Catholic's Question

The world of believers and unbelievers in God and Heaven, that is, the God of the bible BOTH desire heaven. Yes, even the unbelievers would answer, well if there was a God, a heaven, although I do not believe in their existence – I would want to be there if they do exist. Neither believers or unbelievers will achieve heaven. Unbelievers are clearly eliminated in the scriptures. Believers, if that is all they do will not be there. A person needs to believe and then obey God in their life. So obedient believers would be appropriate. The context of the entire bible indicates believing is more than a mental acceptance, but always includes the idea of conforming to the wishes of God in whom you believe. It is God’s test of belief and so Jesus could say:

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.

OR

Hebrews 5.8,9

8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

OR

1 Peter 5.5-7

17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

You see there is no conflict between these verses and the verses that say believe for salvation. Belief that God accepts requires a person who will say, I will do all my Savior requires and for the reason God provides. The only reason a person would not do all God commands would be a lack of faith, a lack of courage to live their life for Christ and the gospel.
I mention this idea of believing because so many think they are assured of heaven because someone told them a mental belief in Christ would save them. They should know that the scriptures do not teach this idea. This page is for those who want the truth. God, and not this author provides the truth. You need to understand what you believe and Heaven Coach can help as long as these pages align with God’s word and God’s intent. Heaven assured for you during your lifetime is the subject of this page and it is attainable.

God’s Word Is Perfect
Only In Obedience To His Word You Can You Be Assured

The point is that God’s word is perfect in explaining itself and those who choose a verse here and there typically will not get the right meaning. Another way of saying this is that God is clear in His message and even defines the words He uses. It takes no scholar to correctly understand God’s word, just someone without prejudice, who can look at God’s message and accept it without filtering it with their preconceived ideas. God’s design of the inspired scriptures assures He will get (for heaven) the ones with the right attitude, the right character.
Let’s take a word like baptism, which is the Greek word baptizo or baptisma and the meaning of the word is to dip, to plunge, to immerse. Some people think it means to sprinkle, but there is another Greek word for sprinkle (rhantizó). God provides considerable “data’ within His word to confirm the definition. Certainly, the secular historical record is clear as to its meaning and that is to dip, to plunge, to immerse. So, God in His word indicates that baptism is a burial by showing that one goes into the water and is buried with Christ into His death and rises out of the water into a new life.

Romans 6.3,4

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

So, the action of baptism is the FORM of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is something you do from the heart in obedience to Christ. Jesus being the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him – Hebrews 5.9.

Romans 6.17

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that FORM of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Jesus Himself, when He had been baptized, CAME UP IMMEDIATELY FROM THE WATER (Matthew 3.16). Jesus was baptized into the “baptism of John” (the baptist) and for the reason of fulfilling all righteousness. John the baptist was to make clear the way of the One who was to come after him and so John the baptist had people immersed in water. Although, they could not understand its meaning soon they would know that this form represents the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. They were baptizing near Aenon (John 3.23) because there was much water there. The Eunuch in Acts 8 says to Phillip, here is water what hinders me from being baptized. The scriptures thus define the word baptism consistent with the definition of the times. You will not find any other use of the word baptism in the scriptures that defines baptism any differently than an immersion.

The scriptures carry this idea of obedience from Genesis 1.1 to Revelation 22.21. This page (and Heaven Coach in general) provides the person with an open mind, humble, and unselfish character with the truth they need and the associated evidence that would be expected from God (INASMUCH AS HEAVEN COACH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SCRIPTURES). The person who has a love of the truth and wants heaven badly enough to move from their current belief system to whatever God requires can succeed. God’s wisdom is quite different than humankind can imagine and the following indicates some of the wisdom from God and how it differs from the way humanity might view these subjects. You will find no salvation in the wisdom that comes from man, but God be thanked you can be certain, confident in the message God delivered. Just because someone says the message is from God and even uses scripture that does not mean it is the truth. The truth withstands the scrutiny of investigation, because God’s word is perfect and it ALL fits perfectly together, consistent in purpose.

God’s Wisdom, God’s Way To Accomplish His Purpose

It was in God’s wisdom to deliver the message the way He did
The inspired scriptures, the word of God, the bible

Humankind may think God should write His message in the sky each day and every person could read it in their own language. A person could think God should have a constant stream of supernatural events emphasizing what God required. Some might think every person should be directly contacted by God and given certain choices. However, what you see is God’s perfect way of communicating the truth to persons who love the truth, who are humble enough to accept God’s way.

1 Corinthians 1.18,19

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

2 Peter 1.2-4

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God, by inspiration delivered His word and it was complete before the end of the first century. Finally, we have the perfect will of God. We have all things that pertain to life and godliness. How could this be done and how can we be sure? The answer is simple as it is by His divine power. The creative power of all things seen and unseen and now in this case delivering to His creation what is needed to fulfill His purpose for humankind.

The very fact that God’s message is different than expected and is delivered in a way that a person might think is not the best way requires a person (for one thing) to be humble and open-minded to the scriptures. At an early point of discovery about life’s true meaning, a love of the truth is particularly important. Later as the evidence “piles-up” the truth itself will be overpowering and you are on the way to being assured of heaven.

It was in God’s wisdom to clearly differentiate the infinite difference between His wisdom and the wisdom of humankind

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.

Romans 11.33

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

There is a certain foolishness in questioning God’s ways and as you look at several aspects God’s wisdom it certainly is not the way either you or I might think was best. God graciously and without any apology makes it clear we are not in any way His equal, but He is INFINITELY HIGHER. Our free will allows us to question God, even his existence. All the problems we may see in God’s way in terms of (for instance) how He can judge fairly are not a problem for Him. Of course, questioning the things you read/hear is somewhat “natural” and the truth seeker will do this, but as you work diligently to understand God it will become clear that God is the God of the bible and questioning God is unproductive, unwise and costly.

It was in the wisdom of God to provide a test and being from God it was a perfect test

2 Samuel 22.31

31 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

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,

If there is one thing you need to understand, it is that life is a test and a perfect test designed by God to achieve HIS PURPOSE. God is the test giver, He has provided the rules and provided each person a free will to decide their response to the test. As a consequence of free will there are interactions between those being tested and that can move a person to follow God or to follow the wisdom of men and women. So one of the characteristics God requires if one is to succeed is a love of the truth. Jesus’ statement indicating that the path to (eternal)life is narrow and difficult is so true and results in Jesus saying FEW will find it.

It was in God’s wisdom to deceive the wicked, they can easily proceed down the path to destruction, which they have chosen.

2 Thessalonians 2.10-12

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God’s way often hardens the hearts of those whose pride, selfishness, unkindness and unforgiving spirits bring them into perdition and thus they go deeper and deeper into sin. In this sense, God hardens the heart of a person.

