BIBLE INTRODUCTION COURSELesson 8

The word of God is…sharper than any two-edged sword…

Hebrews 4:12

The RestoredChurch of God

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INTRODUCTION

Is Heaven the Reward of the Saved?

Millions of professing Christians believe that those who werenominally obedient or, at least, had good intentions in theirphysical lifetimes, go to heaven when they die. This belief isclosely tied to the idea that human beings possess an immortalsoul, which will be addressed in detail in the next lesson. Thevast majority of professing Christians have accepted, withoutquestion, the belief of going to heaven.

Does the Bible conclusively prove this belief to be true orfalse? This lesson will cover the major issues of this long-heldtradition, and will show how to prove, directly from the Bible,what God says about this matter. A pivotal promise, made to thepatriarch Abraham, is central to the reward of the saved—toconverted Christians who are to inherit this promise. We willfocus upon exactly what Abraham is to inherit, as well as whatthose who are his “seed”—true Christians (Gal. 3:29)—inherit.

Since professing Christianity considers heaven as thereward of the saved, it would be helpful to define the term“heaven” as presented in the Bible. The Bible speaks of threeheavens: The FIRST HEAVEN is the earth’s atmosphere; the SEC-OND HEAVEN is the vast area of “outer space” where the solarsystem and countless stars and galaxies exist; the THIRD HEAV-EN is the location of God’s throne.

The first heaven is mentioned in Psalm 104:12: “By themshall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which singamong the branches.” The second heaven is described in Psalm8:3: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,the moon and the stars, which You have ordained…” The thirdheaven is referenced in John 3:13: “And no man has ascendedup to heaven,” and is specifically mentioned in II Corinthians12:2: “…such an one caught up to the third heaven.” The Biblereveals that the reward of the saved is a very different “desti-nation” than that charted by this world’s religions.

LESSON 8

The Promise to Abraham and the Fathers

(1) What were God’s instructions to Abram (his original name)when God started dealing directly with him? Genesis 12:1.

Comment: Likewise, when God calls someone (John6:44), one of the first courses of action to be taken is to “comeout” of the world.

(2) Was Abram’s response to ask for more time or requestan alternate destination—or did he simply obey God’s instruc-tion? Genesis 12:4; Hebrews 11:8.

(3) Where did God lead Abram, and what did God prom-ise him in regard to this land? Genesis 12:5, 7.

Comment: Canaan is the same territory later occupied bythe nation of Israel—the 12 tribes that emerged from the sons ofJacob. This land has been properly called the “Promised Land,”as well as the “Holy Land.” In verse 7, the term “seed” refers toAbraham’s descendants, to whom this promise pertained.

(4) Did God further reiterate this promise to Abram andhis descendants? Genesis 13:14-16.

Comment: Verse 15 shows that this promise was to con-tinue forever. Also, verse 16 shows the extent to whichAbram’s seed—his descendants—would multiply.

(5) Who were Abram’s immediate descendants to whomthose promises pertained? Exodus 3:16.

Comment: Throughout Scripture, terms such as “thepromises made unto the fathers” and “the God of our fathers”refer to the same fathers—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Thiscame to apply to the descendants of Israel, as mentioned.

(6) What was the extent of this land given to Abram andhis seed? Genesis 15:18.

Comment: The territory extending from the Nile River tothe Euphrates River was never attained by the nation of Israel,although it was almost acquired late in the reign of KingDavid—a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). This prom-ise of a specific territory on earth is EVERLASTING.

(7) Why did God change Abram’s name to Abraham?Genesis 17:4-5.

(8) Was Abraham’s inheritance destined to include farmore territory than just the land occupied by ancient Israel?Romans 4:13.

Comment: To be “heir of the world” was promised toAbraham and those who were to become his spiritual seed“through the righteousness of faith.”

God Tests Abraham

(1) Although Abraham had already proven his obedience toGod by departing from his homeland, did God test him evenfurther? Genesis 22:1-2.

Comment: The Hebrew word nasah is translated “tempt”(King James Version). A more accurate meaning of thatHebrew term is “to test, try or to prove.” God sought to testAbraham further in order for him to qualify for greater things.

(2) How willing was Abraham to obey God? Genesis 22:3.Comment: As before, Abraham obeyed God. He readily

departed, fully trusting God.(3) Did God prove the extent of Abraham’s obedience in

this ultimate test? Genesis 22:10-12.Comment: God the Father would one day sacrifice His

Son to redeem humanity from sin, according to His plan of sal-vation. As the father of the faithful, Abraham was tested as tohis willingness to give up his son.

(4) How did Abraham pass this test? Hebrews 11:17-19.Comment: He had full faith and confidence that God

would raise Isaac from the dead, if the sacrifice were carriedout—which he intended to do in faith.

