IS HEAVEN REAL
AND HOW DO I GET
TO HEAVEN? 
What does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.   

Listen to 'The Place called Heaven'' audio sermon

IS HEAVEN REAL?  WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL ?

What does the Bible have to say about heaven?  People have many questions, wondering about heaven.  Some of the common questions are How do you get to heaven, what will heaven be like, where is heaven, will we know our friends and family in heaven, how can I make sure that I go to Heaven when I die?

Many people wonder what happens when you die.  Do you just die and that's it, ITS ALL OVER.  Does your body just lie in a grave forever, OR IS THERE MORE?  Is there an after life, is there a heaven and is there a hell.

WHAT WOULD THE DEAD TELL US ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH -  IF THEY COULD? IS THERE REALLY A HEAVEN?  IS HELL REAL?

Jesus Christ said I am the way, the truth and the life.  Below are many Bible scriptures about heaven, salvation and how to get to heaven and eternal life with Jesus Christ.  All Bible scriptures on this page and website are from the King James Version.

THE WORD 'HEAVEN' APPEARS APPROXIMATELY 582 TIMES IN THE HOLY BIBLE

There is one place to find your biblical answers is in the Holy Bible, which are the Holy Scriptures. The word 'HEAVEN' is in the Holy Bible (king james version) approximately 582 times.  Of these 582 mentions of the word Heaven, approximately 327 of these are in the Old Testament and approximately 255 times the word Heaven is mentioned in the New Testament.) 

HOW YOU CAN GET TO HEAVEN & WHAT IS SALVATION

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

# 1:  ALL HAVE SINNED

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans  3:23)

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans  3:10)

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah  53:6)

#  2: GOD HATES SIN BUT HE LOVES THE SINNER

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah  55:7)

#  3: GOD WANTS ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy  2:3-4)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter  3:9)

#  4: JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS - SO WE COULD BE FREE

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)

# 5:  JESUS CHRIST AROSE FROM THE DEAD AND HAS THE POWER TO SAVE US

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans  6:23)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)

"...and Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)

#  6:  HE WILL SAVE THE VERY WORST SINNER AND YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

#  7:  WE RECEIVE HIM INTO OUR HEARTS BY FAITH

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians  2:8-9)

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)

#  8:  A NEW LIFE IS OPENED UP FOR YOU

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians  5:17)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel  36:26-27)

#  9:  ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE YOU AND JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." (John 6:47)

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:12)

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9)

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

#  10:  WHY DO WE ASK YOU TO COME FORWARD TO ACCEPT CHRIST PUBLICLY?

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

# 11:  WILL IT LAST? THAT DEPENDS ON YOU!!

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"...For I know whom I have  believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28)

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Pet. 1:5)

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." (2 Peter 2:9)

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." (Jude 24)

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans. 8:38-39)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 
YOU DIE?
What does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.   

Listen to 'The Place called Heaven'' audio sermon

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE?  WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL ?

Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:3, 7)

Many people wonder what happens when you die.  Do you just die and that's it, ITS ALL OVER.  Does your body just lie in a grave forever, OR IS THERE MORE?  Is there an after life, is there a heaven and is there a hell.

WHAT WOULD THE DEAD TELL US ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH -  IF THEY COULD? IS THERE REALLY A HEAVEN?  IS HELL REAL?

What would the dead say happens after you die? Would they tell us of Heaven, would they tell us of Hell or would they say there is nothing in the after life?

Would the deceased share with us words of encouragement and blessing of what they are experiencing, or would they hurl verbal accusations against the preachers, pastors and theologians who lied to them about ETERNITY and the wages of sin, WHICH IS DEATH? (Romans 6:23)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

The Bible tells us that one day we will die, and after death comes the judgment.  The Bible tells us there is a Heaven and a Hell.

The Bible tells us that when we die, we will certainly be judged, and then we will go to Heaven or to Hell for eternity.

