He wants you to succeed. False gods provide no such opportunity and their associated worship is vain and in opposition to God.
In the days of God’s prophet Elijah, there was the vastly popular god called Baal. The people of Israel had turned from God back to idols and invented a system of priests and ceremonies to honor Baal. Baal and Asherah were the gods promoted by queen Jezebel. Baal had 450 prophets and Asherah had 400 prophets and some of the people tried to worship God as well as have Baal and Asherah also as god’s. There would be a “grand showdown” between Baal and the God of heaven. You can read about it in 1 Kings 18. There has perhaps never been a more one-sided victory in terms of showing the people the truth in relation to God. Sadly, some would continue in their worship of Baal and many other false deities. People have been stubborn, proud to this day and so intently in love with sin that they want some answer other than God, and specifically the God of the bible.

There has never been a lack on “invented” god’s and their associated religions and these inventions bring some sort of power/control to their inventors. The human-made deities/religions are carefully crafted to be attractive in some cases and in others to instill earthly fear into their members or even to those outside their numbers. Of course, many religions are created from misuse of the scriptures.

Is It A Religion?
Who Is To Say – We cannot Judge
Because It Is a Religion – It Is Their Belief
Instead Of Defining It As A Religion And Walking Away
Maybe It Can Be Qualified
Is The Organization Good or Evil?
Is It Moral and Ethical?
Are Its Motives Singular And Independent Of Government?

Governments that respect the right of people to choose what they believe religiously are a very good thing. Religion – the worship of, the recognition of a deity is respected in the United States. A basic and serious problem occurs when the religion has goals that go beyond the worship of their God. It is normal and expected that a religion will be trying to grow their numbers. An expectation of religious freedom would be that the religions themselves allowed people to freely choose to participate in their religion. It would be naive of a democratic government to think that as a religion gained many adherents, even perhaps a majority of a country’s population that there would be no influence on the laws of the land. Today, the laws of the United States are influenced by their voters morality and ethical attitudes. This is generally good and it would be wise to say that a strong moral and ethical population benefits a nation. Religions that limit the freedom of people pressuring their choice to follow their doctrines, that hold to many immoral, unethical practices and have as a prime directive overcoming governments to put their laws in place should be considered as a threat to a way of life for a nation.

Catholicism was the most notorious religion in terms of seeking rule over nations. One way they did this was by threats from their popes and hierarchy to excommunicate certain of their “Catholic” country’s leaders. They placed their representatives in religious/state roles in many countries. Those countries allowed or participated in cruelties including the torture and murder of Catholic dissidents. Eventually (after more than a thousand years), nations broke from that sort of rule and Catholicism became ineffective in their role over nations. Islam, will not let that happen as they covet nations and eventually rule from within – not at a distance.
The concept of freedom of religion has to do with people freely choosing their God. There is an unwritten, but perceived and usually correct idea that religions have a goal in relation to God, such as achieving heaven. If the goal instead includes the overthrow of governments or rule over nations, then such a religion has a different motive or an added motive not consistent with the fundamental “spiritual” idea of religion. Suddenly, the concept of freedom of religion is problematic and requires a definition of religion. In the case of Islam it could be called a socio-political-religion. Islam desires to undermine the government by whatever means and that means might be called religion. In fact, there may be a real and even prime motive to please their god. In the case of Islam, they have a very weak god that requires the savage, brutal treatment of non-believers. It would seem the openly declared motive of Islam is to have everyone be a part of Islam – others are heretics and must be converted or eliminated. They follow the early model of Catholicism. The peaceful adherents of Islam are willing to wait decades or even centuries, others (terrorists) are less patient.
The concept of separation of Church (or religion) and State is a principle driven by the history of Catholicism and a valid and essential concept. True religion needs no such rule as their mission is spiritual and only spiritual. You can identify the God of heaven by finding a religion that only has spiritual interests, or at least separate out all the ones that attempt or have attempted to influence or undermine governments. Failure to make this distinction will be costly to all nations and largely affect the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of those who are so short-sighted.

Note: People have great difficulty identifying who is for and against them. Heaven Coach is FOR ALL people and loves every human being regardless of their belief system. God requires this and yet a RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM (not a specific person) can be despised due to its ultimate destruction of souls. During the time of Catholic persecution as orchestrated through foreign governments (where they exercised control) there were despicable persecutions of individuals and at times horrendous massacres. Today, in countries where Islam dominates there is notably little or no freedom of religion and often among the more radical elements there are cruel and even murderous outbursts. At times in some countries there have been equally cruel outbursts against Muslims and this is equally wrong. It is no wonder that a large number of the population of the world looks upon religion as a frequent force of evil – they would be correct. Nonetheless, there is truth and there is error and this is the distinction all people need. The religion of God, like truth is very singular and in that religion there is no evil.

note:Of course, in every group there can be people who do evil, but it is not promoted, supported and in fact calls for separation and true (God knows the heart) repentance.

