Do We Need the Heaven is For Real Books?

     Here are a few scriptures to think about in view of the sudden interest in individuals who claim to have died, visited heaven, and then come back to write books about it.
     In Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), the rich man desired that Lazarus would return from the dead to warn his brothers about the place of torment that he had gone to. Abraham told him that his brothers have Moses and the prophets to listen to. The rich man replied that if someone returned from the dead, they would surely repent. Here is the reply of Abraham. Remember, these are the words of Jesus.

     "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead."
                           Luke 16:31 NASB

     Jesus is telling us that the scriptures  contain sufficient information to show us our sin and guilt, and the resulting wrath of God that we will all face someday when we appear before His judgment seat. They contain the information we need so that we will repent and place our confidence in Christ. We do not need a book written by someone who claims to have experienced heaven to prove that it is a real place, or to validate what the scriptures teach about the afterlife. Jesus has told us that if we do not listen to the scriptures, we will not listen to someone who has returned from the dead either. Plain and simple.
     Consider Paul and his heavenly vision found in 2 Corinthians 12:1-9.

     And I know how such a man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-
     was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
                          2 Corinthians 12:3-4 NASB

     Why do you suppose the Apostle Paul was not permitted to share with us through the scriptures, or any other way for that matter, the things that he had seen and heard in paradise? Why is it that these individuals claiming to have had heavenly revelations, have the freedom to speak and write of what they saw and heard?
     Furthermore Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble because of the things that had been revealed to him (2 Cor 12:7-9). Have these heavenly travelers of today been given a thorn in the flesh as well?
     Finally we have the beloved disciple John, who had a revelation of things to come. He saw visions of heaven as well. He describes the worship, the holy city, the marriage supper of the Lamb, and many other glorious things involving heaven and the things to come. Notice how he closes his account of what God revealed to him.

     I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;
     and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.  
                        Revelation 22:18-19 NASB

      We do not need new revelation of heaven, and what it is like. Once again, the scriptures give us sufficient information. I can't help but notice that some of the things described in books of this sort, have no scriptural basis at all. The image of Jesus portrayed is just that, an image unlike the one presented to us in Rev 1:13-16. Where in the bible do we see reference to a rainbow colored horse? Where do we see a description of satan's moldy teeth and bony arms? These authors are treading on dangerous ground, painting pictures in our minds of things that cannot be reconciled with scripture.
     I write this because I see a trend to rush out and grab the latest bestselling book. We seem to be gravitating toward the sensational, while leaving solid biblical teaching behind. This is a dangerous place to be as Christians. I fear many are rushing headlong into deception. Many of these kind of books are pushing a new age type of universalism, and people are falling for it.
     We need to immerse ourselves in the Scripture, as a safeguard against error. Test all things by the Word of God.
    
    

    

    

Is God Unjust?

     There seems to be this idea that a God who would punish evil doers is somehow unjust. This idea has even been accepted by many who profess to be Christians. They believe that somehow God is too kind to send someone to hell, that in fact it would be unjust.
     Now tell me, would it be unjust if a convicted mass murderer stood before a courtroom filled with the friends and relatives of his victims, and was released with no sentence whatsoever, because the judge was kind, and thought it would be unfair to lock this man up?
     We would consider that a gross travesty of justice, yet so many today think that God is like that. They would consider it a gross travesty if He punished someone for their sin.
     Paul writes about God's wrath, patience, and justice.

     For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
                            Romans 1:18 NASB

     And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
                               Romans 2:2 NASB
     This verse refers back to the sins listed in Romans 1:18-32.

     Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Who will render to each person according to his deeds.
                        Romans 2:4-6 NASB

     But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous is He? (I am speaking in human terms). May it never be! For otherwise how will God judge the world?
                            Romans 3:5-6 NASB

     Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.
                              Romans 3:19 NASB

     Friend, there is coming a day when God will judge this world by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31). God will be perfectly fair, He will be completely just. He will make no mistake. He will not meet out any undeserved punishment, and He will also not leave any deserved punishment unfulfilled.
     As we read in the above verses, all mouths will be shut before Him. We will stand before Him with all secrets exposed. We will be confronted with all the evidence of all our wicked deeds. All will be laid bare for all to see. We will be without excuse. We will have nothing to say in our defense. We will know then without any doubt that God is indeed just and fair in all His dealings with mankind.
     We also read that God is patiently waiting for our repentance. He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). While He is just, He is also merciful, and has made a way for us to receive His grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us from this wicked age (Gal 1:4).
     You see God loves us enough to provide an atonement for our sins. We can stand before His judgment seat with a clean record, totally forgiven. He has upheld the righteousness of the law by the death of Christ on the cross. He can now be just, and the justifier of all who come to Him by faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-26; 1 John 1:9).
     Don't fall for the lie that God has to forgive you because He is too kind to punish you for your sin. Don't believe the heresy that a loving God will not send someone to an eternal hell. This was the same basic lie that the serpent used on Eve (Genesis 3:4). He has used it in various forms through the ages to lead souls to hell.
     What good will it be to have believed a lie on the day we stand before God? Then it will be too late. Run to Christ in repentance and faith, and follow Him in submission to His word.