SATAN AND HIS DEMONS CAN TRANSFORM INTO "ANGELS OF LIGHT"

"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and mutter; should not a people seek their God? for the living to the dead?" (Isaiah 8:19)

Satan and his demons: translated into angels of light.  I am not referring to the hocus pocus of spiritualist mediums who "mutter and peep" during their séances. (Isaiah 8:19)  These medium are supposedly communicating with the dead, and often conjure up masquerading demons who give only half truths, lies and deception.  These mediums are in violation of God's word. (Isaiah 8:19)

When I speak of Satan and his demons: Translated into angels of light, I am not referring to the group of occults that make up the New Age Movement.

When I speak of Satan and his demons: translated into light, I am also not referring to the weird, occult spirit guides, yoga flyers, channellers, pyramid power, crystal balers, soul travelers and clairvoyants who make up the New Age Movement.

SATAN AND HIS DEMONS HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES
 INTO "AN ANGEL OF LIGHT"

When Satan and his demons (evil spirits) are transformed into "an angel of light", their mission is to deceive the spiritually ignorant into trusting and believing their lies.  

Satan and his demons make people believe they are "An Angel of Light", that they are good spirits, instead of evil spirits.  The mission of Satan and his evil spirits is to sway gullible, trusting people to believe him and not to believe in Jesus Christ, who is the "light of the world." 

Satan and his demons are recruiting people for Hell.  Satan and his evil spirits, the demons, are working over time to turn people from Jesus Christ.

ST. PAUL WARNED IN 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14-15 THAT SATAN CAN TRANSFORM HIMSELF INTO "AN ANGEL OF LIGHT"

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into "an angel of light".  Therefore it is no great thing that if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)  

St. Paul warned that Satan has the ability to transform himself - as do his ministers - into “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14,15), seeking to deceive the spiritually ignorant and gullible into trusting his lies rather than believing in Jesus Christ the true "light of the world"! (John 8:12)

I am referring to the words of Jesus Christ Who said, 'I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) "Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". (Matthew 11:28)

JESUS TOLD THE STORY OF HEAVEN AND HELL

Jesus gave us the answers of what happens when you die.  Jesus clearly tells us in the Bible of what happens when you die.

JESUS TOLD THE STORY OF TWO MEN WHO DIED AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AFTER THEY DIED.  JESUS GAVE US A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH

Jesus allowed us to look beyond the veil to see what happens at the time of death and 'after death'!  Jesus told the story of two men who died and what their final outcome was. 

THE STORY OF LAZARUS & THE RICH MAN

Lazarus, the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Heaven, paradise.  The Rich Man died and was sent to Hell.

Lazarus was terminally ill, unable to work and had to resort to begging, in order to stay alive. The other man whom Jesus did not name, was very rich with no thought for God or anyone else. He had no compassion for the poor, as was evidenced by his treatment of the beggar who was carried daily to his gate and subsisted only on the crumbs which fell from his table!

THE HOLY BIBLE, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY BOOK YOU CAN RELY ON FOR ANSWERS OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE

WHEN LAZARUS DIED HE WAS CARRIED BY ANGELS INTO HEAVEN (PARADISE).  Taking his last breath 'didn't end it' for Lazarus. Jesus stated that "he was carried by the angels into paradise - Abraham's bosom" - where he was comforted. When the "rich man" died, he was undoubtedly afforded a splendid funeral, but that wasn't the end for him either! Here is 'THE REST OF THE STORY', as Paul Harvey would put it!

THE RICH MAN CRIED IN TORMENT IN HELL AND BEGGED FOR A DROP OF WATER

"And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

Abraham refused his plea, stating: "Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed" with no traffic allowed between the Two Places! Then the 'doomed man' became missionary-minded and pleaded that Lazarus be sent to urge his five brothers to repent of their sins, "lest they come into this place of torment"! Again Abraham had to refuse his request saying, "They have Moses and the prophets; Let them hear them".

The rich man remonstrated, saying: "Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead they will repent." Abraham got the last word, however: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, thou one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

What will it take, to cause people to repent? What will it take for people to forsake their sins and be converted? What will it take for people to turn from their wicked ways and give their lives to God through Jesus Christ our Lord?