America was born (to some extent) out of those fleeing religious oppression and they arrived in a place that had this much sought-out “freedom of religion.” Those seeking this freedom, did not come with a motive of forcing their beliefs on others, instilling their religious laws and even resorting to terrorism to achieve their goals. You can call it religion or anarchy or whatever and gladly hide under the generous covering of a religion in the process. There will be advocates of Islam that do not hold to either the terrorist methodology or the long term political (non-violent) overthrow leading to an Islamic State – but they are few. In the framework of Islam, their families operate under Islamic laws regarding women and many other things. Few, if any would object if Sharia Law was in place. In general, there are very strict Islamic controls over Muslims in countries where they live, like the USA. Thus, there are conflicts between the law of the country and the laws of Islam. These Islamic laws are considered as part of the religious practices of a group. However, when they violate the laws (freedoms) of the country they live in, it is a problem. Muslims live in an unspeakable fear that limits their freedom of expression and they understand the consequences of failing to adhere to all the traditions. If such threats were removed Muslims in America would very possibly leave Islam as it offers nothing socially and they would learn offers nothing religiously. How do you leave when you are so dependent on religion for everything – your various family, friends and sometimes livelihood and behind this are various threats – hardly free?
Those threats can include family members in other countries and they may not be so much specific to the person and their families, but a knowledge of the culture. That is, a culture where entire families are not safe or rejected if one leaves the belief. So there is only one road for the Muslim in (for example) America and that is to openly support Islam. Heaven Coach (this website, author) has essentially no interest in the politics of this matter for instance within the USA, but the souls of Muslims are of concern EQUALLY with every other person. Of course, one would like to live a peaceable life, but if you read this page closely that is not the ultimate goal of God’s children. One does, however, appreciate a logical, moral governing that makes good decisions based on facts, not emotions or lies.

No Freedom Within Many Religions

The real problem is all those souls with captive minds leading to a failed life. Nothing about Catholicism or Islam makes sense religiously. These religions seem to be and in fact are human devised. In view of a perfect description of life from God, living these religions amounts to what will be a regrettable time spent in your earthly existence. God is clear there is no salvation other than in Christ and no valid excuse including the propaganda, threats and indoctrination. Both of these religions as many others are how men/women envision God operates, how He should be worshiped. The truth is generally the opposite of these human devised religions. God seeks obedience to His will as the criteria. Humankind’s religions devised in selfish pride, say this is how we operate, this is what You (God) want, and this is how You (God) will be worshiped. I am sure that those inventing these things were not thinking they were being offensive to God. Nonetheless, they do not respect God enough to follow His guidance, His commands and as a result do things their way and consequentially fail in life.

One of the fascinating and ironic things about the freedom of religion is how some religions themselves when in the position of power would not allow religious choice. Certainly, Catholicism dramatically fought against any hint of other religions when they had the power to do so. Islam is not tolerant of other religions in places where Sharia law is in place. Indeed, governments should be independent of religions, but a wise government will recognize the existence of deity. There is a certain valuable association with the principles of a government and the acknowledgement of God. That is, the principles of a government may include, even largely include the wisdom of God. Yet, the rules of “which God” should be considered? Humankind has some inherent moral and ethical values and if we look at the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights of the United States they include these ideas. The people forming the government of the United States were largely believers in the scriptures and they made sense and were judged moral and ethical. The United States of America prospered under these principles. It was not an easy road and people often did not take to heart those principles, but eventually those ideals were achieved to a reasonable degree.
In present modern times there is a movement away from God or to accepting all gods. Sounds nice, but there needs to be a consistent moral foundation and even then judgments are complicated. Moral and immoral, ethical and unethical and in such a world everything is questioned and when the lines are blurred evil creeps in everywhere. In an attempt to be fair to all religions, there are efforts to completely remove the idea of god, of a religious basis from the governing of the United States of America. One of the prime religions leading such efforts is a “non-religion” called Atheism. The principles of the United States were not based on Atheism. The prime influence was the bible and that over the centuries even before 1776 meant many different religious groups. Radically different religions could and do often have considerably different principles, such as Islam, Mormonism, Buddhism and others. Certainly, Catholicism in 1776 would not have been a place to look for governing principles as they had their own set of rules and non-religious motives.
Atheism, a characteristic of Communist governments has not provided for a sustainable, moral government. Communist governments lead to an intolerable, privately selected hierarchy filled with cruelty and unfairness.
Islam’s Sharia law destroys personal freedoms. If Mormonism had their way we would have polygamy and the chaos and indignity to women and children – that is what the founders of Mormonism wanted. The moral government of the United States over-ruled that religious thought – a rightful, moral interference in religion.
Religions should NOT be “hands-off’ or get a free pass if their religions sanction, support, violate (or plan to violate) the laws of United States. In today’s world, the principles of the United States are too restrictive for many, too moral for many and some fight to change the constitution. Frankly, many want a godless constitution. They fight to change the principles that have allowed the United States to prosper. Achieving this requires the selection of Supreme Court judges that are godless. Godless judges have displayed their immorality in the sense that they are to uphold the constitution, the intent of the forefathers. However, those principles were based on godliness as seen in the scriptures. Godless judges due to their personal convictions place them immediately in opposition to keeping their commitment to defend the constitution. An early example of this is the acceptance of abortion – the killing of human beings is certainly immoral and not something intended by those crafting the constitution. The founding fathers with their sense of God and His relationship to the scriptures resulted in defining a country that was moral, ethical – BECAUSE – This God was the one true God, the God of the bible. As America wavers from the scriptures, it will degrade to something much different and finally people will wonder what happened. It has been going the wrong direction for some time. Again, God’s church is not involved in government matters, individual Christians can point out the problems and provide warnings, which has been done on this page. The body of Christ message is spiritual and they preach the gospel to bring truth to those who want to succeed in life.

