Null/Voided Out

I believe what is more important than understanding the topic of Heaven is that we fulfill our instructions in order that we can have assurance that we get there.

Bible Highlighter said:

Again, it sounds like you are criticizing the Bible or you have a problem with God’s instructions. Do you think Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son Isaac?

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Do you think Abraham took JOY in binding Isaac?
That's the difference. You are commanded to sing, whether you enjoy it or not. You do it out of obedience, whether you enjoy it or not. For me, singing is like binding Isaac, I do it because the Lord commands, but I take no joy in it.
Being willing to obey, and enjoying something, are 2 different things, they are not always connected. I don't think any Jew enjoyed circumcising their sons and I know for fact having worked in L&D and NICU in a hospital that the babies do not enjoy it.
I'm quite sure that as an adult, Abraham did not enjoy his circumcision. He obeyed, but I'm sure it wasn't joyful.
When we're told to "count it all joy" I don't think that James is telling us to be masochists. Rather that the end result of being tempted, being tried, chastisement, persecution, is a better you and better outcome in eternity, not that that persecution, trial, chastisement, and temptation and sin are joyful experiences themselves.
In fact we're to endure tribulation, and even lay down our lives, that itself is not joyful, that's being willing to endure something painful and miserable, in obedience to God.

Not all things that God commands us to do are joyful for everyone.

Jamdoc said:

Do you think Abraham took JOY in binding Isaac?
That's the difference. You are commanded to sing, whether you enjoy it or not. You do it out of obedience, whether you enjoy it or not. For me, singing is like binding Isaac, I do it because the Lord commands, but I take no joy in it.
Being willing to obey, and enjoying something, are 2 different things, they are not always connected. I don't think any Jew enjoyed circumcising their sons and I know for fact having worked in L&D and NICU in a hospital that the babies do not enjoy it.
I'm quite sure that as an adult, Abraham did not enjoy his circumcision. He obeyed, but I'm sure it wasn't joyful.
When we're told to "count it all joy" I don't think that James is telling us to be masochists. Rather that the end result of being tempted, being tried, chastisement, persecution, is a better you and better outcome in eternity, not that that persecution, trial, chastisement, and temptation and sin are joyful experiences themselves.
In fact we're to endure tribulation, and even lay down our lives, that itself is not joyful, that's being willing to endure something painful and miserable, in obedience to God.

Not all things that God commands us to do are joyful for everyone.

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Again, it seems you have a problem with what the Bible says or with God's instructions. For it is written:

“Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.” (Psalms 132:9).

“Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9).

“Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart,...” (Isaiah 65:14).

Singing is a part of the faith.

Paul continued in the presence with the Philippian brethren so as to further the joy of their faith.

“And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;” (Philippians 1:25).

The apostle John writes to the brethren so that their joy may be full.

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:4).

Obviously if singing is a part of the faith, there has to come a point where our joy is full no matter what we are doing for the Lord. Besides, Christians are to glory or rejoice even amongst situations that they don't like or that are hard.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations...” (Romans 5:3).

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:13).

SeventyOne said:

I can't imagine it because it's a place where no one lies to you. There are no hidden agendas or motives. No one is stabbing you in the back or uses you as a means to an end.

I have no clue what such a place would even resemble here on earth.

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bro you believe in the flat earth?

Lucke said:

bro you believe in the flat earth?

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Not an appropriate discussion for this thread.

Lucke said:

bro you believe in the flat earth?

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yeah, he does, even though a good chunk of our technology relies on a round earth to work..

Agallagher said:

Thank you all so much for the nice responses. There are many ways a christian can believe when it comes down to what heaven is like.

We are all different and have different ways about how we think about that subject when we come to the hereafter.

Though most assuredly, God is going to allow us to near his light, and we will be loved, and we can even go out into the wilderness maybe and go help the lost, or whatever is desirous of God, and his mercy shed upon us all by sending his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross, and be raised again because of what love he had for us all.

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THE BODY OF CHRIST`S INHERITANCE IS IN HEAVEN.

Our inheritance, our hope, our place, our citizenship, all of which are IN HEAVEN.

`...to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.` (1 Peter 1: 4 )

` ...because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth..`(Col. 1: 5)

` ...and raised us up together and made to sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.`(Eph. 2: 6)

` For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await for the saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.` (Phil. 3: 20)

(New King James)

The Body of Christ`s inheritance is with the Lord on His throne in the third heaven. (Rev. 3: 21) There we will oversee the Universe. We will have gifting and abilities to serve in God`s great kingdom. We will have authority in the 3 realms, (Rev. 3: 12)

God is creative and will still be creating. We will take part in that and there is a great universe out there which God would design more.

We are NOT in the new Jerusalem or on the earth but in the highest realm with the Lord who rules over all.

Believers will be with God IN the New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:22-23
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp

Jesus is YHWH said:

Believers will be with God IN the New Jerusalem.

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The Father and Jesus are there by the Spirit. Their seat of authority is higher up, the third heaven and beyond. Remember that the city comes `DOWN FROM GOD.` (Rev. 21: 2)

Marilyn C said:

The Father and Jesus are there by the Spirit. Their seat of authority is higher up, the third heaven and beyond. Remember that the city comes `DOWN FROM GOD.` (Rev. 21: 2)

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Reread the passages


Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:22-23
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp

Jesus is YHWH said:

Reread the passages


Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:22-23
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp

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God`s word tells us that they are there by the Spirit as they are in ALL of God`s great kingdom, every realm. God`s dwelling place, His tabernacle is the city. It is made in heaven and thus will be holy, the interconnecting of the physical and the spiritual realms, situated in the Universal realm over the earth.

Re read that scripture and you will see `FROM GOD`.....

God does not leave the angels to themselves in the third heaven and go below them. Remember that God is a Spirit. (John 4: 24) And God the Father has placed His Son FAR ABOVE ALL. (Eph. 1: 21)