What heaven is NOT...

Anyone can look at two choices that are drastically different and choose which one looks and sounds more appealing... When I look at juicy Fillet Mignon from Ruth Chris Steakhouse and slab of mystery meat from the school lunch line, I would pick the fillet every time. If I want to go for a swim and I have a choice between a gator-infested pond or a nice pool in a millionaire's back yard, I am picking the pool. These choices are easy. There is no comparison.

It is the same way with heaven and hell. One of them is eternal place of suffering that is associated with suffering, fire, destruction, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and eternal, conscious punishment, and the other is associated with eternal bliss... I don't know about you, but I know which one I would choose... HEAVEN! That was easy... next question...

There is only one problem with this illustration - - - heaven was not created for people who simply DON'T want to go to hell. Heaven was created for the worship of a mighty, powerful and awesome God. Those who love God will be with Him in heaven.

God doesn't get excited about someone choosing Him because they want to avoid hell... He is not a fire insurance policy... He is a loving God who cared about us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice for us and sent His Son to die a criminal's death on a cross for our sins. 1 John 4:19 says, "We love Him because He first loved us." We love Him because He is worthy to be praised and He didn't leave us or forsake us in our helpless state of sin. We should love and appreciate Him because of what He did for us, not because we don't want to go to hell...

You can be sure of this... there will be no room in heaven for people who simply didn't want to go to hell. But there will be room for anyone who truly knows God the Father through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ...

Its not about choosing the better of two options... its about loving Jesus... So, do you love Him or do you want to avoid hell?