Interviewer: I suppose some would look at Heaven as the ultimate vacation destination and wouldn’t be too interested in getting a “job,” but would rather just relax and kick up their heels.
God: (Chuckles.) Yes, most true! Some of them really don’t want to get down to any work for quite a while, and I can hardly blame them for that. But all play can be unfulfilling after a while, and then they want to get into doing something. Work is a lot more pleasurable in the heavenly realm and for most it is infinitely more rewarding than the drudgery many put up with on earth. Whatever they work at has eternal meaning and benefits. It is not as on earth, where much that you do one day has to be repeated the next to little avail.
Interviewer: So what kind of job openings would one find in the heavenly classifieds?
God: What kind of job would you like?
Interviewer: Something in an advisory capacity perhaps.
God: Perhaps we could find something for you in the “bad jokes” department. (Chuckles.) But seriously, there are innumerable opportunities. If you want to go into something advisory, how about working as a spirit helper to someone still on earth? That is a function of many spirits.
Interviewer: But I thought that each person had a guardian angel. Why would they need help from spirits too?
God: The spirits have more of a specialist instructor role. They are usually sent for some specific purpose, and that purpose can be long or shortterm. The guardian angel, though, is a permanent assignment.
Interviewer: Can You elaborate on what the “specialist instructor” does?
God: Well, say there is a specific task that someone has. Writing a book might be one. The assigned spirit would normally bring some expertise to the subject-perhaps an intimate knowledge of the subject of the book, or perhaps a talent for writing.
Interviewer: Would anybody who sat down to write a book get one of these helpers?
God: No, not necessarily. There would have to be a compelling reason for sending a spirit to help, and usually it would in some way be to serve My overall purpose for mankind.
Interviewer: Which is?
God: My goodness, didn’t we cover that? Why, to get as many people as possible to eventually come live in Heaven.
Interviewer: So in the case of the writer, these helping spirits would be trying in some way to get the writer to say something in his book like, “Want to go to Heaven?”
God: Not exactly, but they would at least be trying to help the writer say something that might get his readers thinking in some way about the reality of the spirit world, or of Me. Or even trying to get them at least to want to do some good in the world, help their fellow man, be a bit more-or a lot more-altruistic or kind or just or show more consideration to others. Things along these lines. These are all manifestations of love, which are manifestations of Me.
Interviewer: But knowing how difficult it seems for us here to stay attuned to the spiritual, it must be a very frustrating assignment to be a spiritual companion to someone on earth.
God: It can be, but when the person is in tune and everything goes as it should, it is one of the most rewarding experiences there can be. Oftentimes the spirits ask to be assigned to someone they have an affinity with-a descendant or relative, a friend, someone who has similar interests, even one’s spouse or children. Aside from deriving pleasure out of just plain helping someone they like and love, they in a sense also get to live their lives over and help that person succeed at something they didn’t or accomplish something that they had always wanted to.
Sometimes they can get a little too eager and some of their thoughts and memories of their lives on earth are transferred to their charge. It can seem to the one on the receiving end that he or she is getting a flashback of a former life.
Interviewer: Does this explain the theory of reincarnation then?
God: Yes, it does. Those people getting thoughts of another life are actually experiencing the memories of a previous lifetime as though they themselves have lived before. In reality, they are usually the memories of the spirit helping them.
Interviewer: Are the spirit guides out of line in projecting their thoughts like this?
God: Once in awhile, yes, but mostly it happens accidentally. The trouble is, once those thoughts are in the mind of the one on earth, they are there permanently. Although not in conscious mind all the time, these memories can be activated by things like hypnotism or some sort of trauma, or even by something positive emotionally. This can lead to some rather complicated situations.
Interviewer: And some rather mixed-up people through no fault of their own.
God: Well, you can’t draw such sweeping conclusions. Although there is some fault on the spirit’s side, a lot of people make the wrong assumption. A little more caution and level-headedness might cause them to consider the evidence more thoughtfully and not jump to conclusions.