It was in God’s wisdom to provide a perfect document – The word of God. The word of God in its perfection allows those who desire truth to differentiate between what is from God and what is from humankind

Psalm 19.7

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple

2 Peter 1.20,21

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

We learn that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit, inasmuch as it divides those who are obedient to God from those who are not. It does this in different ways, but the obvious one is providing the rules from God by which each person will be judged.

John 15.48

48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

God’s word is perfect and precisely delivered by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are many aspects of this perfection and one is how a subject can be covered by one author and so much is revealed and then another inspired author speaking on the same subject DOES NOT CONFLICT the first author although saying it differently and usually ENHANCING THE SUBJECT. The result (for example) is a very clear picture of God’s purpose and plan of reconciliation, of the end of the world and of judgment. The consistency of purpose and clarity of truth is in relation to everything. Humanity can not agree on anything even what happened yesterday, much less having this consistent picture delivered by about 40 different authors over thousands of years. Those who want the truth can find it, because God has accurately provided it in a miraculous way.

It was in God’s wisdom to create humanity in a physical, temporary body, in a physical temporary universe and in a temporary time domain

2 Corinthians 4.16-18

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,
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.

This revelation from God is quite amazing as it defines humankind, that is, who we are very precisely. We know the framework of our existence and what is important and eternal and what is temporary. However, it is in this temporary, physical and time existence that our eternity is determined. These verses above were written to God’s children (the church at Corinth), those who by obedience are “In Christ.” God tells them although your outward man is perishing, your spiritual existence (inward man) is being renewed day by day – that is as long as you stay “In Christ” day-by-day. God tells His children to bear the current afflictions and they will gain heaven (eternal weight of glory). In just these three verses there is, as always, consistency with all scripture and more clarity about life for humankind.

It was in God’s wisdom to have mankind be a spiritual being, a living, eternal soul locked in a physical body, in a physical universe and in a time domain for the duration of their bodily existence

Notice from the verse 18 above, it is the things that are not seen (the spiritual things) like the spirit and heaven that are eternal. In God’s wisdom, His living, intelligent human beings are also eternal. Thus the test makes perfect sense since there is an on-going “YOU” past your death, an unseen, spiritual eternal existence and the quality of that eternity is based on how you do in the test designed by God.

You are eternal because God made you that way. The human explanations of our existence are foolishness because they are working in the domain of physical cause and effect. God cannot be eliminated because the very idea of such a creator would be beyond the laws He created. In the scriptures God is not limited by men/women, but God places limits on humanity. Scientists assume time has always existed, although why does time exist at all? God explains time as one who has complete control of it when He declares, “that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Why does anything exist, much less intelligent living beings. The most basic questions cannot be answered, so “science” skips the basics and goes into the details, which then of course without any basis cannot be correct.

note: The basics missing in the explanation of existence (of anything) is how it all began. The big bang fills that void in a totally non-scientific manner. There was this “singularity” and associated something like an explosion, resulting in an expansion and we will call this the “big bang.” Every scientist knows this is a guess. A “singularity” is even defined as zones which defy our current understanding of physics. Science will never understand how something is created from nothing – what banged? Sadly, many people including young children believe there is some basis, some science that justifies the explanation they have been taught. A better explanation without any flaws is, “In the beginning God.” That explanation is without flaws because God is without limitations can do anything even by saying it or thinking it. Whereas, God limited humankind by such things as a time existence and laws, such as the laws of physics/chemistry and so-on. Science will never prove that God exists or prove He does not exist. God never intended science to have that capability, yet every person can see God in the creation.
Romans 1.20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
God’s purpose has humankind finding Him by faith, a faith that comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. One can tell that God is the God of the bible by the message He has so carefully provided through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

One “necessary inference” coming from humankind’s physical explanation of existence is that human beings go out of existence when they die. God says you are eternal, a living soul. His whole purpose has to do with you in the next life – your spiritual existence. Humanity, in their science must reject God’s existence because they explain existence by random events, “naturally” occurring over billions of years and thus humankind is just physical. There cannot be a spiritual component since it cannot be explained.

Genesis 1.26,27

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1.1

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

There is perhaps nothing in scripture more telling than the first four words of the bible. “In the beginning …………….. God.” To this day and on into the end, humankind will know nothing more true in relation to the existence (of anything) than these words. God is at the center of all things and only in the foolishness of humankind will be found alternative answers.

The beginning, and yes the end is just as sure and well defined in its certainty. However, part of the revelation is that the time of the end is not known and there are no signs of its approach. This we do know, Christ will return in the air and take with Him those “In Christ.” Then the judgment and the destruction of all things physical (even the works therein) will occur – it will be the end of time.

1 Thessalonians 4.15-17

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

2 Peter 3.10-12

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

There is a completeness to the end of a physical world/physical life that includes the works therein also being “gone.” The point of 2 Peter 3.10-12 is how this information should cause you to be motivated day-by-day to serve God, how you ought to conduct yourself.

It was in God’s wisdom to deliver rules for humankind to live by and these are a series of things defined by God as sin (transgressions against His law) and also a series of things humankind needs to do to please God, to grow and be sustained in His grace.

The Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5.21

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5.22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

As a child of God grows, he/she is improving and becoming more valuable in bearing the fruits that God requires of His children (seeking and saving that which was lost). God advises His children they need to be adding to their faith. They need to be knowledgeable, courageous and of good character to carry the message effectively.

2 Peter 1.5-9

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Of course, the verses above only represent a portion of the things that are sinful and that are pleasing. God elaborates and defines the good and evil things throughout scripture. For example, in one place God reveals that to him who knows to do good and does it not, it is sin (James 4.17).

It was in the wisdom of God to provide an answer for sin since all fail in some way and need to be reconciled to Him

The ANSWER TO SIN was first revealed in Genesis 3.15.

Genesis 3.15

15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

There are many verses after the death of Christ that provide more insight into the reconciliation.

Romans 3.25

25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed

The cost of the reconciliation was the blood of Christ. As Jesus said the cup (fruit of the vine) represents the blood of the new covenant and within that new covenant are the instructions to obtain forgiveness of sins and how to live to assure heaven.

Acts 20.28

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Now in the first century, there were those who had been translated into the kingdom of God, which is His body – the spiritual church. They have been redeemed by the blood of Christ having had their past sins forgiven in obeying the gospel.

Colossians 1.13

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The message from God is clear throughout the scriptures in connecting eternal life (heaven) with obedience to the truth.

Romans 2.7,8

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

God accomplishes the reconciliation in the framework of His purpose, while at the same time demonstrating the magnitude of His love for His creation.

It was in the wisdom of God and critical to His purpose to determine who would face up to their sins and seek God and truth

Hebrews 5.8,9

8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Hebrews 11.6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he sinned and did so in most grievous ways. The thing we see about David was how he did not blame others, make excuses, but in effect said, “I did it.” A person who is humble, who is poor in spirit and possesses the other characteristics that God seeks will be one that seeks God and truth.

