Heaven can't exist -- Here's why
Preface: The world will change if this one gets out! Why? Because there isn't a Biblical expositor that can refute it!
So you're thinking you'll be going to Heaven? Have you carefully read Scripture about who actually goes and those that won't be making the trip?
(The Big Idea: The immortalized “Houston, we have a problem” phrase communicates concern of the emergence of an unforeseen problem prior to reaching their targeted destination. Think not of Apollo 13, nor of the Moon (a place where these men haven’t been before,) but of sincere Christian’s thinking about what the Bible states about Heaven. Questions that somebody should be asking before disembarking and committing to the journey. This is a short skeptical dialogue designed to exercise the soul. Characters are HOUSTON (earthly pilgrim destined to Heaven) and ST. PETER (Guardian of the Gate of Heaven) that have an Apollo 13ish awakening in the nick of time. The intrigue? This is a thinking exercise that will not end like you think it will.)
HOUSTON:
St. Peter, after all of these years, it looks like we will be
meeting soon enough, and I can’t wait!
ST.
PETER: Didn’t you say we have a problem?
HOUSTON:
Yes
ST.
PETER: What is
the problem? (muttering in a side breath, “These people are heading to
Heaven…and they have a problem?”)
HOUSTON:
You see, Nathan… [Nathan is Houston’s friend, Nathan didn’t have
the nerve to ask, so Houston drew the assignment of having to ask St.
Peter the questions, Houston is Nathan’s proxy]
ST.
PETER: Out with it! Tell me your concerns.
HOUSTON:
Well Nathan has started to read his Bible more carefully than ever
before. He figures that since the time is drawing nigh that he’d
better get more familiar with his future dwelling place. Kind of like
reading all the travel guides before you go on vacation so one knows
what to expect prior to arrival.
ST.
PETER: I see. Good for Nathan…but you stated that there was a problem?
It is a bit annoying that you just can’t be forthright and get to the
point. So please, make your point.
HOUSTON:
Nathan read his Bible all the way through last year but read it
differently than he did in previous years. Last year, he read it
critically (which raised many questions) and he is very worried.
ST.
PETER: Nathan is getting closer to home going & eternity. It is
customary for those “closing in” to have anxiety. Just assure Nathan
and remind him of the scriptural admonition from Philippians 4
6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
HOUSTON:
Isn't
that
what we are doing? We have questions at a late hour.
ST. PETER: Please! I’m a busy man. There seems to be something bothering you and it seems that you are reluctant to discuss it with me.
HOUSTON:
OK, Nathan doesn’t like crowds. He is a bit "claustrophobic."
ST.
PETER: (Laughs) Well, he won’t have to worry about that anymore once
he gets to Heaven!
HOUSTON:
Well not exactly, this is the problem that Nathan has. He
thinks there will be a problem and it is keeping him awake at
night…plus, he is bugging me about it. So much so, that I thought it
urgent enough to talk about this right now!
ST.
PETER: Heaven is a wonderful place. So wonderful that it is quite
strange that you should bring up a concern.
HOUSTON:
It’s the Bible that drives his concerns.
ST.
PETER: How so?
HOUSTON:
Specifically, Revelations Chapter 21 verse 16
16 And
the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth:
and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The
length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
ST.
PETER: Well, I’m glad that you used the KJV…but what’s your point?
HOUSTON:
(getting a little uptight by now) Don’t you get it?
ST.
PETER: No, I don’t!
HOUSTON:
Nathan found out the English equivalent to a furlong and did the math
equation to discover (to his amazement) that Heaven isn’t all that
big. He discovered that the land mass isn’t as big as the State of
Delaware in the United States. He feels strange bringing this up since
nobody else discusses this.
ST.
PETER: It will be big enough. Nathan has some real anxiety issues. Well,
you know what they say?
HOUSTON:
No, what do they say?
ST.
PETER: They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I promise you,
that you have nothing to worry about…and tell Nathan since he
couldn’t seem to discuss this with me personally. Evidentially, you
must be his mouthpiece?
HOUSTON:
Nathan can be plenty stubborn sometimes…but you still don’t seem to
grasp the magnitude of Nathan’s inquiry or concerns.
ST.
PETER: How so?
HOUSTON:
Heaven will be overcrowded! Recall, that I told you be is a
bit claustrophobic.
