Chapter 12 - Planning for the Future
Destination Heaven Bound
Genesis 2:4-7 – “This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
This passage describes how God personally formed the first human, often referred to as Adam, from dust and breathed life into him. It also recounts the creation of the heavens and the earth, and God's placement of the man in the Garden of Eden to tend it, highlighting a purpose for earthly existence.
Adam was created for a relationship with God, marked by worship and obedience. He was assigned the moral duty not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This idea underscores the Christian belief in a future union with God and a heavenly life after death.
Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith rather than by works. The idea involves seeking God's kingdom and aligning one's life with its values, looking forward to its ultimate fulfillment.
Those who develop righteous character and follow God's way are ultimately expected to be transformed from mortal beings into eternal spirit beings, enabling them to live in God's presence.
While Genesis 2:4-7 details humanity's origins and initial connection with God during creation, Destination Heaven Bound emphasizes humanity's future destiny and the hope of eternal life with God after your physical death.
In Genesis 3, 'The Fall of Man' describes how sin enters the world and disrupts the original harmony between humanity and God. God's plan of redemption through His son, Jesus, enables humans to reconcile with God and receive eternal life.
Chapter 12 - Planning for the Future
The final biblical depiction of heaven in Revelation describes a "new heaven and a new earth," merging the concepts of heaven and paradise, similar to the Garden of Eden but devoid of evil and sin. This passage emphasizes the creation of humans from dust, highlighting their earthly origin. At the same time, the idea of being Heaven Bound underscores the spiritual transformation and the eternal future that awaits believers.
The longing for a restored relationship with God and a forever future stems from the brokenness introduced into the world after the original creation as described in Genesis.
What is your moral duty?
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What do you think about the comment of a mist coming up from the earth to water the plants before God caused it to rain on the earth? Does that mean that there is a large body of water under the surface of the earth? When was the first rainfall?
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Do you believe God made man from the dust of the earth? How could that be?
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Brain Teaser:
Genesis 2:4-7 – “This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
Regarding Salvation, do you believe “once saved always saved” to be an accurate statement?… Why or why not? (BE CAREFUL, THIS ANSWER COULD HAVE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES IF ANSWERED INCORRECTLY.)
What do you think?
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Google AI Overview States:
The concept of once saved, always saved, while supported by some biblical passages, is challenged by others that emphasize the importance of continued faith and obedience. Some verses highlight the possibility of falling away from faith or losing salvation, contradicting the idea of unconditional eternal security.
Here's a breakdown of scriptures that seem to contradict the once saved, always saved doctrine:
1. Warnings about falling away:
Hebrews 6:4-6: This passage describes the impossibility of restoring those who fall away after having been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:26-29: It warns that deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth leaves no further sacrifice for sins.
2 Peter 2:20-22: This passage describes those who have escaped the world's defilements through the knowledge of the Lord, but then fall back into sin, as being worse off than before, likening them to a dog returning to its vomit or a washed sow returning to the mud.
2. Emphasis on continued faith and obedience:
1 Timothy 1:19: Paul mentions some who have made a shipwreck of their faith, demonstrating that it's possible to lose it.
Hebrews 3:12-14: This passage warns against an evil heart of unbelief and departing from the living God, emphasizing that partaking in Christ is contingent on holding the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
Galatians 5:4: This verse states that those who seek justification by the law have fallen away from grace, indicating that it is possible to depart from grace.
Matthew 24:46-51: This parable of the wicked servant highlights that those who are unfaithful will be judged and separated from the faithful.
Galatians 6:7-9: This passage emphasizes that we will reap what we sow and that we will reap the benefits of doing good only if we do not give up.
3. Warnings against presumption:
Revelation 3:16: This verse describes the consequences of being lukewarm, where Jesus says he will spit the lukewarm out of his mouth, illustrating that Christians can lose their favor with God through complacency.
4. Importance of perseverance:
Luke 9:62: This verse warns against looking back after putting one's hand to the plow, implying that turning away from the path of faith has consequences.
These scriptures highlight the importance of maintaining a relationship with God through continued faith, repentance, and obedience to His commandments, rather than relying solely on a past experience of salvation.
Destination Heaven Bound
This book is meant to get you to think about what you think you know and what the truth is… it’s up to you to figure out what you believe. Pray. Ask God to guide you on your quest for wisdom and discernment. Seek God always.
Rely on Jesus to show you the way…
