Does God Promise Heaven to the Faithful?

Harold Hancock

Jesus taught, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:" (Matthew 5:11,12). Paul wrote to the Colossians about a hope laid up in heaven (Colossians 1:6), and Peter said, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you". For most, these scriptures settle the issue- the faithful are promised heaven!

Some suggest that while Matthew 5:11,12, Colossians 1:6, and 1 Peter 1:3,4 teach that our reward is presently being kept for us in heaven, they do not teach that we will "go to heaven." They are mistaken. Consider carefully some other Bible passages and their teachings.

The writer of Hebrews teaches that we have a "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). The "holiest" is heaven ( Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:24); therefore, a way has been made for man to enter heaven by the blood of Jesus.

Furthermore, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). If the earthly tabernacle is the body fashioned from the dust of the earth and suitable for earth, does not the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" suggest a body suitable for the heavens? But why will we have a body suitable for heaven if heaven is not to be our home?

Eternal life in heaven with God is the hope of the faithful (Titus 1:2: Colossians 1:6). Therefore, be faithful.