HEAVEN IS NOT THE GOAL

HEAVEN IS NOT THE GOAL

 

The fist time I heard this expression, it was used was by Bob Mumford, in a teaching he gave back in 2008. More recently I read it in his book called "Agape Road", which carries a copyright date of 2002, 2006, which I assume means that he first published it in 2002 and revised it 4 years later. It is an excellent book that I highly recommend every follower of Jesus should read. The first line of the Preface reads "This book was not written-it was a birthing process". He goes on to say "We have made an effort to take you on a journey called the "Agape Road". He then finishes the Preface with "This Agape Road journey does get difficult in places, so that you may want to run, hide, or shift blame. But, it is a journey that we truly believe the Lord Jesus Christ has called us to walk, and hopefully, help others to discover. I have learned that it is literally impossible not to love God once you know Him for Who He really is. This is my own testimony; hopefully it will be yours as well."

 

It is really a sad thing that the "church" had led us to believe that reaching heaven, is a permanent home for all born again believers when we die. As Bob says on page 17 "If you are a Christian and you die, you have to go to heaven; there is no place else to go!" Heaven, as we have come to know it, is not our Eternal home in its present location. In spite of all that we have been told by books and songs and church traditions, it is only a temporary stopping off place. Our permanent address for eternity is the place identified by John in one of his many heavenly visions that make up the book of Revelation. It is properly identified as the "New Jerusalem", which will be located for eternity in space above the new earthly Jerusalem. A careful reading of the last two chapters, if you are able to lay aside all that you have been told about heaven and the "mansion" that Jesus is supposed to be building for you, and receive this as a vision given to John by Jesus, I'm sure the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to you.

 

The real goal for us followers of Jesus is perfectly described by Paul in (Rom 8:18-25).  As I understand this passage, Paul is trying to tell us that we should be working toward establishing the "Kingdom of God" here on earth, and helping to deliver the whole creation from the bondage caused by the "curse", and not looking to be "air lifted" to heaven any time soon!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer