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Various Questions On Heaven, The Spirit, Church Discipline, etc Introduction: We have a number of questions, some are related and some are not. #1 Second Corinthians 12.1-4 In verse two we read as Paul stated "one caught up in third heaven." Is (are) there degrees of heaven or degrees of hell? A) Paul's authority as an apostle often challenged by those he rebuked, 2 Corinthians 10.10 1. Paul tells us of something that happened, probably to him. 2. Different usages of the word "heaven". a. Sometimes heaven is used to refer to the earth and its atmosphere, Genesis 1.9,20. b. Sometimes heaven is used to refer to the sun, moon, stars, Genesis 1.14-15. c. These two heavens were created by God, Genesis 2.1. d. These two heavens will be destroyed, Luke 21.33 3. Sometimes heaven is used to refer to the abode of God, Matthew 6.9 a. Angel came from heaven as Jesus prayed, Luke 22.43 b. Jesus ascended into heaven, Luke 24.51. B) Answer #1: Paul tells us which heaven he is speaking of in verse 4 by the word "paradise." Therefore, he was not speaking of the first two heavens but the third heaven. # 2 Are there different levels of rewards in heaven? Companion question: Are there different levels of punishment in hell? A) What is heaven and what is hell? 1. Heaven is the place prepared by God for the righteous, Matthew 25.34 a. Place where all the righteous will dwell forever b. All spiritual blessings God intends for the righteous will be in heaven. Described in Revelation 21.2-7; 22.1-5. 2. Hell is the place prepared by the unrighteous, Matthew 25.41 a. Place of eternal torment, gnashing of teeth, weeping, agony, etc. 3. Everyone is either go to heaven or hell, John 5.28-29. B) Answer: What will the different rewards be? Everyone will be in the presence of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. 1. Generally those that believe there will be different levels of rewards and punishment are free to do so as long as they don't start believing in the Catholic doctrine of purgatory. 2. But I don't see it. #3 Things We Have Asked Forgiveness for, shall they be brought up? A) Depends: 1. Are we talking about God or man? 2. Are we talking about sins that we have done what God says we need to do in order to be forgiven? B) To be forgiven we must obey the Gospel of Christ, Acts 2.38 1. This includes hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized for the remission of our sins. a. Repentance demands we turn from sin and stop, Luke 13.3; Acts 17.30 2. God forgives us when we do what He says, Romans 4.7-8. a. Was Paul forgiven when he obeyed the Gospel? Acts 22.16 b. A Christian is forgiven when they repent (confess their sins to God), 1 John 1.9. 2. If just ask for forgiveness without obeying the Gospel, we are still in sin. 2 Corinthians 5.10 C) Our fellowman 1. We must repent and ask for forgiveness, Luke 17.1-4 2. We are to forgive and forget! No forgetting means no real forgiveness. 3. Those who bring up past sins repented of are sinning, Matthew 6.14-15. D) As a side point: forgiveness requires fruits, and there may be consequences of our sin even after we have repented and been forgiven. 1. Murder must stop murdering and will still be punished. 2. A person can be forgiven for entering an unlawful marriage but still most separate. #4 Where does our spirit go till the day of judgment? A) Obviously this is after we die and our spirit is separated from the body. 1. Hades is translated as the word grave in Acts 2.27. It simple refers to the realm of the dead. The word "Sheol" is used in the Old Testament. Psalm 16.10 2. Luke 16 we read of Lazarus and the rich man. a. The rich man went to a place of torment, Luke 16.24-26, called Tartarus, in 2 Peter 2.4 in Revised Version. b. Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise with Him, Luke 23.43. B) We know the soul will exist and be in either torment or paradise until the Day of Judgment. #5 How are we to act toward those who have been withdrawn from? Person asking the question went on the express concern due to what they perceived as Christians acting as if nothing has changed. A) Who are the "we" in this question? The congregation and in the congregational setting or individuals? B) As a congregation we withdraw from those who are walking outside of Christ, as such they are no longer in fellowship with God or us, 2 John 9-10. 1. We do not ask them to lead prayer, singing, teach a class, etc. 2. We are to pray for them and treated them as a brother/sister and not as an enemy, 2 Thess. 3.14-15. 3. They are welcome to attend and we will pray they will repent. C) As individuals we are to reprove and rebuke them, 2 Timothy 4.2 1. Our individual responsibilities may change because of our family relationships. Husband/wife, children, etc. 2. However, your husband/wife is not my husband/wife; your child is not my child. a. So I may not be able to engage in the same activities with your family due to their sin. b. We need to think of that when we have social gatherings. 3. Here's a key passage: Ezekiel 3.18-21 a. It is our duty to warn the wayward. They are lost and need to repent. b. One way to do that is by letting them know we care and try to talk to them. c. However, if we act as if nothing is wrong and they are OK, we are doing them a disservice. 4. Example: A person we were dealing with due to a number of unscriptural marriages was told by one of our members that they were ok. 5. Let me make this point: a. We point out the fallacy of the Social Gospel. We will convert people by preaching the word and not by feeding and entertaining them. b. We will restore the erring not by feeding and entertaining them but by appealing to the word of God.
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