Answer From Scripture
God has chosen only a few faithful Christians who will be raised to heaven after death. (1 Peter 1:3, 4) Those who are chosen must maintain holy conduct and strong faith in accordance with God’s standards so that they do not lose out on their heavenly reward.—Ephesians 5:5; Philippians 3:12-14.
Also KNow About: Who Can’t Go To Heaven?
What will those who go to heaven do there?
They would rule with Jesus as kings and priests for 1,000 years. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) This heavenly government has been referred to as the “new heavens” that will rule over the “new earth,” the people living on the earth. Those heavenly rulers will bring about good conditions on earth just as God initially intended for mankind.—Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13.
How many people will go to heaven after death?
The Bible says that 144,000 people will go to heaven. (Revelation 7:4) In Revelation 14:1-3, the apostle John saw in a vision “the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and one hundred and forty-four thousand standing with him.” The “lamb” that John saw in this vision is the resurrected Jesus. (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19) “Mountain Zion” refers to the high status that Jesus and his 144,000 reigning companions have in heaven.—Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 12:22.
Those “called and chosen” to rule with Jesus are referred to as the “little flock.” (Revelation 17:14; Luke 12:32) This shows that the number of this flock is very small in comparison to the entire flock of Jesus.—John 10:16.
Some Misconceptions About Who Will Go to Heaven
Misconception: All good people will go to heaven.
Truth: God has promised everlasting life on earth to most good ones.—Psalm 37:11, 29, 34.
Jesus said, “No man has ascended to heaven.” (John 3:13) It is clear from Jesus that the faithful who died before him, such as Abraham, Moses, Job, and David, did not go to heaven. (Acts 2:29, 34) Instead, they had the hope that they would be resurrected to earth to live everlasting life.—Job 14:13-15.
The resurrection of those who will go to heaven has been called “the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:6) This suggests that another kind of resurrection will take place on earth.
The Bible teaches that in God’s Kingdom, ‘death will no longer be there.’ (Revelation 21:3, 4) No one dies in heaven, only people die on earth, so this will be fulfilled for earthly people.
Misconception: Every human being decides for himself whether he will get life in heaven or on earth after death.
Truth: God decides which of the faithful Christians will be given the “call to the top,” that is, the heavenly hope. (Philippians 3:14) Whether a person will be chosen to go to heaven does not depend on his own will.—Matthew 20:20-23.
Misconception: Living in heaven is better than living on earth. The hope of everlasting life on earth will come only to those who do not deserve to go to heaven.
Truth: Those whom God has given them hope of everlasting life on earth are called “my people,” “my chosen ones,” and “the blessed people of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 65:21-23) They will fulfill God’s purpose for mankind. They will live a perfect life on this beautiful earth forever. This is an honor for them!—Genesis 1:28; Psalm 115:16; Isaiah 45:18.
Misconception: The number 144,000 mentioned in the book of Revelation is not a literal number but a symbolic one.
Truth: Some numbers in Revelation are symbolic, but not all. For example, it mentions “the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14) Let us consider evidence that shows that the number of 144,000 is not figurative but literal.
The 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4 are those who are ‘stamped [or, those whose hope is confirmed to live in heaven].’ Another of the verses surrounding this verse. The group is spoken of as the “great crowd.” It is called “no man can count,” i.e., its number is innumerable. The people of this “great crowd” will also receive salvation from God. (Revelation 7:9, 10) If 144,000 were not the original number, how would this group differ from the larger crowd? ,
In addition, 1,44,000 people have also been reported to have been considered “among humans . , The first has been bought as fruits.” (Revelation 14:4) The term “first fruits” suggests that only a few have been chosen. These words fit the few who will rule with Jesus from heaven over the countless people living on earth.—Revelation 5:10.
FAQ
1. How would most people answer who goes to heaven and why?
Answer: Most people say, ‘All good people go to heaven.’ That is the reward.’ What is the teaching of the Bible in this regard?
2. (A) Just how can we ensure that some humans will most likely go to paradise? (B) What question needs to be addressed?
Answer: (A) The Scriptures make it clear that Jesus was raised from the dead and, after that, most likely to paradise. She additionally claims that other human beings will certainly additionally be taken there. The night before his death, Jesus told his faithful apostles: “There are many dwelling locations in my dad’s home. If not, I would certainly have told you, since I will prepare an area for you. Additionally, if I go and prepare an area for you, I will come again and take you with me so that you may likewise be there where I live.”– John 14:1 -3.
(B) Plainly, Jesus was educating his apostles that they would certainly be required to paradise to be with him. The apostle Paul often informed very early Christians about this wonderful hope. For example, he composed: “However our citizenship belongs to heaven, the location from which we eagerly wait for the coming of a Hero, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, 21; Romans 6:5; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2) Based upon such guarantees, millions have established their minds on living a heavenly life. Yet do all great people most likely to paradise?
13. (A) Why will young children not go to heaven?
Answer: Because these men are to rule over the earth, it becomes clear that those who go to heaven will be perfected and tested followers of Christ. This means that babies and young children who have not been fully tried during the years spent in Christian service will not be taken to heaven.
(Matthew 16:24) However, these children who die will have hope of a resurrection on this earth. (John 5:28, 29) So the total number of these individuals who go to heaven will be small compared to many who live on earth under royal rule. Jesus told his disciples: “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the Kingdom.”—Luke 12:32.