We need to think long and hard of eternity.  We aren't able to speak to the dead to find out answers.  We can't ask the deceased what happened when they died. We must rely on the Bible scriptures for the answers which are clearly written.

Some people are fortunate enough to get a 'FINAL WAKE-UP CALL'  in their life. This "final wake up call" could be in the form of a national disaster, a terminal illness or someone close to them dying.  

This final wake up call causes them to re-examine their lives,  and forces them to look at the big picture.  Each one of us will eventually die,  that life here on earth is short, but what comes after death. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU DIE.   Is there an after life, is there a Heaven and a Hell, and where will happen to them when they die.

Many people continue rejecting the Lord, thinking they have all the time in the world, that they are indestructible and not worrying about the future or eternity. But one day it will be too late for these people, because when you die, you will not receive any wake up calls or be given a second chance.  Each one of us has only one life, and each one of us will one day die.  And each one of us must carefully consider the question, "What happens when you die."

Each person alive today has the ability to choose his own path, God has given us the choice.  Satan and his demons are hard at work transforming into "Angels of Light".  Beware of Satan trying to fool you.  Beware of people who claim they are speaking with the dead.  Beware of Satan and his evil spirits who are lurking everywhere, transformed as "angels of light".

Instead, turn to Jesus Christ, the true angel of light.  Turn to the Holy Bible scriptures for the answers.  Think carefully before you believe people who are trying to turn you away from Jesus Christ.  These people could be Satan and his demons transformed into "Angels of Light".

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES  OF INFLUENTIAL MEN!

Some time ago while preaching in Norway, I was given a copy of the powerful testimonies of a number of very influential men, who had expressed their personal beliefs in no uncertain terms. Here are several of them.

SWEDISH AUTHOR AUGUST STRINBERG STATED: I ASCRIBE ALL MY MISFORTUNE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN GODLESS

Shortly before his death, well-known Swedish author, August Strinberg, made this statement. "Clearly said: I ascribe all my misfortune to this one fact, that I have been godless! 

WITHOUT GOD YOU CANNOT RECEIVE ANY BLESSINGS

An individual that has broken contact with God, cannot receive any blessings. All this talk about 'being your own man and making your own happiness' is chaff!  "If the Lord does not build the house, they labour in vain who build it. That is the whole truth!

That misfortune can also strike a person of faith, we know. But the outcome is not the same. These accidents seem only like trials that pass over and leave peace in their wake!

"A curse rests upon everything that an ungodly person puts his hand to. If money comes his way, it will disappear like it came. Nothing remains, nothing prospers in the life of the ungodly!"

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL: CHRISTIANITY IS THE MOST SECURE FOUNDATION FOR A PEOPLE

When Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain visited Norway shortly after World War 11, he spoke at Oslo's University. Here are some of his remarkable words.

"In order to make excuses for myself, I could mention the school teachers of my youth who rejected Christianity. But I will lay the blame upon myself. Then, maybe I'll find ONE who will carry that for me. "Nothing can come against the future of a people who has the Christian ethic as their leading light. Christianity is the most secure foundation for a people!"

PRESIDENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER: THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS THE SUREST STRENGTH AND PRESERVE THAT AMERICA HAS

In a radio and television speech, US President Eisenhower said: "The Christian Faith is the surest strength and the greatest preserve that America has. On the battlefields we learned that there are no atheists in the foxholes!

"In the highest sense, the Bible is to us the unique repository of eternal spiritual truths. In the most tangible sense, it is the ultimate and indispensable source of inspiration for America's life in freedom."

PRESIDENT GEORGES CLEMENCAU WAS AN ATHEIST & REJECTER OF GOD

The French President, Georges Clemencau was an atheist and God rejecter. Shortly before his death in 1929, he wrote this letter to his friend, Gustav Herve (1871-1944), French politician & publicist:

"Dear friend! I will soon leave this world. You know that during my entire life-time I have run roughshod over Christianity, and similarly, so has my republican government done!

