Is Heaven Only for the Righteous?

[newton3003]

Jesus, in some of his Beatitudes in Matthew 5 makes direct and indirect inferences that the righteous will see God. This is expressed in various ways in the following passages:

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely hon my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

But then, there is this passage which doesn’t mention righteousness as a way to God:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The “spirit” here can refer to Isaiah 61:1-2 which says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: HE WHO IS HUMBLE AND CONTRITE IN SPIRIT AND TREMBLES AT MY WORD.”

If being “poor in spirit” would mean being lacking in the Spirit of God or any knowledge thereof, it would seem that anyone who does not have that spirit in them can occupy the Kingdom of Heaven. There may not be many people out there at this point, though, who are truly ignorant of anything to do with God. What of those who know something about God, but through lack of means find it hard to walk a straight path?

Who would be poor in spirit? Would it be someone who holds up a convenience store to get money to feed their family? Would it be someone who robs a bank to pay for their spouse’s medical bills that they can’t afford? Would it be someone who has dementia and calls Jesus every horrible name they can think of?

Isaiah 6:5 says, “And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’”

Psalm 40:17 says, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”

Would these passages refer to a poor and needy person who robs someone else? We are all accountable for our own sins, but if a person is convinced they’re overwhelmed would that make them poor in spirit? If a person lacks reasoning facilities, would that make them poor in spirit?

 

[Nehemiah6]

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This simply means those who are humble and devout. Christ was humble in Spirit, even though He is God. Therefore He washed the disciples feet and submitted to the death of the cross. And that is the attitude God desires in the children of God.

 

[Noose]

Try rich in spirit because it is easier to understand. The rich in spirit create their own strawgod and worship it, they misunderstand the scriptures and create their own picture of God or learn from other sources different from God. A clear example in the scripture is the rich man who called Jesus 'good master' instead of good God. The lesson here was about spiritual richness and not physical richness; he believed that Jesus could only be a good teacher and never God.

Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and neednothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

The poor in spirit is exactly the opposite. They are those that depend on the Lord.

 

[posthuman]

Try rich in spirit because it is easier to understand. The rich in spirit create their own strawgod and worship it, they misunderstand the scriptures and create their own picture of God or learn from other sources different from God. A clear example in the scripture is the rich man who called Jesus 'good master' instead of good God. The lesson here was about spiritual richness and not physical richness; he believed that Jesus could only be a good teacher and never God.

Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and neednothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

The poor in spirit is exactly the opposite. They are those that depend on the Lord.

this passage you quoted is decidedly not describing 'rich in spirit' -- it's describing a deceived people who only think they are rich: but they are, explicitly, quite wrong.

so -

The rich in spirit create their own strawgod and worship it, they misunderstand the scriptures and create their own picture of God or learn from other sources different from God.

that ↑ is a false statement which does not follow from the text you presented as though it were evidence for it. the particular text is in fact evidence against your statement.

 

[Noose]

this passage you quoted is decidedly not describing 'rich in spirit' -- it's describing a deceived people who only think they are rich: but they are, explicitly, quite wrong.

so -



that ↑ is a false statement which does not follow from the text you presented as though it were evidence for it. the particular text is in fact evidence against your statement.

Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and neednothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

So, what you are saying is that Jesus wants people to buy earthly wealth from Him?

 

[posthuman]

Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and neednothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

So, what you are saying is that Jesus wants people to buy earthly wealth from Him?

so, what are you saying, Jesus is talking about earthly wealth?

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Luke 9:23 - And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Denial of self is recognizing my moral and spiritual poverty; for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18). It is knowing and understanding that I am unable to serve God in my own will power, self-will, strength, ability, and power. We see this in the first three "Beatitudes."

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Take up his cross is seen in Matthew 5:6; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

I am filled by God's provisions (GRACE) found in Christ by placing my Faith exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified (Believing who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done). Therefore I receive all the benefits of this "Resurrection Life" by understanding that we have been planted together [Christ and ourselves] in the likeness of His Death [Romans 6:5, Psalm 103:2].

Romans 8:13, Zechariah 4:6 - Without Jesus you can do nothing (John 15:5)!!!!!

Without the knowledge of the Cross for sanctification, you will die (spiritually).

Pastor David Borg - JSM

 

[Noose]

so, what are you saying, Jesus is talking about earthly wealth?

Nope. He is talking of/ has been talking of spiritual wealth which is nothing more than knowing God by learning from no one else but God through the Holy spirit.

 

[KD]

Our righteousness alone is simply not enough.


Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV): But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;

Philippians 3:9 (NKJV): and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

As for the scenarios of sin you laid out; I’ve often wondered the same thing. I have to remind myself that I am not Him and He alone has the power to forgive and grant His tender undeserving mercy

Romans 9:15–16 (NKJV): For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

Romans 9:15–16 (NKJV): For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Luke 9:23 - And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Denial of self is recognizing my moral and spiritual poverty; for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18). It is knowing and understanding that I am unable to serve God in my own will power, self-will, strength, ability, and power. We see this in the first three "Beatitudes."

