Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that it is the result of passages such as John 14:2-3, in which Jesus speaks of going to prepare the many rooms in His Father's house for His followers, which (since Jesus ascended to heaven) people thus interpret as being located there; multiple passages that speak of the present earth as Satan's domain, or that call him "the god of this world"; Paul's reference in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 to being taken up to the third heaven; and the conception of heaven as being where God dwells.

I agree that this does not take into account the coming "new heaven and new earth" referred to in Revelation 21, and that sincere Christians have differing opinions on exactly where the redeemed will dwell in eternity (that is, in heaven or on a restored earth where the dwelling of God will be with men (Revelation 21:3)).

However, I do not think that this point should be a subject of contention or a "litmus test" among Christians. The important things (to me) are that the redeemed will be in the presence of God; that God in His love for them will perfectly provide for their eternal joy and contentment, whatever the precise details of their eternal state will be; and that the beauty of their habitation will be beyond the power of words to describe or express.

January 03 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Most Christians including I believe in Heaven because Jesus believed in heaven (John 3:13, an amazing verse! See, too, Luke 23:43 -- He told the penitent thief this, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." Are you penitent? I am and so are most Christians, I believe. We can believe along with the dying thief that we will inhabit Heaven. 

When Jesus comes back, the dead in Christ will come with him (1 Thess. 4:14). Where have the dead in Christ been? Heaven!

March 13 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report