A study of the Bible's teaching on heaven and earth

1. The earth not heaven the
place of reward
Laindon
8th November 2015

2. Christian traditions – what does the Bible say?
1. God a unity not a Trinity
2. The earth not heaven the place of reward
3. Jesus is God’s son, not God himself
4. Baptism not christening taught in the Bible
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3. The earth not heaven the place of reward
• Our authority the Bible – God’s word
• Jesus preached the good news concerning the Kingdom of God
• Where will the Kingdom of God be?
• Who is in heaven?
• Who will be in the Kingdom of God?
Place of reward 3

4. The Bible our authority
• Because it is the Word of God
• See 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21 & Hebrews 1:1-2
TEN GOOD REASONS FOR BELIEVING THE BIBLE IS TRUE
1. Its Unity
The Bible contains 66 books, written over a period of some 1500 years by about
40 different men, from different social and educational backgrounds (eg King,
prime minister, doctor and servant), in different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and
Greek), in different continents
(Europe, Asia and Africa), on hundreds of
controversial subjects and yet it is in complete harmony from beginning to end.
2. Its Historical Accuracy
The Bible deals with events which started 6000 years ago and covers a period of
4000 years but is completely historically accurate concerning the people, places
and events it records. Archaeology continuously confirms its precision as do
authentic secular records. Many things challenged as fiction have now been
established by archaeology as fact, such as the existence of writing in the time of
Moses, the existence of the ancient city of Babylon and the existence of Pilate,
governor of Judea at the time of Christ.
3. Its Indestructibility
The Bible has survived over thousands of years despite repeated attempts to
suppress or even destroy its teaching and exterminate its followers. For example
in AD303 the Roman Emperor Diocletian commanded the destruction of all
Christian churches, the burning of all Christian Scriptures and the loss of all civil
rights by those who professed Christianity. It is now the most widely circulated
written text in the world.
4. Its Scientific Accuracy
When the Bible deals with matters that relate to modern scientific study, it is
accurate. For example its account of creation is logical and sustainable and it
speaks of the circle of the earth long before man had come to realise the earth is
a sphere [Isaiah 40:22]. It does not contain the fanciful and inaccurate ideas of its
contemporary literature, such as the Babylonian account of the ark and the flood
but rather an entirely feasible record [Genesis 6:15].
5. Its Prophetic Accuracy
Within the Bible are hundreds of fulfilled prophecies concerning empires, nations,
individuals and world events [eg Daniel 2]. There is no other book that even begins
to compare with it. An outstanding example is the existence of Israel today which
was completely destroyed by the Romans who dispersed the Jews across the
world almost 2000 years ago. In accordance with Bible prophecy it is now a fully
fledged state, founded in 1948 against all the odds and according to a recent
economic survey, now a more competitive nation than even the UK. [See Ezekiel
21:26-27; 20:41-42 & 28:25-26]
TEN GOOD REASONS FOR BELIEVING THE BIBLE IS TRUE
6. Its Authentically Truthful Style
The Bible is not a book of heroes. It describes its characters accurately, complete
with their faults and weaknesses. For example we are told of two of the greatest
men of the Bible: Moses was at first reluctant to lead the Children of Israel out of
Egypt [Exodus 4:13-15] and David committed adultery and arranged the murder of
the wronged husband [2 Samuel 12:9]. The Bible also contains many undersigned
coincidences, the hallmark of a genuine and authentic document. For example in
Matthew’s gospel we read: “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and
others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou
Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” Why was Jesus asked to prophecy? Luke
gives us the answer in his gospel: “when they had blindfolded him, they struck him
on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?”
7. Its Profound Theme of Jesus Christ
From beginning to end the Bible centres its teaching on Christ: his promised
coming, his role, character and achievements. Christ is referred to in the Garden
of Eden [Genesis 3:15], through the promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
[Genesis 12:7], is symbolised throughout the Law of Moses, his very thoughts are
to be found in the Psalms [Psalm 22:1], details of his life were to be found in the
prophecies hundreds of years before he had been born [Isaiah 53] and then the
New Testament itself details his life and teachings.
8. Its Intellectual Integrity
In the 21st
Century modern day men and women can still study the Bible, written
thousands of years ago and believe in it wholeheartedly without having to suspend
reason or deny their powers of understanding. This is not the case with other
ancient texts which are full of myths and fantasies which are known to be false.
9. The Authenticity of Its Teachings
The teachings of the Bible are truly unique. They are directly revealed by God and
not borrowed from other nations or belief systems. For example they show, given
the time they were written, a startling insight into the foolishness of idolatry which
was then practised by every other nation on earth [Isaiah 44:16-17]. These
teachings are now the foundation of all modern codes of law and conduct.
10. Its Impact on the Lives of So Many People
For thousands of years the Bible, God’s word, has been deeply influencing and in
some cases actually transforming peoples lives. It continues to do so in a way that
no other book has ever done or will do. What is more the men and women who
delivered its message had nothing to gain in this life from preaching God’s word,
rather they suffered for their beliefs.
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5. What did Jesus preach?
• Luke 8:1
• Matthew 6:31-33
• Matthew 4:17 & Mark 1:14-15
• John 3:16
• John 6:40
• Matthew 7:21
• Good news of the Kingdom of God
• His disciples to seek it
• He told people to repent & believe
• The Kingdom to be everlasting
• The hope is resurrection
• Only the obedient will enter K of G
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6. Where will the Kingdom of God be?
• Acts 1:9-11
• Luke 1:30-33
• Psalm 37:9-11 & 22
• Matthew 5:5
• Revelation 2:26-27
• Revelation 5:9-10
• Jesus will return to the earth
• He will reign for ever from Jerusalem
• The faithful will inherit the earth
• The meek will inherit the earth
• The faithful will rule over the nations
• The faithful will reign over the earth
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7. Who is in heaven?
• 2 Chronicles 6:30
• 1 Timothy 6:13-16
• John 3:13
• Acts 2:29-35
• Heaven is God’s dwelling place
• No man can approach God
• No man can enter heaven
• David has not entered heaven and
awaits resurrection
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8. Who will be in the Kingdom of God?
• “And, behold, I [Jesus] come quickly; and my reward is with me, to
give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12
• “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt.” Daniel 12:2
• “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I
will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
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