It was in the wisdom of God to show His love for humankind by the magnitude of the sacrifice to reconcile a person back to Him

Hebrews 2.9

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 10.12-14

12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

We know of God’s love by the enormity of the sacrifice made for us. We see it in His desire that none perish, but all come to repentance. We see His love in His punishment/curse for those who would change His word and/or preach a different gospel – changing the message that people need.

Galatians 1.6-9

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different
gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

We see God’s love in His patience with us even in our disobedience. We see God’s love in how carefully from bible page-to-page God delivered His truth and how in those pages He answers the questions of life convincingly and perfectly.

The wisdom of God is something you can only learn from the things He has delivered by inspiration. Now, right now, you can read of “His way” in the scriptures. It is the most important thing in your life and you can know this and act accordingly OR learn of this truth when it is everlastingly too late. It is interesting how God’s truth can turn people away from what they need to know. That is, if they do not possess the characteristics sought by God AND “on the other hand” a person with the right attitude will be encouraged to live their life for Christ and the gospel. It is a perfect design that allows God to have heaven there for all, but only those who have the character God requires will make the right choices. You can change, how badly do you want heaven?

Two Examples Where God’s Wisdom Differs From What Humankind Might Think Was The Best Way

In each case above, the wisdom of God will be different than most would envision about God. It might be the way God delivered truth or the limits He places on humankind in relation to success. Below are two examples where most people would have a considerably different view than God actually reveals. The point here is that unless God reveals something in the spiritual sense, it is unlikely (really impossible) you will get it right. Therefore, trust God’s inspired word and nothing else.

First, Jesus indicates He did not come to bring peace, but a sword. The world of Christian religion (so-called) frequently, if not always portrays God as love to the extent He is willing to save a person by their mere mental belief in Him. People actually teach that the life of a Christian can offer worldly rewards and/or God is very lenient in relation to how a person chooses to live. Christianity is “painted” to offer the best of life now (i.e materially) and the hereafter – very appealing! The scriptures teach quite differently and one example is that Jesus brought the opposite of peace on earth. The peace He brings will be an eternal peace. God’s brings a sword, something that divides – the opposite of peace. That division will often be within family and friends. Jesus goes as far to say that as a result of an allegiance with Him may result in members of the same family being enemies.

Matthew 10.34-38

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

God’s wisdom in this matter would not be predictable. The better one understands God it becomes clear that people are not eternally bound to each other by ties defined by family boundaries or by earthy friendships. The best we can do for family and friends is to help them in spiritual matters and in doing so that can result in damaging those close relationships (hopefully the opposite). Nonetheless, you have done the thing they so badly need.
The people who misuse the scriptures and try to discredit them could use a verse like Philippians 4.6,7 which indicates God bringing peace.

Philippians 4.6,7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Of course, the word of God is consistent and perfect and there is no conflict. A number of verses point to the peace God will bring to His children. This verse directly above says the peace of God will guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. To the world Jesus brings a sword to separate good from evil as opposed to peace. Those who choose to be “in Christ” can have this peace, which passes all understanding and a final wonderful peace with God forever in heaven. So in this sense, a person with the right attitude, obeying God daily can have peace in their earthly existence. It comes from knowing they will find heaven in the end.

A second example: God points out the ways men might conceive as the best way of convincing people of truth are not actually better. It took me a while to understand this principle from God, but finally by the continuous study of scripture I gained a better insight into this issue. The story is that of Lazarus and the rich man.

Luke 16.19-31

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’
29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

The story here is true and represents the condition of people existing in Hades before the death of Christ. Good and evil were separated by a gulf and the rich man was in agony and was thoughtful of his five brothers and wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to His brothers to testify to them of the final outcome of living in opposition to God. Abraham points to Moses and the prophets as the source of truth and indicates if they will not hear them neither will they be persuaded though one (Lazarus) rise from the dead. I thought surely this cannot be correct as one coming from the dead would be very convincing.
I understand that God is never wrong, that His ways are best. Also from experience I see all the evidence of God as the God of the bible. Clearly, God’s inspired word is the best way for God to achieve His purpose. The following information from the scriptures might help your understanding.
The miracles of God through the ages did not always sustain people whether it be Demas, Ananias/Sapphira, the Israelite’s after their miraculous escape from Egypt, those who saw Jesus perform miracles or many others. God makes this clear by referring to His word as that which is perfect and then as mentioned we see it is perfect in converting the soul. Miracles and signs are not perfect in fact Jesus said of these things that although people desire them what they need to know is the scriptures.

Matthew 12:39-40

39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

God has used signs and miracles en-route to the day when those “in-part” things were replaced with that which is perfect – the completed word of God. They served their purpose and finally were used to confirm the word of God as is described in Hebrews 2.3,4.

Once again, it is God’s way versus what humankind prefers and in this case it is signs and miracles versus the word of God. By observation as we have noted signs and miracles do not sustain people in their faithfulness. The word of God can be with you always in study and in principle. In fact, God differentiates it from the law written on stone and tablets as a law written on the hearts of God’s children.

Hebrews 10.16

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”

Of course, God’s laws are not literally written on their hearts, but from their heart they are following the directions from God. Their dedication is to Christ and they live for Him and the gospel or in other words they have lost their life to gain the reward. In Galatians the person living for Christ is referred to as no longer living for themselves, but Christ living in them.

Galatians 2.20

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It is interesting and sad to note that even today the ungodly of the world will say, “show me a sign and then I might believe.” Basically, they are saying to God this is MY condition for believing – I want evidence. Is this an example of the proud attitude that is unacceptable to God? It would appear to be so.

If you are going to make heaven your final destination it will be as a result of your dedication to God’s word. It is the truth, it is encouraging, it is threatening, it is where God’s love is proclaimed. God’s ways are exceedingly higher than ours and as we better understand God we see the wisdom in His logic. The plan from God is obviously wise and logical. The fact that God is selective in who He wants for heaven and how He separates the proud from the humble by how they live and the decisions they make is wise and logical. He is able to do this perfectly in the context of each person having a free will and God will make no mistakes in judgment. The world is filled with selfish, self-seeking people, who routinely deceive many, but they cannot fool God.

One Aspect of How God Provides Assurance Of The Certainty of His word

Let us look at something God used (in His wisdom) to provide certainty about what will be coming in YOUR life. God’s record is perfect in keeping His word, in keeping His promises. God cannot lie and as the scriptures indicate, let God be found true and every man a liar.

Romans 3.4

4 ….. let God be true but every man a liar ….

Strong words from God indicating the surety of the message that has been delivered and the futility and inaccuracy (lies) of humankind speaking differently in spiritual matters. God brings further clarity to this when He says in 1 Peter 4.11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” This is speaking as God breathed, as inspired and delivered by the Holy Spirit. Your hope of heaven lies in truth and it only comes from God.

