by David J. Stewart | March 2016
Ephesians 2:4-7, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Friend, if you are not saved, have you ever
considered all that you will miss by not becoming a born-again
Christian? You'll miss Heaven! You'll miss spending eternity with the best
friend you could ever have, Jesus Christ Himself! Christ died for you and
me! How many people would die for you, if they knew everything about you?
But Jesus did, knowing that we are horrible sinners (Romans 5:8; 1st John
3:16).
I love our text passage. Please notice Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Isn't that beautiful? The Bible says that IN THE AGES TO COME, the Lord is going to shew His children exceeding riches, in His grace and kindness. The Lord is going to shower us with blessings that cannot be fathomed in this earthly life. For now, we have a corrupted fleshly body, mortal, and bound for decay and death. Ah, but when the Lord returns, every believer will receive a NEW BODY, FASHIONED LIKE UNTO THE LORD'S RESURRECTED BODY. Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” I love that Scripture promise!
And by the way, the last part of Philippians 3:21 evidences that the Lord can reconstruct a body that has been burned, decayed or blown into smithereens! Christ is able to subdue all things unto Himself. Jesus calmed the storm, wind and waves! Jesus raised the rotting dead! Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee. And the Lord can do anything, including transforming our decayed and dismembered human remains into a glorious, perfect and immortal body like unto the Lord's own body. If you don't get saved, you will miss out on all this!
Please read again our text verses from Ephesians 2:4-7. The Bible says God has “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” As Christians, we are already citizens of Heaven. Colossians 3:1-3 teaches us to set our affection on things above, where Christ sits on the Father's right-hand. Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” When you get saved, just as Christ was raised up from the dead, you are raised up from being spiritually dead in Christ. Literally, the Holy Spirit of God moves inside the believer's body to live. At the time of salvation, our fleshly body (“tabernacle” - 2nd Corinthians 5:1) becomes the temple of God's Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 3:16-17 - Note: all Scripture references are only to the King James Bible).
All my life I have heard foolish people speak evil of God, and the things of God. They speak evil of the Son of God. They curse in his name. Yet, they eat His food, drink His water, bask in His sunshine and enjoy all His bountiful blessings! You've heard them. They critique... “Look at all those hypocrites Christians!” They critique... “Look at all these money-hungry preachers!” They complain day and night against the churches, God and Christianity; but they are the only ones who will be THE LOSERS in eternity!
Anybody with a low IQ knows that Christians at best are still people, and people at best are all SINNERS! Behind every pulpit is a human being! Why would you want to talk yourself out of eternal life, just because there are a bunch of imperfect believers in the world? Of course there are religious hypocrites everywhere in the churches! Of course there are rotten greedy preachers who have no business being in a pulpit! But why use that as an excuse (and that's all that it really is) to reject the free gift of eternal life?
Oh friend, you have everything to gain by
becoming a Christian, and much to lose if you don't.
Amazing Things Ahead, But Only For Born-Again Believers!
Are
you ready to meet your Maker? Have you been born-again by faith in the
Gospel? Trusting your good works will send you to Hell. Trusting forsaking
sinful behavior will send you to Hell. I don't care how much good you do.
You can even join a church, sing in a choir, tithe, love others, tell other
people about the name of Jesus, do many wonderful works, and even cast out
devils... AND YET GO STRAIGHT TO BURN IN HELL FOR EVER!!! (Matthew 7:21-23;
Luke 13:23-24; Romans 10:3-4)
I am thinking much more about Heaven than earth these days. I just had my gallbladder removed in September of 2015. I had my appendix removed in December of 1999. I had C5-C6-C7 disks removed from my neck in June of 2009. The next year in April of 2010, I had the surgery redone, by a neurosurgeon who said he thought he could help get rid of my neck pain, but the surgery made me 100% worse, greatly exasperating the afflictions caused by my stenosis, radiculopathy and nerve damage. I'm going out piece-by-piece! As Brother Roloff used to say, “Praise the Lord anyhow!” Although “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) by God, the apostle Paul referred to the flesh as “our vile body.” Yes, I certainly agree! Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
I love that. God is going to give us a transformed immortal body, fashioned like unto the Lord's glorified resurrected body. Jesus walked through walls (John 20:19, 26). Jesus was able to fly through the air (Acts 1:9). Cool huh? Since there's no air as you leave the Troposphere, that means Jesus didn't need air to breath either. How else could the Lord ascend up into Heaven, since there is no air in outerspace, and the temperature is absolute zero (which is 459.6 degrees below zero Fahrenheit)? This is speculation, for the Bible does not tell us anything more than that Jesus was taken up into the clouds in Acts 1:9-11, and that He is seated on the right-hand of the Father (Colossians 3:1). But we know that Jesus was taken up physically, after raising up bodily from the dead, which are both supernatural events. Somehow the Lord went to Heaven bodily, which can only suggest the spectacular to human understanding.
