Who Goes to Heaven and How Do We Get There? Archives - Christian Questions Bible Podcast

Reading the Bible can be confusing. After all, it is an ancient book of a collection of writings by about 40 people over a 1500-year span that details the plan of God through history, prophecy, parables, laws, observations and life guidance teachings. Some of the accounts of specific individuals featured in the Bible can come across as shrouded in mystery. Such is the case with the ending of the lives of Enoch, Moses and Elijah. The accounts of the deaths of these three faithful men can bring more questions than answers. What really happened to them? Was Enoch taken up to be with God? Why was the body of Moses hidden, and why did Satan seem to want it? Did Elijah really go to heaven in a fiery chariot?

Moses’ death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34, where God Himself buried him in an unknown location. While this seems to be a very clearly stated end of his life, Jude 1:9 adds the unusual detail of Michael the archangel disputing with Satan over Moses’ body, possibly to prevent the people of Israel from idolizing it.

Elijah’s departure in 2 Kings 2 is often misunderstood. Though taken up by a whirlwind with fiery chariots present, the Hebrew word for “heaven” often refers to the sky rather than God’s dwelling place. Jesus’ statement in John 3:13 confirms that no one ascended to God’s heaven before him. Elijah may have been removed from prophetic service or died, but he was not taken to God’s abode.

Both Moses and Elijah appeared in The Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9) vision. This vision was NOT a literal resurrection of Moses and Elijah, as the Bible clearly defines death as the absence of life on any level. Jesus alone was transfigured, while Moses and Elijah symbolically represented the Law and the Prophets, pointing to Christ as the centerpiece of God’s plan.

Finally, in relation to Enoch, “God took him” (or “translated” him according to the King James Version). While many notions exist about Enoch never dying, careful reading of the scripture texts in question reveal that he did die and likely didn’t know his death was coming.

Examining these fascinating narratives reveals the allure of creating drama where there is none, as well as the dangers of scriptural misinterpretation. Instead of being imaginative, let’s rely on the fact that God is in complete control of everything we simply don’t know!

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Jesus’ true disciples go to heaven. Not only did Jesus make this clear, but several other scriptures show this amazing result of God’s grace upon a life dedicated to walking in Jesus’ sacrificial footsteps. In the first two parts of this three-part series, we uncovered many heavenly privileges, inheritances and responsibilities that these faithful ones will have. However, at the end of our last episode, we left one question unanswered. This question has to do with another group of Jesus’ followers. Several scriptures allude to this second group of followers as being faithful – but not as faithful – as his truest disciples. What happens to them? Do they also go to heaven, or do they have another destiny? Fortunately, the Bible gives us this answer and gives it in surprising detail!

As with any challenging task, a life dedicated to following Jesus can result in different levels of success. We always focus on the results of being faithful and receiving the highest reward of being with Jesus in heaven. Those in this class are figuratively referred to as the “bride of Christ” or the “body of Christ.” It is these who are given the specific responsibilities of the “trees of righteousness” in Isaiah 61 we have been uncovering in Part I and Part II of this series. They are the rightful focal point of many teachings, prophecies and descriptions throughout Scripture. They are models of faith in action and examples of sacrifice even unto death.

But there is another group. While they are described in Scripture as faithful, they are also lacking in some ways as well. Revelation 7:9 describes them this way, “…Behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…” Some Bible translations call them the “great company” or “great crowd.” Revelation continues to describe then as having to experience great tribulation and having to wash their robes in the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is saying they got there, but not without having to be pressed into compliance. So, how does this great multitude end up in heaven if their faithfulness was less than stellar?

Check out our October 10, 2022 podcast, “What Will We be Doing When We Get to Heaven? Part III” for more. We assemble the puzzle pieces for this great multitude. We uncover some of Jesus’ teachings about them, as well as those of the Apostle Paul. We connect these teachings with their descriptions in Revelation and an Old Testament prophecy. What we find is a comprehensive picture that clearly displays the differences and similarities between this great multitude and Jesus’ truest followers. All of this helps us to zero in on what the work, privileges and inheritances of heaven look like and require. Being called to heaven is no small thing. Join us as we dig into and appreciate all that the Bible teaches us about this marvelous future!