Titus 1.2

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

You can be sure that having a successful life (salvation) is as simple as hearing, believing and obeying the word of truth of the gospel.

Ephesians 1:13

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Titus 1.2 is an interesting verse as God reveals that He cannot lie and thus the things revealed will happen precisely as He says. Also, God indicates His plan existed BEFORE TIME BEGAN. Oh, time had a beginning and that beginning was in Genesis, when God declared, “In the BEGINNING God created the heavens and the earth.” The very first verse in the bible reveals something that throughout the bible is valuable to correctly understand God. It allows God to explain that a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. Time is a restraint placed on His creation and is not something that limits God. Just as time was created, so it will be destroyed as it has no meaning for a spiritual being, only to a physical world. So, we have science trying to explain the existence of the universe and of living things and they assume all things could happen given enough time – i.e. billions of years. They also use the size of the universe as increasing the possibilities of life starting somewhere, but why? God is a special cause and science will continue with its ever changing theories and never be right. God’s purpose has nothing to do with humanity figuring out how it all happened. God’s purpose has to do with the soul, with your eternity. In the end the searching for “why’s about our existence” will only have been a distraction – something bringing confusion and wasting the time of many people to their own destruction. This is true for the atheists and the creationists. Creationists have the right attitude, but would make better use of their time understanding God’s word. The bible itself makes foolish the position of “no God” and quite often the creationists do not know the truth. They know God as creator, but the truth about what they need to do and how to live eludes them. Life is not a science contest where the smartest person wins. Those who espouse the “big bang” and the theory of organic evolution will never convince the creationists or vice-versa. Neither will have sufficient evidence to even reasonably convince the other.

The creationist will never scientifically prove that time had a beginning or that creation occurred as God describes in Genesis (although it is logical, especially so in relation to God’s purpose). The focus of heaven coach is on the truth from God in RELATION TO SALVATION and the one aspect of the evidence is the perfection of the word of God itself. As mentioned, God does not want prideful people and the attitude of many, especially in “science” is to show that God does not exist and particularly the God of the bible. In their pride they will not humble themselves to the will of God. That is, the God with rules, who emphasizes the fear of God and warns of a seriously bad fate for those who reject Him. Those who follow after the creation (humankind) instead of the creator will in their failed life be devastated with the missed opportunities and likely despise their proud and selfish attitudes.

Note about scientists, science and academics in general: Of course lumping science and scientists ALL into the same group of antagonists (of God) would be wrong. Unfortunately, the net output from science is ungodly as seen in what children are taught. The term “academic freedom” in this context is one of the most significant oxymoron’s on the planet. There is considerable coercion especially in the higher academic ranks (i.e. colleges). There is no freedom to believe differently than the norm in matters of God and morals. Essentially, there is a silent inquisition, that stops short of burning at the stake. Their tools of cruelty are exclusion and financial/emotional penalties to various degrees. In so doing they shut down roads of conversation leading to truth. The world follows suit and any divergence from the accepted way is costly for individuals with different views. The devastating doctrines, so widely accepted turn out to be ungodly and sinful.

One aspect of the perfection of God’s message is how everything God said would happen has happened! Then, this is one thing we can look at and be certain the things God has said about the future will also assuredly happen. The bible itself in SO MANY WAYS is strong evidence of its authenticity. There is a continuous story beginning with Genesis and particularly Genesis 3.15 that divulges God as creator and the special creation of humankind and the initial disobedience of humankind – and its solution. Then for several thousand years there is an unfolding of a plan intricate in its many facets, but always leading towards the same goal. God is orchestrating events by working through certain persons and prophets often including supernatural events and all to one end. There are hundreds of characters and their names are well known to this day and include Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon and so-on leading to Jesus. That process continued after the death of Jesus until sometime late in the first century when finally it was completed as God had delivered all that humankind would need to succeed. In this pattern there is this singular purpose and interaction with a singular divine being and over these thousands of years the events are captured through divine inspiration by about 40 different authors. It is a story that is true because it is from God. The very existence of this truthful record is because of God’s oversight. God intended in His wisdom to use this means to communicate with humankind. These (about) 40 writers inspired by God produced this intricate, consistent story of humankind. It was done in a time when communication was at best “word of mouth” with some limited written documents.

Nonetheless, we have it today and I would suggest there is only one way this could have happened and that is because God’s “hand” has been involved from the beginning. People can argue against this in many different ways and all just demonstrate a motive, a desire to reject God. The rejection occurs before the reasons for rejection are fully developed. A thoughtful person seeking truth will find God’s word amazing and beyond the capability of humankind to create. The most famous of people in today’s world will be forgotten in a few generations and because of modern communication there will be documentation, but few will care two hundred years later. In bible times with the authors only occasionally being contemporary, how did the message remain consistent and how do we have it today? One would be right to say it would be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

God is perfect in every way and that includes allowing those with pride, selfishness and other undesirable characteristics (for heaven) to even rationalize His non-existence. Thereby, rejecting His word and their own salvation. Life is about this very personal battle between each person and sin and that will determine their eternity. Those people “In Christ” know this, while most of the world think life is about hundreds of other physical, temporary things. God will bring an end to this world just as He says, but of His word God makes it clear that His words will not have an end.

Mark 13:31

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

One might wonder why the things of God are not well understood. It turns out they are well understood by those who are spiritual. Very specifically, those “In Christ” who by faithful obedience grow to better understand the things of God. They began their journey seeking truth, seeking God, and the Lord at their obedience added them to His Spiritual body (Acts 2.47).

1 Corinthians 2:13-14

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The world, that is those who are “worldly” do not receive the things of God, but live for themselves and do not see God as the God of the bible. To this day, even though each person’s eternity at stake, and God’s word is available there is still denial of the truth they need. Instead, quite often every effort is given to living life to its fullest and for the more supposedly “sophisticated” time is spent in “proving God does not exist” and how everything happened by some statistical accident involving billions of years and billions of galaxies. Indeed this is foolishness.

First, everything God said would happen before Christ died, HAS HAPPENED

God provided the verse below for future generations (that is since Christ) to understand God and His noble purpose of reconciliation in relation to humankind.

Genesis 3.15

And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

This is the defining verse in relation to humankind’s disobedience and how God would reconcile humankind back to Him. It is amazing because it would be about two thousand years later before it would be fulfilled. During that time, no one understood the detailed meaning of Genesis 3.15. This whole matter is explained on another page at this website, “Adam, Eve, the Devil and the Purpose of Life.” In summary, since Genesis 3.15 all things looked forward to one thing and that was the fulfillment of this verse in Jesus. Abraham, Issac, and Jacob are just a few in the line of God’s chosen people that would bring Christ through the lineage and thus the reconciliation. The nation of Israel were God’s chosen people, but chosen for JUST ONE THING – namely, to bring the Savior through their lineage. Many of the Jews before Christ and upon His arrival wrongly assumed certain things about the Messiah and even the prophets did not understand the plan of God. Now, however the mystery has been revealed. It began to be unraveled from the preaching of Christ and then was fulfilled in His death, burial and resurrection. We have in the new covenant, in His blood and in the work of Holy Spirit that guided the apostles into all truth, the understanding that is needed.