Note: One should understand that the correct principles do not guarantee success, but with continued dedication to those principles things will be better. America from its inception as a nation still made bad choices as this is what greedy, selfish people do and many are hurt. The absence of good principles just multiplies the evil and hastens its onset. As the foundation is eroded the nation will very gradually slide into oblivion.

Here is another way to identify the truth in religion. As you begin to gain a true understanding of God and the doctrine of Christ, you will realize the spiritual nature of the truth, of the church. The church is first spiritual, called the body of Christ and the Lord (Himself) adds the obedient believers. The local church consists of those added by the Lord, who work together for a very special mission and that is to bring the gospel message to the world. The New Testament pattern for the local church as delivered by the Holy Spirit authorizes independent groups with the scriptures as the only “rule book.” That pattern fits with all that God wants to accomplish and limits the work of the local church to evangelism and specifically to preaching the gospel. The world will always have its “worldly problems” but their solutions are not the work of God’s people.
During the time of Jesus on earth, there were many social issues, but He never became involved. If you understand God and His purpose, it was not to be a problem solver for the never-ending woes, which humankind would bring on themselves. In fact, most if not all those woes have a root cause in sin. Thus, there is a sense where the church indirectly in a root cause manner addresses social problems inasmuch as the gospel message requires repentance. In any case, God through Christ brought the solution to sin, to the spiritual problem of sin. The world and the world of human religions both in their own ways oppose God and His ways. The world by their open choice of sin and the religions of the world by creating what they think God wants versus following His directions.

God’s Children In Relation To Governments

In relation to governments, the church and God’s children are to obey the laws of the land. They cannot participate in any immorality of the government, but need to be supportive and pay their taxes even if too high. This is for the following reasons:
1) To have a peaceful as possible life
2) To focus on their mission, a much higher mission – souls
3) To resist the authority is to resist God

A little thought here allows one to understand that there is no need for separation of church and state in the case of God’s children. They are the perfect citizens and governments would wisely embrace such law-keepers.

The Only Source of Authority

Romans 13.1,2

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Now, here is where some people fail to understand the scriptures and read into this verse much more than it says. A first principle is that God is the absence of evil. It is true that governments are often, frequently and some might say most always corrupt(evil) and therefore God is in some way supportive of evil actions. The truth is quite different.

John 19.10,11

10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”
11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

Clearly, the action against Jesus was unjustified, but nonetheless the authority of the Roman government was of God. They were using the power to do evil and it was sin and in this case the sin was even greater by those Jews who brought Jesus to Pilate. All authority is in the hands of God and this is very certain. God has to provide, really allow authority to exist.
Governments have been given the right by God to enforce the laws.

Romans 13.1-7

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

It does not mean that those in authority are doing the right thing, albeit hopefully in many cases they do and provide some “common sense” and moral/ethical order in the process. Those in authority who use the scriptures as their guide will have the best chance of having a peaceable, ethical rule. Soon, after the death of Christ, God gives all authority to Christ (Matthew 28.18) and then at the end of the world all authority will forever be abolished (1 Corinthians 15.24).
It is a good thing to understand authority from God’s point of view and ultimately with study you can see that all authority is from God, but the things people (in authority) do are of their own choice and it would seem seldom aligned with God. God will hold them responsible for evil.

Ecclesiastics 5.8

8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

The child of God understands that in making choices, the principle in Acts 5.29 applies.

Acts 5.29

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

If we live in a country where the principles of God are prominent then we will have a more peaceable life. Maybe an example would help. The United States allows pornography, but a child of God would not participate or support or be involved in any way. The United States allows abortions, but a child of God would not participate or support or be involved in any way. Could a child of God speak out against such sins in a public way? Yes, they could? Could a child of God break any laws in the process of objecting to either of these things? Absolutely NOT! It is very clear that God allows the authorities to exist and it is just as clear that He will judge evil and in fact is very clear to His children.

Romans 12.19

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Could a local church start a public (outside the local church) campaign against such sins? Absolutely, NOT! The Lord’s people understand good and evil and sin is defined as a transgression of God’s law. Thus, internally God’s people are already very aware of sin and its many variations and the consequences. If the local church were to undertake a public campaign against a particular sin, which one would they choose? Again, it is not the function of the local church to be involved in worldly, social issues. The wisdom of God prevails and that means following His directions and they are simple – Preach the word!