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Going to heaven is a really big deal. Last week was Part I of our three-part series on what heaven-bound Christians will be doing when they get there. So far, we uncovered the mechanics of why only chosen ones are privileged to go to heaven. We began to scratch the surface regarding what these disciples of Jesus will be doing. Turns out the job descriptions we focused on were nothing like what most people envision as heavenly life. In this episode, we dig deeply into what the responsibilities of those heaven bound will be. In addition, we will attempt to understand the “why” of it all by connecting several prophecies and scriptures. Our discoveries will reveal absolutely inspiring details and descriptions of how God’s plan is destined to work!

Jesus himself told us that the prophecy of Isaiah 61 began with a description about him. In the book of Luke, he quoted the first few verses of Isaiah 61 and told his listeners those words were being fulfilled before them. Though Jesus stopped quoting the prophecy, the prophecy didn’t stop describing what would happen after his first advent. It spoke of the Day of Vengeance and the journey of his faithful followers through it. Then the prophecy began to describe his followers after they were given heavenly glory as “trees of righteousness.”

In Part I of this series, we confirmed that these strong trees picture Jesus’ glorified followers as deeply rooted and immovable symbols of God’s will and way. Their divinely appointed work on earth is described as massive and important. Among the many facets of the work we discuss on this episode that Isaiah 61 describes, here we will just touch on two: These trees are called “priests of the Lord” and “ministers of our God.”

At first glance, we might think that being a priest and minister of God are two ways to describe the same thing. While these two responsibilities do work towards the same end, they are very different in application. The biblical priesthood in ancient Israel was responsible to receive the offerings of the people before God. They taught the people and positioned them to be blessed of God as well. While being a priest is to hold a position before the people, being a minister is doing the work of God among the people. It shows an interactivity with those whom the minister serves.

So, how are trees supposed to be priests and ministers? And what about the Apostle Peter telling us that this priesthood is a “royal” priesthood? What does that mean? And what about Israel? Aren’t they supposed to be God’s chosen people on earth? The Isaiah prophecy addresses all of these questions and more! Check out our October 3, 2022 podcast, “What Will We Be Doing When We Get to Heaven? Part II.” The future work of Jesus’ followers is not just fascinating, it is thoroughly inspiring as well. Join us as we look into scriptures that paint a vivid picture of the future!

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It’s pretty safe to assume that most every Christian looks forward to being in heaven with Jesus if they are faithful to their call of discipleship. While this can be an exciting and positively overwhelming prospect, it can also be a future that is filled with questions. What exactly will the faithful be doing when they get to heaven? How will they spend their time? Many say that the faithful will be continually worshipping God and His son, and there is truth to this. However, there is more. Much more. Understanding what Jesus’ faithful disciples will be doing in heaven requires first putting all of Jesus’ mission in order. If we know what he came to do and NOT do when he walked the earth as a man, we will then know what he has yet to accomplish and how his faithful followers will help him later.

To understand the whole idea of being resurrected to heaven, we first need to understand a basic but potentially surprising premise. Simply stated, heaven is NOT the destination for everyone who says they love Jesus. Think about it – all of humanity was doomed to death because of the sin of Adam. Jesus satisfied justice by paying the price for that sin. This meant that all of humanity was now given a just right to a resurrected earthly life. Those who will go to heaven are invited to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and sacrifice their human will as he did. Heaven is not a result of justice; it is an unmerited gift of grace.

While the answer to this simple question is not that easy, there are a few basic heavenly things we can be sure of. First, heaven will be the home of Jesus’ faithful followers. He emphatically taught us in John 14 that there are many “rooms” in his Father’s “house” and he was going to prepare a place for them. The idea of abiding in God’s figurative house is a staggering privilege to say the least!