"I am now convinced, however, that it is impossible to build an ordered society upon unbelief. If I had understood this earlier, I would have without fear of being ridiculed stood in the breach for it, like you are doing. "I hereby give you full authority to officially make known my testament, as an educational lesson for the next generation."

PRINCE OSKAR BERNADOTTE:

At the conclusion of a speech, Prince Bernadotte (1859-1958) of Sweden, stated: "To all here present I wish to testify, that the greatest thing in my life is to be a witness for Jesus. A person could easily believe that someone in my position should always be happy, but that is not the case. "Being in possession of the very choicest of what this world has to offer, wouldn't give an individual peace. The heart of man longs for something better!

"Immediately, after receiving the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, that restless longing for something more was gone. My desire and goal in life is to be a witness about His love in word and deed. "And I wish to say to all who listen to these words, that it is a joy to serve Him, a great - great joy."

HERE ARE SOME MORE POWERFUL WITNESSES FOR JESUS AND HIS GOSPEL, WHICH PROVE THE ENNOBLING AFFECT CHRISTIANITY HAS HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE UPON INDIVIDUAL LIVES AND SOCIETY AT LARGE!

CROWN PRINCE HAAKON MAGNUS:

In an interview with NRK TV Oslo, on July 20, 1991, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon stated: “Jesus is my hero, my role model”.

The interview took place on Haakon’s 18th Birthday and his declaration about Jesus was in response to a question he was asked about whether he had any other role models outside his immediate family.

He said, “I believe that Christianity is a very fine model, whether people are religious or not. In many ways Christianity is the strength that carries us in Norway. Especially when times are tough and difficult, it is important that people know that there is a spinal-cord in our faith, nationally”.

When asked if this faith was important for him personally, Haakon answered: “Yes, since very young. I have a very strong relationship, especially with the New Testament. I remember my confirmation was a strong experience for me - not just the ceremony in the Palace Chapel, but also preparing for it”.

THE NORWEGIAN ROYAL FAMILY:

Norway’s Royal Family has always had a strong Christian influence on that nation! As the Nazis were invading Norway, during World War II, King Haakon was forced to flee with his family and the entire government to England.

Speaking to the Norwegian people on BBC radio from London on Christmas Eve 1940, the king stated: “Men have removed my name from the official prayers of the Norwegian Church. I include in my prayers, my Christmas wishes and thoughts for all the Norwegian people, that you will join with me and mine in a red-hot prayer for the future of Norway”.

KING OLAV V:

When this godly man was crowned in 1958, he said: “It seems only natural to me that the king should pray for forgiveness for his deeds”.

Several years before his death, King Olav spoke in ‘King Haakon’s Cathedral’ in Copenhagen. His closing remarks were: “I pray that this Church will continue to be a great blessing to the Danish people, even until the Coming of Jesus Christ”.  When the service was concluded, the Bishop asked King Olav if he believed in the ‘Second Coming of Jesus Christ’, to which the king answered emphatically, “JA VIST!” meaning “YES, OF COURSE”!

HIS MAJESTY KING HARALD:

During a 1995 interview, King Harald expressed himself thusly: “It is good to receive letters from people informing me that they are praying for me. There is power in the ‘folded hands’, and when that power is concentrated on the work of the king, clearly it feels good”.

CHARLES LAMB:

In a letter published after his death, Robert Browning, the famous poet, quoted the utterances of men of genius concerning the Christian faith. Here is one from the eminent Charles Lamb, British author and critic (1775-1834):

"In a gay fancy with some friends as to how they would feel if some of the greatest of the dead were to appear suddenly in flesh and blood once more, on the final suggestion, 'And if Christ entered this room?' he changed his manner at once and stuttered out as his manner was when moved, 'You see if Shakespeare entered we should all rise; if HE appeared, we must kneel."

VICTOR HUGO:

The distinguished French author Victor Hugo (1802-1885), wrote: “England has two great books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare and the Bible made England”.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN:

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to mankind. All of the good from the Saviour of this world is communicated through this Book; but for this Book, we could not know right from wrong. All of the things desirable to man are contained in it”.

