Being close to Jesus in Heaven...

[ImmanuelWithUs]

I don't usually watch Christian television for a number of reasons, but I did happen to catch Grant Jeffrey on there tonight talking about Heaven and what it'll be like for believers.

He made it sound like the better you are on earth after you get saved, the closer you will be to Jesus when you get to Heaven. I've never read that in God's word, never heard it preached anywhere from the reliable pastors I like, and he didn't provide any scripture to back it up.

He made it sound like only martyrs will be close to Jesus and the rest of us "non-martyred" folks, I guess, will not be as close to God. If this is true, no doubt I'll be in what used to be Africa while the Lord is sitting on His throne in the New Jerusalem thousands of miles away because I'm totally depraved and all my "works" on earth are filthy rags, except for the fact of the Lord's saving grace.

As I've said, Grant didn't provide any scripture to back this up nor have I ever found anything like that in the scriptures. If anyone has any reliable scriptures, sources, Bible commentary, etc. that would help me sort this out, I'd greatly appreciate it.

My heart is broken thinking that my beautiful Jesus who's face I want to see every moment of every day in Heaven won't be mine to look at after all; I'll be saved, I'll be in Heaven, but since I'm not GREAT here on earth like Peter, I cannot be literally near the Lord.

 

[Hekuran]

Luke 23:32-43

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."​

Case closed?

 

[ImmanuelWithUs]

I greatly appreciate your answer, friend, however that wasn't my question. I know my Lord saved me and I know I'll be with Him in His Heaven, but I'm asking if my performance on earth will clarify me to be closer to Christ in Heaven. Will, for instance, Peter to closer to Christ because Peter was a martyr on earth? And if there is different levels of closeness to Jesus once we get to Heaven. I know there are different levels of hell, so I'm wondering if there are different levels of closeness to Jesus Christ in Heaven.

Again, any help from anyone scripturally would greatly help me.

 

[ImmanuelWithUs]

The Lord just answered my question. He said He died to give Himself to me, how much more will He be mine in glory?

 

[stephen]

A Preacher died and went to heaven.

At the gates he was questioned regarding his worthiness for entry.

O he said...I have been the Pastor of a successfull church, and many have come to Jesus. Thats not worthy enough...said the angel.

O he said...Well I have been a well know preacher and had a station on God Channel. Thats not worthy enough said the angel

O he said.....Well I have tithed of my income, visited the sick, tried to live a godly life etc. Thats not worthy enough said the angel

The preacher was desperate at this time. He cried out....I cast myself upon the mercy of Jesus, I trust in His saving blood. Only Jesus can save me....and in Him I put my trust.

Thats worthy enough said the angel.......Come inside

Yes it is an anecdote........But sums up the bible story....as I see it

Jesus paid it all....All to Him I owe......There is nothing more that we can do. Anything any person does in their service for Jesus is done from a heart of love for Him,..... and what He has done for them.

"Not the labour of my hands, can fulfill Thy Laws demands
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears for ever flow
All for sin could not atone, Thou must save...and Thou alone

(Toplady)

 

[Trishann]

Amen Stephen

God Bless, Trish

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I know there are different levels of hell, so I'm wondering if there are different levels of closeness to Jesus Christ in Heaven.

Being concerned about such things shows pridefulness and pushes one away from Jesus, not toward Him. There'll be no pecking order in Heaven.

"Everyone who exalts Himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Lk 18:14 NIV)

"Then Peter began to speak, 'I now realize how true it is that God shows no favoritism.'" (Ac 10:34 NIV)

SLE

 

[ImmanuelWithUs]

Being concerned about such things shows pridefulness and pushes one away from Jesus, not toward Him. There'll be no pecking order in Heaven.

SLE

Holy Spirit says this to you - I have a question for you. Do you have children? If you do, would you think it would be prideful of them to want to be near you? If a little one of yours was worried that it wouldn't get to spend any time with you because it wasn't as good as your other children, would you think it was prideful for that child to worry and question you about it?

I want you to think about that....but no reply is necessary for I don't plan on coming back to this for an answer.

How amazing the Lord is - when I asked Him the same question, He didn't come back with a comment that I was being "prideful"...He just reassured me of His love and devotion.

We need to meet the need of God's children more than we try to dot the "i" of God's code.

Let's love each other and not pound one another on the head with scripture.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I know there are different levels of hell, so I'm wondering if there are different levels of closeness to Jesus Christ in Heaven.

Of course I want my childen to want to be near me, but the issue remains: there'll be no pecking order in heaven , so there's no need to be bothered over who gets the best seat.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be their God. He will wipe e very tear from their eyes. There will be no death or mourning or crying in pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" (Rev 21:3-4 NIV)

"Levels of closeness" - pecking orders - are part of the old (worldly) order of things which will be done away with.

SLE