WHEN USING TUNNEL VISION, PAUL IS EASILY MISUNDERSTOOD
Did the Apostle Paul say that he and other believers were going immediately, directly to heaven upon death? Tunnel vision is used by those who approach the Bible with inherited worldly doctrines and then try to view only those verses that seem to support what they want to believe. Note the following scripture for just one such example.
Philippians 1:23-24 , “For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (NKJV)
If one would look at this verse and overlook clearer scriptures with regard to when we receive our rewards and when we meet Christ, we can easily misunderstand. It is always best to use the clear, straight forward verses first to set basic doctrinal boundaries. Then we can eliminate big mistakes in understanding and find the enlightening, true, and specific meaning of a scripture.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His APPEARING.”
Note in the above scripture the terms “laid up for me” this means, “waiting in storage for me to claim someday.” Also note the term “at that day” and “His appearing.” These inform us clearly that our rewards come at that day, which involves the second coming of Christ. This agrees with many other clear verses.
WHEN DO WE RECEIVE OUR REWARD AND SEE CHRIST ?
A wonderful event is scheduled to happen at the second coming of Jesus the Messiah. The revealing of Christ will not only give the world the true leader it has longed for and needed but will usher us into the God family. We will be able to see God face to face. Wow! Even the great prophet Moses could not see God's face, but we will at His appearing.
1 John 3:1-2, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
When is this event? It is part of what is known as “that day” or the day of the Lord. Note Rev. 22:12.
Rev 22:12, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give to each according as his work is.”
God's time standards have him returning soon and quickly to give us our reward THEN. We will receive our rewards when Jesus returns to save the planet. Paul knew this as we can see from his letter to Timothy and the Philippians. Paul simply meant that in the next moment of his consciousness after death, would be the wonderful union with our true Messiah Jesus. Paul is also saying he believes it is better for the struggling churches if he remains to help, period.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE LAST TRUMP ?
Paul wrote about the last trump which we celebrate on the Feast of Trumpets. It is called the civil new year by Jews who know that it will be a new world at the sound of the Last Trumpet.
1 Thes. 4:14-17, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.”
What did Paul teach regarding those brethren that have passed away when we will all meet the Lord? This occurs at the last trump, prophesied to be heard at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Note the dead in Christ rise. Where are they rising from, the pearly gates? Of course not! They are rising from deep sleep. These statements by Paul are clear and simple and straight forward. These are the statements one must base doctrines upon. Further, note what Paul also wrote to the Corinthians. Paul is comforting the brethren with knowledge of those resting or asleep in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “…We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Those dearly departed and asleep will join those alive at the second coming of Christ as the trumpet sounds.
Daniel 12:2-3 “… Those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life… 3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the sky…”
The final reward for the saved brethren in Christ is to rest until the time when we all shall shine like stars. Wow! Paul knew we would sleep first, then get our rewards. Tunnel vision overlooks all these clear verses. Human nature tends to see only what it wishes to see and ignore other facts. It avoids contrary passages of scripture like the plague.
THE DEAD ARE SLEEPING AND KNOW NOTHING
We all have seen movies where the departed look upon their own dead body while they rise to heaven. They never loose consciousness. But is that what the Bible reveals ? No it is not.
Ecc. 9:5, “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead do not know anything, …"
Ps. 146:4, “His breath goes forth; he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
Death is like a deep sleep until God restores our memories and resurrects us.
WHAT DOES OUR CITIZENSHIP BEING IN HEAVEN MEAN?
One more often misunderstood verse is Philippians 3:20. Our names are written in the book of life which is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (NKJV)
All modern translations now render it “citizenship is in heaven.” Yes, God is running things from heaven where His throne is, AT PRESENT. We are told to gain favor in our heavenly accounts.
Matthew 19:21, “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’”
Philippians 4:17, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”
This does not counter the clear verses of us waiting –– asleep –– for the resurrection. It simply means that this is not our world. Our headquarters is in heaven and Christ will bring the Kingdom of God from heaven to Earth on His return. Ultimately God’s throne will come down to Earth as well.
Revelation 5:10, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
We could travel to heaven as needed. But eventually the throne of God descends also to Earth. Maybe the spiritual and physical world will then become one. See Revelation chapter 21.
Those of us who have been called and have our chance at salvation now when we pass will either be slated for the family of God or the Lake of fire at our resurrection. But we all will sleep until we are resurrected. God is not going to fail. Most of us will become sons of God. But some will fall away and be lost somehow. By the grace of God, most of us will remain faithful and be saved by Christ. We will eagerly awake to the happy return of Christ for us.
Issues
CAN WE EVER GET PEOPLE TO FORGET ABOUT THE HEAVEN AND HELL IDEA?
