Who Gets In, and Who's Left Out

In the final chapter of Scripture, the warning is flashed again: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:14–15).

All of us are sinners. We have all practiced lying. Many Christians have episodes of sorcery or immorality or idolatry or even murder in their pasts. These verses do not imply that those sins will keep us out of heaven if the blood of Christ has redeemed us. But if we have not repented of our sins and placed our faith in Christ, those sins will certainly prevent us from walking the streets of gold.

If you’re living in sin without any regard for the forgiveness of God, and if you are failing to respond to His gracious invitation found in the Gospel, you will have no part in the new heaven, the new earth, or the city of New Jerusalem. The only people allowed there are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. There are no exceptions.

You won’t be able to argue your way into that city, or con your way in, or sneak in, or bribe your way in. If you have not accepted God’s plan for your life and received His forgiveness for your sin, when the moment comes, you will be denied entrance into heaven and into the city we have described. I don’t want that to happen to you!

You won’t be able to argue your way into that city

Have you made your reservation for the heavenly city? If not, I urge you to do that now! The last invitation in the book of Revelation says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (22:17).

A few decades ago, a comedian named Sam Kinison became very popular on the stand-up circuit. Sam grew up with some Christian influences, but he went another route as an adult. He once summed up his own story by saying, “I have lived a carnal life. My view of life is, ‘If you’re going to miss heaven, why miss it by two inches? Miss it!’ ”¹

Not very long after, Kinison was driving from California to Nevada to perform when his sports car collided with a pickup truck. He staggered from the car, sat on the side of the road, and died at the age of thirty-eight. ²

I don’t want anyone reading this article to miss heaven by two inches, two feet, or two miles. Jesus gave His life on Calvary to provide forgiveness for the sins that separate you from God. He rose from the dead to give you a resurrection like His so that where He is you may be too. Don’t gamble with your soul. Trust Christ as your Lord and Savior today!

I don’t want anyone reading this article to miss heaven by two inches

Trust Christ as your Saviour today

In this article, “How Do You Get to Heaven”, Dr. Jeremiah explains the simple steps you need to take today to trust Christ and secure your reservation in Heaven.

Have you made a decision to follow Christ?

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¹ Steve Palace, “The Scream of Sam Kinison—Religious Preacher Turned Rock Star Comedian,” The Vintage News, December 17, 2018,

² Bruce Lambert, “Sam Kinison, 38, Comedian, Dies; Wife Injured in Head-On Collision,” The New York Times, April 12, 1992, 46.