When could people go to heaven?

[fisherman_carl]

Jesus said: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:13-15).

Since no one had gone to heaven before Christ, after what event did people now go to heaven - was it the death on the cross, Resurrection, or Christ’s Ascension into heaven? I’m wondering because take the thief on the cross, for example, did he have to wait until the Resurrection or until Christ’s Ascension to go to heaven? Was he in the bosom of Abraham (Paradise) until such time?

 

[Totterman]

Jesus,our Lords peace be whit You.
One thing is sure,we will go to heaven,or hell,and we can by our life choose wich place.
I am sure many moore clever then me will ansver this whit a lot of knowledge,still I prefare to believe in the Bibles words. I think You should read John.14,that will give You a hint. When,where or how is not us to ask. The faith we have will tell us moore then thousand letters or books ever can. I know You want to know,but my ansver is: we may want to know,but will never know before it happend,who,and in witch order,what ever,is not our think to know,God knows,and beleiving in that,I live every day. And for moore “information” please read the Bible. All we need to know realy is in the Holy Bible.

 

[JRKH]

Jesus said: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:13-15).

Since no one had gone to heaven before Christ, after what event did people now go to heaven - was it the death on the cross, Resurrection, or Christ’s Ascension into heaven? I’m wondering because take the thief on the cross, for example, did he have to wait until the Resurrection or until Christ’s Ascension to go to heaven? Was he in the bosom of Abraham (Paradise) until such time?

While I don’t have any “official sources” on this, I believe the most common understanding is that the Gates of heaven were opened at Christ’s death and that, where it says in the Apostles Creed, “He decended into Hell”, refers to His going and retrieving souls from the “Bosom of Abraham” and sending them to heaven. He then returned to us in the Resurrection, thus completing both His victory over death and his mission to establish The Church.

That has always benn my understanding anyway.

Peace
James

 

[Julian0404]

When JESUS was dieing on the cross HE promised “this day you will be with ME in paradise” paraphrase and HE was responding to St. Didymus -spelling. who was the “good thief” who acknowledged his failures and sins while recognizing JESUS as the savior. (confession)

So, yes heaven is open and we will go there when we are “perfect”, which may require tens, hundreds or thousands of years in the fires of purification. There is a small book, READ IT OR RUE IT . . . HOW TO AVOID PURGATORY which if offered by Tan Publisher and I would suggest everyone has a copy in their spiritual library - and re-read it often.

When JESUS was killed on the cross, you will read that “many who were dead were raised and walked among the living” paraphrase and they brought the news of the sin that had been committed and the “WHO” that JESUS is. If you are still around during the last days, this event will be repeated. We will see the dead among us. Otherwise, you will upon your judgement recognize those who you knew.

 

[DPMartin]

Jesus said: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:13-15).

Since no one had gone to heaven before Christ, after what event did people now go to heaven - was it the death on the cross, Resurrection, or Christ’s Ascension into heaven? I’m wondering because take the thief on the cross, for example, did he have to wait until the Resurrection or until Christ’s Ascension to go to heaven? Was he in the bosom of Abraham (Paradise) until such time?

fisherman carl

First one must understand where the Kingdom of Heaven is.

Mt:4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

If the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, then it would certainly mean within your reach.

Jn:3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Hence the baptism of the Holy Spirit starting at Pentecost.

Lk:17:21: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

A statement of the Lord Himself.

If you are born of the Holy Spirit, then the Presence of God is with you. For like Jacob you now have the birth right to be in the Presence of God and seek the blessing of the Father through His Son. Not by blood not by semen but by Spirit. And since one who is now in the Presence of God the Father through the Son. Where is God? Isn’t He in Heaven?

But yes, Jesus Christ is the First, the Son of man to be in the Kingdom of Heaven. And the Son of God that is of the Father is from Heaven, bringing the Presence of God into the Son of man. For He is the Word of God of God. Which if you note by the Power of the Holy Spirit He did the many things He did. And by the same Power was He resurrected. (even though He bore all sin, of the world)

Lk:17:20: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And as far as the man on the cross with Jesus, say what you will about it, but this is for sure that, that man was with the Lord where ever He went. For the Lord told him He would see him in paradise. So if you are with the Lord where ever He is, there is no better place to be. (in the case fo the man on the cross with Jesus)