Are there people in Heaven right now?

[Sharp]

I asked this question in the chatroom a couple of nights ago, and despite the very helpful (and much appreciated) advice received, I felt that it was largely unanswered. This issue, while somewhat trivial, has been on my mind for a while, and I was hoping people could give their input to it.

From reading Revelation 20:11-15, I believe there to be a day or time of judgement coming, where all people will be judged, with those whose names are in the book of life entering into Heaven and those whose aren't entering into Hell. This appears to occur after the apocalypse, so I'm assuming that at this judgement day, everyone will be present, and everyone will be judged.

However, the bible states that Enoch and Elijah went straight to Heaven, which leads me to believe that they are there now. Will they be present at the judgement and will they be judged, even after being in Heaven?

At various points the bible also mentions Sheol, which is said to be a place of unconsciousness for the dead awaiting the resurrection and judgement. I know that Heaven and the next dimension operate outside the boundaries of time that the Earth is bound by, and so I was wondering whether as Christians, when we die, will we experience no time delay between dying and judgement and ultimately entry into Heaven?

Surely someone who died thousands of years ago would not have to consciously wait thousands of years for the world to end in order to enter Heaven. So, is it the case that to the person, it would seem as though judgement follows death straight away, but on Earth we know that that person is in an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection? Because the way I read it, there is no-one in Heaven at the moment apart From God, Jesus, angels, Enoch, Elijah, and possibly the fellow being crucified next to Jesus who was promised that TODAY he would be with Jesus in paradise - everyone else must await the mass judgement.


Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[whiteknite]

I would like to think there are people in heaven. Such as relatives that I loved dearly when they were alive on this earth.
But to be completely honest: I don't know that for sure. I guess I/we will just have to wait and see when we get there. I do know for sure that God, thru Jesus promised that ALL who believe in him will have everlasting life.
Sorry, but that's the best answer I can give you.

 

[eric51]

I asked this question in the chatroom a couple of nights ago, and despite the very helpful (and much appreciated) advice received, I felt that it was largely unanswered. This issue, while somewhat trivial, has been on my mind for a while, and I was hoping people could give their input to it.

From reading Revelation 20:11-15, I believe there to be a day or time of judgement coming, where all people will be judged, with those whose names are in the book of life entering into Heaven and those whose aren't entering into Hell. This appears to occur after the apocalypse, so I'm assuming that at this judgement day, everyone will be present, and everyone will be judged.

However, the bible states that Enoch and Elijah went straight to Heaven, which leads me to believe that they are there now. Will they be present at the judgement and will they be judged, even after being in Heaven?

At various points the bible also mentions Sheol, which is said to be a place of unconsciousness for the dead awaiting the resurrection and judgement. I know that Heaven and the next dimension operate outside the boundaries of time that the Earth is bound by, and so I was wondering whether as Christians, when we die, will we experience no time delay between dying and judgement and ultimately entry into Heaven?

Surely someone who died thousands of years ago would not have to consciously wait thousands of years for the world to end in order to enter Heaven. So, is it the case that to the person, it would seem as though judgement follows death straight away, but on Earth we know that that person is in an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection? Because the way I read it, there is no-one in Heaven at the moment apart From God, Jesus, angels, Enoch, Elijah, and possibly the fellow being crucified next to Jesus who was promised that TODAY he would be with Jesus in paradise - everyone else must await the mass judgement.


Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Difficult to say if anyone is in heaven "right now". Christians have always believed that God transcends time. Time is a creation of God which we, his creation, experience. Everything to God is PRESENT; there is no past, "present" or future. Everything that has happened, is happening or will happen, is ALL PRESENT to God.

Given that, it is difficult to talk about whether something presently exists, because we are referring to a dimension [time] which does not exist for God.

Just some of my silly thoughts.

God Bless.

Eric

 

[Thaddaeus]

you should have read all of revelation instead of skipping to the end. well we should all know that there is at least one man Up there, we are told that Jesus is at the right hand of God also a couple other verses in rev would imply there are people up there also.

Re 5:1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.Re 5:2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?Re 5:3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.Re 5:4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.Re 5:5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.Re 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Re 5:8And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints
this in imply that there are men in heaven while still men in earth And no man in heaven, nor in earth, and also they are the 24 elders

 

[sweetie36]

I Beleave that there are Peoples Spirits In Heaven.

 

[next_step]

But I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, [for] [it is] very much better, ...

 

[Sharp]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Thaddaeus, I did not just skip to the end of revelation, I just overlooked that part about the elders. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. However, as Revelation is a vision of future events, how do we know that the elders are there now and not people who will be resurrected?


I'm convinced that there are at least some people in Heaven now, but I'm not convinced that every believer that has died is there yet. I think that many people are in this Sheol place, unconsciously awaiting resurrection, but that makes me wonder why God would bring some people into Heaven before others?


Eric51, your post was very helpful, thanks. You mentioned that time does not exist for God. I have always thought that time does not exist in Heaven, that there will be no concept of past or future and every moment will be the present. However recently I came across Revelation 8:1, "When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour". This suggests to me that there may be some form of time in Heaven, as an event occured (or is to occur) which occurs within a period of time. I don't know what to make of it. Any ideas?

 

[watchmen]

1st Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.


For Jesus to be able to bring the dead from Heaven with Him as He returns to earth, they must be in Heaven right now, right? I would believe so.

 

[watchmen]

I underlined the wrong verse and this site does not let you edit. This is the verse that should have been underlined in the post above.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

 

[swat4christ]

I asked this question in the chatroom a couple of nights ago, and despite the very helpful (and much appreciated) advice received, I felt that it was largely unanswered. This issue, while somewhat trivial, has been on my mind for a while, and I was hoping people could give their input to it.

