Heaven and Hell are Real Places
Introduction
Everybody would like to think that they are going to heaven when they die. However, getting to heaven is a choice. Different religions have different descriptions of what heaven is like. However, Christianity describes heaven as being radically different from what we are used to on earth, including different laws of physics. The only ones who seem to get a free pass to heaven are infants and children and those who are incapable of fully understanding either their spiritual condition or God's requirements for salvation. Disappointing to many people is that there will not be marriage in heaven (for the 79 virgins, you need to pick another religion). However, in heaven we will have the full knowledge of God, even as He currently knows each of us, which is amazing! The Bible also describes heaven as consisting of "thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly," so it would seem that heaven will be a big celebration (but probably no barking dogs).
Since most people want to do their own thing, they are probably going to
end up in hell. From the Bible's description, it is
difficult to know what hell will be like, since the
descriptions are mostly metaphorical, although nobody who goes there is
probably going to enjoy the experience. Atheists love to complain about God
sending billions of people to hell,
even though He knows who will go to
hell before He creates them. Their other favorite complaint is about
what will happen to people who have
never heard of Jesus Christ or those
who are born Into Buddhist, Hindu or
other non-Christian homes. Many people like to make fun of the idea of
Satan. However, the Bible indicates that Satan
is merely a created angel, who rebelled against God and convinced one third
of the angels to follow him in rebellion.
Satan is attempting to convince people to do likewise.
Articles
- What Will Heaven be Like? Radically different
physics and living
- Many are Called, But Few Are Chosen - Did you get your invitation?
- Going to Heaven Are We?
- What Happens to Infants and Children Who Die? Do Babies Go To Heaven?
- What Happens to Christians Who Commit Suicide? Do They Go To Heaven or Hell?
- Will There be Marriage in Heaven?
- Do All Dogs Go to Heaven? Will Our Pets Be With Us in Heaven?
- What Will Hell be Like? Trust me, you don't want
to go there
- A Loving God Would Not Send Billions of People to Hell, Would He?
- Why Would God Create a Person Who Would be Destined for Hell?
- It Isn't Fair That God Judges People Who are Born Into Buddhist, Hindu or Other Non-Christian Homes
- What will happen to the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ?
- Who is Satan?: What Does the Bible Say About the Devil?
- Have Christians Already Overcome Satan? - The Importance of the Word of God in the Life of the Believer
-
Spiritual Death - Physical death is the least of your worries!
- The Bible Says Hell is a Place Located Under the Earth: An Atheists' Myth
More Theology
Reflections
We are what we think.
- 03/02/2021 01:00 PM
Is God’s “Hiddenness” a Rational Objection to Christianity?
“Not enough evidence, God! Not enough evidence!”1 That was famous secular philosopher Bertrand Russell’s2 response when asked what he would theoretically say in defense of his unbelief if he found himself facing God on judgment day. One of the common claims that atheists make in objection to God’s existence is that God is hidden. This “hiddenness of God” challenge may take the following…
() - 02/16/2021 01:00 PM
Neighboring Faiths: A Review of Winfried Corduan’s Timeless Book
Fifty years ago, if I wanted to carry on a serious dialogue and apologetic debate with Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and Muslim scholars I probably needed to go overseas. But with the emergence of the internet and influx of immigration in America and other parts of the Western world, all of that has changed. Great religious diversity now exists in America, especially…
() - 02/02/2021 01:00 PM
The 3 Transcendentals: Truth, Goodness, & Beauty
What is real? What is right? What is lovely? Human beings ask these kinds of questions because we long for at least three things: truth, goodness, and beauty. Prominent philosophers through the centuries have called these three cosmic values transcendentals. A transcendental refers to something that exists beyond the time-space-matter world. It is a universal reality that extends beyond our everyday sensory experiences and is…
audio/mpeg (18.4 MBytes) - 01/19/2021 08:27 PM
Christians and the Tragedy of Suicide
Suicide remains a serious problem in our world today. And some researchers say suicide rates have increased during the pandemic.1 In fact, during the month of October 2020 there were more deaths in Japan from suicide than from COVID-19.2 Suicide is but one aspect of the broader problem of evil, pain, and suffering. Thus, Christians are not immune from this tragic reality.…
() - 01/05/2021 01:00 PM
An Author Read by Popes, Rock Stars, and Atheists
One Christian author in history owns the distinction of having been read by popes, rock stars, and leading atheists. He lived almost 1,600 years ago and was from North Africa. He is the single most prolific author of the ancient world and has influenced countless Protestants and Catholics. Named after two Roman emperors, he is known to us as St. Augustine of…
() - 12/22/2020 01:00 PM
Does Original Sin Explain the Human Condition?
Skeptics of the Christian faith often say that the Bible is filled with contradictions and errors. Therefore, it cannot be trusted as a source of truth. How can a Christian respond? Here’s one way. What is the best attested biblical truth? It’s confirmed every single day in every person’s life. In his famous book Orthodoxy, Catholic writer G. K. Chesterton said: “Certain…
() - 12/08/2020 01:00 PM
Holding the Line against the Tide
Religion and science are two of the most powerful forces active in the world today. But has the scientific enterprise somehow rendered belief in God unnecessary or even contradictory? If not, why are some leading and outspoken scientists so dismissive of God’s very existence? The informative and engaging new film Against the Tide: Finding God in an Age of Science (Pensmore Films,…
() - 11/24/2020 01:00 PM
What Book Changed Your Life?
Have you ever read a book that was so dynamic that it changed the direction of your life? For most Christians that book would certainly be the Bible. According to historic Christianity, Scripture is the uniquely inspired Word of God. Thus, the Bible is the greatest of all great books. But besides Holy Writ, has there been a book that deeply influenced you spiritually and…
() - 11/10/2020 01:00 PM
Explaining Pagan Gods and Human Idolatry
People were created to be worshippers. That’s one way of defining the image of God in human beings. Humans are also fallen worshippers. Thus, our religious-based tendency to worship has expressed itself in distorted ways in human history. Recently I was asked a question about how to understand the pagan gods of the Old and New Testaments and human idolatry. Here’s the question: I’ve always dismissed other “gods” in the Bible as nothing…
() - 10/27/2020 12:00 PM
Christianity’s Central Focus: Incarnation or Atonement?
Christmas or Good Friday? Which of these days on the historic Christian calendar holds greater importance for Christians? Should the central focus of Christianity be on the incarnation (Jesus Christ as God coming in the flesh) or on the atonement (Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for human sin)? I had a theological exchange recently on Facebook with a pastor over this question of incarnation or…
()
http://godandscience.org/doctrine/heaven_hell_real.html
Last Modified March 19, 2013