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Take up his cross is seen in Matthew 5:6; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

I am filled by God's provisions (GRACE) found in Christ by placing my Faith exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified (Believing who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done). Therefore I receive all the benefits of this "Resurrection Life" by understanding that we have been planted together [Christ and ourselves] in the likeness of His Death [Romans 6:5, Psalm 103:2].

Romans 8:13, Zechariah 4:6 - Without Jesus you can do nothing (John 15:5)!!!!!

Without the knowledge of the Cross for sanctification, you will die (spiritually).

Pastor David Borg - JSM

The "Tree of Life" (Psalm 1:3)
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

The "Tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

 

[posthuman]

Nope. He is talking of/ has been talking of spiritual wealth which is nothing more than knowing God by learning from no one else but God through the Holy spirit.

and He's saying they are not rich tho they think they are.

but you're saying their deceived state is the very definition of spiritual richness:

The rich in spirit create their own strawgod and worship it, they misunderstand the scriptures and create their own picture of God or learn from other sources different from God.

you say spiritual riches = having a false god, practicing idolatry, being deceived and confused.

so what does that make you, rich or poor? i'm asking about reality, not about what you think.

 

[Noose]

and He's saying they are not rich tho they think they are.

but you're saying their deceived state is the very definition of spiritual richness:



you say spiritual riches = having a false god, practicing idolatry, being deceived and confused.

so what does that make you, rich or poor? i'm asking about reality, not about what you think.

Self righteous is spiritual richness.
Good example; the rich young man who called Jesus good teacher.

 

[Bingo]

"Spiritual bankruptcy...ponder this carefully."

 

[AxeElf]

To answer the original question, heaven is for those who were created for salvation--whose names were written into the Book of Life at the foundation of the world. No more, no less.

"And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast" --Revelation 17:8

"And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." --Revelation 20:15

"But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life." --Revelation 21:27

(All citations from the Amplified Bible.)

 

[newton3003]

"But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life." --Revelation 21:27

Jesus doesn't mention those things in his Beatitudes. I guess we have to look to 2 Timothy 3:16 to accept what Revelation 21:27 says about the matter...

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The "Tree of Life" (Psalm 1:3)
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

The "Tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

If our faith is in anything other than the Cross, it makes the Cross of none effect, or negates it, and causes the loss of all of its benefits (Rom. 4:14).

 

[Troubled65]

Jesus, in some of his Beatitudes in Matthew 5 makes direct and indirect inferences that the righteous will see God. This is expressed in various ways in the following passages:

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely hon my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

But then, there is this passage which doesn’t mention righteousness as a way to God:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The “spirit” here can refer to Isaiah 61:1-2 which says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: HE WHO IS HUMBLE AND CONTRITE IN SPIRIT AND TREMBLES AT MY WORD.”

If being “poor in spirit” would mean being lacking in the Spirit of God or any knowledge thereof, it would seem that anyone who does not have that spirit in them can occupy the Kingdom of Heaven. There may not be many people out there at this point, though, who are truly ignorant of anything to do with God. What of those who know something about God, but through lack of means find it hard to walk a straight path?

Who would be poor in spirit? Would it be someone who holds up a convenience store to get money to feed their family? Would it be someone who robs a bank to pay for their spouse’s medical bills that they can’t afford? Would it be someone who has dementia and calls Jesus every horrible name they can think of?

Isaiah 6:5 says, “And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’”

Psalm 40:17 says, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”

Would these passages refer to a poor and needy person who robs someone else? We are all accountable for our own sins, but if a person is convinced they’re overwhelmed would that make them poor in spirit? If a person lacks reasoning facilities, would that make them poor in spirit?

Being "poor in spirit" means to be or have a heart of brokenness. Read Psalm 51:17. It's being among the forgiven much crowd. The woman who washed our Lord Jesus's feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair is a picture of the poor in spirit. Hope this helps.☺

 

[Troubled65]

Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and neednothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

So, what you are saying is that Jesus wants people to buy earthly wealth

Christ in the Laodicean letter is counseling a sleeping church to be faithful unto death. That is how Christ overcame. This Church, in my opinion, does not get raptured. They will need to go to them that sell and buy for themselves as admonished in Matthew 25. (The 5 foolish virgins). Those that sell requires a little Bible study. I don't want to rob you of the joy of discovering this treasure for yourself. ☺

 

[Troubled65]

To answer the original question, heaven is for those who were created for salvation--whose names were written into the Book of Life at the foundation of the world. No more, no less.

"And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast" --Revelation 17:8

"And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." --Revelation 20:15

"But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life." --Revelation 21:27

(All citations from the Amplified Bible.)

I agree with everything you just said. Amen!

 

[Blik]

If our faith is in anything other than the Cross, it makes the Cross of none effect, or negates it, and causes the loss of all of its benefits (Rom. 4:14).

To the contrary. What Christ did for us on the cross is only the beginning of the wonders of life with the Lord is about. First, we learn of the payment made for our sins on the cross, that is the beginning. Then we learn to live with God as the center of our life. If you stop at the cross and refuse to grow with the Lord you are robbing yourself.