From reading Revelation 20:11-15, I believe there to be a day or time of judgement coming, where all people will be judged, with those whose names are in the book of life entering into Heaven and those whose aren't entering into Hell. This appears to occur after the apocalypse, so I'm assuming that at this judgement day, everyone will be present, and everyone will be judged.

However, the bible states that Enoch and Elijah went straight to Heaven, which leads me to believe that they are there now. Will they be present at the judgement and will they be judged, even after being in Heaven?

At various points the bible also mentions Sheol, which is said to be a place of unconsciousness for the dead awaiting the resurrection and judgement. I know that Heaven and the next dimension operate outside the boundaries of time that the Earth is bound by, and so I was wondering whether as Christians, when we die, will we experience no time delay between dying and judgement and ultimately entry into Heaven?

Surely someone who died thousands of years ago would not have to consciously wait thousands of years for the world to end in order to enter Heaven. So, is it the case that to the person, it would seem as though judgement follows death straight away, but on Earth we know that that person is in an unconscious state awaiting the resurrection? Because the way I read it, there is no-one in Heaven at the moment apart From God, Jesus, angels, Enoch, Elijah, and possibly the fellow being crucified next to Jesus who was promised that TODAY he would be with Jesus in paradise - everyone else must await the mass judgement.


Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Upon death, THE SOUL of the believer departs to be with the Lord as clearly stated in Scripture. See 2Timothy 4:6; Philippians 1:21-23; 2Corinthians 5:8. However, THE BODY of the believer goes to the grave awaiting the resurrection. You will also clearly see this in Scripture in the passages of Philippians 3:21, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57. So, for the believer, after death THE BODY SLEEPS awaiting the resurrection, but THE SOUL LIVES in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Following the resurrection of the believer, when the body and soul are reunited in a glorified state, there will be a judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ for rewards based on works after salvation. For the unbeliever, upon their resurrection, they will be judged at the White Throne Judgment of God for their works as an unsaved person, to determine the degree of eternal hell they will experience.

I hoped this helped. I be more than happy to answer any further questions.

 

[Sharp]

Pefect answers. Thankyou

 

[ginger]

Upon death, THE SOUL of the believer departs to be with the Lord as clearly stated in Scripture. See 2Timothy 4:6; Philippians 1:21-23; 2Corinthians 5:8. However, THE BODY of the believer goes to the grave awaiting the resurrection. You will also clearly see this in Scripture in the passages of Philippians 3:21, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57. So, for the believer, after death THE BODY SLEEPS awaiting the resurrection, but THE SOUL LIVES in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Following the resurrection of the believer, when the body and soul are reunited in a glorified state, there will be a judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ for rewards based on works after salvation. For the unbeliever, upon their resurrection, they will be judged at the White Throne Judgment of God for their works as an unsaved person, to determine the degree of eternal hell they will experience.

I hoped this helped. I be more than happy to answer any further questions.

This is what I have been taught since I was a little girl. I stand on these scriptures.

 

[Hummingbird61]

The bible says that we are citizens of heaven (Phillipians 3:20). It amazes me that people are so quick to believe in hell but have such a hard time believing in heaven when the Bible says God created heaven and earth.

I believe that those who are believers in Jesus Christ and have passed on are instantly transferred to heaven and are with the Lord. All others are waiting judgement. As I was reading in God's word in John 5:22-27 the other day:

"Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life AND WILL NOT BE CONDEMNED; HE HAS CROSSED OVER FROM DEATH TO LIFE"

In I Corinthians 11:32 "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the World" So, when we do something displeasing to the Lord, we are judged (disciplined) immediately.

Condemned: to pronounce guilty.

How do you pronounce someone guilty unless you judge them. Jesus says in John 15:15 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

and in John 15:13 Jesus says: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command". And what did Jesus command? In John 15:17 "This is my command: Love one another." And what did Jesus do, He laid down His life for His friends - US.

Simple. Love is the fulfilment of all God's commandments because Love does not hurt one another.

The bible also says (sorry I can't remember the scripture): "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Well, where is the Lord? After his ressurection, it says in In Luke 24:51 "While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into HEAVEN."

Now, is our transfer into heaven instant? I say yes. When Jesus was being crucified with the two robbers and the one robber, who was defending him against the other robber, turned to Jesus and said in Luke 23:42 "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom". What did Jesus say? He said "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Where is paradise? Read 2 Corinthians 12: 1-4 It says that paradise is the third heaven.

So, when do we go to Paradise (or the Third Heaven)? At the resurrection? No, Jesus said TODAY.

Well, I hope this answers your question or at least points you to God's word to study more. These scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

Love your sister in Christ who wants you to know the truth. God's word is real, living and active, able to save and correct. The Holy Spirit will bring you into all truth. Just ask Him.

 

[logos83]

Upon death, THE SOUL of the believer departs to be with the Lord as clearly stated in Scripture. See 2Timothy 4:6; Philippians 1:21-23; 2Corinthians 5:8. However, THE BODY of the believer goes to the grave awaiting the resurrection. You will also clearly see this in Scripture in the passages of Philippians 3:21, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57. So, for the believer, after death THE BODY SLEEPS awaiting the resurrection, but THE SOUL LIVES in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Following the resurrection of the believer, when the body and soul are reunited in a glorified state, there will be a judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ for rewards based on works after salvation. For the unbeliever, upon their resurrection, they will be judged at the White Throne Judgment of God for their works as an unsaved person, to determine the degree of eternal hell they will experience.

I hoped this helped. I be more than happy to answer any further questions.

I agree with swat4christ, when the Sadduccees asked Jesus about the a woman rightful husband, Jesus replied to what they really wanted to ask as they were trying to disprove the Resurrection.
Matthew 22:29-32
29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying
32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (see Exodus 3:6;16)