HEAVEN
God’s Way
The Only Way
How To Get There
Introduction
This book was prepared to give you simple, easy to understand answers to the most misunderstood question ever asked. How do we get to heaven?
PART I
A WORLD OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION
Have you ever wondered why there are so many religions in the world? And, nearly all of them tell you they have the truth. Most of them offer some reward or possibility of going to some paradise, or their vision of heaven, if you follow their founder. Of course, you must do your very best in order to make it in most all of these religions. Sounds like “Mission Impossible” doesn’t it? No wonder people are confused. When you ask them if they died today, would they go to heaven, here are some of the answers you will get. “Who knows?” “I hope so.” “I’m working on it.” I’m doing the best I can. Sounds like a lot of confusion. How would you know which religion to pick? The next part of this writing deals with the final authority. Thank God, He did not leave us in a state of confusion.
I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Since God is not the author of confusion, who do you think is?
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
PART II
THE FINAL AUTHORITY, THE WORD OF GOD
Yes, we do have a record from on high. God did not leave us in darkness. He gave us His word, The Holy Bible. You may be asking yourself, what is the difference between the Holy Bible and other religious books? A world of difference, like night and day. The Bible is the Word of God. Its claim will not be denied. The one thing the Bible has that no other religious book has is God’s prophecy. You may ask what is prophecy? Prophecy is God foretelling the future long before it comes to pass. The reason we know the Bible is the Word of God, is because nearly 2/3 of God’s prophecy has already been fulfilled. And, at this writing we are awaiting the final fulfillment of God’s prophecy concerning God’s judgment of this world. The coming millennial reign of Christ and His saints for one thousand years. Then God’s renovation program, when He destroys the heavens and this earth.
II Peter 3:7-13 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Then He will create new heavens and a new earth.
Revelation 21:1-2 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
In the beginning, God
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
In the beginning was “the Word.”
John 1:1-3 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
The Word of God has power.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God cuts through to our very soul. It also finds us out and uncovers our lost condition and our sinful nature. No other book will do this. This is the Word of God. Someone may say, well didn’t man write the Bible? No Way. The Word of God says:
II Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
And, also, God’s Word is settled.
Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
That’s why we don’t need anymore new bibles. God did not write but one. By the way, there is also a serious warning to anyone who adds or takes away from His Word.
Revelation 22:18-19 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The Bible declares that there is one God.
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Ephesians 4:6a One God and Father of all, who is above all,
One God and Father of all who trust in Him.
I John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
One God. Not three gods; but, one God in three persons. God the Father, God the Son (The Word, The Lord Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Ghost.
Our Bible is inspired by God Himself. In other words, it is God breathed, and He only wrote one Bible.
II Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Also, the Word of God declares that there is only one Savior of the World.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23b which being interpreted is, God with us.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
We can see now, from the Word of God, that God did not leave room for any other gods but Himself.
In Part III, we will cover from the Word of God, that age old question, How do we get to heaven? Please remember, the Bible, the Word of God, is the final authority. Not the church. Not the Pope. Not a preacher. Not religion. The Lord Jesus said:
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
PART III
HEAVEN ¾ ONE WAY ONLY
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the door to heaven. Jesus said:
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Only Jesus saves.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
In order to fully understand God’s Plan of Salvation, we must first understand why we must be saved and what we are being saved from. Most people grew up thinking that believing in God and doing the best you can and doing good works will earn one the right to heaven. This is not true. God will not permit you to mix your works with His grace in order to be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
It is not our works; but, it is His grace and mercy that saves us.
Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,
Now that we see that God’s salvation is a free gift, let’s find out why we must be saved. In order to be saved, we must first realize that all of us have been separated from God because of our sin nature.
Fact 1
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It tells us in Isaiah, we have all gone astray.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Fact 2
Because of our sin nature, we owe a debt.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It also says in:
Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
So, we can see now, the penalty for sin is hell or the lake of fire. The second death. This is not a physical death; but, this is a spiritual death or separation form God. When one dies physically, his soul is separated from his body. The body goes into the grave. But, the soul goes to heaven or hell depending on what you did about trusting the Lord Jesus Christ.
I John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Fact 3
We have already talked about you must realize that you cannot save yourselves.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Fact 4
Now comes the good news. The Lord Jesus Christ has already paid our debt.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God demanded a one time sinless payment for the sins of the world. The only way he could accomplish this was to sacrifice himself in the person of His only begotten Son.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Fact 5
In order to be saved, one must realize that they are a sinner and that there is a penalty for sin. That penalty: the lake of fire. We must also realize we cannot pay the penalty ourselves. Then we must believe that Jesus paid that penalty at the Cross of Calvary and then we must repent because Jesus said, in:
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
To repent, we must change our mind and be willing to ask God to forgive us of our sins. Also, be willing to put our trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for the payment of our sins. It says in:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
We must be willing to call on the Lord for Him to save us.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you’re not sure that you are going to heaven, you may bow your head and ask God to save you. You may pray this prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I believe you died for my sins. I do trust you as my savior. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Signed_________________ Date_______
Now that you have trusted the Lord for your salvation, God wants you to know that you have eternal life.
I John 5:11-13 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
By the way, once you have trusted the Lord for eternal life, He also wants you to know that you cannot lose it.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Jesus, Himself, gives us assurance of His salvation. Listen to what He says in:
John 10:27-30 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one.
If you have trusted the Lord and you would like some help in knowing what God expects you to do now that you are save, we have a book titled “God’s Plan for Man.” You may write us and we will send you a copy free of charge. Write to:
Brother Larry Hample
c/o Albany Rescue Mission
604 N. Monroe St.
Albany, GA 31701
Phone; 229-435-7615