How to get into the Kingdom of heaven?

[Wootah]

Matthew 5 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Assuming Jesus is speaking truthfully. How does anyone get into heaven?

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 20 by Checkpoint]

Thank you for addressing the points I was trying to make, instead of simply pointing to verses were blood was indicated.

But it is noteworthy that both Jesus and Hosea did not say (if they were indeed calling people to add interior observance to blood ritual) "I desire mercy in addition to sacrifice". No on the contrary, they both said "I desire mercy not sacrifice".

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 1 by Wootah]

One is saved by believing Jesus and trusting in the Atonement Jesus secured on the cross, that pays the penalty for ones transgressions against the Will of God..

The quoted passage does not affect anything in regards to salvation.. It points to the Law that causes one to understand that one Needs the salvation of the LORD Jesus.. The Law identifies the Problem.. Jesus provided the solution..

That is Pauline theology. Where does Jesus teach this? And doesn't Pauline theology ignore Jesus instructions in the Lord.s Prayer, the Beattitudes and the Parables?

What does "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" have to do with any Pauline, blood-atonement theology?

Seems Jesus message was far more simple. Simple repentance and mercy.

"Paul's theology" was Jesus' theology, and Paul went to great lengths to broadcast the truth of Jesus' position as the Messiah, far and wide. After all, the Father was the One who appointed and anointed His Son and sent him into the world to save mankind. If the Father said it, Paul acted in accordance with it.

Doesn't Jesus teach that he saves mankind from death in John chapter 3?

Simply, we are to accept Jesus' blood atonement, and THEN we must behave in the ways he spells out for us throughout his ministry. We must be merciful, peacemakers, mild-tempered, etc., but this follows accepting his gift of life.

"The Son of man came...to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many." (Matt.20:28)

Out of the mouth of Jesus.


.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 20 by Checkpoint]

Thank you for addressing the points I was trying to make, instead of simply pointing to verses were blood was indicated.

You are welcome. I aim to keep a tight ship, as I too have been on the receiving end of avoidance and/or sidestep.

But it is noteworthy that both Jesus and Hosea did not say (if they were indeed calling people to add interior observance to blood ritual) "I desire mercy in addition to sacrifice". No on the contrary, they both said "I desire mercy not sacrifice".

Those are relevant and interesting verses that I will comment on in a later post.

This one will instead quote some related history, as a base for dealing with those you have highlighted.

Jeremiah 7:

21“ ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!

22 For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices,
23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
25 From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets.
26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.

1 Samuel 15:

21 The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.�

22 But Samuel declared: “=b]Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams[/b].

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.�

Do these passages help you at all, E.J.?

[Adstar]

[Replying to post 13 by onewithhim]

Ok that clarifies your question..

Well if it serves the will of God for a person to enter into heaven for a time then they will be caused to enter into heaven.. Like John entered into heaven in spirit when he was on the island of patmos and we given the Book of Revelation.. It served Gods purpose for Him to enter into heaven..

And yes i agree the saved will be spending eternity on a renewed earth or as it says a New earth..

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 24 by Adstar]

Good....I commend you for reasoning and truly thinking on a matter. I have to point out, though, that John didn't physically go to heaven. It says that an angel from Jesus whom he "sent" down to earth, bore witness to the word God gave to Jesus. I believe that John received all of Revelation in VISIONS. As a physical man, John couldn't have survived heaven. It is the realm where spirit persons live, and where God (also a spirit Person) lives, and from whence all things were created, including the sun and stars (which would burn up any physical matter immediately, so so indeed would any nearness to the Creator of the stars by a human).


.

[Wootah]

Matthew 5 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Assuming Jesus is speaking truthfully. How does anyone get into heaven?

