Is death a ticket to heaven? If so... Why or why not?

Being my age I certainly hope so but doubt thats the case. I was raised Catholic and learned that there is Purgatory you go to for your sins and then after time elapses you go to heaven unless you've committed a mortal sin before you died like murder or suicide then you go straight to hell. (do not pass goal, do not collect $200.) But as a Born Again Christian I have been taught that even a murderer can go to heaven by merely confessing openly to God and begging for forgiveness before he dies. That to me doesn't seem fair and I don't believe it to be true but then what do I know? Good question Singbird, one with many answers I bet...

I know that this is not a popular belief among many Christians, but we all go to the Father when we die. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

Even satan is being held in Heaven by Michael the Archangel.

After the Great White Throne Judgement, will some go to the "lake of fire" and some will stay in Paradise. The lake of fire is not someplace where you will see Uncle Joe frying lika a bacon. That is where the Soul will be blotted out eternally. This for a loved one as well. We were promised no more tears in Heaven, so therefore a loved one that didn't make it will be blotted out of our minds.

This is just a gist of what is in the Bible about what happens to us.

Love,
Cathi

Chatty,

I have to agree with you. If he does make it, just what will this murderer be wearing?

In Revelations it talks about the woven linen and how much of it depends on the works that we do for the Heavenly Father when we are on the earth.

Love and Blessings,
Cathi

I like to believe that there are steps to Heaven. We do lives over and over again until we "get it" -- each life we're supposed to learn something -- grow spiritually -- the more we learn -- the closer we get to God.

I think that's where our angels - or guides - come in -- if we listen to them - follow the signs -- we'll get to the "pearly gates" alot faster than if we choose to follow those that are here to sway us the other way -- like a test

I don't think excuses will get us there -- like saying "I used to be a nice person but everyone treated me so bad that I decided to be just as hard." I think God will say -- I didnt treat you bad -- my angels tried to show you the way -- but you chose poorly.

eventually -- we earn our wings ;-)

I am too busy living to be very concerned about the after life.

When I obey the one command of Jesus to love my neighbor as myself and the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, and spirit, I am already in heaven. And when I veer from that, I am already in hell.

Heaven and hell are for eternity and eternity has no beginning and no end so we are in the middle of it all the time.
As Kris Kristophersen wrote and Janis Joplin sang, "If eternity's forever, life is just a one night stand."

Good topic.
smile

(Smilinize said): "I am too busy living to be very concerned about the after life." I agree.

I believe I'll come back to earth at least one more time because my work here won't be done in this lifetime.

To me, the question isn't where I end up, but how I get there.

I have strayed far beyond the scriptural tenets and yet have continously come face to face with the Mercy and Compassion of God. He has crept into my dark and hellish nightmare of a life and has sat Himself right down there in that hellhole with me, cradling me, nourrishing me, forgiving me back to life and light.

I cannot ever fathom that this same God would not be able to see into the heart of each and every soul that meets Him on that final journey and KNOW that soul back into His loving, merciful kingdom.

One thing I know with absolute certainty is that I am and will never be in a position to decide or judge any other human being in that regard. But I do believe that I am in a position to help pray any soul into the Father's care and mercy.

My own fervant prayer is that I not die before I've truly learned to live abundantly and to love unconditionally and compassionately all of God's other children.

I am coming back to this. Been looking at it for a couple days. I need time to post my answer.