Heaven

[nirelan]

I'm not sure what the best way to say this is, but Ive wondered what to think about people I know not going to Heaven.

Do you guys worry about missing family members or friends if you go to Heaven and they don't?

[fuzzi]

I'm not sure what the best way to say this is, but Ive wondered what to think about people I know not going to Heaven.

Do you guys worry about missing family members or friends if you go to Heaven and they don't?
After I was born again, I figured out that my mom and other family members that had died were probably not in Heaven, but in Hell.

That really upset me for a while. Now, I'm resigned to the fact.

Each of us has the opportunity to accept or reject Jesus Christ's offer of salvation, and if someone, despite efforts by loved ones, refuses to allow God to forgive their sins, and winds up in Hell, it's a very tragic consequence, but not the fault of others. Ultimately, we all make that choice.

I hope to see my mom in Heaven, but if she's not there, there's nothing I can do about it, it was her decision. :cry:

I don't want this to sound harsh, because it isn't meant to be. However, as in the case of someone who decides to commit suicide, the family should not bear the blame or feel that they could have prevented it. We all have freewill to do as we choose.

[Buck shot]

I think that this is the reason that God wipes all our tears away. Why else would we be cryin'? Remember what just happens at the end of chapter 20?

Re 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.


Re 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

As Fuzzi said, everyone has a choice whether or not to serve God or themselves.

Also, knowing this should urge us to be prayin for those who do not know the lord even more than before.

[tt1106]

Ditto^^. I appreciate your post and I'm glad that you are carrying this burden for others. This is one of the reasons why some of our churches are becoming less relevant in our age. Our church DOES NOT feel the wieght of sin and is more interested in getting us our best life now instead of sending us to the ones who really need it. Take every opportunity.

Blessings Brother.


tt1106.

[paradiseinn]

:cry:Oh man this is such a sad topic....it's something I try not to think about, but have to. A year ago I lost my dad, He was 53. He died in his sleep. A massive heart attack in the middle of the night. The next morning after getting the call, the first thing I did was go to my knees and plead to God in prayer. My dad had a relationship with God and read the Bible, but I was still afraid for him. Ever since then I pray for peoples souls often. I hate to think that I won't have my family there with me. It's so sad......:cry:

[Followtheway]

sadly, most of my family if they were to die at this moment would end up in hell, but im not angry at the Lord because I know that they are choosing that......for now.....

[tt1106]

:cry:Oh man this is such a sad topic....it's something I try not to think about, but have to. A year ago I lost my dad, He was 53. He died in his sleep. A massive heart attack in the middle of the night. The next morning after getting the call, the first thing I did was go to my knees and plead to God in prayer. My dad had a relationship with God and read the Bible, but I was still afraid for him. Ever since then I pray for peoples souls often. I hate to think that I won't have my family there with me. It's so sad......:cry:

Be assured Brother....“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will
complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6

We must plant the seeds, which can be hardest with our families, but we know that God is the harvester of those seeds. It is important to feel that weight of the lost, so we can share the assurance of the elect.

[paradiseinn]

This subject kills me. Sometimes I wish I could take someone's place in hell, then they could have a place in heaven.

[MidnightsPaleGlow]

I suffer from this thought as well. I actually sank into a brief bout of depression a few months ago thinking about not seeing some family members/friends in heaven.

[DaveS]

If God's glory is our highest aim then these thoughts are helpful...

The righteousness of God will be glorified in them that are saved, and in them that perish.

The Lord knoweth them that are His.

The Judge of all the earth will do right.

[nirelan]

Thank you for the replies, guys. My parents and ex-wife made me think about this. The Bible is very specific about sex and marriage, but it seems that most people have either had sex outside of marriage or is divorced.

Those people were closer to me than anyone and it hurts to see them do things God has forbidden. I devoted my life to my wife, but I understand that she is supposed to follow the Lord. Whether she goes to Heaven is not up to me, but I really don’t want to watch her not make it if that is what is happening.

Do you guys understand how I feel?

[paradiseinn]

Do you guys understand how I feel?

I know and feel how you feel. The only thing to do is pray for them and be the best example of Jesus for them.

[nirelan]

I know and feel how you feel. The only thing to do is pray for them and be the best example of Jesus for them.