The freedom of religion combined with the Lord’s people preaching the word of God is a good combination for those who love the truth to find it. Many times, in history since the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus this combination has not existed. Although, I must admit that the church thrived even when oppressed. The most important part of the equation regardless of circumstance (freedom of religion or not) is that God’s people preach the word.

3) The False Appearance of Life

Nearly 100 Billion people have lived and of those about 92 billion have completed their human existence. They still exist, but not physically. All the things they did on earth, all they accomplished are gone. All the things they wished to do will never be done. Their memories may be intact, but for the lost they may only be filled with regret in relation to failing to do the only thing(s) that really mattered in relation to the soul. We fight each day to survive and strive for more. Our possessions mean so much whether they are great things or very little in terms of our “physical” success. Our families and friends are often the focus, perhaps our homes and cars mean a great deal. Our jobs or school, our plans, our travels, our health and appearance and so many things are very important to us. A large part of the world seeks to possess the basics of life, perhaps food for the day, medicines, drinking water that does make them sick and daily life is an enormous struggle. Regardless of your “state” in life once we get past the basics of surviving, we dream of, often fight for more, more and more.

Can we “come to grips” with our current earthly existence such that all the things we possess and friends and family and homes and position are seen for what they really are, namely temporary? We fight for these things in various ways and yet they mean NOTHING in the long term. Could we get ourselves to fight for the thing that is not temporary that is, our soul? Can we do that with the same or greater intensity that we put into everything else? Of all the things we do for those we love, for our friends the only thing that will have lasting meaning is the spiritual/eternal.

2 Corinthians 4.18

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Bucket List

It is a seemingly innocent concept to have a bucket list. The mindset is that there are important things to do, important things to accomplish before we die. The nature of the things we want to do before we die tells us a lot about our life and the condition of our life going forward (in the time before we die). If the list contains mostly selfish things like visiting this country or that in order to say you have done that or going to this event or that to enjoy the experience, then your “long” list might be seen as “all about you.” Now, what is wrong with that? After all you will get no objections from 99+% of the world. It may very well be that those with such lists do not know if there is a next existence and they need to fit everything into this life. It may be that the vast majority of people do believe in a next existence, but are uncertain about what that means. Those who know God are not concerned about fulfilling their personal desires, but as their time is running out want to do things in service to God – even more so than they have to this point. The things that lie ahead for God’s children are more important, more wonderful beyond our imagination and pale in comparison to anything the earth has to offer. Life is about the soul and not about anything else and this is well understood and thus a bucket list might look like what they have been doing to this point. Only perhaps, they will be done with more dedication – a doubling, tripling of their efforts in service to the Lord and the gospel.

Get A Grip On Life’s Purpose
Ultimately, It Is Not About This Life

We are great for planning for the future, that is our immediate future, which might be 80+ years. Yet, eternity gets little or no consideration.
People get into a daily routine, but more generally there is a “life routine.” Some people’s “life-routine” is centered on finding enough food for them and their families. At the other end of the spectrum are those who have no apparent needs, but seek a great deal in terms of the pleasures of life. In the middle are people trying to improve their “lot in life” by education, developing certain skills as they look to fulfill a typical dream of love, children, family, friends, homes, vacations and cars. In the process, some take time to consider who they are and what life is all about. Sadly, the clear majority of people have no time, really no interest in what lies ahead beyond tomorrow, beyond the next ten, twenty, thirty years, and particularly beyond the end of their lives. It is the pursuit of things that stands in their way and quite often the fear that considering what is beyond might limit the things they want from life. So, they think it is better not to know. Such people successfully surround themselves with others “living for this life” and all seems well – relaxing, comfortable. That would all be fine except the truth is, “life is ultimately not about this life.” Life is about God and He is the God of the bible – specifically, life is about the soul – your soul. Understanding that, you will know that God requires you to live your life for Him and not for yourself. Jesus, provides an excellent summary that reveals how one is to live to be successful and it contains the worst fears for the selfish person seeking to get all he/she can out of this life.

Mark 8.35,36

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

You lose your live when you stop living it for yourself – for all the things YOU WANT. Success is related directly to living according to God’s ways, specifically for Christ’s sake and the gospel. Then Jesus clarifies this even further by pointing out that there is no profit in gaining the whole world, if you lose your soul. Jesus’s focus was on the soul. It was why He came, provided the message, suffered, died and was resurrected so you could succeed, so you could see God’s love and choose to live differently and one day receive the crown of life. The futility of the lives of people can be seen in living for themselves, and then in what we just discussed living for their bucket list. It is futile because what have they gained, as they leave with nothing just as they came.

Living for ourselves provides a false sense of what life is all about. Our false sense may be that since we appear to moving forward gaining more and more that all is well. After all, it seems everyone is doing that or trying to improve, get better. Many people go through life preparing to retire from work and that is fine, but is that all there is – retire and die?

The Amazing Thing

Day in and day out there are things that are important to us. They are usually related to being happy now or in the near future. It might be successfully passing some test, meeting with some person who can make us happy, fulfilling some dream, traveling to see some wonder, helping our family to grow together and be better, closer. Our days can be filled measuring ourselves against what we want. It may be that getting what we want sooner than later fills our thoughts. It is no wonder that we have no time for God, for determining who He is and what life is truly all about.