Ephesians 3.9-11

9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

The eternal purpose of God was accomplished in Christ Jesus, that is what God was revealing in Genesis 3.15. The manifold wisdom of God is made known by the church, that is by the spiritual body of Christ. Those added to the kingdom (the kingdom not of this world) have a mission as individuals as well as the local group of saints (local church) to work together carrying on the mission of Christ to seek and save that which was lost.

Another aspect of the mystery, which was revealed is that the Gentiles were fellow heirs of the same spiritual body by the same manner, that is through obedience to the gospel.

Ephesians 3.3-6

3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel

In the process, as we study the old scriptures there are many lessons and we can come to better understand God.

Romans 15.4

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

The emphasis throughout scripture should be readily apparent. The scriptures continually point to the next life and therein is our hope.

Proverbs 23.18

18 For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.

God, in His perfection carefully sees that everything He says will come to pass and occurs exactly as indicated. One might wonder how God can do this in a world where He has given humankind a free will. We see that God gave direction to certain people, made certain laws (which may or may not be followed) and intervened in supernatural ways until Christ had come in the flesh. For example, in the case of the escape of the Israelite’s from Pharaoh, at the walls of Jericho, in the case of Daniel and hundreds more God is assisting the process of bringing Christ – yet not interfering with humankind making choices. In other words, some of the things God did evoked a response, but that response is still the choice of each person. Pharaoh’s response to the miracles could have been to honor God or it could harden his heart. The Jews could have recognized in the miracles and preaching of Jesus that He was the Messiah. We may not understand the apparent harshness of God in some of the events of the Old Testament, nonetheless God sees the big picture and sees it perfectly. In the area of this apparent harshness there were always reasons, which involved disobedience and for us today these can be great lessons or like Pharaoh, they can harden our heart. Again, God could do supernatural things and in no way limit the integrity of a person to choose.

There was no greater assertion (promise) from God than that of the reconciliation foretold to come through His Son. Everything had to be done in its time and even Jesus while on earth would say to His disciples that certain things were not YET to be revealed.

Matthew 16.20

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Jesus would perform various miracles and finally after His death the apostles and certain of the faithful (who were selected by laying on of hands by the apostles) would during the first century do supernatural things in confirming the word of God. Everything in its time was God’s plan and much was prophesied and all was fulfilled. A little further on into this page, we will point out some of the things yet to be fulfilled post the first century. God in the FULLNESS OF TIME will bring down the curtain on all of humankind. The end of all things physical including the end of time will occur exactly as God has indicated.

The Fullness Of Time

Galatians 4:4

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

In the fullness of time refers to when the time was correct. In God’s wisdom, Jesus would come at the right time. There was a time for the law of Moses and many things needed to happen before the mystery was revealed in Christ. After the death of Jesus, God gradually revealed the completeness of the plan in the church. Again, at the right time it was revealed that the Gentiles were fit for the kingdom as demonstrated in the case of Cornelius. There were signs and miracles during the first century for the purpose of confirming the word. Indeed, the word of God was finally and completely revealed and that is when, “that which is perfect had come.”

1 Corinthians 13.8-10

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

In the fullness of time, God used things like prophecies, tongues, knowledge in confirming the word. They were essentially IN PART until that which is perfect was completed – the word of God.

Finally, when that which is perfect had come, Peter could say, “we have all things pertaining to life and godliness.” Before this time in the later part of the first century, Peter could not make this statement. Jude makes a similar statement in Jude 1.3, “3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” God has revealed all we need to know about Him, about His love and His justice. Most importantly, God has revealed in the gospel how you can achieve heaven. Since God’s message to humankind is complete you must not trust in what any person teaches if it is different than the scriptures. Many will use the scriptures incorrectly, so you will need a love of the truth.

The fullness of time is NOW for YOUR salvation!

2 Corinthians 6.2

2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

So Jesus came according to the plan of God at the right time and preached the kingdom, He suffered and died and in the process revealed His identity as God’s Son, as the Messiah. Read Peter’s speech in Acts 2.14-36 that concludes in Acts 2.36.

Acts 2.36

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The things Jesus did and the things done in the first century under the guidance of the Holy Spirit provides Humankind with the confirmed answer for YOUR salvation – there is no other way to God.

Hebrews 2:3

3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

There are hundreds of things during the journey from Genesis to the death of Christ that were to be fulfilled and indeed all was completed. The number of prophecies is about 2000. Some were things fulfilled during old testament times, others were fulfilled when Christ was on earth. Some were fulfilled during the first century after the death of Jesus and others are yet to be fulfilled. This is indeed the last age or the last days and this period will end with the end of the world and judgment.

The time for the end to come is unknown and unknowable and Jesus made this clear when He revealed even He did not know the time of the end and also revealed that there would be no signs.

Matthew 24.36-42

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Let us take a minute and define the last age as it might be helpful. The last age had a beginning and it was in Acts 2 immediately following the speech given by Peter. It was the age where people could have their past sins forgiven and get on track for heaven.

Peter, in his speech beginning in Acts 2.14, quotes from Joel and says, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. God choose to speak in terms of amazing things that would occur as this was the culmination of God’s plan in Christ and the beginning of a new and last age or last days.

Acts 2.16-21

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

God, in Joel’s prophecy was demonstrating the importance of this event for indeed “heaven” was shaken in terms of the fulfillment in Christ and now the kingdom Jesus spoke of was about to have its first obedient children. So, Joel and those who heard the prophecy would know that some great and momentous event was coming in the future. It would truly be the most important and the central event of all of human history. Certainly, God on this day poured out His Holy Spirit on the apostles and they prophesied and signs would follow them in confirming the word of God. Those who called on the name of the Lord would be saved. Here on the first Pentecost after the death of Christ, they were about to understand what it meant to call on the name of the Lord. Acts 2.38 provided the answer to HOW one calls on the name of the Lord. If you go to the links indicated you will find that calling on the name of the Lord is equivalent to other terminology such as obey the gospel and being born again. It is the same as the response provided by Peter to the question of Acts 2.37 (What shall we do)? God gives the answer throughout the new testament in different ways, but always with the requirement, namely obedience to the same commands in relation to salvation.

1 Peter 1,22,23

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever

The terms used here are: Obeying the truth, born again, by the word of God. Your original birth was of human seed, which is always corruptible, that is always deteriorating or always perishing and eventually your body will die. The seed that is not corruptible is the word of God (Luke 8.4-15 – the parable of the seed). The new birth occurring in baptism is a new life with sins forgiven as a result of obeying the word of truth of the gospel.

