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1/09/2023 by BibleInspir2023
BIBLICAL EVIDENCE THAT CHALLENGES THE IDEA OF BELIEVERS GOING TO HEAVEN AFTER DEATH: BY LOOKING INTO A FEW KEY PASSAGES FROM HEBREWS 11, 1 CORINTHIANS 15, AND REVELATION 22
Hebrews 11,
Often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," highlights the faith of many individuals from the Old Testament. The chapter recounts the stories of various figures, such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others, who demonstrated unwavering faith in God.
The promise mentioned in Hebrews 11 is primarily about the FUTURE FULFILLMENT (SPIRITUAL PROMISE) of God's promises, particularly the promises related to the coming Messiah and the ultimate redemption and salvation that would be brought through Him.
While many of the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 experienced partial fulfillment of God's promises (PHYSICAL PROMISE) during their lifetimes, the full realization of GOD promise was not achieved within their earthly lives. Instead, Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV) emphasizes that these faithful individuals, though they had witnessed God's work in their lives, did not receive the complete fulfillment of the promises during their earthly existence:
"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
The promise encompasses the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan of SALVATION, which was brought to completion through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11 played crucial roles in the unfolding of God's plan, paving the way for the ultimate fulfillment that would be realized in the 2nd Coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant.
So, the promise in Hebrews 11 centers on the hope of a future reality—a reality that transcends EARTHLY LIFE to SPIRITUAL LIFE made possible by our redeemer, Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all who put their faith in Him. However, this Spiritual promise of ETERNAL LIFE will be complete in the 2nd Return of Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (New International Version), the apostle Paul wrote:
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
This passage emphasizes that Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected from the dead, and His resurrection is seen as a pivotal event in Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death. The teaching of Christ's resurrection is central to the Christian faith.
So after seeing that Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected (1 Cor 15:20-22), we can conclude that all the faithful in Hebrew chapter 11 are still waiting in their graves, still sleeping and knowing nothing until the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ!
Looking in further from 1 Corinthians 15:23-25 (New International Version):
"But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."
This passage describes a sequence of future events:
1. Christ, the Firstfruits:This refers to Jesus Christ being the first to be resurrected from the dead, as mentioned in the previous verses. The term "firstfruits" implies that His resurrection is the first in a larger harvest, indicating that others will follow in a similar manner.
2. Those Who Belong to Him: The subsequent event is the resurrection of believers during Christ 2nd RETURN. This is a future event that Paul is pointing to, emphasizing the continuity of the resurrection theme. Believers will experience resurrection and share in the victory over death (the immortal/spiritual body in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.") that Christ achieved through His resurrection.
3. The End: This refers to the ultimate culmination of God's plan. It's the point when Christ will have accomplished His redemption work, having defeated all opposing forces, and will hand over the kingdom to God the Father. This suggests a future time when Christ's mission is completed, and the purpose of His reign is fulfilled.
4. Destruction of Dominion, Authority, and Power: Before the end comes, Christ will have dealt with and overcome all opposing forces. The language used here suggests a complete and final victory over sin, death, and all powers that stand against God's kingdom.
5. Reigning Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet: This indicates an ongoing reign of Christ until every opposing force is subdued. It's a dynamic process leading towards the ultimate victory when all enemies are finally under His control.
Revelation 21:1-4 (New International Version):
"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. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. 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.”
This passage describes the vision of the apostle John, where he sees a new heaven, a new earth, and the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, descending from heaven. The imagery symbolizes the renewal and restoration of creation, and the new Jerusalem is portrayed as a place where God's dwelling will be with humanity in an intimate and direct way. It is a powerful depiction of the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for redemption and the establishment of a new, perfect order.
Summary:
1. Hebrews 11:
- Known as the "Hall of Faith," Hebrews 11 focuses on individuals from the Old Testament who demonstrated unwavering faith.
- Emphasizes the FUTURE FULFILLMENT of God's promises, especially those related to the Messiah and ultimate redemption.
- While many experienced partial fulfillment in their lifetimes, the complete realization of God's promises was not achieved on earth.
- The promise anticipates a future spiritual reality, transcending earthly life, and is to be fully realized in the 2nd Coming of Christ.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:23-25:
- Describes a sequence of future events, highlighting the resurrection of believers and the ultimate victory of Christ over opposing powers.
- Christ, the first to be resurrected, is the "firstfruits," symbolizing a larger harvest of resurrection to follow.
- The subsequent event is the resurrection of believers at Christ's return, emphasizing continuity in the resurrection theme.
- The end signifies the culmination of God's plan, with Christ accomplishing redemption, defeating opposing forces, and establishing God's kingdom on earth.
3. Revelation 21:1-4:
- Describes the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, with the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, descending from heaven to EARTH.
- Symbolizes the renewal and restoration of creation, portraying the new Jerusalem as a place where God will dwell intimately with humanity.
- Highlights the ultimate defeat of death, mourning, crying, and pain, signaling the establishment of a new, perfect order on earth.
- Emphasizes the fulfillment of God's plan in the future, bringing about a state of eternal joy and communion with God.
Collectively, these passages paint a picture of future events, culminating in the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. They emphasize the resurrection of believers, the defeat of opposing powers, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan of Salvation. Notably, there is no mention of believers going to HEAVEN in these passages, reinforcing the focus on the restoration and renewal of the earthly realm in God's ultimate plan.
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