Finally, it is not surprising that people come to believe there is no God or if there is, He is not important. Amazing, life it is concluded, is about “what I see.” Just as amazing, maybe more so are those who believe there is a God and they have found Him in the religions of the world. In some cases their beliefs and their daily existence are filled with “godly things.” The pride that filled the secular person leading to getting all I can now and the one who has time for God and even a focus on God may be equally destructive. Ultimately, it does no good to live godly or ungodly unless the godly directed person is following/living the truth. There is truth and there is error and only in truth can you be successful in life.
The sadly amazing thing is that in an instant when your life ends either at your death or if you are alive when Christ returns you will realize what was important in life AND that it is now too late to succeed. Some thought that getting all they could in this life was what was important. Some believed what others taught about God and life was true and now in this instant know they were deceived – amazing!
Seems hopeless, but it is not because your life does not have to be what it appears to be, what you have made of it to this point. If you are not a child of God at this point, you can be one and be assured of your success. You should not think that it will take less than your best effort and then to continue every day to live in accordance with the scriptures. You will come to realize that WHAT I WANT is not important, but the truth and living it is critically important. Following the masses will end in no final comfort. The assurances from God are found in the perfection and completeness of the truth He has so carefully delivered. Indeed, life is quite different than it appears that is, as it appears to those without God, without the truth in their life.

A Sad Case In Point – The False Appearance of Protestantism

The “outward” appearance of some religions are very obvious in their counterfeit / deceptive nature such as Catholicism and Islam. Protestantism’s history and doctrines are “believable,” even desirable and yet entirely without merit in relation to the truth. As with most religions there are some very good people and they make the appearance more believable. Their religion in many different ways often referred to a denominations has evolved to be one where within their “churches” there are many different programs/activities. Their members are often mesmerized by all the good that is being done. There is little time for questioning the fundamental beliefs. They answer all objections by stating their most fundamental belief, which might be referred to as accepting Christ as their personal savior – or said in different ways. After all if salvation is handled, what else matters? The bible knows nothing of such a doctrine and thus these people in their many good works have never become part of the body of Christ. You might read, “What Believe Means” for some insight into how God defines believing. Here are all these good people, doing good and all in the name of Christ, but all having been deceived continue to deceive others. They like to say led by the Holy Spirit to justify/validate the things they do. Every time they use the Holy Spirit of God as the One personally directing them, it is a lie. Indeed, the Holy Spirit does direct every person exactly the same inasmuch as all have the same scriptures, which He accurately delivered. The Protestant doctrines originating just over 500 years ago are deceiving and have many under their spell.
One reason for Protestant popularity is the ease of “joining.” Another reason is the ease of maintaining their association – few rules and ease of returning after “falling away.” Additionally, they create a family-like bond between members where there is a sharing in helping the needy and the lost. As strange as it may seem even after many years, even an entire lifetime few have never heard the gospel preached. They would swear they are continuously being exposed to the gospel message, but this is not true. There are basically two different groups at a high level and they could be referred to as orthodox and non-orthodox. The orthodox Protestants hold to the scriptures as literal and non-orthodox are more social, less intent on accurately following the scriptures. Unfortunately, both have changed the gospel message much like Paul mentioned in Galatians 1.6-9. In the end there is truth and there is error and God will be found true. I have concluded that every false religion has its power over people as the result of well-developed deceit and generation after generation it becomes more difficult to doubt, to question. Even though there is an almost infinite gap in doctrine between truth and error it can only be perceived by those who love the truth and we might add more than they love what they currently believe.

Life As It Should Appear – Heaven As The Goal

We have said that life is about the soul and ultimately nothing else as in the end (your end) it will be the only thing that matters. The value of knowing and accepting this “drives” you to make different decisions when it comes to making choices. This completely revises your responses and the things you want are heavily balanced by what pleases God. Your decisions are first in consideration of God’s word, His advice, His commands and they will be moral, ethical in nature. Indeed, your life will be better although now the decisions may at times be hard and not pleasant for you and perhaps others. You will be living with the end of your life and others in mind. We regret our choices many, many times, but godly driven decisions will not be regretted or for very long. In fact, doing the right, godly directed things brings a certain peace in knowing you have aligned with the Creator. If there is a cost, at worst it will be temporary.

Failing in life has consequences and the worst one will be that you lost out on heaven. God has held out this wonderful outcome, beyond our present comprehension. We think how wonderful it would be to fulfill all the things on our bucket list, but what is coming in heaven is infinitely better. I can only imagine how a person will feel missing out on heaven, while simultaneously realizing the earthly effort spent on “everything else” was the thing that kept them from succeeding. The “everything else” filled our life as we worked so diligently to get what we wanted. We simply were so busy with our life that we had no time for consideration of the next life, just no interest. God’s plan is perfect in accomplishing His purpose. He wants those who seek Him, who seek the truth and they do this instead of using their earthly time getting all they desire.