Note to help in the basic understanding of the ages of God with humankind:
We might consider there are three ages in God’s plan. The first age began with the creation of Adam and Eve. They were the first persons and God spoke directly to Adam and those who followed. Then the next age would be the Mosaic age when God gave the law to Moses and there were also designated prophets of God, who transmitted the messages of God. This age would continue until the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Now, the final age was to begin with the gospel message, the message of salvation. There would be obedience to the gospel and the Lord would add daily those being saved to His spiritual body, the church. This age would properly be called the Christian age and indeed it will be the last age.

There were Many Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled And Many Involved Jesus

Here are a few examples of prophecies fulfilled. Many were prophecies related directly to Christ, while other ones were not such as the one below. However, there is a sense where all the prophecies had a connection as God’s plan in Christ was always moving forward.

1 Kings 8.20

20 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.

There are many hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament during the time leading up to the fulfillment of Genesis 3.15.

One of the best known prophecies regarding Jesus is from Isaiah.

Isaiah 53.4,5

4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

This is a direct link to Genesis 3.15 in terms of specifically defining the means by which the seed of woman would be bruised (His heel, a temporary wound compared to Satan who would receive a fatal blow to his head). The inspiration to Isaiah from God revealed the Messiah in a way the Jews apparently could not accept and likely may not of considered this as a Messianic prophecy. Today, it is still common for people to think God is saying something different than He means. God says what He means and means what He says. The Messiah was coming to heal people in terms of their sins and not to glorify and bring what the Jews thought was justice and power for them. It was not to be a physical kingdom for the Jews with the Messiah reigning. Jesus was bringing a spiritual solution for a spiritual problem. Today, people believe Jesus is coming to set up a kingdom on earth for 1000 years. He is not, but once again it is a spiritual problem, namely sin and the cure is available in Christ.

Fulfillment Of Every Detail – An aspect Of God’s Perfection

As we move into the time of Jesus on earth, the fulfillment defining God’s purpose nears. There are many hundreds of things God said would happen that happened and these are revealed in the scriptures. The fulfillment of the things during the time of Christ were often foretold many hundreds of years before. There certainly, as mentioned was a mystery around these things and now in their fulfillment the picture of what God had in mind was beginning to clear.

Matthew 1.22,23

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 2:14-15

14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Matthew 2.23

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 8.17

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses.”

Matthew 12.16-18

16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

Matthew 27.35

35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:
“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Acts 3.18

18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

We see Jesus on different occasions saying this or that was the fulfillment of this or that prophecy.

Matthew 13.14

14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;

John 15.22-25

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 18.32,32

31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”
32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

The verse above is a case where Jesus had earlier told of His own suffering and death in some detail, that is the mocking, scourging and crucifying.

Matthew 20.18,19

18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,
19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

It is interesting the extent God goes to show humankind the accuracy of His word. Many of the very detailed things are recorded and then fulfilled before the law (old) passed. Of course, the law was nailed to the cross, that is it expired with the death of Christ.

Colossians 2.14

14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Jesus would point out many of these foretold things as they occurred. Usually, the prophecy was something that could not be understood or understood very well when it was originally predicted. Due to what God is telling us in His word, a thoughtful person wanting heaven should be serious, concerned, and even fearful of failing in life. Of course, with the wrong attitude, that is, usually a love of the world there is no time for seeking God and thus there is no hope. Jesus indicated that the things foretold to occur before His death (that is the prophecies contained in the old law) ALL be would be fulfilled down to every jot and tittle.

Matthew 5.18

18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

John 19.30

30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus had fulfilled His mission and humankind now had the potential for being reconciled to God despite their sin. In the process, He had fulfilled every prophecy regarding Him. Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit to the the apostles for the purpose of guiding them into all truth (John 16.13). As a result, humankind would know their part in the reconciliation. The door was opened and as revealed through the Holy Spirit, Jesus would be the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

The accuracy of predictions that are from God is defined in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22

21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’—
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

God’s accuracy is 100% in the things He predicts and if you look at the scriptures they clearly indicate who will fail (those who die in sin) and who will succeed (those who have their sins forgiven and then live faithfully).

Let us look at “what is to come” in a broad sense, discussing the things that will mean the most or should mean the most to each person.

The Future Is Known and Will Most Certainly Happen Exactly As God Said

You can be certain that everything that is yet to happen will take place just as the things predicted all occurred before Jesus died on the cross and also shortly thereafter during the first century. There were no mistakes, nothing was left to be fulfilled. Now, in this last age, since Jesus is at the right hand of God there were things to be fulfilled in the first century and indeed these were fulfilled. There are things remaining to be fulfilled before the end of all things physical and the judgment.

The most significant things God said would happen in the future SINCE THE DEATH OF JESUS are:

1) The destruction of Jerusalem (occurred in 70 AD). If you read the highlighted page it covers the destruction of Jerusalem ( FULFILLED) and differentiates those events from the return of Christ and the end of the world.

2) The Holy Spirit would come upon the apostles in Jerusalem FULFILLED
(First Pentecost after the death of Jesus, Acts 1.4-8)

3) The kingdom would come and some present (Mark 9.1) when Jesus pointed this out would not taste death until it came. The kingdom began in Acts 2 when people obeyed the gospel of Christ for the first time and the Lord added them to the church – the kingdom – Acts 2.47. The church is the kingdom! FULFILLED

4) There would be a variety of signs and wonders used to confirm the word of God when the apostles and disciples were working the Spirit of God (Hebrews 2.3,4) FULFILLED

5) Jesus would not partake of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom was present (Matthew 26.27-29). FULFILLED

6) The promise made to Abraham would be fulfilled in that all nations would be blessed (Galatians 3.26-29) FULFILLED

7) The apostles would be led into all truth and finally the word of God would be completed (John 16.13, 1 Corinthians 13.8-10) FULFILLED

8) Jesus would draw all men to him if he were hung on a tree
John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This is an on-going prophecy until the end of time, Jesus will draw humanity to Him by His sacrifice.

9) The end would come when Jesus returns and we know this means:
> The end of all things physical, including time (2 Corinthians 4.18)
> The judgment, essentially the condemnation of the unrighteous (2 Peter 2.5-7)
> Those in Christ will forever be with the Lord – will not face the judgment (1 Thessalonians 4.15-17)
These things remain to be fulfilled.