ALEXIS DE TOCQUILLE:

In 1931, Alexis de Tocquille was given a commission by the government of France to examine the prisons and penitentiaries of America. While in that country, he gathered information for a penetrating study of American society and politics.

This led to the publication of his two volumes on ‘Democracy in America’ (1835, 1840) which won him a reputation in Europe and a seat on the ‘French Academy’. The Encyclopedia Britannica says: “...his writings proved him to be one of the shrewdest, if more pessimistic, political observers of his century”.

Tocquille wrote: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbours and her ample rivers, and it was not there: in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America, and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power.”

EMPEROR NAPOLEON BONAPARTE:

Fredrick W. Kates’ article in ‘The Churchman’ states: “It is hardly to such a man as Napoleon Bonaparte one would turn for spiritual enlightenment: but it is interesting indeed to note what he said about Jesus of Nazareth and the Christian religion:

“I see in Lycurgus, Numa and Mohammed only legislators who, having the first rank in the state, have sought the best solution of the social problem”, said Napoleon, “but I see nothing there which reveals divinity...nothing announces them divine. On the contrary, there are numerous resemblances between them & myself, foibles and errors which ally them to me and to humanity.

“IT IS NOT SO WITH CHRIST”, he continued in this conversation with General Bertrand, one of his companions during the twilight days of his meteoric career! “Everything in Him astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Beside Him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. HE IS TRULY A BEING BY HIMSELF. His ideals and His sentiments, the truths which He announces, His manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things.

“His birth and the history of His life; the profundity of His doctrine, which grapples the mightiest difficulties, and which is, of those difficulties, the most admirable solution; His Gospel, His apparition, His empire, His march across the ages and the realms, is for me a prodigy, a mystery insoluble, which plunges me into a reverence which I cannot escape, a mystery which is there before my eyes, a mystery which I cannot deny or explain. Here I see nothing human. “The nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me, everything remains grand - and of a grandeur which overpowers."

“His religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not a man. There is a profound originality, which has created a series of maxims before unknown. Jesus borrowed nothing from our sciences. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life.”

IN ANOTHER PLACE, NAPOLEON WROTE:

“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions, that resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and other religions, the distance of infinity...”

PRESIDENT CHIANG KAI SHEK:

Here is the personal testimony of Taiwan’s President Chiang Kai Shek to his people, after fleeing the onslaught of China’s communist chief and mass murderer, Mao Zedong.  “How I wish that all the people would read the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the triune God: Father, Son & Holy Spirit".

“The Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically.

“Christ is FREEDOM’S rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!”

JOHN NEWTON: One of the world’s most beloved hymns was written by John Newton. Here is the first verse of that song:

“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see.”

The epitaph of John Newton’s tombstone, in his own words give a powerful testimony of GOD’S GRACE in his life: “I was an infidel, libertine and slave trader, but by the rich mercy of Jesus I was preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith I long laboured to destroy.”

CHRIST IS THE GREATEST PHILOSOPHER: HE CHANGED MY LIFE - GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH:

During the current Republican primary (Feb/2000), Texas Gov. George W. Bush made a very profound statement, more intellectually brilliant than many of the theologians, philosophers and politicians I have studied for the past forty years! When asked by reporters, "Who do you consider the greatest philosopher"? he answered, "Christ. He changed my heart!"

I have often used those very same words, stating unequivocally that the 'PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS' like: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart...and thy neighbour as thyself", is unparalleled among any group of secular philosophers or religious gurus you may name!

Ask yourself: "Could anyone improve upon His parable of the 'Good Samaritan' which He used to lecture the lawyer who asked, "Who is my neighbour?" The answer is, "CERTAINLY NOT!"