4) When There Is Nothing
The Reality of Life

This can be hard to grasp, but valuable if it can understood. The ONLY REASON it may be hard is that the world we live in projects something, really many somethings different than the truth about life. We are strongly influenced and largely because we desire one of the world versions of life.
Solomon concluded about life that all was vanity. Also in Ecclesiastics the obvious is pointed out, but also something for us to consider and that is we come into life with nothing and leave with nothing. Essentially after every event (in our life) whatever it was, it is gone forever. Really, what is the value of it, a memory, if it went well? Looking forward to repeating the event and even improving this “wonderful” experience might become a priority. Is it reasonable to look at life differently in view of something with more substance? Maybe to look at life in terms of what has value, lasting value. We pretty much are saying that nothing of this world has lasting value. Yet, there are somethings and they would be things that are eternal, not temporary. Spending your life looking for the eternal and finding it would be something of great value, the greatest value, and really the only thing that has value. Earlier, we quoted 2 Corinthians 4.18 and it is worth considering it again. See this verse as God providing you with a value proposition.

2 Corinthians 4.18

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Living for the day, for stacking up “pleasures and possessions” has another problem and that is one is never fully satisfied. If and when a good deal of satisfaction does occur, there is a concern about losing it. Reality can set in with age and maturity to some extent and a person can see the futility of all of life’s pursuits. We incorrectly assume we will have tomorrow, we cannot be sure.
We live thinking that certain things are important and the days pass and a new set of things are now important. Our attitude plays a critical part in managing our life and thus if we want to have a valued life we need to look inward and make some judgments about ourselves. Actually, first things first and that would be to gain an understanding of life. The right question might be, “what is life all about.” The bottom line if you find it, I would suggest is that life is NOT about this life, but about the next life. We might say life is about the soul.

About 100 Billion people have lived since the beginning and few doubt this number or something close to this number regardless of their beliefs. Religious or scientific ideas of the number of people are in this range and consequently about 92 billion people have passed from life to death. They all still exist. Certainly, the things important to them during their life are no longer important. One likely realization is that we should not of judged ourselves more important than anyone else. What really made us “who we were” is no longer there. We might even realize that what was important is how we treated others. It is too late to change – life is over and nothing will change our life. Yet, you are alive if you are reading this and there is hope to have something of great value each day AND at the end of your life.

Consider that you are looking forward to some event, maybe the day you will have your first child. The day comes and the event happens and you are happy all went well. That day is past and now your life is different and there are a new set of things to do and look forward to and plan for. Now with that big day of your child’s birth past you barely remember it since there are so many more things that have your attention. Event by event life goes by with the good and bad and hopes, dreams and disappointments. In each case things pass, but with each days ending a new one begins. Indeed some things that seemed important go quickly from our memory and others stay with us for a while. We always seem to have important things to do and perhaps less important with time or we have a different perspective on what is important. We may fight very hard for what we want in the present and that may include many things that we believe will bring us contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, security and maybe just some rest. It all seems so very important, so very critical for us to obtain and if we are honest so very self-centered. We can hide that by saying we are doing this for others, but at what cost. Are we helping some, but in the process hurting others. All too often, we are just pursuing things for OURSELVES and we get what we want and we are still not happy or happy for just a while.
We started this page saying we come to life with nothing and leave with nothing and Solomon was referring to the people, events, and possessions in our lives we accumulate. All too often we live as Solomon declared, “just for vanity” and he should know having lived so foolishly in his later life. He also knew there was another life that was not vain and in his early life seeking wisdom, living in obedience to God did have meaning. Solomon, requested wisdom from God and God provided him a wise and understanding heart. God did this because Solomon’s request was not for a long life, for riches or for the life of his enemies. The idea of vanity carries two meanings and both apply in our discussion.
Vanity is excessive pride and usually in ourselves and our actions are reflective of this attitude about how we need to be seen by ourselves and by others. A great deal of evil is in the background and hurting others or failing to act to help others is just a consequence of our vanity. The second meaning of vanity is the net outcome, and a vain outcome is useless, of no value. The day is gone, the life is gone and was it all in vain? Every person who fails in life will see their life as meaningless and by their own choices. Jesus defined meaningless worship as worship designed by humankind and presented to Him.

Matthew 15.9

9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Jesus indicated how to meaningfully worship Him in John 4.24.
Jesus pointed out how to have a life that has meaning in Matthew.

Matthew 6.19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The days are NOT meaningless if one is laying up treasures in heaven, because the end will be heaven. There is something about serving God that makes each day valued. The contrast is quite dramatic between what we do for ourselves (all these visible physical things) and on the other hand the often unseen things we do that are in accordance with God’s will. There is a way to live this life that is not empty or vain – for instance live it like Philippians 2.3.

Philippians 2.3

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

We work so hard for gain, yet there is nothing truly gained. There are temporary gains that will disappear at the end of your life and it is suggested even sooner. Day in and day out we are accumulating nothing, but a certain judgment against ourselves. How, how, how important is this day and what I am doing right now. Certainly, James 4.13-16 was directed to this very idea.

James 4.13-16

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

The days are evil in the sense mentioned in Ephesians.

