Stile writes:
Is there something that is worth obtaining through God that can only be obtained through religion (or God) that I don't have already?
yes.
The Apostle Paul spoke about the 'hope' he entertained, and the hope that Gods servants in the past entertained.
Acts 24:15"and I have hope toward God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous"
the resurrection is not something that is discussed much in church for the reason that everyone is taught that they will go to heaven when they die. Everyone wants to go to heaven sure, but nobody wants to die to get there.
The fact is, we were never meant to die. And to prove it God even implanted in us, a mind that thinks in terms of 'forever'.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: He has put eternity into man’s mind.Why do that if the intention wasnt for man to live forever?
Humans were designed for the earth and this is exactly where we want to be. Gods original purpose was for mankind to live forever, in perfect conditions, on an earthly paradise such as the one God started off in Eden. The purpose was to work together to spread that garden around the whole earth. We were to be earthly children of God.
Jesus performed the resurrection miracle to show that living again is possible. He raised several people back to life during his ministry to show what he will do when he gets into his kingdom. And he said
John 5:28 "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment_______________________________________
So what people dont realise is that this is still in Gods plan. The purpose of the Kingdom of God is to gather a great crowd of what Jesus called 'other sheep' to live forever on earth under the guidance of the Kingdom of God.
The scriptures speak about the kingdom and how it will achieve this purpose at Daniel 2:44 "The God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that will not be passed onto any other people, it will crush and put and end to all these kingdoms and it itself will stand to times indefinite"
Also the Psalms speak about the earth and living forever on it
PSALM 37:10And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be.
11.But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,
And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
29. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.
then there are the words of Jesus to the criminal on the torture stake next to his own. He said to Jesus, Remember me when you get into your kingdom. Then Jesus replied: Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:39-43.
Jesus also talked about the earthly hope in his famous sermon on the mount "happy are the meek since they will inherit the earth"
So what you are missing is the opportunity to live forever and to see your dead loved ones again. Happily they, and ALL those 'in the memorial tombs' will recieve a resurrection under Gods kingdom. Anyone who has died, has paid their debt to God (sin) So they will be resurrected to be given a 2nd chance at life.
It is a wonderful hope that is only possible thru God.
Edited by Peg, : No reason given.
™ Version 4.2