Let’s look at the statements and actions of some of the so-called great philosophers we have had to study over the years:

PLATO - (427-348 B.C.):

Plato, the Greek Philosopher - a student of Socrates, a Greek teacher of wisdom and ethics - in 375 B.C. stated:

“Our men & women should be forbidden by law to live together in separate households and all women should be common to all men. Similarly, all children should be held in common. No parent should know its child or child its parent.”

Have you heard of anything so warped, wanton & twisted, coming from the pen of a so-called brilliant philosopher? Without doubt, Plato was a DEVIANT and PERVERT of the first degree!

After reading such a carnal, lustful and immoral statement about the sacred state of marriage, love and family, how could anyone trust his opinions about God, existence, the purpose of life, death or the ‘afterlife’!  The teaching of Socrates, who advocated that “virtue is wisdom”, was most certainly lost on his protege Plato.

JESUS HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LIFE!

He said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me”. (John 14:6) He stated, “The thief (devil) cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)  And He spoke about ETERNAL LIFE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16)

BERTRAND RUSSELL:

This supposedly brilliant philosopher lived to be almost 100 years of age and died as an unbeliever. And, that is sad!

He wrote the book, ‘Why I am Not a Christian’, even after having had the privilege of reading the greatest of all books, ‘THE HOLY BIBLE’, which is the Word of God.

Jesus Christ declared that “Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me”. (John 5:39), and St. Paul stated that “the scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation”. (2 Tim. 3:15)

We cannot compare Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with a SPIRITUAL ILLITERATE like Bertrand Russell, who at an advanced age - when he should have known better - allegedly dispensed advise about loosening our moral codes to give more license to “free sex”!

JAMES RUSSEL LOWELL:

James Russell Lowell was a literary genius and one-time U.S. minister-ambassador to Great Britain. Here is his answer to a sarcastic critic:

"I challenge any skeptic to find a ten-square-mile spot on this planet where they can live their lives in peace and safety and decency, where womanhood is honoured, where infants and old are revered, where they can educate their children, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not gone first to prepare the way. If they find such a place, then I would encourage them to emigrate thither and there proclaim their unbelief."

I challenge any pointy-headed University professor, seminary theologian or media talking-head to come up with a better philosophy than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which changes hearts and lives for the better!

JESUS REGULARLY QUOTED THE LAW, PSALMS & THE PROPHETS!

Jeremiah stated, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (incurably sick): who can know it?" (Jeremiah  17:9; Ecclesiastes. 9:3)

And Jesus declared, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21,22)

Ezekiel stated: "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions...A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

“And will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26,27)

THE BIBLE SAYS: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation; behold, old things are passed away; all things become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of the world, the Great Physician and Healer of broken hearts, minds and families, but He is also the greatest Teacher and dispenser of Wisdom and Understanding this world will ever know!

AND YES, THE WORLD'S GREATEST PHILOSOPHER, AS WELL, BECAUSE HE CHANGES HEARTS AND LIVES TODAY! AND ISN'T THAT WHAT EVERYONE HOPES AND LONGS FOR?

By the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is reaching out even now to bring forgiveness, love, peace, joy & healing to each one of us at this very moment!

He said, “Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11:28) Amen

Powerful AUDIO Bible sermons messages
 by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
- click on message to listen -

Healing & Miracles	Faith & Hope
The Laws of GOD & Divine Healing	FAITH Cometh by Hearing
Miracles of God & How to Receive a Miracle	What is a Christian?
	Good News for Modern Man
Heaven & Hell
The Place Called Heaven	STUDY of the Book of Ephesians
The Place Called Hell	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 1
	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 2
The Blood of Jesus Christ	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 3
JESUS - The Word was Made Flesh	Wealth, Walk & the Warfare of Christians - Part 4
The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
The Seven Wounds of Jesus Christ	Power over Satan
Christ's Victory & Satan's Defeat	It is WRITTEN - How to stop the Devil
The Incomparable Name of Jesus Christ	The GOD of Peace is a Man of War
	Revival & Discipleship
Fasting & Prayer	The Sign Posts to Revival
Fasting & Prayer	The Sleeping Church
The Revolutionary Power of Prayer	God uses "Men in the Middle