Jesus seems to have regarded the Scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites, observing the letter of the Law, but not the Spirit of the Law. And he seemed to have seen them as unforgiving. So from that we can conclude that we are to embrace the Law* from the heart, and realizing we are not perfect, we are to forgive others who are also not perfect. (Ref. the Lord's prayer, and the Beattitudes)

(*or for non-Jews the portion of the Law that applies to Gentiles)

It was put to me that there are two responses to the law:

If you can fulfil the law, then it is easy to feel pride.
If you cannot fulfil the law, then it is easy to feel shame.

This is probably why the parable of the prodigal son is so important. The son who broke the law could far more easily see the father's love.

I firmly believe there are no good people in heaven.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 1 by Wootah]

One is saved by believing Jesus and trusting in the Atonement Jesus secured on the cross, that pays the penalty for ones transgressions against the Will of God..

The quoted passage does not affect anything in regards to salvation.. It points to the Law that causes one to understand that one Needs the salvation of the LORD Jesus.. The Law identifies the Problem.. Jesus provided the solution..

That is Pauline theology. Where does Jesus teach this? And doesn't Pauline theology ignore Jesus instructions in the Lord.s Prayer, the Beattitudes and the Parables?

What does "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" have to do with any Pauline, blood-atonement theology?

Seems Jesus message was far more simple. Simple repentance and mercy.

Honestly, are we going to repeat this conversation for 2020? Have you not taken anything on board over our debates? Anyway every thread is a new thread!

EJ - are you a universalist? Does everyone go to heaven? How is God just?

[Adstar]

[Replying to post 24 by Adstar]

Good....I commend you for reasoning and truly thinking on a matter. I have to point out, though, that John didn't physically go to heaven. It says that an angel from Jesus whom he "sent" down to earth, bore witness to the word God gave to Jesus. I believe that John received all of Revelation in VISIONS. As a physical man, John couldn't have survived heaven. It is the realm where spirit persons live, and where God (also a spirit Person) lives, and from whence all things were created, including the sun and stars (which would burn up any physical matter immediately, so so indeed would any nearness to the Creator of the stars by a human).


.

Well John in the first chapter said He was ""in the spirit"" so he never claimed and i am not claiming He went to heaven in his body..

Revelation 1: {9} I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. {10} I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,"

[Sojournerofthearth]

[Replying to post 7 by Tcg]

Does the Bible teach salvation by works? Yes

Does the Bible teach salvation by faith? Yes

Does the Bible resolve this contradiction? No

The Bible teaches salvation by Christ living His life in you. IOW, living your life as if you were Christ, emulating Him, doing what He did, acting how He acted. You are saved by having the Faith to trust in the words He's given us and to act accordingly, and the works are the things we do, and do not do that emulate that faith. The resolution between works and faith is that to live the life Christ lived, there are things you do and do not do. The GIFT of God is Life Eternal. That cannot be earned... but it can be lost. Just like if your parents give you a car. It was a gift, but there were still rules attached to it.

Soj

[Yahwehismywitness]

Paul's theology" was Jesus' theology, and Paul went to great lengths to broadcast the truth of Jesus' position as the Messiah, far and wide. After all, the Father was the One who appointed and anointed His Son and sent him into the world to save mankind. If the Father said it, Paul acted in accordance with it.

Doesn't Jesus teach that he saves mankind from death in John chapter 3?

Simply, we are to accept Jesus' blood atonement, and THEN we must behave in the ways he spells out for us throughout his ministry. We must be merciful, peacemakers, mild-tempered, etc., but this follows accepting his gift of life.

"The Son of man came...to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many." (Matt.20:28)

Out of the mouth of Jesus.

I humbly disagree based on much research, consider Paul truly has no messenger statements of Jesus. That is purpose of Apostle he is suppose to be messenger of Jesus. Secondly, consider he does not have two witnesses, no water baptism and after resurrection Jesus appeared in flesh. He said if any man says here is Jesus do not believe it.

Personally will not mix testimony of Jesus he is sole teacher and anything that disagrees cast it out. The beginning of how to get to the Kingdom search for righteousness.