I’m sure most of you have heard of actor Gene Hackman who recently passed away at the ripe old age of 95. His list of movies is immense with blockbusters like The French Connection – Heist – The Poseidon Adventure – and Young Frankenstein…just to name a few. The weird thing about Hackman’s death is that as of this writing, his body is still unclaimed – more than six weeks after his passing.
We see his face in movie after movie now – dynamic, animated, full of life – but he’s not really there. He lies in a morgue somewhere – but he’s not really there either. But he is in one of two places within eternity! Sobering!!
Eben Alexander is a neurosurgeon at Harvard. He thought everything had scientific explanations including ‘out of body’ experiences until 2008 when he slipped into a seven day coma after contracting bacterial meningitis. During that time he had an out- of body-experience of his own – a trip to heaven. He details an almost indescribable place of beauty with nothing to fear. For sure a ‘game-changer’ of an event for him.
So—-is heaven real? Is hell real? Recent polls show that nearly 80% of all Americans believe in heaven & hell. There are many accounts today of people who have had near-death experiences and visited these places. Even the Bible has accounts of people who told of an afterlife.
John Lennon sang, “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today…” Although there’s little in his song that agrees with what the Bible teaches, Lennon got it right on one point: it’s easier to imagine that heaven & hell don’t exist than it is to imagine they do. As his song invites – simply live for today!
But with the Bible using the word heaven 532 times and hell 54 times, there’s little doubt that this is a topic we should give serious thought about.The reality is that heaven is a place more wonderful than we can ever begin to imagine. But no one goes there by accident. Heaven is God’s prepared place for a prepared people.
A pastor once visited President Ronald Reagan at the White house and asked him: “Suppose you were to die and found yourself standing at the door of heaven. If God were to say, ‘Why should I let you in?’ what would you say?” The President paused, thought for a moment and then replied “Well, I guess I’d have to answer with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He nailed it.
So, assuming that most of us want to end up in heaven vs.‘that other place’ – here is a traveler’s guide to heaven:
- Accommodations: Arrangements for accommodations must be made in advance of departure.
- Passports: Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names already registered with the ruling authority.
- Tickets: Your ticket is a written pledge that guarantees your journey. It should be claimed and its promises kept firmly in hand.
- Departure Time: The exact time of departure has not been announced. Travelers are advised to be prepared to leave on short notice.
- Luggage: No luggage can be taken.
- Vaccinations: Vaccinations are not needed as diseases are unknown at the destination.
- Clothing: Will be provided.
- Reservations: Apply at once!!
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org
