Heaven - involving Christian belief?

Question

Question # 1 - For all those who go to heaven after they die in this world, are they blessed eternally equally or are there difference in level? Do all get the same reward in heaven?

Question # 2 - Everyone sins and some commit greater sins ( in human view, since all sins are equally bad in God's eyes ). If we ask God/Christ for forgiveness on Earth for the worst sins we have done and the most shameful sins we have commited, do we face punishment in the afterlife before going to heaven? (Example: God inflicts all the pain on you for 500 years before you enter heaven) Is going to heaven like going to the promise land? They had to wonder in the dessert before entering the promise land because they disobeyed him.

Good answer/both answer appreciated

Answer 1

The bible tells us that believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to receive rewards for those things done on earth. So there is going to be some differing of rewards.

The bible also says that since we believe in Jesus....our sins have been washed away. God puts them as far from us as the east is from the west and remembers them no more. Thus, it wouldn't make sense, if He says that in His word, that we would then have them "thrown back in our faces" at judgment. This, of course, are for those who have placed their faith in Christ.

Nonbelievers are at the Great White Throne judgment, before God, not the throne of Christ. A much different outcome for them.

Just a note about question #2...it sounds very much like purgatory. Purgatory is a Catholic belief, not biblical.

Answer 2

Different denominations have different views on #1. Mine's view is that although there is no material gain at all in heaven from good deeds, you keep the relationship you had at the end of your life with jesus christ. Therefore if you're following him and dedicating your life to him, you'll have a really nice friend in heaven right away. In fact the most powerfull friend ;)

Again different denominations think different things. Catholics believe in something called purgatory where you spend large ammounts of time to atone for your sins. Purgatory, from what I know, seems like a lesser form of hell. more melancholy than horrible. (course meloncholy over a few hundred years IS horrible.)

In my denomination, though, the price you pay for your sins is driving yourself away from God (assuming you've accepted Jesus as your saviour, message me for more on this). If you haven't been saved, then the price you pay is eternity in hell, no matter the sins you've done or how often, you're still branded a sinner from Adam's fault.

Answer 3

Interesting question Im not sure how to answer #1 so lets try #2.
Yes everyone sins (whatever way people percieve it from different religious view points) I must say though that once you ask God (christian view) for forgiveness and that you believe in his manifestation as a human (Jesus) to redeem the world from sin itself, then your in the clear! Its much more then asking forgivenss though, for a person must walk as if he is forgived and that he/she wont do it again. Although there are people who have repented and still continue in there sins they asked forgiveness from , they are the ones who face an unknown judgement. Whether if its your PURGATORY vision or Hell itself...one must find the answer for himself from the source within. Whatever source you may seek from is entirely up to you. Dont you just love freedom of choice?

Answer 4

Whatever you choose to believe about the specific evil of various type of sins, you must understand that every sin has far reaching consequences.

Forgiveness itself does not remedy the effective consequences of those sins.

Let's say you murder a young family man, and as a result, his wife remarries a scoundrel who kills her, runs off, and leaves her two childen orphans, who are themselves abused, and later turn into criminals. Then, the cycle repeats itself.

Your sin set it all into motion, so your sin was much more serious than you might have thought.

Assuming total forgiveness from God, one who sins less, and who sins less greviously, does less harm, so would merit more "glory" in heaven.

This goes against the teachings of people like Martin Luther, by matches up quite nicely with the teachings of Jesus Christ, his apostles, and his church.

Answer 5

Every one will completely happy. Some will have more capacity than others for happiness.

Don't worry about this at all. Just live your life to the best of your abilities with love for all in an unselfish way. Not only will you ensure you gain your etarnal award in heaven, but you will find that your life here on earth will be intensely rewarding and joyful.

Try to be positive, concentrate on doing good rather than worrying about penalties for being bad. Remember Jesus died for us to atone for our sins. Be prepared to accept grace and forgiveness and concentrate on living your life in an unselfish and loving way. God Bless and best regards.

Answer 6

#1 - No there are no levels in heaven. Matthew 5:19 if taken out of context could be misinterpreted to show that there are different levels, but this is not the case. I'd be happy to go into the meaning of this verse if you'd like. There is no other indication that heaven is leveled.

#2 - No. There is no indication in the Bible that anything happens before going into heaven ever. This means no 'purgatory'. From Revelations it indicates that we will all be dead until the second coming of Christ when we will all rise to be judged.

Answer 7

First of all you need to read Romans, and Mathew in the Bible.

If a person honestly asks for forgiveness, and then sins no more. they are forgiven. We all need to ask for forgiveness daily.
For myself some days it is ALL day.

As for Heaven, nobody is really sure that I know, but if you read
enough the answers are there.

Answer 8

The Bible teaches that only 144,000 men and women from this earth will go to heaven to rule as kings and priests with Christ Jesus.(Rev.14:1-4)These ones must remain faithful till death and then are rewarded with immortal life in heaven and all receive the same reward.
If we are truly repentent and pray for forgiveness,our Heavenly Father sees in our heart.He knows our motives and He sees if we are sincere.If we are truly repentent and sincerely try not repeat our mistakes,He is always ready to forgive.(Ex.34:6,7)
Jehovah God knows we are sinners and will fall many times.How could a loving Father knowing that create a place of torment and allow his followers to suffer.
The Bible does not teach a place of eternal torment,nor does it teach that all go to heaven.(Ps.37:9-11,29;Pr2:21)
The Israelites were punished because they wilfully sinned aagainst their Creator.But you must remember in those forty years,Jehovah provided them with food,water,even their sandals never wore out!So He may have punished them but He still looked after them.

Answer 9

Sins are equal in Gods eyes, you ask for forgivness and truly mean it which only God knows and you are forgiven, Jesus died to save us so all we need to do is beleive in him to go to heaven.

If you are a christian you live with the Lord i dont see what is a better gift then that...but i forget wat the exact verse is but it says the more troubles you defeat the more treasures youll recieve.

Answer 10

You can read Dante's ideas. In what circle do you want to be?
Anyway this two books are fiction.