Ephesians 5.15-17

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

The days are evil, because our lifetimes are short and we need to make the best use of our time. The days pass and our opportunities pass to do well, to help others to the gospel. Walk accurately because to walk otherwise is foolish and indeed results in a meaningless live, a wasted life ending with great regret.
So, “when there is nothing” is right now if you are laying up treasures on earth. Day after meaningless day is going by and even though the God of heaven says the days are evil, the world only sees the days as wonderful.
Sometimes, we can be unselfish in laying up treasures in “things” inasmuch as we are laying up treasures for those who we love. However, no one needs to have a stockpile of treasures on earth. We help others with their needs and this is good and even required. Building up treasures for them is entirely different and may hurt them more than help them. On the other hand, helping others to build up treasures in heaven has great value, meaningful for them and potentially for generations.
There is a certain spiraling downward associated with those focused on laying up treasures for themselves on this earth. People begin to believe and act very selfishly when anything stands in their way. They see themselves as most deserving and others as their enemies if in any way they are in the way of getting what they want. Thieves who care nothing about their victims become enraged if others are thought to be stealing from them. A man or women having achieved some goal find they are not satisfied, and often become paranoid about losing what they have gained. The self-centered life is always an unhappy life. Certainly some people find a more peaceful life in being unselfish, helpful, kindly, giving instead of taking. They may be like the young rich ruler of Matthew who was living “correctly” with a good attitude, but was not willing to take the next step and live as Jesus directed. A peaceful life has its intrinsic earthly values, but it will not get you to heaven. Such a life may lead a person to believe that heaven is in their future. Their failure may be that there is just enough pride, arrogance to think they have the answer to life independent of the scriptures. There is truth and there is error and each person needs the truth to achieve heaven. The truth is overwhelming for those who seek God with all their heart and will accept nothing less.

There are people who hide in their religious belief, which almost always is their faith in some person or organization. Of course, they are taught their belief is in God. The deceit in religion is just as severe as the deceit we see everywhere in the world. Life only “works” when a person realizes life is about the soul, that life is serious, that God is serious, that God cannot lie and in the end it will be just like the scriptures teach in Romans 3.4 “let God be true but every man a liar.” The solution, speak as the oracles of God, speak from God’s word. There are people who speak where God speaks and are silent where He is silent. It is honoring, respecting, loving God as He requires.

Finally, there is nothing when our life ends and we realize this – finally. Too late!
At a funeral we realize that there is nothing left of that person’s hopes, dreams, and goals and despite how much they valued each day there is no more. Did they achieve some of their dreams? Many people hope to achieve something in death, something better than in their life. Only one thing matters in death and that is success or failure to achieve heaven. There is only one thing that for instance a parent can give their children that will matter and that is the truth about life. Did they provide an example of living for Christ and the gospel even when the circumstances were against them? In your life, did you lay up treasures in heaven for yourself in obedience to the Lord? Did you leave a legacy that has pointed them to what is really important in life?
Each time a day passes, there is one less day in your life. That day is gone forever, it may have been a very good day, perhaps a day long anticipated. Here is a new day and we keep thinking this pattern will continue forever, well, we know not forever, but a very long time – we hope. The scriptures teach, “Today” is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6.2) because we are not assured of tomorrow. Some people plan for having a family and do certain things that keep moving towards their goals and sometimes it comes to pass as we hoped. Then there are more plans and time passes and every day brings us closer to the end of our earthly existence. Seldom do people plan for that end and those who do not will be lost. What, just because I did not plan for the next existence, I will fail. Yes, because then all you have is hope that in death, things will be better, maybe heaven. Maybe you do not plan because you believe you will not exist. It is likely that you hope (if it so happens you continue to exist) the next life will be better. You will not succeed and God is clear about this. God even says if all you have is hope you are to be most pitied.

1 Corinthians 15:19

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

One of the truly amazing things is how we plan for the things we want to accomplish and for the most important thing there is no preparation. I cannot think of anything more painful, more regrettable for the person who is lost than to realize how they could have ever believed “THIS” all just happened. How ridiculous to believe those who say, but the time was so long (billions of years) and the universes are so large (countless galaxies), SOMETHING could have happened.” Why does anything exist, even a proton or electron? Of course, there is something greater, a creator behind the design, behind your existence. How naive, how gullible to believe anything other than God and then to believe anything other than the perfect message provided in the scriptures. Well, you are not alone, but there will be no comfort in that. God wants you to seek Him with all your heart, to be diligent in your search. So, if you do not believe He exists there will be no search. You are not even in the race, but in the stands watching life go by. In reality, you have nothing now except a quickly passing existence and you will have nothing to show for it unless you are “In Christ.”
God created time and within the framework of what He has revealed and what we can reasonably conclude in a general sense from our observations – time was created to:

• Provide a limit on the test for humankind – we could say limited by our lifetime
• Time provides events to go in one direction, always forward – no going back, but just to the next day
• The things past can be said to be gone, except for the memories, which they themselves fade quickly or gradually
• God can communicate to humankind with something that INCLUDES the past, namely His word, which in His providence reveals Him and the meaning of life and how to succeed. God reveals heaven and earth will pass away with time, but God’s word will not – it transcends time
• Time is a constraint on humankind inasmuch as existence cannot be imagined without it. Men and women write things and thus allow the past to live in documentation. However, their value is limited, questionable and varies by writer even on the same subject and will be destroyed when the end of time and all things physical comes. God’s word has eternal value.