I also believe that Jesus was able to travel MUCH faster than light-speed. The nearest star to the earth is our solar system's sun, at a distance of 93,000,000 miles. After that, the nearest star is Alpha Centauri, at a distance of 27 trillion miles away. Traveling at the speed of light (which is 186,282 miles per second), it would take 4.6 years zooming at that speed to reach Alpha Centauri from the earth. I sincerely doubt if the Lord took years to get to Heaven. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus BODILY ascended into the heavens? I don't know where Heaven is, but it must be a physical place, since Jesus is sitting upon a “throne” (a concrete object, not abstract). Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” It is commonly believed by Bible theologians that Heaven is located in the northern sky...
Beyond the Stars in the North
Read slowly through these statements. Because from them we can glean several facts about heaven.1. Heaven is “up.” (I will ascend to heaven).
2. Heaven is beyond the stars in outer space (above the stars).
3. Heaven is in the northern area of space (recesses of the north).A Hole in Northermost Universe
Scientists say that there is a "hole" in the northernmost part of the universe. It's possible that heaven is beyond that - about 21 light years away from us (Balsiger 2005, 71).
Job 26:7 tells us, "He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing." Some feel that the "stretched out" space in the north may contain heaven, while the rest of the verse refers to earth suspended by gravity (by itself an incredible scientific fact).
A Parallel World or Dimension
Heaven may also exist in a parallel world or dimension. Quantum physicists claim that there are many parallel universes. Furthermore, Jesus clearly stated, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His statement may mean far more than we think.Some biblical characters speak of the "heavens opening" before them. For example, Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56).
Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured into brilliant white light along with Moses and Elijah - right in front of them (Matthew 17:2-3).
Elisha told his servant not to fear the surrounding enemies because “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).
It appears that physicists are right. There is an entire multiverse and beings existing around us in the here and now. Fantastic!
Very interesting! Jesus has a wonderful resurrected body, which same type body God has promised to every believer at the future Rapture (1st Corinthians 15:52-57; 1st Thessalonians 4:17). Jesus drank and ate in His glorified body (Luke 24:30; John 21:13). I've heard some Bible scholars claim that our resurrected bodies won't have any blood, but I disagree. I believe John R. Rice (1895-1980) is correct, who believed that our glorified bodies will have blood, evidenced by the need for bodily processes associated with eating food and drinking beverages. We know that the angels also eat, who ate a feast which Lot had prepared for them (Genesis 19:3). They pigged-out! Amen!
Just like the Lord did, I believe we will be
able to appear and disappear at will, and walk through solid objects at
will. When Jesus went to pray for the food, they recognized Him, and He
“vanished” from the apostle's presence (Luke 24:30-31). Amazing!
Although it is beyond our human comprehension, and limited scientific
technology, we know that it will be wonderful. Man just learned in the past
century about atomic energy. Folks, God created the atom! Can you imagine
the technology that God has? The Lord has unlimited technology my friend!!!
Think about the wildest, most modern and advanced technology imaginable in a
Star Trek movie, or other spectacular science fiction film, and then
realize that God can do anything!!! God can make transporters like those
used in Star Trek. In fact, as we read in Luke 24:30-31, Jesus didn't even
need a transporter to move from one location to another. Jesus physically
ascended for our benefit (Acts 1:9-11), the angels proclaiming God's promise
that Christ would return in the same manner as He departed, descending from
the clouds to the earth at His Second Coming (Revelation 1:7). Even so,
come, Lord Jesus!
Heaven Is A Wonderful Place
Did you know that the twelve pearly gates of Heaven are always left open? Yes, it is true. Revelation 21:25, “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” We are used to locking our doors and windows here on earth, especially at night when thieves come out to steal and do evil. Most cities transform at sunset into a sinful place, with the neon lights of brothels, taverns and nightclubs. None of that will exist in Heaven. Amen and amen! The city walls of Heaven are 144 cubits (equal to 216 feet) high (Revelation 21:17). We will have perfect bodies, incapable of sickness or sin (1st Corinthians 15:52-57). Hallelujah! We know that there are horses in Heaven, and I believe all manner of animals (Revelation 19:14).
