How do we prepare for heaven?
Revelation 21:1 - 5
ESV - 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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Donna Williams
Supporter
I would simply say, in order for us to prepare for heaven is we must be born again. In chapter 3 of the Gospel according to John, we find these words spoken by Jesus in the following verses: 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, (Nicodemus) "Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 3:5 Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee. Ye must be born again." And finally, the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 teaches about the resurrected body. Verse 50 says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."
Tim Maas
Supporter
It seems to me that the main need in preparing for heaven is dealing during one's earthly life -- both before and after placing faith in Christ -- with what C. S. Lewis called "the great sin", which is pride, viewable at https://www.homewoodcommunitychurch.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Great-Sin.pdf Even to place faith in Christ, we must first give up the idea that we are (or even can be) "good enough" in God's view to save ourselves through our own works, and therefore have no need of a Savior. After that, we must continually strive to develop a servant's heart toward others (as shown by Jesus when He washed the apostles' feet in John 13:1-17), since our entire eternal existence will be devoted to serving God and our fellow redeemed, and doing so with joy and thanksgiving.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Salvation is through faith: The central message of John 3:16 is that salvation, and ultimately entrance into heaven, is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith involves acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and believing in his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus as the source of eternal life: John 3:16; 11:25, and Romans 6:23 all emphasize that Jesus is the source of eternal life. He is the resurrection and the life, and believing in him grants access to this eternal life beyond physical death. Admit you are a sinner but that God offers you the gift of eternal life: Romans 6:23 highlights that eternal life is a gift from God, freely given to those who believe in Christ. It's important to note that this is a core doctrine within Christianity. Different denominations may have varying interpretations and emphases, but the fundamental belief in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ remains consistent.
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