(5) After this test was fulfilled, was Abraham’s obedienceacceptable to God? Genesis 22:15-18.

Comment: Notice God’s words beginning in verse 16:“Because you have done this thing…That in blessing I willbless you…And in your seed shall all the nations of the earthbe blessed; because you have obeyed My voice.” The promis-es made to Abraham were now unconditional, since he hadproven himself faithful. These blessings were now to be passedon to Abraham and his descendants according to God’s timing.

(6) Did God repeat this unconditional promise to Isaac,Abraham’s son? Genesis 26:3-5.

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Comment: In verse 4, the birthright promise was passedon to Isaac, including his seed being multiplied as the stars ofheaven, and that God would give many countries (includingthe territory of ancient Israel) to Isaac’s seed. The remainingpart of this verse refers to a different promise—“and in yourseed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”

(7) Where else, besides Genesis 26:4, do we find this state-ment “in your seed shall all the nations of the earth beblessed”? Genesis 12:3; 22:18.

(8) What is the meaning of the “Seed through which all thenations would be blessed”? Galatians 3:16, 29.

Comment: The fact that the one separate Seed was Christadds far more meaning to Abraham being called “the father ofthe faithful.” Before focusing on this aspect of the promise toAbraham, we should consider other aspects of it.

(9) Did the promises that were passed on to Jacob and hisdescendants also consist partly of the birthright, as well as the“scepter”? Genesis 35:9-12; Genesis 48:19.

Comment: Genesis 35:10 records that God changedJacob’s name to Israel. Verses 11 and 12 cover the birthrightblessings. They involved physical blessings of wealth andgreatness that were passed on to Joseph’s two sons—Ephraim(a company of nations—the British Commonwealth) andManasseh (a great nation—the U.S.).

The scepter involved the kingly line of rulership, whichwas passed on to the tribe of Judah. The scepter was to culmi-nate with the reign of Christ in the coming kingdom of God.The core of the Scepter Promise is the promise to Christiansthrough the One Seed, which ties directly to what we read inGalatians 3:16. We now move on to the important aspect of thepromises given to Abraham and his spiritual descendants.

Heirs to the Promises

(1) How did the promises God made to Abraham lead to allnations being blessed? Galatians 3:8.

Comment: Galatians 3:16 showed how the One Seedrefers to Christ and that those who are called in Christ becomeAbraham’s seed in the spiritual sense (vs. 29). The blessingsgiven to Abraham’s physical seed were to be of physicalwealth. However, the ultimate, lasting inheritance pertained tofar greater spiritual blessings, which would last FOREVER. Herewas how Gentile nations would truly be blessed.

(2) Was Christ of the tribe of Judah, which descendedfrom Abraham? Hebrews 7:14.

Comment: Christ’s genealogy through his mother wentback to Judah and on to Abraham (Luke 3:34). In verse 23, notethat Mary was Heli’s daughter and Joseph was actually Heli’sson-in-law—only males were listed in certain genealogies.

(3) Did the Jews possess the knowledge of true worshipleading to ultimate salvation? John 4:22.

(4) How then were Gentiles to share in the promises givento Abraham? Galatians 3:28-29.

Comment: It is through conversion, made possiblethrough Christ, that Gentiles become spiritual Israelites, andheirs of eternal blessings.

(5) Did Gentiles experience greater fulfillment in theirlives after conversion? Ephesians 2:11-12.

Comment: Once converted, these brethren recognizedtheir former, hopeless condition in a world cut off from God.

(6) Do these Gentile converts grow near to theHousehold—Family—of God? Ephesians 2:13, 19.

(7) How are Israelites and Gentiles partakers of a commoninheritance? Romans 8:14.

Earth—The Inheritance of the Saved

(1) Were Abraham and his seed to become heirs of the world—the entire earth? Romans 4:13.

(2) Did Christ state that the meek would inherit the earth?Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5.

(3) What is the inheritance of those who wait upon theLord? Psalm 37:9.

(4) What is the inheritance of those who are blessed ofGod? Psalm 37:22.

(5) Of the righteous who inherit the land, how long willthey dwell there? Psalm 37:29.

(6) After God has appointed the saints to rule as kings andpriests, from where will they rule? Revelation 5:10.

Heaven—Nowhere Promised as the Reward

(1) What did Christ say pertaining to people going to heaven?John 3:13.

Comment: Christ plainly stated that no one other thanHimself had ascended into heaven.

(2) Did Christ also plainly state that where He was to go,man could not go there? John 7:34; John 13:33.

