Who Go to Heaven?

 Misconceptions about those who go to heaven

Misconceptions: All good people go to heaven.

Fact: God promises  everlasting life on earth for most good people. - PSALM 37:11. 29, 34. 

* Jesus said: "No man has ascended into heaven." (John 3:13) He thus showed that good people who died before him, such as Abraham, Moses, Job, and David, did not go to heaven. (Acts 2:29, 34) Instead they had the hope of being resurrected to life on earth. - JOB14:13-15. 

The resurrection to heaven life is called "the first resurrection."(Revelation 20:6)  This indicates that there will be another resurrection . It will be an earthly one.

The Bible teaches that under the rule of God's Kingdom, "death will be no more."(Revelation 21:3, 4)  This promise must apply to the earth, since death has never existed in heaven. 

Misconception: Each person chooses whether he or she will receive life in heaven or on earth. 

Fact: God determines which faithful Christian receive "the prize of the upward call," that is, the hope of heavenly life. (Philippians 3:14) Personal desire or ambition has no bearing on a person's being chosen. - MATTHEW 20:20-23.

Misconception: The hope of everlasting life on earth is an inferior one. offered only to those not worthy of going to heaven. 

Fact: God calls those who will receive everlasting life on earth "my people," "my chosen ones," and "those blessed by Jehovah." (Isaiah 65:21-23) They will have the privilege of fulfilling God's original purpose  for humankind-everlasting lfie in perfection on a paradise earth. - GENESIS 1:28; PSALM 115:16; ISAIAH 45:18.

Misconception: The number 144,000 mentioned is symbolic, not literal.

Fact: Although Revelation contains symbolic numbers, some of the numbers it uses are literal.  For example, it speaks of the 1  names of "the 12 apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:14) Consider the evidence for concluding that the number 144,00 should likewise be taken literally. 

Revelation 7:4 records "the number of those who were sealed [or, confirmed for life in heaven], 144,000." In the immediate context of this verse, a second group is contrasted: "a great crowd, which no man was able to number."  Those of the "great crowd" also receive salvation from God. (Revelation 7:9, 10)  If the number  144,000 were symbolic, referring instead to a group without number, then the contrast between the two groups  would be lost. 

In addition, the 144,000 are described as being "brought from among mankind as firstfruits." (Revelation 14:4) The expression firstfruits" refers to a small representative selection. It aptly describes those who will rule in heaven with Christ over an undetermined number of subjects on earth. - REVELATION 5:10. 

Next time: What Is Heaven? / The Bible's Answer

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