Why do people want to go to Heaven?

[Topaz27]

I don't want to go to heaven. As far as I can tell one of these situations must be true.

1) I go to heaven, and I am fully aware that people are burning in hell forever. If I knew that was true I would feel bad. Therefore I feel bad in heaven. Heaven can contain suffering. But according to Rev 21:4 There is no suffering in heaven. So this idea doesn't make any sense according to the Bible.

2) I go to heaven, and I am fully aware that people are burning in hell forever. But this time I'm ok/happy about it. In that senario there would be some kind of change in my emotion, which I'm not ok with. I'm not ok with the idea that "I know that people are burning in hell, and that's ok with me." That idea disgusts me. So I wouldn't want to go to that kind of heaven.

3) I go to heaven, and I'm not aware that people are burning in hell forever. That's not okay with me either. First off if I end up in heaven, and some of my dead loved ones aren't there, it's pretty obvious where they would be. So this idea doesn't really make sense. But let's say that God erases my memories about my loved ones. I would hate that. I don't want to go to that heaven.

4) I go to heaven I don't know about people burning in hell, but I still feel terrible. This obviously makes no sense with the premises of heaven, but it is technically a possibility.

Heaven is always described as this amazing place where God fixes everthing. But it just doesn't seem like a good thing to me.

So I was wondering why/if people wanted to go to heaven. Both thiests and athiests.

If there are other options that exist please tell me.

[PinSeeker]

When Jesus returns, the earth will once again become part of the Kingdom of Heaven...

Almost right; the Kingdom of God is here now, as Jesus said many times -- and growing -- but just not in its fullness yet.

What will born again Christians be doing?

...we shall also reign with him. (II Timothy 2:12)

And how long will we be on the Earth reigning with Jesus? For eternity:

...and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:17)

Wholeheartedly agree.

If believers want to spend eternity with Christ, they need to stay put on the earth.

Well, they just need to believe. But yeah, the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5). Sure.

[PinSeeker]

Jehovah's Witnesses[/u][/color][/url] are the only ones that believe the Christian hope is an eternity on earth.

Well that's not true; perish the thought. It may be the perception among Jehovah's Witnesses -- or purposeful false characterization, possibly -- but certainly not the case. Christian orthodoxy is that Earth will certainly exists, and we (Christians) will certainly live here. But earth and heaven will not be separate, as I understand Jehovah's Witnesses to erroneously believe.

No, Jesus will come back (we agree on this, at least), and earth and heaven will be one, as they were in the Garden of Eden before the Fall, which is documented in Genesis 3. As God says through John in Revelation 21, the tabernacle of God (will be) among men, and He will dwell among (us), and (we) shall be His people, and God Himself will be among (us), and He will wipe away every tear from (our) eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things (will) have passed away.

For now, though, the Kingdom of God is here -- as Jesus said many times -- but not in its fullness yet.

Grace and peace to you both.

[myth-one.com]

When Jesus returns, the earth will once again become part of the Kingdom of Heaven...

Almost right; the Kingdom of God is here now, as Jesus said many times . . .

Here is what Jesus said about that:

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

If the Kingdom is here now, why did Jesus tell us to pray for it to come here?

[JehovahsWitness]

Christian orthodoxy is that Earth will certainly exists, and we (Christians) will certainly live here.

Yes!! Life on an earth without disease, deprivation ... where everyone has a house of their own and people live together in peace. No more war, no more hospitals!! That certainly is good news!

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... om-of-god/

[PinSeeker]

When Jesus returns, the earth will once again become part of the Kingdom of Heaven...

Almost right; the Kingdom of God is here now, as Jesus said many times . . .

Here is what Jesus said about that:

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

If the Kingdom is here now, why did Jesus tell us to pray for it to come here?

Because, myth-one, although it's here now, it's not here as it is in heaven yet. One great day, it will be, though... when Jesus returns. This is precisely what I've been saying.

Grace and peace to you.

[myth-one.com]

When Jesus returns, the earth will once again become part of the Kingdom of Heaven...

Almost right; the Kingdom of God is here now, as Jesus said many times . . .

Here is what Jesus said about that:

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

If the Kingdom is here now, why did Jesus tell us to pray for it to come here?

Because, myth-one, although it's here now, it's not here as it is in heaven yet. One great day, it will be, though... when Jesus returns. This is precisely what I've been saying.

Grace and peace to you.

You said ". . . the Kingdom of God is here now."

I believe Jesus when He said:

"Thy kingdom come …" -- It ain't here yet.

"Thy will be done in earth …" -- God's will isn't being done yet on the earth.

". . .as it is in heaven." -- the earth will be as it is in heaven when He returns.

That is not what you have been saying.

[PinSeeker]

You said ". . . the Kingdom of God is here now."

Yes, I know exactly what I said, myth-one. Thank you.

I believe Jesus when He said: "Thy kingdom come …"

Well, I do, too, of course, but I also believe Him when He said:

• “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.â€� [Matthew 4:17, 10:7; Mark 1:15]

and:

• "...for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.â€� [Luke 17:21]

Do you not?

"Thy kingdom come …" -- It ain't here yet.

Not in it's fullness, no, because Jesus hasn't come back and set all things right. But here, right now, it is. See above.

"Thy will be done in earth …" -- God's will isn't being done yet on the earth.

Not as in heaven yet, meaning no sin, but His will is being done. God is fully in charge and working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

...the earth will be as it is in heaven when He returns.

Agree.

That is not[/u][/b] what you have been saying.

Well, I haven't been saying any of the nonsense you've been saying -- or what you say I've been saying -- because... that would be... wrong.

Grace and peace to you, myth-one.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 57 by PinSeeker]

1. What is Gods Kingdom?
2. In what sense did it "come" and when?
3. What will happen to finally bring about "God will" being done on earth?
4. What changes will this (#3) bring into effect on earth for... a) humans b) animals?

JW

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 56 by myth-one.com]

"....as it is in heaven." -- the earth will be as it is in heaven when He returns.

Yes, after the resurrection and judgment of all.

That's when the old order passes away so that we can enjoy the new order described in Revelation 21 and 22.

[onewithhim]

Earth is what we know; it is where we were created to live. Most of us enjoy our surroundings and the interesting things we can do. Some love to fish, go boating, swim, lounge by the pool with a delicious mixed drink, hike, ride motorcycles or horses....others like to cook, make clothes, decorate their homes, have gatherings for friends and family, garden.....others love to study the stars, learn musical instruments, watch the many varieties of birds, take care of pets, fly planes......it could go on and on. Wouldn't anybody want to be able to continue to do these things, as well as have a physical relationship with one's spouse, and be able to hug one's friends and family?

We could do NONE of those things in heaven. I'm willing to bet that everyone on these forums does not want to die and go to heaven, but deeply wants to live on in this life here on Earth, and on into the future.