Interviewer: Any last word about angels and spirits?
God: Are we drawing to a close already? Time flies. We who live in eternity are not constrained by time, but that is another subject too. Hopefully that will whet your appetite for more.
To close on angels and spirits, I would like to say that all the forces of Heaven are fighting for the right. Although it may at times look as though the other side is winning, My angels are much stronger and more numerous than the fallen ones, and My plan will not fail to come to pass. Good will triumph and the victory of My heavenly forces is assured. So you may in full confidence put your money on My side as being the one to win eventually. In fact, you can bet your life on it.
Interviewer: I am sure the readers will appreciate that hot tip. Thank You for coming again. Can we look forward to more of these tête-à-têtes?
God: Most assuredly.
Is Heaven the ultimate vacation destination?
So if I am good, I get to go to the good place?
Interviewer: To be talking to You in this way is still very awesome for me. You are so far out there and beyond understanding.
God: I have revealed a lot about Myself to humanity in My Word.
Interviewer: You are referring to the Bible?
God: Yes.
Interviewer: But many find it rather difficult to read.
God: They say that because they haven’t really tried. There is a lot in there that is very straightforward and understandable. Then there is much that is a bit more on the mysterious side. Believing the mysterious without fully understanding it is a matter of faith.
Interviewer: But why make it mysterious in the first place?
God: That serves a number of purposes. First, it allowed Me to place in My Word secrets that could later-sometimes millennia later-become understood. Their later fulfillment or disclosure proves divine authorship of the words in the first place. Second, when something becomes understood by a person, it inspires in them a greater interest in reading My Word more, to want to search for other secrets. Third, it is a test of faith. I like it when people believe what I say just because I said it and not because they necessarily understand it. To Me it shows that they love and trust Me even though they might not understand.
Interviewer: So is the Bible the sum total of Your Word?
God: Well, I think the answer to that would be obvious. If the words in the Bible were all I ever wanted to say, I wouldn’t be giving these interviews. These dialogues contain My Words, do they not?
Interviewer: Well, that is rather flattering, but I really wouldn’t put this interview on the same level as the Bible.
God: That’s modest of you! (God chuckles.) But you see, I have spoken and do indeed speak to men and women, boys and girls of all nations and religions. I am a living and moving God. I didn’t hang up My pen-or My megaphone, for that matter-when the Bible was completed. I still talk to people today, trying to show them what I would like them to do with and in their lives. True, these things are not on the level of the Bible, but they are still My Words.
Interviewer: You stated before that the idea of this life is to prepare us for the next life.
God: It is a preparation for the next life, but that is not the whole purpose for this life. You are also supposed to be a force for good in the present world. But the next world is the one that you will be in for eternity.
Interviewer: So if I am good, I get to go to the good place?
God: You mean Heaven?
Interviewer: Yes.
God: Ah, Heaven! The paradise of the afterlife! A place of infinite beauty that is forever getting better. But there is a prerequisite to get in the door. You first have to receive My Son, Jesus, into your heart.
Interviewer: This is an absolute prerequisite? I mean, I am talking to You here and so it seems I could bypass Jesus.
God: There is only one way to get into Heaven and be reconciled to Me, and that is through Jesus.
Interviewer: What do You mean by “reconciled”?
God: It is a long story, but the short version is that the original inhabitants of the earth did something that I asked them not to.
Interviewer: I assume You are referring to Adam and Eve.
God: Yes, dear Adam and Eve. By doing what they did, they introduced sin into the world. This sin is what separates mankind from Me. Jesus died so that that sin might be forgiven. Oh, I know to some that might sound a bit macabre, but there are certain rules in place in the spirit world that are inviolable. Rather than trying to understand it all right now, just believe that it had to be this way.
Because Jesus died and rose again, all that has to happen to be forgiven of all sin in your life is to believe in Him and ask Him to forgive you. When He forgives you, I forgive you. And then we are reconciled. Simple as that!