We learn in Revelation 21:4 that former things
shall pass away, and every tear shall be wiped away by Jesus Himself.
Finally, the painful memories of the past will be stricken from our memory.
How else could every tear be wiped away forever? We will receive a new name,
that only we understand (Revelation 2:17 and 3:12). Amazingly, the laws of
physics will be broken, as the Lord's presence will replace the sun, moon
and stars to light Heaven. Revelation 22:5, “And there shall be no night
there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God
giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Remember,
God can do anything, for He made the universe and everything in it (John
1:3).
But Ye Are Washed
Most people quote the following passage of Scriptures, but leave out verse 11 . . . “BUT YE ARE WASHED”:
1st Corinthians 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
When you believe the Gospel, your sins are all washed away, because Jesus paid for them on the cross (all sins past, present and future). When you sin as a child of God, you don't lose your salvation, nor do you have to get saved again. You have broken fellowship with the Lord until you repent and return to obedience to the Lord. If you were a murderer before you were saved, now you're as righteous as the Lord Himself in the eyes of God the Father. If you murder as a believer, there are still consequences which apply here on earth. You'll justly go to prison or the electric chair. Yet, your slate is clean in eternity as far as salvation is concerned.
We must also all give account (as believers) at The Judgment Seat Of Christ for the GOOD and BAD works done in the body (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11; Romans 14:10-12). This is likened to civil court; whereas, The Great White Throne Of Judgment at the end of the 1,000 year Millennium will be a criminal court proceeding. In civil court, you're only liable for monetary losses, or loss of rewards; but in criminal court, the unsaved (who are already convicted and damned - John 3:18) will be judged, sentenced, and imprisoned in the Lake of Fire for ever and ever (Revelation 20:13-15). Does this mean it is ok to continue sinning? Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Ephesians 2:10 says that God saves believers UNTO GOOD WORKS. Carnal believers who live in sin are an embarrassment to God, and He will chastise (discipline) them, or else they are bastards and not truly saved (Hebrews 12:6-8). No one has God's permission nor blessing to continue in sin just because they are saved, but one's manner of life has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Gospel by which we are saved. Eternal life is 100% secure and cannot be lost, returned or forfeited for any reason. If saved, always saved!!!
There are no criminals in Heaven, except former ones who are now washed in the blood, born-again, redeemed, Christians!!! Revelation 22:14-15, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Please don't misinterpret this Scripture passage. We don't do good works to be saved; but rather, we believe the Gospel, receiving Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins. John 6:40 tells us that the Father's will is for men to BELIEVE ON HIS SON!!! Although works are not required for salvation, works are required for discipleship. Dr. Bob Gray Sr. says: “Repentance from unbelief leads the saved to repentance of sins,” and “Repentance from unbelief to belief in Jesus Christ saves.”
Even the best Christians still commit sin. Thus, in order to make Heaven free of sin, God will give every believer at the Rapture a perfect and immortal body incapable of committing sin. Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Apart from the cleansing power of the precious blood of Jesus, none of us could ever enter into Heaven!!! Jude 1:24, “Now unto him [Jesus] that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Amen!
You have so much to lose friend. Think about it, you can have eternal life. The only other option is the horrific Second Death in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone for ever (Revelation 21:8). That choice is a no-brainer for me... I WANT ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS!!! How about you? When I hear fools saying they “want to go to Hell,” I know that they really don't believe the Bible is true. I guarantee you that if such mockers could suffer the torments of Hell, burning in the intense flames, for just 60 seconds, they would never say stupid things like that again. They'd run to the cross of Calvary receiving the Gospel to be saved! Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” What a great God! He is going to give us all things, whatsoever our heart desires! And be forewarned, if you reject the Gospel, you'll suffer the same woes as the rich man in Hell, who begged but was refused a single cool drop of water to ease his unquenchable thirst. Literally, God offers you either everything, or not even one drop of water!!! END
“Jesus does not forgive sin! Jesus paid for the price of sin with His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus does not forgive sin for He paid for sin Himself. He forgives sinners by paying for their sins!” —Pastor Bob Gray Sr.
Can Good Works Get A Person To Heaven?
“I still believe that I'm right, that's the reason I can stay in the fight!”
—Evangelist Lester Roloff, “The Lost Fear Of God.”