During Jesus ministry on earth, He revealed many things especially in relation to the kingdom

Below is one example that is valuable information in its powerful simplicity:

Matthew 7.13,14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

In these two verses, God provides the truth in relation to the seriousness of living life well, that is, directed by the word of God. The world and the “world of religion” teach something quite different in terms of God and His love. Yes, even for those who say they do not believe in God if they find themselves in existence after death will hope to find mercy for their eternity. The conclusion from these two verses is that few will succeed. This is exactly what we see in life, that is, a broad acceptance of sin. A deep selfishness and desire for more and at a frequent cruel cost to others. Sin abounds and is chosen to fulfill personal desires and it might be the inconvenience of a baby. Indeed, a great deal of sin’s acceptance is “sold” under the idea that a person has the right to choose. It is actually God’s way that allows a person to choose during their lifetime. It is essential to His test and on that basis your eternity is decided. The scriptures tell us repeatedly that we need to choose correctly and sin is a bad choice. So Jesus while on earth tells humankind that the way to heaven is narrow (God’s way), difficult (overcome the world) and thus FEW will find it. God will be found true.

Certainty Of The End

Certainly, the event that has the most interest today is when will Jesus return, when will be the end of the world. These are the same questions asked by the apostles of Jesus about 2000 years ago. We can say with confidence that these events are essentially the same event with Jesus returning in the air taking those “in Christ” that is, those who belong to Him. Immediately following is the judgment and the destruction of all things physical.

note: Before addressing the questions of His return and the end of the world, Jesus first indicated in Matthew 24 that, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Thus, before talking of His return and the end of the world, He first told the apostles of the destruction of Jerusalem.

A very complete discussion of the End of the World is given in Heaven Coach as there are many “inventions”, many fabrications, and really considerable deceit in this area led by those who call themselves Christians. Their fabrications serve to confuse people about the truth and what they really need – so there is no rapture in the sense they use it, no 1000 year reign of Christ on earth and no signs or warnings of the end of the world – there were warnings, signs in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem. These so-called Christians exhibit a pattern of misusing God’s word and most importantly in their teaching of how to be “In Christ.”

There is considerable information defining the type of persons who will succeed and in Matthew 7.13,14 about “how many” will succeed. We do not know the numerical meaning of a FEW, but the inference in this verse and others in scripture is that most will fail in life. In the days of Noah, there were a few saved from the flood, that is eight souls and perhaps there were many millions of people on earth at that time. The estimates are actually much higher, but the idea is that few in this case is what many would consider to be exceedingly few. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had an unknown population, but has been estimated to be between 600 and 1200 at the time of the destruction and only Lot and his daughters escaped (his wife turned back and was also destroyed). So, only a few were saved. As foretold by Jesus, Jerusalem would be destroyed and it occurred in 70 A.D. Josephus (a personal witness to the events) claims that over 1,100,000 people were killed during the initial siege, of which a majority were Jewish. 97,000 were captured and enslaved, and many fled to areas around the Mediterranean. The sins of the Jews were grievous and culminated in taking the life of God’s Son. The bible record is that God deals harshly with sin (disobedience) and that is not going to change in the future. Now, in obedience to God there is salvation, but how many can overcome sin and succeed? The answer is a FEW.

When you look at the number of people willing to live their life’s for Christ and actually live in obedience to the truth, it would be exceedingly few. This is valued information to every person, because God is telling people that the NARROW ROAD IS DIFFICULT and consequently few will find heaven. YOU could certainly be in the few if you want to be and every person will make that choice by how they live. Perhaps the best advice is not to be a follower, but understand what you believe.

It is worth pointing out that the fulfillment of prophecies of the past with all its merit is just one of many things for the truth seeker to rely upon. The entirety of the scriptures fits together perfectly in purpose. To the person who appreciates logic, God is perfectly logical in going about fulfilling His purpose. There is no conflict between faith and logic. You should not think that God is not perfectly logical and part of that logic is requiring people to have faith in what is not seen. It is a faith that grows out of the characteristics God desires in a person and it includes recognizing the logic God uses to fulfill His purpose. The process may begin with fear, since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Eventually, a person will see in God’s truth the wisdom of God and perfect love casts out fear. Perfect love is characterized by a child of God living each day in obedience to the will of God. In this way a person can be assured of heaven or as the scriptures indicate go boldly to the throne of grace.

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

There is also great emotion in the scriptures especially in relation to God’s love and also God’s justice (God did not want any to perish, but come to repentance). God hates certain things and names them in Proverbs 6.16-19. God was angry at those in Noah’s time and regretted creating humankind as the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. God is also vengeful to those who reject His Son. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10.29-31). God’s effort on our behalf is an effort of love, but all that love is on the cross and will not be modified for those who fail in life – for God cannot lie. Understanding this then means verses like John 14.6 are crystal clear in their certainty. There is no way to heaven, but through Jesus. A person might say, what about all those people who follow after the many different religions that are not followers in Christ? God cannot lie and thus the seriousness of life, the seriousness of deceit in religion needs to be your concern. All your compassion for other religions and people is commendable and the world honors such an attitude. However, people and people of all religions need the truth and the truth is narrow and difficult. Use your time to find the truth, obey it and live it – then you can help others, God’s way!

John 14.6

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Everything God has delivered makes perfect sense in view of HIS purpose. The more you devote yourself to the scriptures, the better you will understand God and know with 100% certainty that there is one God and He is the God of the bible. Then as you obey God initially and throughout your lifetime you can be assured of heaven.

Do Not Let The World AND Its Deceit Steal Your Soul

Today, “everyone” is numb to everything, you can’t say, “this will amaze you” because everything is amazing. All around us there is AMAZING NONSENSE that is accepted as the way to live. When the truth about life is “not on the table”, we live for short term gains because life is here today and may be totally gone tomorrow. We make decisions out of convenience, out of personal desires, out of our desire for power and we buy into the lies regarding personal freedoms and accept things that oppose God. Such things as:
Abortion
Homosexuality
Same sex marriage
Lying and deceit and half truths (which are just lies)
The end justifies the means (meaning evil can be done if for a good reason)
Pornography, indecency, immoral behavior
The acceptance of violence and cruel behavior
The nonsense of humankind’s gods and religions

The World Has Managed To Confuse The Truth
While Creating Distractions To Fill your Days

Humanity strongly dislikes the rules, strongly dislikes being given direction and in general does not like the ways of God. Of course, this is God’s perfect test, God’s perfect way and it is easy to see that “behind the dislikes” is pride and the associated other characteristics not acceptable to God.

