At Home In Heaven: Where Heaven Is Not

Do not trust in the deceptive and lying words [of the false prophets who claim that Jerusalem will be protected by God because of the temple], saying, 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord. '

Jeremiah 7:4 (Amplified Bible)

Heaven isn’t found in a church building or a specific denomination. Heaven isn’t a place we go weekly– or only our final destination. 

In Jeremiah 7, God denounced His people's trust in…

  • 'The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.'

A famous theologian explains it:

'The things in which they trusted, and in which the false prophets taught them to place their confidence, were their coming up to the temple at certain times for religious exercises, and their attendance... when all manner of sin and wickedness were committed by them, which they thought to atone for by coming to the temple and worshipping there' (Gill's Exposition re: Jeremiah 7:4).*

(In Matthew 23, Jesus confirmed how much His Father hates hypocrisy.)

In John 4, Jesus shared where Heaven IS… in an exceptional conversation with a downcast Samaritan woman: a shunned five-time loser, living in sin.

Why her?

She was a truth-seeker and truth-speaker. 

  • 'Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father... But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth' ' (John 4:21-24).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Let’s affirm where Heaven isn’t… and IS!

  • It’s not in walls or temples built by men, but in Spirit and Truth built on The Rock.

  • It’s not in re-taking “seven mountains,” but in releasing Good News to the world.

  • It’s not in denominational rules, but in spiritual relationship.

  • It’s not in B.C. Old Testament laws, but in Christ’s superceding law of love.

  • It’s not in judgment and condemnation, but in mercy, kindness, and compassion.

  • It’s not in accomplishment and success, but in humility and surrender.

  • It’s not in living like celebrities, but in dying to greed and selfishness.

  • It’s not in political positions, but in passionate, purposeful prayer.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Knowing where Heaven is NOT… IS helpful!

At Home In Heaven: Where Heaven Is Not (Part 3)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings. This series is a rewrite of a prior 2014 series.

* Bible commentaries on Jeremiah 7:4: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/jeremiah/7-4.htm

Carey Arban