Your life has value to God and of course to yourself (and usually to family and friends), but you need to see beyond this life to your true purpose and how to be successful. The suggestion on this page is that all the things of this life as wonderful or awful as they can be are just temporary. There is nothing to live for because day by day whatever happens it is gone or diminished the next day. Yet it is by those days that you will be judged, so live each day well and with a purpose, an unselfish purpose. You will be laying up treasures that will have value.
So, when there is nothing, meaning nothing as we know it – that is, the physical is non-existent. This is the state at our death and yet there is something wonderful, or something terrible. There is a very different existence. NOW we have all these things that seem so real and so on-going, continually in play – we think. At that moment in success you can be happy with your pursuit of truth and your dedication to truth and yet the successful person remains humbled and grateful for what God has done in Christ. At that moment in failure it is devastating to see the waste that has been your life. Some believed they were doing so well – you had all these things you wanted and now you see it was all meaningless. A great deal of the world has laughed at the idea of God and an on-going existence. A great number have found in the religions of humankind solace that now is just as meaningless. You may have thought what you found was good enough, maybe as good as everyone else seeking God. Typically, people end up in some religion that allows them to live as they wish – most of the time.
Why, Why, Why are we not told these things, why are they not emphasized? Can we understand that life is about the soul and nothing else? We make choices based on priorities in our life and the things we want the most are thus the highest priorities. Any person who places a high priority on the truth more than their desires is indeed wise. How many people do you know that can place the truth about life above friends and family, above money and possessions, above power and prestige? So, succeeding in life is difficult and when the people around us have no interest in the truth or believe they already have the truth it is exceedingly difficult.

Reading this for some will make them think this is very negative. A great many religions offer prosperity for people on earth emphasizing God’s goodness and acceptance of our faults and associated forgiveness. This is very attractive and there is peace of mind, security and the ability to live pretty much as they please while having assurance of success in the next life. There is no support for this in the word of God. It is more than deception, but has deplorable eternal consequences that will result in terror for those expecting joy.
Indeed, the good news of the gospel is there – SALVATION. God then makes it clear, how you have your sins forgiven and how you are to live. Paul understood this and would say, “knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” The world would like to think heaven is easily attained, but Jesus said it was a difficult road and few find it. The scriptures echo this throughout and of course, God’s children must remain faithful and thus are said to be scarcely saved. This is the truth and although God wants none to perish people make choices in opposition to God.

As God speaks of Eternal Life / Heaven there are usually conditions and often warnings such as in the following verses:

Romans 2.5-8

5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath

On one hand, sin leading to spiritual death and the other, sin forgiven leading to eternal life.

Romans 6.23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is encouragement for God’s children – don’t lose heart / exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

2 Corinthians 4.16,17

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

The hope that is of no value is what men (despite daily avoidance of God), nonetheless have that allows them to believe all will turn out fine. The hope God’s children have is based on being “in Christ” and guaranteed as long as they live faithfully.

Titus 1.2

2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began

Throughout the scriptures there are pleas for the children of God to endure and Paul would tell the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. In Hebrews, he ties enduring the hardships to receiving the promise.

Hebrews 10.34-36

34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

1 Peter below in three verses describes things that every person ought to know and yet this fundamental knowledge is seldom known. Churches so-called may have hundreds of activities for their members, “fellowships” and a variety of missions, but do they understand, “begotten again,” “the nature of the inheritance,” and how your inheritance is reserved through faith and to be revealed in this last age.

1 Peter 1.3-5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jesus pointed out throughout His time on earth and then in the message
He sent via the Holy Spirit to the apostles, “the characteristics of those who will find heaven.” Perhaps the most fundamental ingredient is found in Matthew 5.3. The poor in spirit is not an unhappy person, very downcast, but a person who humbles themselves before God willing to do His will instead of their own desires. The poor in Spirit reference is to their realization that their sin placed Jesus on the cross – He in effect suffered the terrible death for them. They see God’s love, feel unworthy of all that God has done for them. It is very personal.

Matthew 5.3

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I do not know of anything that conjures up more anger than if someone questions a person’s religious beliefs. This is intensified many times if the reasons for questioning are solidly based on the scripture and the person reacts because they have no answer. They know there must somewhere be an answer, but presently they just become angry. There is so much at stake, your eternity. God’s children are never flustered by questioning their belief, because their beliefs are solidly based on scripture. We are not talking about a verse here and there, but the whole of scripture which has been perfectly fitted together by God.
You come with nothing, you leave with nothing and during your life you accumulate things, people, friends and all are of a temporary nature. The only thing you can take with you in death that has any value is a relationship with God’s Son. Then for you the statement will never be true, “When There Is Nothing.”