You see, Heaven will be a bit larger that the smallest of any of
the states in the United States, namely Rhode Island but not as large
(by land mass) as Delaware. He figures that the Foursquare city will be
approximately about 1,500 square miles. Data shows that there are
likely 2.2 billion Christians on Planet earth right now! Nathan just
panics to think that there will be THAT many people in such a small
place.
Sure,
this is an estimate…but that number doesn’t address all those that
have died in Christ since Jesus walked upon the earth…or what happens
to those who believed before the days of Jesus? The numbers just boggle
the mind!
ST.
PETER: I see. Finally, you made your point.
HOUSTON:
I knew that I shouldn’t have let Nathan talk me into this…now you
are probably upset with me?
ST.
PETER: No, no I’m not and you can also assure Nathan when you see him
next.
HOUSTON:
Still, St. Peter, you have not addressed the concerns. By today’s
numbers, and just with the 2.2 billion Christian’s living today Heaven
will be much more crowded that the most densely populated place in the
world today. Of course, this would be Macau (China). Now Nathan is a
layman, not a math wiz, but he figures that Heaven’s population
density (using current data) means that Heaven will be much more crowded
than Macau!
I tell
you, Nathan hasn’t been sleeping all that well since he made this
discovery. He questions if he has been a fool all of these years?
Nathan
is pragmatic though, he didn’t want to prejudice his future chances
because word on the street is that it will be you, St. Peter, that is
guardian of the gate of Heaven and he didn’t want to risk his chances
of entry by potentially upsetting you over this line of questioning.
Frankly, we (Nathan & I) made a bet…the loser (me) draws the
assignment and must be the one that gets to ask you these questions.
Lucky me.
ST.
PETER: (hands rubbing his forehead prior to talking) OK, you asked for
it! I’m not angry at either of you guys…but your line of
questioning brings about the necessity of another whole line of
reasoning, better yet, discussion of Biblical exegesis on the subject of
just who it is that actually makes it into Heaven? I ought to know,
word on the street is correct, I am the gatekeeper; but there is an
objective standard contained within the Bible of entry requirements for
those wishing to one day go to Heaven.
HOUSTON:
I think I know where you will be going with this…but this has not only
Nathan worried, but me too!
ST.
PETER: Do you really?
HOUSTON:
I hope that I am wrong about this…but the scriptures sure has some
very high standards. Standards so high that one must wonder if anyone at
all will be able to enter Heaven?
ST.
PETER: Yes, all that stuff that the Zaddakim started. This group
troubled the Roman Empire…and then the Apostle Paul brought this over
& helped merge it into Christianity.
HOUSTON:
(with a bewildered look at St. Peter) Hey, I’m not aware of any of
this, frankly, I’ve never even heard about any of that stuff, or of
the Zaddakim.
ST.
PETER: Then you need to make your point!
HOUSTON:
The scripture gives several examples of things that people do that will
likely keep them out of Heaven. One of these items, divorce, divorce is
one of them. St. Peter, is it true that divorced people aren’t
going to make it in? Is this true?
ST.
PETER: You have read what the scriptures said! It’s not Heaven’s
problem that people on Earth can’t read the scriptures. It’s not
Heaven’s problem that someone that laymen pay to be their spiritual
shepherd fills their heads with things contrary to the written Word of
God. Didn’t Martin Luther stress sola scriptura?
HOUSTON:
Obviously, I can read…but the punishment for divorce is severe! Look,
I believe and am basically a good person. My marriage is shaky and we
hope to avoid getting a divorce. Should this happen, these verses from
scripture indicate that divorced people, adulterers and whoremongers
don’t stand a chance for future entrance into Heaven. Those verses
are: I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Hebrews 13:4, Matthew Chapter 5
I
Corinthians
6:9 – 10
Know
ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of god? Be not
deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor
coveteous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inherit the
kingdom of God.
Hebrews
13:4
Marriage
is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and
adulterers God will judge.
Matthew 5:27-3227 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
ST.
PETER: (with a solemn look) Do you expect me to contradict the book? Are
you wanting me to disavow it?
HOUSTON:
(perplexed and worried) I was hoping that you would clarify and assure
me that perhaps a literal interpretation wasn’t really the intention
of God?
ST.
PETER: Scripture is scripture and the Word of God isn’t flippant.
HOUSTON: Is it true that drunkards don’t get into Heaven? Galatians 5:19-21 plainly states:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What about liars? Rev. 21:8
What about people that view pornography? Scripture seems to equivocate this to be adultery. Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you,That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
PETER: What do you want me to say? IT IS WRITTEN.
