Question for my Christian friends...not meant to offend.?

Question

Christians, do you beleive that there are people in heaven now?

If so then when Jesus comes back will he pull them out of heaven to judge them? In the Apostle's Creed it states "He will come again to judge the living and the dead"

This is a serious question, I would really like to know how you feel about this.

Answer 1

I think Christians are in heaven now. Jesus told the criminal on the cross next to him that "today, he will be in paradise with him". However, I think the "new heaven and new earth" is a place that is reserved for when Christ comes back. It will be interesting to see what Christ meant by judgement at that time. But it seems pretty clear in the Bible that if a Christian dies today, the soul immediately goes to be with Christ.

Answer 2

St. Paul tells us, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

That, and many of the statements of Jesus, plus the constant teachings of the church,
confirm that many people are enjoying their eternal rewards in heaven, right now.

There's also likely to be a bunch of people in hell, right now, too.

There's really two judgments:

There is a particular judgment, at the time of our death, where each of us will be personally judged by Jesus Christ. This will determine where we end up.

Then, at the end of the age, on the last day, there will be a general judgment, which will take care of all the rest of the unrepented and unresolved sins of humanity.

Many people will be alive on the earth when Jesus returns, and they may not have to experience physical death, as we have come to know it.

This is what the "living" part of the creed likely refers to.

On judgment Day, God may also choose to reveal things like exactly what Satan did wrong, or what Adam and Eve actually did (what was that fruit, if it wasn't an apple?) whether Hitler is really in hell or not, and so forth.

That's probably what the "dead" part of the creed refers to.

Answer 3

Yes, the spirits of the righteous are in Heaven right now. However, they have not received their resurrected bodies yet, nor have they received their rewards.

RE: the Judgement, the Bible tells us that Jesus will judge on a "works only" basis. These judgements take place at different times, though.

The first judgement is immediately after the Rapture, when believers receive crowns for righteous living. They are not judged for their sins, because this occured at the moment they were Saved. 1 Cor. 3 describes this process rather well:

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The second judgement occurs at the end of the 1,000 year reign, when the bodies of the unrighteous dead are resurrected, judged for their works (absent the presence of salvation) and found guilty. This is found at Revelation 20:12-13.

Peace.

Answer 4

Yes your are right. Those that are in heaven now and didnt face the later days of life on earth they will be judged again. There will be a judgment day for all "christians" together. Not many will stay in heaven.

Answer 5

No, I don't think there are people in heaven, and God says we will be resurrected on the earth. The New Jerusalem is said to descend from heaven TO earth.

The problem to thinkers like you, is that all these things are images to help us understand spiritual realities. If God is the Creator, and if he holds all his creation together, and if God lives IN me as I'm the Temple of the holy spirit, then when I die, presumably the spirit lives on. However, I might not have any consciousness.
And if Heaven can be defined as God's domain, then, if the Holy Spirit lives in me, heaven is here on earth already.
This is just food for thought...

Answer 6

No one is in heaven now, that is another lie the churches tell. Jesus will bring the dead back to life when he returns and he will set up his kingdom right here on earth, What's surprising that a lot of christains don't know but if you read Revelation you will see that Jesus will rule right here on earth for a thousand years. Who's he going to rule over?

Answer 7

That is a very good question. Here are the answers from my understanding:


1) There are people in heaven and this applies to them:

Ephesians 2:8-10 (King James Version)

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.



2) This applies to Jesus returning:


Mark 13:31-33 (King James Version)


31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.


These are your answers.

Answer 8

I am so glad u asked that! I do believe that SOME people are in heaven now. Actually u wanna hear something really cool? In the bible it gives u an exact number of people who are gonna go to heaven. You can find it in Revelations 14:1,3-6. In the bible it says that only 144,000 will go to heaven because they are tge ones chosen by God to be in heaven. The rest of us will live an eternal life here on earth. Honey if you have questions email me at [e-mail]

Answer 9

I do believe that there a some in heaven. the young ones who were too young to be accountable for anything thay have done. Like the aborted babies, babies who died young, my 5 day old daughter and the like. I believe adults have to still be judged by God as He said. But there is also a place believers go that is not connected with the bad side to await judgement for God knows all.

Answer 10

Jesus Christ will return just in time to keep mankind from entirely destroying himself. When He returns, the dead saints will be resurrected, the living saints will be changed 'in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet'. The Messiah will establish His Kingdom on the earth, and the world will finally have peace during His Millenial reign.