CRITERIA TO HEAVEN
The U.S. Census Bureau pegs the global population insignificantly at 5 million people in 8,000 BC. The world’s billionth baby likely came into the world around 1805. It is said that the 3 billionth baby was a Cold War baby, born approximately 1959. Today, there are about 7 billion people in the world. The world delivered her 7 billionth baby on 31st October, 2011. This unprecedented milestone brings to mind an issue I used to unnecessarily bother myself about. I used to worry about how Jesus on the Judgment Day is going to judge all human beings. My worry appeared logical because our world is estimated to have existed for over 6,011 years since the creation of Adam, and still counting. Therefore, there are countless people (comprising the dead, the living, and the unborn) to face the glorious Judgment Seat of Jesus. Contentedly, I was joyous upon discovering the truth that Jesus will use less time to judge all human beings than we may be imagining. His entire verdicts will, perhaps, be at most two paragraphs!
Jesus on the Judgment Day will dispense justice effectively, completely, and speedily. It would doubtlessly be the speediest justice ever administered on earth, nonetheless without blemish or wrinkle. Jesus will not wade into the tedious exercise of ascertaining facts of each individual’s case. He will simply use the truth. He knows the deepest thoughts and intents of mankind, and all of our deeds. Therefore, calling witnesses or allowing people to adduce evidence in support of their claims, as practiced in our traditional courts, will be dispensed with. Falsehood has no place before the Judgment Seat. When all human beings appear before him, Jesus (like a shepherd dividing his sheep from the goats) shall first separate and group us into two. The sheep (righteous) shall be set at his right hand, but the goat on the left. Then Jesus shall say unto them on his right hand, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was (hungry), and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” – Matthew 25:34-37(KJV). He shall also say unto them on the left hand, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” for not feeding the hungry; not visiting the prisoner; and so forth. Thus those at the left hand shall suffer everlasting punishment but the righteous shall enjoy eternal life.
Therefore, feeding the hungry; giving drink to the thirsty; acts of hospitality; clothing the naked; and visiting the sick and the imprisoned are the criteria to Heaven, after receiving Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. These acts and attitudes sum up the totality of true Christian living - the Great Commandment (love) and the Great Commission (evangelism and discipleship). They must both be done spiritually (like praying for people (intercession)) and physically (in cash or kind). We are to do these things mostly to the least people (the captive, the destitute, strangers, the oppressed, the unlovable and people who have spiritual needs (Matthew 5:3-10)) among or around us. Simply put, we must do good to all men especially to disciples of Jesus Christ. Loving all people and disciples of Jesus is a good demonstration of loving Jesus himself. Thus going to Heaven and enjoying eternal life is more than being a selfish or a comfortable disciple of Jesus. You must pay the price to enjoy the prize. Heaven is for the sheep. Are you a goat or a sheep?
Richard Obeng Mensah, co-author of 37 Benefits of Reading.
borncapy@yahoo.com/www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com