HOUSTON:
It doesn’t seem likely that rich people stand a good chance either,
Matt. 19:23, is clearly against the odds of rich people entering into
Heaven.
ST.
PETER: I see that you are troubled…but you should be able to bring
Nathan some much needed relief.
HOUSTON:
How so?
ST.
PETER: Nathan was worried about the overpopulation of Heaven.
The latter part of our conversation is the reason why.
ST.
PETER: Didn’t Paul once state something about foolish Galatians?
HOUSTON:
Yes
ST.
PETER: You did quote me some of Galatians…did you not?
HOUSTON:
Yes
ST.
PETER: Then perhaps you are starting to realize that Heaven isn’t
going to be that heavily populated after all. Please confirm with me
that you are comprehending the gravity of what we are discussing.
HOUSTON:
I’m troubled.
ST.
PETER: Why?
HOUSTON:
The standards of entrance into Heaven are
so high…I’m not so sure now that I will be able to get in myself?
ST.
PETER: You’ll have to find this out after you die.
Judgment Day is
coming.
HOUSTON:
You’re St. Peter, can’t you give me an answer now?
ST.
PETER: No, you must await
Judgment day.
HOUSTON:
(irritated and disappointed) BUT IT’S MY LIFE! I’ve given most of my
good years to Christianity and for what? Uncertainty! Uncertainty, if I
will have met the standard of Heaven. I’m afraid that I have lived it
all in vain. That I’ve been a fool. Don’t you grasp that I have
spent most of my life following the gospel?
I
can’t help but think of John Milton’s lines from Paradise Lost, "Better
to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" at this moment.
Both
Nathan and I, Jimmy Carter as well have had lusts in our hearts and
according to Matthew 5:28 we have committed adultery for doing this? Is
that right?
ST.
PETER: I can see that you’re very upset now. Earlier you acted
differently.
HOUSTON:
Earlier, I thought the issue was that
Heaven will be way overcrowded…I leave you now worried that by
Heaven’s standards, as written in the Bible, that very few will
actually enter the Pearly Gates. You have flipped the entire narrative
from overpopulation to a place that few will ever go to!
ST.
PETER: Don’t be disrespectful! You act as if there is some surprise
here. You act as if something was withheld from you…only to be
revealed at a late hour. You are responsible for your own life! Don’t
dare convey the thought to me as the gatekeeper of Heaven that any of
this is a surprise to you…or anyone else for that matter!
You can
read, Nathan can read, it is nobody but your own fault that you followed
the Heavenly cheerleaders that promised you all sorts of future bliss
(despite the contrariness of their words with Holy Scripture.)
HOUSTON:
(bewildered)
ST.
PETER: Don’t be so negative. Don’t be so hard upon yourselves.
Judgment Day isn’t today…it is in the future.
HOUSTON:
Is this supposed to be some sort of consolation?
ST.
PETER: It’s never over until it’s over. Keep going to church, live
the right way and we will see what ultimately happens.
HOUSTON:
Frankly, I kind of feel like Job must have felt when he needed some
comfort and encouragement at a most difficult moment in his life. I just
can’t believe what has transpired here since this conversation
started. I got no comfort, and I don’t feel good about my future
outlook. In all due respect, pardon me for speaking my mind here, but
you are a miserable comforter. You have given me a lot to think about. I
almost wish I never knew, but what I’ve learned here cannot be taken
back. I’ve got a lot to contemplate.
THE
END
For those still clinging to the belief of Heaven, some thoughts or questions:
1. Where is Heaven located in our galaxy?
2. Since it's measurements were given, logically deduced, it must now exist...but where?
3. It's size, at best, could only be a star.
4. It's an odd shape, it's square.
5. Aren't all heavenly bodies at least somewhat round, oval, cylindrical?
6. How would a square work as it orbits the Sun? You know, "square box, round world"
7. Why hasn't anyone found this wondrous place in the galaxy?
8. This wondrous place in an unknown location would be a mega-target for it's resources...namely gold.
9. How would anyone get there?
10. The galaxy is "big" but wouldn't any life as we know it have to reside in what is commonly called the "Goldilocks zone?"
11. If you read this...will Heaven be overcrowded?
12. If you read this, will anyone be going to Heaven?
I just got started...
this article was written by Brian Worley
Brian Worley Ex-Minister.org July 10, 2020 All Rights Reserved