Today I see a lot of posts on social media. A common one is, “help me celebrate my loved one's heavenly birthday.” I know everyone needs consolation. I too have experienced a lot of family deaths and tragedies. We all want to be assured of them being at peace with the Lord. Yet, the only thing about this statement is, this is not according to scripture. It is not according to God’s word. In Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, and Luke 21:33 Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away”.
The word of God tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” You see, none of us will escape the judgement seat. Just know that everything you do is coming up again. Therefore, if everyone goes straight to heaven then there is no need for judgement. There is also no need for Jesus to come back and get us, if we are already in heaven.
Jesus is coming again. In John 14:3 Jesus said, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” We also know that I Thessalonians 4:16 tells us, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” There is a resurrection of the dead. If everyone has already gone to heaven there is no need to be resurrected.
So, let's not be deceived. The enemy has released a message in the atmosphere, “Just die and you go to heaven.” We must speak the truth so that we all live a holy life, because we will stand before a holy God. Hebrews 12:14 tells us to, ”Follow peace with all men, and holiness without, which no man shall see the Lord.” You cannot live any way that you want, die and go to heaven. Make your peace with the Lord today. We can celebrate a loved one’s life here on earth but after death is the judgement.
