Tag: Heaven

Christian Characteristics Necessary for Life In Heaven

During every passenger plane landing, the instructions are given to prepare for landing. Because this directive may be perceived in many various ways the flight attendants give specific directions for preparation to land. They perform a final walk through to complete the pre-landing regulations before taking their seats.

Jesus has given us precepts and commands to guide us to our final destination in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.'” –Revelation 22:20

With urgency, in Revelation chapter 22, Jesus gives us a promise that is also a warning. Three times He says, I am coming quickly. We are given a preview of heaven, we are told that the time is near, and we receive information on how to prepare by keeping His Commandments. The chapter ends with the repetitive and third promise/warning from Jesus that His coming is timely and definite.

Note: In studying the Scriptures, Jesus rarely repeated His words while ministering to others. We become aware that “I am coming quickly” is a life or death warning for us to do our part [daily preparation] if we expect to receive eternal life.

Most of us possess the skills of preparing ahead. We have our mental to-do lists and are accustomed to preparing the night before or early morning to identify and achieve daily repetitive tasks. Yet, when preparing for vacations or an intentional getaway, we use focused planning strategies. If you need some quiet time, you would not book an Airbnb in a city with never-ending noises.

How many Christians are excitedly preparing day-to-day to live eternally?

Preparation for eternal life is intentional. Every aspect of our earthly activities of daily living require heightened awareness and intentional planning. Without complete knowledge of how we use our time, distractions will prevent us from preparing for eternal life. We never fully comprehend the meaning of Jesus coming quickly because we are unaware of the shortage of time we have to get ready.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

Jesus also clarifies that we have spiritual assignments for which we will receive the reward of living with Him forever and ever. Our Heavenly reward is not given because we were dedicated employees working 40-hour work weeks that provided the necessary income to sustain our lifestyles.

The question, What did you do with your spiritual gifts that I gave you? Did you strive to live a righteous life? The conviction to remain faithful and obedient by overcoming temptations, the courage to say no to sin, [even if it means losing family and friends], and the commitment to love and put God first are righteous standards mandated by the law of God.

Use your spiritual gifts and the resources of time, effort, and money for discipleship–service to God and to others which is the work that Jesus Christ rewards. Read The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the changes in your lifestyle that you need to make to be ready for Jesus’ Second Coming. Live everyday with the mindset that Jesus is coming quickly! We have wasted too much time watching, listening, and doing things that do not count toward preparation for eternal life.

The Journey of Sanctification

We can only take one thing to heaven and that is our character. The Holy Spirit breathed the words of God to the apostles, Paul, James, Peter, and John of the necessary characteristics that we must have in our lives now to be holy and acceptable for life in heaven.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. –Galatians 5:22-23

Most are familiar with the righteous traits of the Fruit of the Spirit. Still, “1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 6, Hebrews 11, James 1-2, and 1 Peter 1” also give us a foundation for possessing a Christ-like character. Sanctification, the lifelong spiritual journey of spiritual growth and development requires human effort plus Divine Intervention through Jesus Christ.

Secretly, some Christians think that striving for righteousness is overwhelming and that God has placed a burden on us to be holy.

Consider your employer who has greater demands than our Heavenly Father. You are expected to have almost 100% competency in performing your job duties, reach productivity standards, possess time management skills, complete ongoing educational trainings, and have an acceptable attendance record. Nor will you receive continuous help from management staff.

We have the Divine Intervention of the Spiritual Team of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the angels to help us every day. Doing our part requires putting God first and praying for help. Pray and Study the Bible every day. We determine our destiny!

Why is it taking so long for Jesus to come? “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9

Thankfully, we have a merciful Father who patiently loves us. Even so, our lifespan remains a mystery Tomorrow is not promised to us. Prepare everyday and stay ready.

