Is every human being going to heaven? Many think so

Is every human being going to heaven? Many think so

Majority of human beings want to go to heaven. There are a few crazy people who have expressed a desire to go to hell. The Rock band AC/DC wrote a popular song expressing their desire to go to hell. They jammed screaming that their friends are going there also to party and rock and roll day and night. This is what they wrote, “Living easy, living free. Season ticket on a one-way ride. Asking nothing, leave me be. Taking everything in my stride. Don’t need reason, don’t need rhyme. Ain’t nothing I would rather do. Going down, party time. My friends are gonna be there too. I’m on the highway to hell . . .” (AC/DC 1979 Album ‘Highway to Hell’)

Every body else desires to enter into heaven. The church has historically adopted this theory needing to keep the masses happy with a promise of eternal life in heaven. And not any heaven because each religion promises paradise. Rather, majority of modern day clergy promise the place of which Christ said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1ff

It is this place where every one wants to go. In fact, majority of Kenyans desire for every person to enter into this eternal home. The popular statement from both sinners and saints upon death is, “mungu amuweke mahari pema peponi.” This statement is repeated by many of the clergy at every funeral service. During the funeral of Joseph Kamaru, the presiding bishop, Harrison Nganga encouraged those attending, including the president and deputy president to be members of the church to avoid ‘renting’ pastors during their funeral service. Hinting to the masses that being buried by a priest is key to entering into heaven.

JOSEPH KAMARU funeral service

He presented a gospel of works where those who will enter into heaven will be those who are not alcoholics and do commit the sins he mentioned.

Roman Catholicism historically propagates this gospel of works. The extreme of this was in the middle – ages when the church needed money to build a cathedral. The church then encouraged people to contribute money to build the cathedral with the promise that as soon a their offering entered the bottom of the plate, their brothers and sisters who were floating around in purgatory would be released into heaven. Many parishioners contributed to build the cathedral hoping to rescue their dead and sinful relatives from wondering around purgatory (The place between earth and heaven where souls are supposedly kept waiting to be prayed for. This is the historical origin of people praying that “Mungu amuweke pahali pema peponi.”)

The question however is God’s perspective on who will enter HIS Heaven. For this, I must remain faithful to God’s revelation and authority in scripture. Not to loose you in a seminarian orchestra, let me present the biblical basic concept.

First, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Ishmael is inclusive in his providence for humanity. God created every thing for every generation of man, now and into the future. Humanity will continue to not only discover providences in all disciplines, including technology, but will not cease from the earth until he stops time and the world comes to an end. However, according to Genesis 1 and 2, He condemned all humanity to death! All born of Adam and Eve will die. After this condemnation, according to scripture, Christ offered himself as the sacrifice so that, “ . . .Whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

However, the best analysis of death and resurrection and the whole process of entering into heaven including the defeat of evil and death is laid out by St. Paul in the book of 1st Corinthians chapter 15: 1-58. A long logical and absolute case for all humanity to read and prepare for heaven. Let me simplify it! Second part in this process involves the act of being BORN AGAIN. This act puts ones being (Spirit) under the umbrella of Yesu Kristo. This act also baptizes one into eternity and results in ones’ name being written in the lamb’s book of records.

Everything else after that is done as a result of this spiritual act where the spirit of God who is given to the born again believer guides one to a life consistent with the teaching of Christ. This includes reading the bible, applying the bible in one’s life, and living within the precepts of the ecclesia (Those universally born again).

Paul spoke of this heavenly promise as a promise and blessing to the believer only! “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain . . .” 1st Corinthians 15:58

The promise is not to all humanity, but to his brothers and sisters! Who are these? Those who heed Christ’s call to Nicodemus, “ . . . Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God (HEAVEN).” John 3:1ff

So it is written, so it is!

Teddy Njoroge Kamau (PhD)

HTBluff Associates

BBN TV

Diaspora Messenger Senior Columnist