Heaven - Do You Qualify?...
God promised that the righteous would live on earth.
“For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place, and he will not be there.
But the humble will inherit the land,
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”
Psalms 37:9,10,11
Examine the example of Abraham.
God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
"And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession: and I will be their God."
Genesis 17:8
God even promised Abraham and his offspring that they would inherit the world.
“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13
Gentiles can receive the promises of Abraham through the seed, Jesus Christ.
“in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might came to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:14
If you belong to Christ then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29
Abraham is the father of the righteous.
“For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” Romans 4:16
But, Abraham did not receive even a foot of ground.
"And He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground; and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his offspring after him.” Acts 7:5
So, if we trust God that his promise to Abraham is good, and since Abraham hasn't yet received his inheritance then it follows that Abraham and his righteous descendants (even righteous Gentiles) will inherit the earth at some future time.
"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
"And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." Revelation 5:10
The Scriptures very plainly say that the righteous will inherit the earth; so why does everyone talk about going to heaven? Where in the Bible does it say the righteous will go to heaven?
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling,” (Hebrews 3:1), “those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,” (Hebrews 6:4), “be assured that a place has been prepared for you,” (John 14:2), “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,” (Revelation 21:2), “and the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our LORD, and of His Messiah; and He will reign forever and ever,” (Revelation 11:15).
I invite your comments.
This is an article I wrote years ago arguing that in reality the Bible does not teach that man would go to Heaven but that in the Messianic age to come, the righteous would live on earth.
Of course it is all bullshit.