Do you have the hope of going to heaven

[JehovahsWitness]

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I do not have a hope of going to heaven (when I speak of "heaven" I mean the spiritual abode/realm where God lives).

- Do you personally entertain the hope of going to heaven to spend eternity with God when you die? (if this question is too personal I respect if you do not want to share this information)

- If so, do you believe such a literal spiritual realm exists?

- Do you believe that Jesus is presently in heaven where God exists?



* My question is for people that do believe that a God exists, since I presume that those that do not believe in God do believe he exists anywhere and therefore there is no "heaven" where God is.

[Checkpoint]

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I do not have a hope of going to heaven (when I speak of "heaven" I mean the spiritual abode/realm where God lives).

- Do you personally entertain the hope of going to heaven to spend eternity with God when you die? (if this question is too personal I respect if you do not want to share this information)

- If so, do you believe such a literal spiritual realm exists?

- Do you believe that Jesus is presently in heaven where God exists?



* My question is for people that do believe that a God exists, since I presume that those that do not believe in God do believe he exists anywhere and therefore there is no "heaven" where God is.

Spending eternity with God in the fullness of that relationship is exactly what I expect Jesus died on the cross for.

Indeed.

Whether that is in heaven or on earth is hardly relevant.

It is not about geography but about the most important relationship we can possibly have with God, wherever He is.

[JehovahsWitness]

Whether that is in heaven or on earth is hardly relevant.

It is not about geography but about the most important relationship we can possibly have with God, wherever He is.

I think this is an important point. Some people object to the JEHOVAHS WITNESS teaching that most Christians, as well as the ancient faithful like Abraham, David, Moses will never go to heaven and will spend eternity on this our planet earth, as if just because mankind will spend an eternity on the earth while God is in heaven, they cannot still enjoy a perfect relationship with him.


Just because the righteous will never see God with their literal eyes doesn't mean they will not enjoy a relationship with him.


JW

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 11 by Checkpoint]



[center]Is heaven but a metaphor?[/center]

It is not about geography but about the most important relationship we can possibly have with God, wherever He is.

It seems by this statement that you don't know WHERE heaven is.
But I'm not sure by the statement if you think that "heaven" is a real place or not.

____________

Question:

• 
  
  Is heaven, in your opinion, a real geographic place, a relationship, or some other kind of metaphor?
  
  

____________

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 9 by Wootah]

Spending eternity with God in the fullness of that relationship is exactly what I expect Jesus died on the cross for.

We have to die on a cross to get to heaven?

[ttruscott]

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I do not have a hope of going to heaven (when I speak of "heaven" I mean the spiritual abode/realm where God lives).

where GOD lives... GOD to me is all present so I already live where HE lives.

Well good for you. Then the OP doesn't apply to you because it is speaking of those that don't believe they are already in heaven. Congratulations, god's speed and say hello to Gabriel for me.

It is not like you to choose one minor point to be sarcastic about... I am speaking of GOD being omnipresent but our ability to perceive is clouded by sin: 2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

I also don't think HE created the universe to be wasted as a slow moving light show for earth forever...so I suspect is will be the playground for HIS Family after it is cleansed of evil.

[OnceConvinced]

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I do not have a hope of going to heaven (when I speak of "heaven" I mean the spiritual abode/realm where God lives).

- Do you personally entertain the hope of going to heaven to spend eternity with God when you die? (if this question is too personal I respect if you do not want to share this information)

I once did as a Christian. In fact as a Christian I was convinced I was going to Heaven. There was no doubt in my mind.

It's sad for me now when I think about it. The belief in Heaven is no longer there. There is now no eternal life for me. This life on earth is all I have and I am most likely well over the half way mark. So much of my life was spent serving a God I now believe to be imaginary. It was heartbreaking for me when I lost my faith. Very difficult. It took a long time to get over. Even now, it saddens me to think that all my dreams of an afterlife have been shattered.

This is one reason why I can't believe there are Christians out there who believe that I wanted to rebel. That I chose to be an ex-Christian. It makes no sense at all. If it were a matter of desire I'd still be a Christian still believing I was looked after by God and was going to live forever. I can't see why anyone would not want to believe that.

- If so, do you believe such a literal spiritual realm exists?

As a Christian I most definitely did believe there was some other dimension which was Heaven that existed outside our earthly dimension. I wish I could believe it still.

- Do you believe that Jesus is presently in heaven where God exists?

I used to believe this without a doubt. I wish I could go back to believing it again, but it's impossible.

[JehovahsWitness]

I also don't think HE created the universe to be wasted as a slow moving light show for earth forever...so I suspect is will be the playground for HIS Family after it is cleansed of evil.

So do you believe anyone will spend eternity in heaven where God and the angels reside or do you believe there's no such place?

[William]

Do you have the hope of going to heaven?

Nope.

I have the understanding that practically all afterlife experiences are created by the individual and their beliefs formed throughout their lives.

I regard these afterlife experiences as being in the mind of the planet entity which is also the Biblical GOD.

I also understand that there is an ongoing process happening in relation to rehabilitation and the individual after they have completed this part of their life experience.

I am not interested in going to some heaven type place and worshipng some idol enthroned as a GOD. I understand this type of thing appeals to some folk, but I find it strange and distracting.

As to a 'new earth', this too will be experienced in the mind of the planet entity, and while it is a far more attractive option than a heaven, when looked into more, it basically amounts to the same thing as heaven, minus any GOD on a throne to worship.

I think it is appealing because I can see how something which could have been the case with life on this planet, isn't and isn't likely to be, then the belief in having the opportunity to experience it in some other reality is attractive.

I don't personally hold a hope of there being an afterlife. I just consider it possible and
entertaining that possibility gives some kind of meaning in relation to this present experience. {LINK}

[ttruscott]

I also don't think HE created the universe to be wasted as a slow moving light show for earth forever...so I suspect is will be the playground for HIS Family after it is cleansed of evil.

So do you believe anyone will spend eternity in heaven where God and the angels reside or do you believe there's no such place?

where God and the angels reside: Please - I think heaven is the experience of communion with GOD that will cover all of the created reality when it is fulfilled. As a 'place' it maybe restricted now but it will not be then.

Exodus 25:8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
tabernacle - dwelling place,
dwelling (1), dwelling place (8), dwelling places (9), dwellings (9), resting place (1), tabernacle (109), tents (1), where...dwells (1).

Since GOD is with HIS people all the time, Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. then this business of dwelling in the tabernacle and above the ark : Exodus 25:10 "Have them make an ark / chest of acacia wood--two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high... 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. cannot be restrictive to only one place.

Therefore it is not quite fully proper to suggest that GOD only dwells in a place called heaven but I suggest any place HE has chosen to dwell, in the sanctuary, tabernacle, above the ark or in the pillars of smoke and fire, is the heavenly place since it refers to HIS dwelling which moves, not a particular place.

Revelation 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Temple - a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides: 3485 nas (from nai, "to dwell") " properly, a sanctuary (divine dwelling-place); a temple (sacred abode), the place of divine manifestation. It refers to the sanctuary (the Jewish Temple proper), i.e. with just its two inner compartments (rooms).

Especially after the cleansing of the eternally evil satanic people from all of created reality then the New Jerusalem where we know HE resides will fill all of created reality which will be the 'city' of GOD.

[Willum]

[Replying to post 18 by William]

I am surprised to find us in such agreement. My take is:

I'd rather burn with Gandhi, then party in heaven with a redeemed Hitler.

V/R