Prayer: God, we pray for ourselves today because we realize that we are not preparing for Jesus to come. Holy Spirit please reveal the obstacles in our lives that are causing roadblocks in our spiritual journey. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Receive Your Sabbath Blessings

God, we thank you for the blessing of the Sabbath day. We pray to receive peace as we extend agape Love to others. We pray for each individual that is in conflict regarding the 7th day Sabbath. We love you. Please accept our worship of humility and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Can you give a description?

For every missing person’s report, a complete description is required. Because most individuals rely on their eyesight, a picture of the person is extremely helpful. Even if the image is years younger, advanced technology can produce an accurate picture of the person’s current age.

Although we have never eaten at a specific restaurant or traveled to a particular state or country, someone who has will use their prior knowledge and experience to provide us with a description that piques our curiosity. Just from hearing their words, we become excited and form mental images.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:1-2

We have the complete description of the New Heaven and New Earth in Revelation 21. Because God desired that we possess an inward longing and excitement about our permanent home, He allowed John the Revelator to see the New Heaven and the New Earth. From the amazing and vivid description of the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, we should prepare ourselves spiritually to receive our reward of eternal life every day.

Without using the Bible, can you describe the holy city? Many verbalize their desire to live in the New Heaven and New Earth. But the reality is that we have not taken the time to study and memorize the description of our “forever home.” Would you be excited to go and live in a place without any prior knowledge?

When life is overwhelming, pray and read the description of the New Heaven and New Earth. Yes, praise the Lord! We have this hope of life eternal! We are nearing home!

Bible Study: John 14 and Revelation 21-22

God, thank you for preparing a forever home for the faithful. We ask You to forgive our sins. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit as we diligently study the scriptures. We ask this prayer in the Worthy name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.

Looking Beyond Today

Good Morning. It is a new day, and we have received our gift of abundant new mercies. As I continue to think about peace and why there is a shortage of peace among believers, the Holy Spirit provided an answer: we are not thinking or preparing for Eternal life. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

As I searched for sermons on Eternal life, there were no up-to-date, 2020 sermons. From 2013-2019, there were a few brief sermons on Heaven and Eternal life. How is this possible? Are we so distracted or content with our present lives that we have lost our desire to live forever with God?

One of the posts even included a message entitled, “The Crippling Fear of Everlasting Life,” known as apeirophobia. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12. Remember that Satan boldly spreads false information, which is why we must boldly witness to others regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The most precious promise for a believer is if we are faithful, obedient, and strive to live righteously, then the ultimate reward is immortality in the New Heaven and New Earth. “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13

Yes, our lives are like boats on the ocean that fluctuate between fearful storms that bring strong tumultuous waves and the soothing calm of tiny ripples. But we must always remember that we have the Captain and His Crew. God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and countless angels are always available who will never leave us, nor will our boats capsize and sink to the bottom of the ocean. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I share the answer to my prayer on how to have perfect peace every day. Despite our circumstances, we must always believe in the power of God and acknowledge that He gave Jesus, His Son, for the redemption of my sins. Make the decision not to let your circumstances prevent you from grasping the peace that flows from God. Ask yourself, “How often do I think about the promise of life in the New Heaven and New Earth?” 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. God always fulfills His promises! All He asks of us is to have faith. From today forward, believe that all things are possible with God, and obey His command, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

There is great joy that comes from knowing the vacation you planned will happen soon. Begin to look forward to the promise of eternal life. We know how the story of this earthly journey ends. For the faithful, God has promised to change our bodies from mortal to immortal, from trials and sorrows to forever possessing joy. We will be able to laugh, never to shed tears for any reason, and be surrounded by the glory of God. Yes, we must look forward to speaking with Jesus, the one who died for us, and now serves as our Heavenly Intercessor. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5

The Apostle John describes his vision:

18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 22:18-27. Amen!

God, we thank you for the great sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. We ask for forgiveness of not claiming your promises of peace and eternal life. It is our desire to live forever with you in the perfect New Heaven and New Earth. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus who is coming soon. Amen!

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.