XPost: alt.bible   
   From: usenet@christrose.news   
      
   The Lord Jesus Himself corrected the very misunderstanding you’re   
   repeating. While it’s true that before the resurrection no man had   
   ascended into Heaven (John 3:13), that does not mean the righteous were   
   forever barred from it. Before Christ’s resurrection, the faithful dead   
   were in Paradise—a place of conscious blessing, not annihilation or   
   unconscious sleep. Jesus told the repentant thief, “Truly, I say to you,   
   today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, ESV). That was no   
   promise of mere memory or earthly restoration, but of personal   
   fellowship with Christ immediately after death.   
      
   After Christ’s resurrection and ascension, the way into Heaven was   
   opened for all the redeemed. Hebrews 9:24 says, “Christ has entered, not   
   into holy places made with hands … but into heaven itself, now to appear   
   in the presence of God on our behalf.” He entered as our forerunner   
   (Hebrews 6:19–20). That means others follow Him there. Paul writes, “We   
   would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2   
   Corinthians 5:8, ESV). Again, “My desire is to depart and be with   
   Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23, ESV). These verses   
   destroy the idea that only a few go to Heaven.   
      
   The 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14 are not the total number of the   
   redeemed. Revelation 7 shows two distinct yet related visions: first,   
   the sealed 144,000 from Israel (7:4–8), then “a great multitude that no   
   one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and   
   languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (7:9, ESV).   
   The multitude stands in Heaven, clothed in white robes, holding palm   
   branches, worshiping God. Scripture explicitly says they are “before the   
   throne” (7:15). So the Bible itself refutes the claim that only 144,000   
   go to Heaven.   
      
   You also quoted Matthew 5:5, but notice the connection between Heaven   
   and earth in that same sermon. Jesus said, “Rejoice and be glad, for   
   your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:12, ESV). Those who inherit   
   the earth are the same who have treasures laid up in Heaven (6:20). When   
   Christ returns, Heaven and earth unite under His reign. The New   
   Jerusalem descends from Heaven (Revelation 21:2), and “the dwelling   
   place of God is with man” (21:3). Thus, the final state is not divided   
   into two classes—some in Heaven and some on earth—but united in one   
   redeemed creation under Christ.   
      
   As for 1 Corinthians 15:50, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom   
   of God” means our mortal, corruptible bodies must be transformed—not   
   that we remain on earth. The very next verses explain: “We shall all be   
   changed … the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed”   
   (15:51–52, ESV). Believers will have glorified bodies like Christ’s   
   (Philippians 3:20–21). That is how “flesh and blood” becomes fit for   
   Heaven.   
      
   Finally, the reward of Heaven is not to “flutter around playing harps,”   
   but to serve and reign with Christ forever (Revelation 22:3–5). All who   
   belong to Him share this destiny—not a limited 144,000, but “whoever   
   believes in Him” (John 3:16). The redeemed from every age will see His   
   face, dwell in His presence, and worship the Lamb who was slain   
   (Revelation 5:9–10).   
      
   So the Bible teaches one flock and one Shepherd indeed (John 10:16)—not   
   two separate classes of believers, but all united in Christ, reigning   
   with Him in glory.   
      
   --   
   Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (†), and God   
   raised Him from the dead?   
      
   That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death   
   penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death   
   satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John   
   2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your   
   sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.   
      
   On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on   
   the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name   
   of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).   
      
   https://christrose.news/salvation   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)