Interviewer: You said “all sin.”
God: Yes, all sin!
Interviewer: So that covers all past sin?
God: Not only all past sin, but also all present and future sins.
Interviewer: Isn’t that carte blanche to do whatever you want, even if it is sin?
God: No. Your sins are forgiven by Me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t suffer in some way for willful sin. People have to live with the consequences of their actions. Even if there is forgiveness, it does not mean there are not consequences; and even if I forgive you, others may not. If you commit crimes, you will certainly pay for them sooner or later in some way. If you hurt others, whether they forgive you or not is up to them. And if you knowingly do something wrong, it may result in permanent damage to you in some way.
Interviewer: But the sinner is still reconciled with You; I mean, if he believes in Jesus and has asked for forgiveness?
God: Yes. There is no way that can be withdrawn. It is also an inviolable law that once you are saved, you are forever saved.
Interviewer: You are introducing another word here, “saved.”
God: It is another term for what we were talking about. It is the same as “reconciled.” The Bible refers to it as salvation, which means being saved. You are saved from a life without Me and saved from Hell in the afterlife.
Interviewer: So Hell is a real place? It is not just a metaphor?
God: Hell is very real. It is the antithesis of Heaven. In every way that Heaven is beautiful, Hell is devoid of beauty. Imagine your worst nightmare and you have a taste of Hell.
Interviewer: But why Hell? If You are love, then how can You allow such a place to exist?
God: It serves a purpose similar to that which punishment and jail serve on earth. More than anything, it is a deterrent. No one really wants to be punished or go to jail, so the majority behave. You don’t have to go there unless you choose to by your actions. I am trying to get everyone into Heaven, and frankly, human nature being what it is, some people have to be scared into it by this unpleasant alternative.
Interviewer: But that doesn’t seem the best motive for being reconciled to You.
God: It works with some.
Interviewer: It still comes down to a choice, though.
God: Man has free choice. Everyone must choose for himself. Man wasn’t created as an automaton. Of course, I want people to choose My way and I give them every encouragement to.
Interviewer: But what about all those who haven’t heard how to be reconciled to You? It seems very unfair to send them to Hell simply because they haven’t had the chance to hear how to go to Heaven.
God: Who said I send them there if they haven’t had a chance to hear?
Interviewer: Well, that is logical, because there are billions of people in the world and not all of them-in fact, I would say hardly a majority of them-have heard about You, Jesus, or salvation.
God: Why are you limiting it to them hearing about all this in this world?
Interviewer: That seems the reasonable conclusion. Are You implying that these things can be presented to them in the afterlife?
God: Exactly, or as you suggested, it would scarcely be fair, would it? I know there are some who say that the only chance for receiving salvation is in this world, but I am afraid that they do Me a disservice in this.
Interviewer: So that means people could put off the decision till after they die?
God: No. If you have been presented with the information in this life and refuse it, then your decision has already been made.
Interviewer: But surely a lot of good and respectable people may well refuse?
God: Yes. It is their choice, as with everyone.
Interviewer: That would mean that some real nasty criminal type could end up in Heaven and a good, upstanding, law-abiding person could end up in Hell.
God: It could and does happen. Entry to Heaven does not depend on what you have done with your life, but it depends on your acceptance or refusal of Jesus. Everyone is on a level playing field when it comes to this choice.
Interviewer: I can’t help but feel that that is somewhat unfair. A good person ends up in Hell and the bad person ends up in Heaven scot-free.
God: I didn’t say scot-free. Just because a bad person ends up in Heaven does not mean that he or she will not have to make right what he or she has done wrong. What a person receives in Heaven in the way of rewards is meted out according to what good he or she has done in this life. One could well end up the equivalent of a pauper on his initial arrival and could also be required to make amends for what he had done on earth.