We learn the answer by paying attention to both Old and New Testament scriptures together. In 1 Peter chapter 2, Peter offers several titles given to the faithful, like “chosen race” and “royal priesthood.” These are not just empty accolades. They describe serious positions of privilege and responsibility. In Isaiah chapter 61, there are further descriptions of what Jesus’ followers will be doing. The Old and New Testaments combine to teach us about the extensive and profound heavenly work of Jesus’ disciples.

Check out our September 26, 2022 podcast, “What Will We be Doing When We Get to Heaven? (Part I)” for more. This is Part I of a three-part series that attempts to methodically put heaven’s privileges, inheritances and responsibilities in order. We analyze the titles and examine the responsibilities that go with them. What we find is a fascinating and unexpectedly clear picture of heavenly power, work and privilege!

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Near-death experiences  (NDEs) are common. They have been reported from cultures and religions worldwide for hundreds of years. In this near-death scenario, there is usually a dark tunnel with a warm and calming light at the end. Often there are deceased relatives waiting in that light to receive the person going through the  experience. Sometimes the person feels and sees themselves leave their body. At Christian Questions, we have always held that the Bible teaches that death is the absence of life. Could these NDEs be shedding a different light and proof on this subject? Are these experiences showing us a gateway to the supernatural, or could they in any way be physiological? One way or another, NDEs prove something. This question is, what?

The drama of an NDE is hard to match. There are so many millions of people who have reported them, and their reports frequently indicate a vivid sense of reality. People not only remember having the experience, they remember its details and sensations in extraordinary detail. Because these experiences are common throughout the world and across all religious borders, we need to pay attention to their message. As we acknowledge the commonality of such events, it is also important to recognize that all NDEs are not pleasant or peaceful. Some people are unfortunately terrorized and traumatized by what they report.

Curiously, when you compare the details of these experiences, they seem to gather into categories based upon cultural or religious beliefs. One example of this is the reports that during an NDE, people see their lives panoramically flash before their eyes. While this description of a life review is extremely common in western cultures and Judeo-Christian faiths, it is entirely different in some eastern culture and religious circles.

The Hindu NDE accounts may consist of having someone read the record of the dying person’s life (called the “akashic record”). In Hinduism, a traditional belief is that the reading of a person’s akashic record occurs immediately after death. This concept is widely believed by Hindus all over India. The common western culture panoramic life review does not appear in accounts from India. So, why is this significant?

Check out our November 29, 2021 podcast, “Is a Near Death Experience a Glimpse of Heaven?” We address this core question regarding what an NDE is on several levels. First, we establish a scriptural basis for viewing such experiences. As this story unfolds, it really looks like we are dealing with massive contradictions. The Bible is specific about what death is, and the commonality of near-death experiences seems to indicate a fundamental difference between the two. When we open the door of medical and scientific evidence all of this changes. Join us as we combine biblical perspective with science, medicine and practical application and come up with a fascinating and harmonious conclusion! We also recommend Episode 1201: Can the Dead Communicate With Us?

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God does have a plan for the destiny of humanity. He always has. Think about it – God created man as the crowning feature of the earth’s system of life. Man was given dominion over the planet, sin entered and the whole thing seemed ruined. The thing is, God knew sin would enter. He knew man would fall. The journey through sin was to be part of an eternal education experience for all of humanity. In Part I of our series, we established that the Bible teaches the earth not only abides forever, but it will be housing humanity throughout that eternity. We also established that the pathway to heaven is available by invitation only. Walking that path requires life-long faith, sacrifice and obedience. While acknowledging we are sinners and loving Jesus are wonderful steps to take, they don’t get us to heaven. While these scriptural truths are enlightening, they raise MANY questions about the afterlife. What about hell? And what are all those unsaved people doing on earth? What about Judgment Day?

