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Mat 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Many times people write letters and ask us:
“Why do you always talk about heaven, heaven and heaven in your messages? Is it such an important topic?”
”Why do you always talk about “Life after death”? Why do you not talk about “life after birth” we need to talk about this issue, how to live in this world, how to cloth, feed, and take care of our own life in our day to day needs. Who knows whether there is a life after death, who has seen if there is heaven or hell. So, why not live merrily when we are in this world. Why worry about life after death.”
Well, Bible speaks about HEAVEN, more than 250 times in the New Testament itself and for more than 280 times in the Old Testament. Do you not consider it as an important issue? The above verses also clearly show that John the Baptist was speaking about heaven. He says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Repent and escape from the very death. Repent and escape from hell fire. Jesus says the same thing again in Mat 4:17; from that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus was preaching Repentance. Jesus was preaching about turning from evil ways. Jesus was teaching about heaven.
Yes, heaven is a very important subject for each and every human being. We all want to go to heaven; we all want to reach that place of joy, happiness and peace. But, many do not know the way. Many do not know how to reach heaven. Many, including the people who are in Christian homes, do not know how to receive salvation. Today you can see what the Muslim terrorists are doing. They are trying to kill as many Jews and Christians, thinking that it will help them to reach heaven. You can see every day in TV, how they are capturing innocent people and beheading them just in the name of religion. They want to reach heaven but do not know the right way. They do not know that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Hindus believe in re-incarnation. They think that through re-incarnation or the cycle of re-birth, they can attain moksha (salvation). But it never happens and it is not the way to reach heaven. I am not here to offend anybody but it is the reality.
By the way, what is re-incarnation? Hindus believe that after death a person takes re-birth in another body. They believe that a person can take birth in the form of another human or in the form of animal.
Hinduism: the cycle of death and rebirth, is considered the ultimate goal of earthly existence. This is known as Moksha (salvation).
Medical science and science denies these facts of re-incarnation. As well as Bible also denies re-incarnation. Science or medical science does not prove it as a fact. Why?.
1. No one ever claimed in history that they have taken re-birth from a dog, cat or horse or whether they were a spider, snake, bird or scorpion in their previous birth. It means re-birth in the form of animal is false.
2. Medical science has proved that human and animal structure has major differences. Human being has soul, spirit and mind where as animals have life and mind (they have ability to react or fulfill their natural needs like finding food, raising kids, building nest etc.). Soul is a missing part in animals. They do not have ability to think about God or their creator, they cannot worship God or think of reaching heaven. Plants also have life like animals.
Human beings have soul. That is why they have the ability to recognize themselves. They have personality, they have ability to worship God and know who they are and from where they came from. But animals do not have all these powers. They cannot even recognize themselves if you put them in-front of a mirror. So a human being cannot take re-birth in the form of an animal or plant. So again re-incarnation theory fails.
3. Medical science has proved again that at the time of the death of a human being, a few ounces of weight decreases. It means something (soul) leaves the body at the time of death. But in the case of animals it does not happen.
Bible speaks about the same thing that soul or spirit returns to its creator.
Eccl 12:6, Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Eccl 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
4. We hear many stories about people who had died and after a few days or after two –three months they were born in a new home, which also proves that reincarnation theory is false, because medical science clearly indicates that it takes atleast 9 months of gestation period for a child to be born.
5. Many other things like people who talk about old forgotten things (known to another person who is already dead) or they suddenly start playing piano like a professional or start speaking English or French language fluently as never before, all these things also indicate that it happens because of demon possession and not because of re-incarnation.
Well, Bible also clearly says that there is only one life and after this there is judgment. We do not have several chances. We do not have several ways to reach heaven. Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Life is very short and it is very precious. We do not have much time to wait and think about many things. Yes, nobody knows when life will end. You never know how much time you have at your disposal. You never know how many days and years you have to enjoy the pleasures of this world. The people who died in the twin tower might never have thought that it would be their last day on earth. No, they went as usual for their work and they might have never thought that they would not see another day in their life. I still remember the pathetic scene of World trade center collapse. I was watching the live broadcast and it was horrific. Smoke and fire were billowing toward the sky and people were hanging from the windows with no hope. People were jumping out from the 100th story, bodies were falling from that tall building. Can you imagine how short this life is?
Life is very precious and going to heaven is a must. Bible says that after death, soul goes to one of two places. It is either Hell or Heaven. There is no other choice. You have the choice of one out of these two places. That is why Jesus also preached Repentance. Life is precious. That is why Jesus came down into this world to die for you and me. If heaven was not that important, He (Jesus) would have stayed with comfort in heaven. He would not have come to die the cruel death on the Cross. No, Jesus died for you and for me so that we may not perish, so that we may not die in sin.
I still remember the real story of a woman who was born in a Christian home but who did not care for heaven or for Jesus. She was mocking all the preachers who were preaching the true Gospel. She said all through her life, “there is no God, there is no heaven, there is no hell, these preachers are liars scaring people with their heaven and hell stories.” She said, “all the preachers must be shot, all the churches must be burned down because there is no God.”
But what happened to her at her dying moments? She was dying still without Christ or salvation. She said on her death-bed, ”please tell me there is no hell! Oh, tell me! There is no hell. I said there wasn’t any hell. I said every preacher ought to be killed. I am afraid! Oh, I am afraid! I am afraid! It is so dark, it is so dark. It is so dark. I am going into utter darkness. And with these words she died. She had no chance to repent, she had no chance to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior at her death-bed. Yes paradise lost forever and forever for her. A woman being in a Christian home still could not find Christ.
She lived in riches with money at her command, she had every thing in her life, but life without Christ is useless. You might be in a good position, you might be very rich, you might have big mansion, car and servants. But if finally you lose everything and get nothing, that is, zero in your life what would be the use of that? If you got everything but lose heaven, lose your own soul for eternity what would be the use of this life? Have you ever thought about it? Have you ever thought, “where am I going? From where did I come? Who created me? What is the purpose of this life? If I lose heaven to perish in hell fire forever and for ever what would be the use of this life?” Have you ever pondered about these things? Heaven is real as hell is also real. If you will not accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you will end up in hell. Life is too short to think and to wait before taking decisions. Decide today for Christ. If you are not saved till today, if you are still without salvation, decide for Jesus today itself. Do not delay. Tomorrow may be too late. You never know when life will end but if you decide today you can live without fear of future. You can live with peace knowing that your destiny is safe, knowing that you are the child of God and you have a place in heaven. Book your ticket today itself, do not wait for tomorrow.
Please pray this prayer from the bottom of your heart:
Lord Jesus I am a sinner. I heard all through my life that you died for me and that you came to save me from eternal damnation. Lord Jesus today I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart. Forgive and forget all my sins. Wash me with your precious blood. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Make me a new creation. When I close my eyes in this world take me in heaven. I pray in Jesus precious name Amen.
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