Isaiah 65:17-18 A Perfect, Forever Home

My husband and I moved into our new home in 2021, in the middle of COVID. We are the first people to live in our beautiful new home. It would be terrific if our home would stay new forever. However, over time the structure will endure wear and tear and need repairs. Our human condition will also break down. Over time we become vulnerable to health conditions, environmental conditions, and the world's challenges.?

But one glorious day, as disciples of Christ, Jesus will come back for us, and we will live on the new earth in a perfect heaven forever. We will not endure sadness, sickness, or eroding of any part of us or our environment. Let's imagine the best without ever having to deal with evil, power struggles, victimization, temptation, sin, or the devil again. This is paradise!?

Our Father God tells us.

"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice?forever in what I will create. (Isa. 65:17-18, NIV)

Not Everyone Will Go to Heaven

Salvation is a choice every person must make. Salvation comes to us by grace through our faith in Jesus. When we ask Jesus to come into our hearts, we surrender our priorities and the sinful desires of pride (self-focus). We commit to partnering with Jesus daily as we learn and obey his ways. As we follow and learn from him daily, we are transformed into his likeness.?

Receiving salvation means we will work with Jesus and let him transform our minds, words, and actions to represent his love. It's not enough to believe in God or Jesus to receive salvation. Jesus tells us.?

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3?,ESV )

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6?,ESV)?

The apostle Paul tells us.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9?,ESV )

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8-9,?ESV)?

Many Christians skirt around the hard truth that only Christ's disciples will go to heaven. If we do not choose to walk with Jesus on earth, how can we expect to receive his rewards after our body dies or he comes back to get his followers? We must walk with Jesus and follow his instructions and example to live in a new, perfect forever home, or we will spend it in eternal torment. We only have two choices, and not choosing is choosing hell.

While we are waiting to go to heaven, God designed each of us with our unique skill sets to fulfill the missions he designed for us before we were even born. He also created us with the same purpose, to share his saving Gospel with the world so that none would perish. (2 Peter 3:9) To fulfill our purpose and mission, we must understand how to walk in faith.

Faith is Believing What Jesus Will Do in the Future?

To believe in God, you must personally know who He, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are from the Bible. I've been a disciple of Jesus most of my life. However, I was miss led and deceived because I listened to man's interpretation of the Bible instead of studying it with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If you do not know God's truth and the context according to God's heart, love, character, and instructions, you will not know him.?

You must use a study Bible that follows closest to the original texts and editions before 2000. Many theologians believe the New American Standard Bible Version is the most accurate. The enemy is working on people to change words and phrases in the Bible, which is in direct disobedience to God. Be on guard.

Every word of God is alive and pure truth. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.?

Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. (Prov. 30:5-6, NLT)

The enemy has used the long passage of time, our unawareness, and the messages of the world to pull us away from God and dilute what we know. Statista statistics 2022 states that only 11% of people read their Bible daily. Our faith is being attacked, and we can stop it by studying God's word daily. If Jesus met with his Father, God, every day to remain faithful, why wouldn't we??

As we intimately know our Father, God, we will come to know and rely on these three truths.?

3 Truths

1 . God is Faithful

The entire Bible is a record of God's love for us. Even though God knew people would choose to be selfish, sinful, and prideful, he created a way for us to be saved. From the beginning of the Bible to the end, we see God's plan to save us by his loving grace through Jesus' sacrifice. Story after story, we see the patience of God as he instructs his followers to partner with him to learn, surrender, and obey.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

God gives everyone an opportunity to choose to live with him on earth and into eternity because he is faithful.

2. God Confirms His Truth by the Fulfillment of Prophecies

There are approximately 2,500 prophecies in the Bible, according to many scholars. They also state that 2,000 have been fulfilled perfectly. These prophecies spanned thousands of years in various parts of the world given by many people. The chance of these prophecies being fulfilled without error is less than one in 102000. Only our perfect God is capable of this perfection. How can we question his ways and will when he has proven his sovereignty?

3. God will Send Jesus to Bring Us Home

Jesus sacrificed everything to make it possible for our souls to be saved and to live with him in a perfect heaven for eternity. If our loving Father, God, and Christ's sacrifice are not proof of their love for us, nothing will be.

Heart and Soul Preparation for Our Perfect New Heavenly Home

Only we can choose to partner with Jesus and allow him to transform every aspect of our life as we commit our loyalty and service to him on earth and into eternity. One day, this imperfect earth will come to an end. Every person will stand in front of Jesus and give an account of their life. There is no escape from this truth.

No one's sins are too horrible for the loving grace and sacrifice of Jesus. No matter what you've done, what's been done to you, or how helpless and hopeless you feel, Jesus is waiting for you to reach out to him. To receive salvation and begin your journey with Jesus, pray the following prayer and ask Jesus to be your LORD and Savior.

Dear Lord,

I admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that don't please you. I have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent, which means I will work with you to turn completely away from my sinning. I ask you to forgive me.

I believe Jesus is the son of God and that he died on the cross for me, to save me. Jesus, you did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you.?

From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you. Help me find a Bible-preaching church full of grace that will teach me how to study your word and walk in your ways.

I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you. Amen.

If you prayed the salvation prayer, your next step is getting involved with a church that preaches all of God's word. Not just the happy, wonderful stuff, but also to teach you his ways, to prepare for battle, and to overcome challenges with him. Walking with Jesus is hard because we are no longer following the world's or our self-focused ways. Do not believe the devil's lies that your life will be easy when you become a Christian. Study God's word, know his truth, and let the Holy Spirit lead, correct, and empower you.

I would love to personally welcome you into God's family if you prayed the prayer above. You can email me at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you on earth or in our new perfect, eternal heavenly home!