How do we prove that there can be heaven upon death?

Ask an Apologist
#1

Good day,
This is my 1st ever forum request–anywere; excuse me if I’m not doing it correctly.
I thought I read in the New Testament somewhere were Jesus says, “I’m going to Heaven to prepare a place for you. If it was not true I would not say so”; or words to that effect. I’ve looked in the Bible for over an hour and could not locate that passage. Is that passage in the Bible?
I want to reply to a Prostatent that does not believe that we go to Heaven when we die, but must wait for the 2nd coming of Jesus. Thanks.

Tom

#2

Hi Tom,

The passage you are asking for is Jn 14:3: “And when I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself…” So I don’t think this one will help. However, Lk 23:43 hits the target squarely: “This day you will be with me in paradise.”

Basically what you are dealing with is the particular judgment rather than the general judgment. This link to the original Catholic Encyclopedia will give you more on both:

Divine Judgment

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.