Likewise the “good” person who ends up in Hell, but then receives and believes in Jesus, will not stay there. However, if he stubbornly and adamantly refuses Jesus, he cannot enter Heaven. Receiving Jesus and believing in His sacrifice on humanity’s behalf is the only acceptable ticket for entry into Heaven.
What is Heaven like?
Interviewer: What is Heaven like?
God: Heaven is a wonderful place, but when some people first arrive they aren’t ready to be ushered into the fullness of it, so there are places to get people up to speed.
Interviewer: Like a cross between a prep school and a halfway house?
God: In a way yes. They are not so much like places to keep these people quarantined but to help them not feel like fish out of water once they go in all the way.
Interviewer: So there are degrees of Heaven?
God: Heaven gets better and better all the time, so in that way there are degrees. Heaven is also vast with an infinite variety of places and functions.
Interviewer: You said earlier it was the “paradise of the afterlife. A place of infinite beauty that is forever getting better.” This makes it sound as though it is still a work in progress.
God: Most definitely. There are always improvements being made. It just keeps getting better and better.
Interviewer: Again, this is somewhat of a new concept to me. I think most people regard it as a rather static place. If Heaven is perfect, how can one improve on perfection?
God: “Perfect” hardly does it justice. But we are limited to human vocabulary and concepts in this interview, so this is the best which words can do to describe it. However, I do assure you that it is continually being made better.
Interviewer: I can tell that You are much more enthusiastic in talking about Heaven than You were about Hell.
God: I love to talk about the most marvelous place there ever was and ever can be.
Interviewer: You are the Designer and Creator of it, I assume?
God: Overall, yes. But lots of beings, both angels and spirits, participate in the process with Me. I enjoy watching them design and build parts of it. There really are an infinite variety of styles and tastes that are catered to.
Interviewer: Knowing that what I like differs from what others like-and quite frankly I think some people’s tastes are appalling-then it would seem that I might not find parts of Heaven personally appealing.
God: No, I assure you that you will find all of Heaven appealing. It will be at the least pleasant and at the most … well, there really isn’t any “most,” as just when you think you have seen the most wonderful thing, you turn the corner and there is something better. It is guaranteed that much of it will knock your proverbial socks off.
Interviewer: That is something to look forward to, providing one wears socks up there, of course.
God: That is why I had to qualify them as proverbial. Heaven is clothing optional.
Interviewer: My goodness! Do You mean to tell me I could be running around naked?
God: If you choose. Of course, you will have a new immortal body, which I think you will be quite pleased with, and there won’t be any shame or embarrassment about nudity. But before I leave too many of your readers feeling uncomfortable with this thought, let Me assure them that the operative word is “optional.” You can have the most beautiful clothes imaginable if you like. It is just that there is a definite change of mindset when you get to Heaven. The shame that some feel about the nakedness of the human body will be done away with. Remember that this is part of problem that Adam and Eve caused. They were naked in the Garden of Eden until they sinned. Then they were ashamed of their nakedness and tried to cover up. You should have seen how ridiculous they looked trying to cover up with leaves and other things. Well, that is another subject. They know better now.
Interviewer: So they’re there then? Adam and Eve, I mean.
God: Yes, of course. Where else would they be?
Interviewer: I thought maybe in the other place.
God: Oh goodness gracious, no! They were some of the first to get in! Everyone makes mistakes. Once they asked for forgiveness, they were forgiven. They are quite the celebrities up here, but they do get a little tired of hearing, “Oh, you were the ones who ...” or “What exactly was the fruit?” etc.
Interviewer: Well, what was the fruit?
God: I’ll let you ask them when you get here.
Interviewer: But You just said they get a little tired of being asked that.
God: They do, but it is still their story and I don’t like to steal their thunder.
Interviewer: I will look forward to asking them. And I think that may just wrap up our session today. Any final thoughts?
God: You won’t want to miss out on Heaven, so don’t! Okay?
Interviewer: Looking forward to it immensely.