(3) What about David, a man after God’s own heart, whomGod says He will raise up (resurrect) to be king over Israel (Jer.30:9)—has David ever ascended to heaven? Acts 2:29, 34.

(4) Does Christ indicate where He will be after He returnsand who will be with Him? John 14:2-3.

Comment: The term translated “mansions” means “rooms,abode or residence.” The Temple during the times of ancientIsrael provided rooms for the various priests who served at theTemple. The different rooms signified different positions ofauthority. Thus, the word “mansions,” as used here, refers topositions of authority. These verses show that, upon Christ’sreturn, His faithful servants will work under His direction askings and priests.

These events take place on the earth—not in heaven. Wesee that, at Christ’s Return, “…we which are alive and remainshall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet theLord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thes.4:17). We are also shown, “And His feet shall stand in that dayupon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on theeast…and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with[Him]” (Zech. 14:4-5). Once again, Revelation 5:10 clearlystates, “And has made us unto our God kings and priests: andwe shall REIGN ON THE EARTH.”

Abraham Yet to Receive His Inheritance

(1) Had Abraham already gone to his reward and received eter-nal life by the time of Christ? John 8:52-53.

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Comment: Since Abraham was dead at that time, and theFirst Resurrection is yet to occur, he is still dead and in hisgrave. Since Abraham has not yet received his inheritance, he,like us, remains an heir.

(2) Does the Bible indicate that Abraham is yet to receivethe inheritance he was unconditionally promised? Acts 7:2-5.

(3) Were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob considered only as“sojourners” on the earth, though having been promised theland in which to dwell? Hebrews 11:8-10.

Comment: The city “whose builder and maker is God”refers to the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven(Rev. 21). God revealed such prophetic understanding to thepatriarchs long before He inspired the book of Revelation to bewritten.

(4) Did these great patriarchs and servants of God receivetheir reward immediately upon death? Hebrews 11:13.

Comment: These all died in faith, not having received thepromises! Nothing in the Bible supports the belief about“going to heaven.” Such ideas emerge from ancient false reli-gion, especially the Babylonian Mystery religion—the core ofmodern professing Christianity.

(5) Have any other servants of God received their reward,even though Abraham and the other patriarchs have yet toreceive theirs? Hebrews 11:39-40.

Comment: In verse 39, the term “these all” refers to thepatriarchs as well as the many servants listed from verses 32and the following verses, which describe the persecution thatthese servants suffered. Notice the key phrase in verse 40,“…they without us should not be made perfect.” The FirstResurrection, at the time of the Seventh (last) Trumpet, will bewhen all the saints are raised as spirit beings.

The Kingdom of God—The Inheritance of God’s Servants

(1) Who will not inherit God’s kingdom? I Corinthians 6:9-10.Comment: The apostle Paul listed various categories of

sin, which would disqualify anyone from the kingdom of God.(2) Should those whom God calls seek to enter heaven, or

to enter the KINGDOM OF GOD? Matthew 6:33.

(3) When Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have attained theirreward, where will they be? Luke 13:28.

(4) In the kingdom, will many others come to counsel withthese patriarchs? Matthew 8:11.

Comment: In Scripture, God’s kingdom is sometimesreferred to as the “kingdom of heaven,” but the kingdom is notlocated in heaven—it represents the government based onGod’s laws and precepts emanating from heaven. The term“kingdom of heaven” is interchangeable with “kingdom ofGod,” which is to be established on earth. It means heaven’skingdom. The term “kingdom” implies a territory, a ruling gov-ernment and subjects. The Bible never uses the term “kingdomof heaven” to define the location of God’s throne. It often refersto this location as “heaven,” or the “third heaven.”

(5) What are true Christians to work toward or to pressinto in this life? Luke 16:16.

(6) Can physical human beings inherit the kingdom ofGod? I Corinthians 15:50-53.

Comment: God’s kingdom will be comprised of spiritbeings, ruling over the earth in the millennium, during whichphysical people will live in peace, abundance and joy.

(7) Since the change to incorruption and immortalityoccurs at the Seventh Trumpet, is this when the saints receivetheir reward? Revelation 11:15, 18.

Summary

The New Jerusalem, in which God the Father will dwell, willcome down to earth—the Headquarters over all the universe.At this point, the inheritance of Abraham and his descen-dants—true Christians—expands well beyond our limited abil-ity to grasp. The truth is far more fascinating than the fable of“retirement in heaven,” as presented by professingChristianity.

For a better overview of this subject, read our booklets Dothe Saved Go to HEAVEN? and What is Your Reward in theNEXT LIFE? They expose and explain the error of the belief in“going to heaven,” and will help you to grasp a more completeunderstanding of what is THE REWARD OF THE SAVED.

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