In this session we are going to explore some weighty questions: How do we enter the kingdom of heaven on earth and what happens to those who refuse God’s gracious gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ?

Discussion Points

In the last chapter we looked at Jesus’ words of reassurance to the repentant thief on the cross. But this episode also tells us something about how we enter the kingdom of heaven.

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Jesus: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ but the other criminal rebuked him, ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’

Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

(Luke 23:39-43)

• What does this encounter tell us about the entry point to the kingdom of heaven?

• What do other religions teach about how you get to heaven/paradise/nirvana?

On pp149-151 I explore how the cross was not just an earthly event but also an event that happened in “the heavenly dimension of eternity.”  

• How does this idea help explain the truth that even those who lived before Jesus are forgiven through his sacrifice on the cross?

In his parables, Jesus often uses the image of a party or wedding feast to describe the kingdom of heaven. (See for example Matthew 8:11, Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 12:37)

• Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a party?

Jesus taught that not everyone will accept God’s gracious invitation.

• Why do you think people refuse to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Watch this video in which Homer Simpson goes to hell.

• What ideas about hell does this give us?
• Are these ideas biblical or not?
• Why do you think the idea of hell is so unpopular today?

On pp 154-7 I make the case that some people will be excluded from the new creation because of ‘the reality of justice’ and ‘the necessity of human freedom’.

• Explain to each other these arguments. What do you think of them?

In the section titled, ‘A visit to Pointland’ (pp.157-8), I explore how the movement towards hell involves a reduction of dimensions, so that things and people become less than they were created to be.

• Where in the world around you do you see the reality of things being diminished and reduced?

C.S. Lewis writes in ‘The Weight of Glory’ that ‘All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations’… to either heaven or to hell.

• If we take what Lewis says seriously, how would this change the way we treat other people?

God’s offer of forgiveness is wide and deep, so that even a genocidal murderer like Pol Pot could go be a part of the new creation if he looked to God for mercy.

• What do you think of this statement? Does it seem fair or just?
• What does this tell us about the God of the Bible?

Prayer

Grieve together over places in your life where the glory of what God has created is diminished and reduced.

Ask God to help you become a person who through your love directs others towards the new creation.