The concept of an eternal burning hell of torment is a massive question when considering the  destiny of humanity. There are several scriptures in the teachings of Jesus that certainly seem to support it. But think about this concept it relates to the rest of the Bible. If hell is the destiny for those who disobey God, why did God tell Adam that the penalty of sin was death? Did God not tell the truth? If eternal torture is factual, then why was it not described at all outside of Jesus words and two symbolic scriptures in Revelation? Why did the Apostle Paul emphatically state “the wages of sin is death”? Why does the rest of the New Testament not seem to care about such a dramatic consequence?

If we take these questions and investigate the Scriptures in question with diligence and integrity, this whole issue begins to reveal itself. What we find is biblical logic and doctrine that debunks this false teaching. While this may be a relief, it adds more questions. Once you take away the belief that unbelievers will be eternally tortured, what do you do with them? Are they simply able to exist with out consequences? How fair would that be?  Do they just cease to exist? How could that be fair for those who never heard the name of Jesus?

Understanding the biblical reality of how this period of time works solves all of these issues. Check out our April 26, 2021 podcast, “Did God Make Heaven and Hell Humanity’s Destiny? (Part II)” for more. On top of giving clear biblical direction on the hell of torment issue, we define what Judgment Day is and what it is not. We review the scriptural perspective on what really happens in the afterlife to all the unbelievers throughout history. The result is a crystal-clear picture of how God’s plan will treat believers and unbelievers in the future. Don’t miss how all the details fit together and reveal an inspirational and God-glorifying picture!

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The general consensus in Christianity is that there are two paths, two destinies that await humanity. First, there is the heavenly bliss of being with Jesus. After all, Jesus himself said he was preparing a place for his followers in heaven and that he would bring us there. Second, there is the fiery torturous eternal existence of hell. This is reserved for everybody else who did not follow Jesus. While this “two destiny” approach may sound simple, it does not stand the test of scrutiny. For starters, the fact is the vast majority of humanity has not known or accepted the name of Jesus. Does this mean God’s careful creation of humanity “in His image” was a resounding failure? And what about planet Earth? If it is doomed for a fiery end, then why did Jesus tell us to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth? These are just the beginning of some big questions, so let’s see if we can find big biblical answers!

To best comprehend the eternal destiny of humanity, we need to look carefully at Bible prophecy beginning with earth. Some scriptures seem to indicate the earth will be burned up and every living thing upon it will be destroyed. While this sounds disturbing, the good news is that it is simply not true. On the contrary, we believe the earth will be an eternal habitation in a perfected state in the future. How can we say this when 2 Peter 3:10 reads “…the earth and its works will be burned up.”?

The key is understanding what is literal and what is figurative in Scripture. How would we respond to the skeptic who says we can determine something to be figurative to make it fit our narrative? The answer here is to have integrity. Not just personal integrity. We also absolutely need to maintain the clear and consistent teachings of God’s word from beginning to end. The Bible tells us what is true if we allow its message to surface!

Check out our April 19, 2021 podcast, “Did God Make Heaven and Earth Humanity’s Destiny? (Part 1)” for more. We dig into several Old Testament prophecies written at different times, in different places by different prophets. We find is a crystal-clear narrative that explains not only what will happen to earth, but why it will happen. These biblical texts are an absolute key in understanding the destiny of humanity in God’s plan.

With the question of earth settled, we next take a scriptural look at heaven.  Who goes to heaven, why do they go and what do they have to do to qualify? The bottom line is: If we want to know where the righteous and unrighteous of humanity go for eternity, we need to understand what is real and what is not according to the Bible. Join us for this revealing two-part discovery series!

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As Christians, we unequivocally herald the death and resurrection of Jesus as being the absolute centerpiece of our faith. Further, we claim that the entire purpose of our Holy Bible is focused on these events as its primary message. These descriptions are overwhelmingly accurate. But why? Many Christians will answer that we are saved as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and this is true. Others will say these events are proof of God’s loving plan for humanity, and this is true as well.  Let’s now take the time to look at these spectacular events through a different lens. Let’s observe them through the lens of change. What changed and will change in heaven as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection? What changed and will change on earth? The answer on both counts is…plenty!