Do you guys really believe that my ex wife could go to hell for having sex outside of marriage or am I being overcautious?

[AlanR742]

Do you guys really believe that my ex wife could go to hell for having sex outside of marriage or am I being overcautious?

That's the silliest thing I heard!

ONCE you place faith, you are FOREVER saved! You cannot give the gift of salvation BACK to God - even if you spit at God, because then God would be a liar for defying John 3:16.

The ONLY thing that sends people to hell is them never ONCE believing in Christ paying for their sins.

Here is one of my favourite quotes from King James:

"But because no man was able to keep the Law, nor any part thereof, it pleased God of His infinite wisdom and goodness, to incarnate his only Son in our nature, for satisfaction of His justice in His suffering for us: that since we could not be saved by doing, we might, at least, be saved by believing." - King James, Basilikon Doron


The idea of "works" salvation is simply a thing that has recently spread like wildfire (it was originally spread through Catholicism and the pharisees - i.e. earning salvation by sacraments/works) - in King James' day it was obvious to everyone that they couldn't lose salvation and were only saved by faith (albeit with a slight calvinstic flavour harping on the "elect").

Paul had the same problem against the pharisees though:
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Jesus Bless!

[Buck shot]

Do you guys really believe that my ex wife could go to hell for having sex outside of marriage or am I being overcautious?

YOUR NOT! Folks go to hell because of sin.

The demons also knew that Jesus is the Son of God ... and TREMBLED!

Yes, God does forgive all our sins when we put out faith in Him but if someone chooses to live a lifestyle of sin instead of serving their Lord out of love then... well, i'm glad i am not the judge and it is not too wise to tell folks they can live however they want to after they are saved, you will probably be held accountable for what you teach your brothers.

The scriptures teach us that FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of WISDOM. Many today have forgotten God is Just and Holy as well as Love. :hmm:

Remember we are also told to REPENT! That means to turn from the sinful lifestyles not just ask forgiveness.

[Lefty]

I'm not sure what the best way to say this is, but Ive wondered what to think about people I know not going to Heaven.

Do you guys worry about missing family members or friends if you go to Heaven and they don't?

I'm posting here at 5am and have'nt been able to sleep all night because I've been so frustrated with my incredibly stubborn, unbelieving brother who won't listen to one word out of my mouth about spiritual things. I literally cannot complete a sentence without getting interrupted with insults and sarcasm.

I wonder; does anyone here think a left/right combo to the face followed by a few rib softening body shots is a good evangelizing technique?:rolleyes: Somebody say yes so I'll feel better and can get some sleep.

But...who is "family" anyways? Aren't those in Christ, in the church, our family?

[Gauntlet]

This subject kills me. Sometimes I wish I could take someone's place in hell, then they could have a place in heaven.

Do you really want that? An eternity in hell, giving your rightly earned place in heaven to someone who is perhaps less deserving of it? It's a noble thought, don't get me wrong.

Of all the souls burning in hell, how many are there for good reason? All of them, I would assume. And I would assume the same of all the souls rejoicing in heaven.

And what of my own family and their souls? Honestly I don't know, I just kind of assume they'll all get into heaven because they are good people. And because they're my family.

[paradiseinn]

I think while I was in Heaven, I could'nt help but think about the people in hell. This is something that would make me very sad. I would ask the Lord if there is anything that can be done.

[Gauntlet]

Are they your responsibility, these people in hell?

Heaven is carefree, if it's anything.

How to enjoy good health if you can't stop feeling sorry for the sick and injured?

[paradiseinn]

I don't know...My heart goes out to the people that reject The Holy Spirit

[Gauntlet]

They can receive a positive influebnce by you in ways other than straightforward evangelism. If you can't reach them as a Christian, engage them as just one human being to another. It's possible, I think, to spread the Christian message without engaging in timeworn missionary tactics.

Be the message of Christ.

Demonstrate the message of Christ.

[paradiseinn]

yea, I agree. Nice post:)

[Buck shot]

i was taught many years ago that people will quite listening to us but will never quite watching us :)

I agree living your testimony is the best way to prove who Jesus is to you!

i think this is the reason that God will have to wipe our tears away. Maybe He will bless us in the forgetter that He has with our sin for this purpose. He can remember things no more so maybe this is how He will bless us when He wipes away our tears.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Just my thoughts