Psalm 18.30

30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

The World Provides Many Distractions

Whereas, the focus of each person needs to be their soul that is seldom the case. Instead a world of distractions fills the daily lives of people and frequently confuses, misleads people into what will be a very bad ending.
> It is typical and well accepted to deny God’s existence, and teaching a variety of the theories in relation to creation. The acceptance of such ideas is the ultimate reason for living for “now.”
> We love our animals, our pets and have sympathy for all such creatures. Somehow, we place the value of animals higher than that of people in many cases. A person may ask will their pet be in heaven. This is a sad question because it shows how far that person is from the reality of God and His ways. Almost invariably that person has no idea if they will be in heaven.
> Similarly, you will find younger generations well aware of how humankind is damaging our physical planet, while having little to no knowledge about God and their soul. They do not know the truth about life and grow to not care about how their life choices are damaging their eternity.
It is truly a godless world that denies God’s existence and places more value on animals than people and treats the earth as more important than their souls. It is a good thing to care for God’s creatures and to think about keeping the planet “healthy” for future generations. Yet, life is short and the priority needs to be on your soul and the souls of others. It is natural to love our pets and often they are more reliable and cause us little or no distress compared to people. You will die and the universe will be destroyed and yet the spiritual things will stay in existence – you are an eternal being. Life is about the soul and nothing else.

God’s Way and How God’s Children Confront the World

This list of things above that God opposes can be quite long and the point is people can find ways of justifying whatever they do and indeed they can say these are personal freedoms, personal choices or just how they see life. God has allowed evil(a result of the choices people make) during your lifetime as part of the test. The choice to have an abortion or be one that supports such an act may be fine with the government, maybe with families and/or friends, but God makes the rules. You may not see certain issues as ethical or moral problems, but God’s rules for instance define lying or cheating or stealing regardless of their magnitude or severity as sinful.

God’s people DO NOT HAVE the job of changing the world as a whole in terms of eliminating things that are openly sinful, like abortion or homosexuality. There is no direct way to succeed in getting the world to turn from sin. The gospel requires a person to repent of sin, that is forgo sin the rest of their lives. Jesus or the disciples of Jesus did not campaign against certain sins that engulfed the world, but pointed out what was sinful and how sin could be forgiven. Indirectly, a WORLD OF PEOPLE that obeys the gospel and rejects sin in their life would in effect stop sinful things, since there would be no participation. The truth about life, the gospel message can lessen the broad sinful nature of the world, but only one person at a time. There are powerful reasons why each person needs to abandon sin and this is the message God’s people must bring. God’s people are charged to preach the gospel and not to work on social reform. Many of the victims of a world gone crazy with sin are the young people generation after generation, who fall into the deceit of sin. Although initially victims, they make choices and typically as a whole sin’s popularity and grievousness is increased by their choices. A bad start accepting sin leads to more ways to increase their pleasure and their freedoms to do whatever they wish. There is no room for disapproval of their actions, of their self-centered “me first” attitude. God and the next life (typically, neither is believed) is the farthest thing from their thoughts.

It Cannot Be Said Enough, Life Is About The Soul

Life is about the soul and nothing else. Life is a personal battle between you and sin and sin will overcome you or you will overcome sin. Your choices in relation to sin and obedience to God decide your eternal fate – it is God’s way. Since every person will fall to sin in their lifetime there are things you need to do besides overcome sin. You need to have your past sins forgiven in the gospel and part of that process is repenting, that is committing to sin no more. Your past sins are forgiven when you are baptized into the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Galatians 3.26-29

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As a child of God you can be forgiven of sins that are committed post your baptism into Christ. This depends on seeking that forgiveness directly from God through your advocate with the Father – Jesus. You repent and pray God that the sinful thought or action may be forgiven. God knowing perfectly your heart can choose to forgive you.

Overcoming The World and Religion
Living As Though Life Is About The soul

Many things take on an innocent character such as the movies that make you think fantasy is real or could be real. Generally, the movies are not innocent, but are the creation of stories that are highly immoral in the face of God’s laws. Like false religion, they mislead you about the truth you need and often provide a world view that can be enticing and usually are anti-God in their portrayals. The “world” so fills our life that there is no time for God or truth. This is because we want to fill our life with all the world can offer. It is as though we are being forced to fill our live with the world of things and desires, when in reality it is our choice. Sure enough, pretty soon our life is full of all the things we “must do.”

Worldly explanations about the existence of all things are readily accepted.The truth is easily rejected simply because the truth contains consequences and requirements. The more universal the acceptance of the worldly life the more certain people seem to be in their rejection of God and His word.

So, if you place the truth on the table and it is quite different than what people think; This makes the truth easy to reject. The world can and will say you are crazy in what you believe and this is not new, the truth has always struggled. Yet, some people want the truth and for those the truth can be found. The pages of this website are to help seekers of truth and you can have all the real evidence you want and should require before accepting any belief system.

People today are so indifferent in their attitude towards death and assume non-existence is irrefutable. They make no preparation in terms of finding the truth even in cases where they see their death approaching. If anything they are concerned about how they look in a casket and how their body will be disposed of and maybe about the lives of loved ones they leave behind. Life insurance is important and can be helpful to the loved ones left behind, but in death “ASSURANCE OF HEAVEN” is monumentally more important. Leaving behind the truth about life for your loved ones is the best thing you can do for family and friends.

Humankind has missed the mark in terms of understanding the message from God and almost always the message from the religions of the world is the opposite of what God clearly delivered in His word. The folly of religions can be demonstrated by both Roman Catholicism and by Protestantism as well as the many other religions of the world. The religions of humankind oppose the truth from God almost universally and simply because they do not like the requirements or SOME of the requirements from God. Consequently, they create organizations and devise rules that promote themselves to a world that is eager for different requirements.
Heaven is assured for those who obey the gospel of God and then continue to live faithfully. You might want assurance, you might even believe you have it, but unless the word of truth of the gospel and associated actions are central in your life, there can be no assurance of heaven, but the very opposite.

Heaven can most assuredly be your home and this page should help, but there is no easy way. This is because you need to give up your life (what you want) and live it for Christ and the gospel. That narrow road requires dedicated obedience to the will of God. The only question is, “how badly do you want heaven” and can you see past this present world and what it has to offer (temporarily) compared to heaven’s eternal weight of glory?

The following two pages provide 1)a few of the reasons you need to succeed in life and then 2)why you must not fail. Life is serious and assurance of success is much more difficult than a person might expect in their own wisdom. Now, after thousands of years since “In the beginning God” you can know the truth, the will of God and thus if you choose, be successful. Your attitude will determine your reaction to God. Frequently, the attitude is questioning God as though there is something He may have missed or did not consider. What about those who came before Christ, what about the person who was in some way unable to do this or that or what if a person was deceived by great indoctrination? God can handle all your little concerns!

Why You Need To Succeed In Life

A few verses describing the end of a successful life, that is ending in heaven.

The verses above are repeated below in larger print.

Focus On Heaven – Eternal Success

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.

2 Peter 3.13

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Romans 8.18

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4.17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Revelation 21.4

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed

Why You Must Not Fail In Life

A few verses describing the end of a failed life, that is an eternity worse than you can imagine.

The verses above are repeated below in larger print.

Be Aware of Hell – Eternal Failure

Revelation 21.8

8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.“

2 Peter 2.5-7

5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Hebrews 10.29-31

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

2 Thessalonians 2.8,9

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power