Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17close2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (ESV) close2 Thessalonians 2:13-17close2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (ESV) Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (ESV) .
FOR DISCUSSION: Is heaven a goal or a destination for a Christian?
A "goal" is just that -- a goal. If something is a goal, that implies that you might or might not reach it. For example, when a soccer player kicks the ball toward the goal, it might or might not go in the net, depending on a variety of factors. Or, suppose you were to board an airplane and the pilot were to come on the intercom and announce, "Welcome aboard! Our goal this afternoon is to reach Los Angeles." You would probably want to get off that airplane. The pilot's statement indicates that either he is not confident that the plane is able to complete the flight or he does not know the way to Los Angeles.
When a place is considered a "destination", there is an air of certainty and confidence that you are going to arrive at the place toward which you are headed. (Imagine your confidence level if the pilot were to say, "Our destination this afternoon is Los Angeles.") When a place is called a destination, that clearly means that you can have confidence that you ARE going to arrive there. It's a "done-deal." There is no need to worry or to give the matter a second thought. Your arrival at the destination is guaranteed.
THINK ABOUT IT AGAIN: If you are a believer in Jesus, is heaven a goal or a destination?
What does each of the following Bible passages say that lets you know that salvation and eternal life is a guaranteed "destination" for a Christian?
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14close2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) close2 Thessalonians 2:13-14close2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) Stand Firm 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:9close1 Thessalonians 5:9 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) close1 Thessalonians 5:9close1 Thessalonians 5:9 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV)
1 Peter 1:3-5close1 Peter 1:3-5 Born Again to a Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV) close1 Peter 1:3-5close1 Peter 1:3-5 Born Again to a Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV) Born Again to a Living Hope 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV)
What is the "way" to heaven as a destination.
John 14:6closeJohn 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV) closeJohn 14:6closeJohn 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)
John 10:9closeJohn 10:9 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV) closeJohn 10:9closeJohn 10:9 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV) 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV)
Ephesians 2:8-9closeEphesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) closeEphesians 2:8-9closeEphesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)
How confident can you be that heaven is your destination? Read John 10:27-29closeJohn 10:27-29 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (ESV) closeJohn 10:27-29closeJohn 10:27-29 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (ESV) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (ESV) .
God does not want you to wander through life unsure of whether you are really saved and headed for heaven. Everything that is necessary to assure that heaven is your destination was accomplished for you by Jesus through His cross and Resurrection (Romans 5:6-10closeRomans 5:6-10 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (ESV) closeRomans 5:6-10closeRomans 5:6-10 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (ESV) 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (ESV) , John 11:25-26closeJohn 11:25-26 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (ESV) closeJohn 11:25-26closeJohn 11:25-26 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (ESV) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (ESV) ). He did it all for you because He loves you. Heaven is your destination by virtue of God's grace and your faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9closeEphesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) closeEphesians 2:8-9closeEphesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV) ). You can be confident that you are wrapped in the arms of Jesus for eternity (John 10:28closeJohn 10:28 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (ESV) closeJohn 10:28closeJohn 10:28 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (ESV) 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (ESV) ). He will not let go of you. Because, in love, He has done all this for you, you can have the confidence to stand firm in your faith and to hang on to Jesus (Revelation 3:11closeRevelation 3:11 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (ESV) closeRevelation 3:11closeRevelation 3:11 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (ESV) 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (ESV) ) until the day when you finally DO REACH your destination.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that through the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I know that heaven is my destination. Thank you for creating the gift of faith in Him in my heart. Please enable and empower me to stand firm in my faith until the day when I see You face-to-face in all Your glory. Amen.
Duane Feldmann