What if I told you the death and resurrection of Jesus were the greatest change agents in all of the history of all of God’s creation? Would that seem like a stretch? In this recent podcast we examined the effects of these events from four very specific standpoints. We found a staggering amount of scriptural evidence to support this claim.

The first of the four areas the death and resurrection of Jesus dramatically changed is focused on our world today. Before these events, God dealt exclusively with His chosen people of Israel. Their relationship with Him was based on His sovereignty over them. Israel had to follow the rites and rituals of the Law to maintain His favor. After Jesus, a new way opened up. It is a way that enables us to be called “sons of God.” This change is far more dramatic than most give it credit for. Previously, Adam and Jesus were the only humans to ever be called God’s sons. But now because of Jesus’ faithfulness, God’s spirit can dwell within us. That opens the door to sonship.

Further, remember that the gospel call became an invitation that could be heard worldwide. The name of Christ stands for positive influence, even though it has been tarnished and misused by powerful denominations over time. Think of how much better a place the world is as a result of true Christianity.

These things just scratch the surface of the changes that the death and resurrection of Jesus brought to our world today. We haven’t even considered the changes that have occurred within the spiritual realm. There is a present spiritual battle between good and evil raging everyday. Jesus stands right in the middle of it! Check out our April 5, 2021 podcast, “How Did Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Change Both Heaven and Earth?” for more. We outline how both the earthly and spiritual realms are different. More importantly, we look into the future and see how both will change in the future because of Jesus. Don’t miss this conversation, as it will deepen your reverence for our Lord and Master!

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So, what does the road to heaven actually look like? If you look across the wide spectrum of Christian beliefs you will find far more variety in the answer than you might have thought. You would expect all of the answers to include believing in Jesus – and that’s a good start. However, the Bible gives us several other qualifiers for being on the road to heaven, and this is where the confusion begins. The fact is, going to heaven is NOT merely about what one believes. As a matter of fact, being on this journey is not something we can just one day decide to do! Heaven IS possible, but what steps must be taken?

God’s plan can be explained by understanding the biblical meaning of six words. While these words reflect the journey to heaven, they also reveal so much more. SALVATION is first on the list. It describes the overall picture of God’s plan. God knew sin would arrive through the influence of Satan and that His human creation would suffer its terrible consequences.  Because God knew this all ahead of time, He also had a plan in place to counteract the deadly effects of sin. His was a plan of SALVATION. This plan that would satisfy justice and bring his human family back to the opportunity for eternal life. By understanding what this first word means, we begin to understand the mind of God.

So, what about heaven? We all know God’s plan provided Jesus as the ransom price for the sin of Adam. This has to do with REDEMPTION, the second of the six words you’ll have to listen to podcast to hear about. Jesus did far more than simply pay the price for Adam. In accordance with God’s will, he drew followers to him who would be willing to live lives of sacrifice as he did. To these he promised the opportunity of a heavenly reward.  No follower could be considered for this privilege unless they were first called by God to JUSTIFICATION, the third word on the list.  Christianity uses this word as a basis for going to heaven.

JUSTIFICATION in the Bible is unique. Today when we say someone has justification for doing something, we mean they have ample reasons behind them. We don’t necessarily agree that their reasons are absolutely righteous, but we acknowledge they are actionable. On the contrary, to be justified in the Bible is to be made right before God. This is only possible because of the ransom of Jesus.

Does this mean when we are justified we are acceptable in God’s sight? What about SANCTIFICATION? What does it mean? How does it fit in with being right in God’s eyes?  Check out our January 13, 2020 podcast, “What Three Steps Will Get Us to Heaven? (Part 1)” for more. Then head over to Part 2 for the full picture. We decipher these life-giving words, put them in context and clearly lay out how the pieces fit together. Following the heavenly call is a life-long endeavor. Why not find out how it all works?

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