Matthew 18 can tell you that there is nobody in the "Kingdom of Heaven"

t also can reveal that the standard Christian view is incomplete.

www.biblegateway.com...

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the LOWLY position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

--

Keep in mind this is a child of the 1st Century. Not 21st century or any century that came after the 1st.....children of 20th-21st century are definitely different then children of the 1st century. Even intervening centuries as well.

The age of the child is not mentioned. Presumably it could walk over, so it wasn't an infant, but maybe. But a child in the 1st century would have been under 10, easily. Since children labored earlier and lifespans were much shorter back then, I would argue, it was even younger.

Now, before the Protestant revolution, the vast majority of Christians went to an organized church (no?), especially after 4th century - Constantine.

So they followed ADULTS who placed themselves in HIGHER positions, not lowly. Now, Catholic or Protestant, folks follow ADULTS -whether that is parent's guidance or a PRIEST, BISHOP, CARDINAL, POPE or what not. And our society is based off higher status - whether in society or church. "most everyone" wants to be like those higher up. Aspiring to be richer, greater, whatever.

Yet...what did Jesus say here. he said:

One will NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER

enter the kingdom of heaven unless like a LOWLY LOWLY LOWLY child.


So..maybe you want to argue there could be some souls in heaven (I'll say none), but certainly the vast majority did not enter heaven, and all those who think they were going to heaven, did not enter. Where did those souls go then? (Assuming u believe in a soul)

As for a more logical explanation of what happened to all the souls in the distant past and recent past...well..we'd have to expand our definition of what the "truth" is, and how it all works. But that's another story. I'll leave that out for now.

It might be helpful to take some time to think...how is a CHILD different then an ADULT? A Child of 3 years, 6 years, 10 years, 15 years.

a reply to: dontneedaname

a child is a blank slate...

they have no judgement of anything... they only take in what they see and what they're taught

which is why he said "judge not lest ye be judged"

Probably even good to read all of Matt 7

a reply to: dontneedaname

Originally posted by dontneedaname
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the LOWLY position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Everyone has their being in the Father and Son relationship. The Father is the Spirit within us and our Soul represents the journey that a Son/Daughter is currently on.

Jesus talks about us becoming like children in order to enter the Kingdom, because he understood that finding the Kingdom within, is tied into realizing you are a son of God…

When you realizing the Father is within yourself, you also realize you are like a child…in the sense that you are viewing this world and experience from a limited perspective…

- JC

a reply to: dontneedaname

My....my...my.

Did Christ forgive a condemned thief on the cross within earshot?

What "son of god" do you not get?

Mg

'Modern man can't see God because he doesn't look low enough. '

-Carl Jung, approximately-ish

Even if it were ONLY the children that were allowed in heaven, there would still be countless

That said, that is NOT how the scripture explains it, it says "like a child" that means in your faith , not your age

a reply to: projectvxn

Oh stop.

Connectivity of a "self" fundamental aspect of the human psyche and closely connected to the development of the self.

link

Next

a reply to: missed_gear

I won't. You can't make me. Don't make irrational requests.

It was a criticism of the ego of man not the endorsement of God.

Your link doesn't work.

Shove your condescending attitude.

While I agree that much of mainstream religions are ... uhm, highly problematic, I always sorta took the "unless you become like little children" to mean guileless, simple and with wonder (ignoring that kids lie like crazy and can be mean and dumb).

Adding complexity is what we do. Maybe something wise was telling us to K.I.S.S.?

Now, the reasons that something might have told us to stay simplistic and not build towers to the heavens, etc., is endlessly debatable and may or may not be tied to farming.

Heaven is full, of aborted babies, children, and billions of others, all waiting for their family. Be like children God said, many times, because we are his children, what are the qualities of children, they are innocent, protected by their Father and Mother, they forgive without even saying it, they have fun, they play, they have so much love to give and receive, pure, loving, they are so smart and learning all the time, so be like a Child, of God, and let the grownups in the Heaven handle it and guide you, because we are called into to be Saints as Children of God.

Unfortunately there is a war for your soul between good and evil, God and Satan, the children of Satan aren’t lowly like an innocent child who is always looking up to his father or mother, but looking down like they are God, and they are father. So, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven if you aren’t lowly like a child, when you die of old age, are you more child like, then you will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You have been forgiven, go in peace.

How do they say it in Taoism, be strong an flexible like Bamboo, while a Jack of All Trades is a master of none while having a very low center of gravity.

In some medieval pictures, Heaven a giant blob of light with legions of angels an pointy swords that looks tunnel really.

a reply to: dontneedaname

I don't know about you, but,
Elvis is there now...and he is, 'The 'king'.

Heaven is probably near full and having a whale of a time these earth days..while it seems that earth is being pissed on day after day...that's what you should be trying to figure out.

a reply to: smurfy

1302 is God

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: dontneedaname

a child is a blank slate...

they have no judgement of anything... they only take in what they see and what they're taught

which is why he said "judge not lest ye be judged"

Probably even good to read all of Matt 7

Really...a blank slate?

Guess you never heard of this guy...or the countless of others like him in many disciplines over time.

Welp, this thread is a crapshoot.

Funny part is that I believe no one really knows anything other than their own perspective which is not that of a child once they are exposed to the world.

But there is definite wisdom in His word.
So we should all probably listen.

a reply to: dontneedaname

A child is trusting. This is what was meant.

We are saved by faith through the grace of God. Faith of a child.

Not by works- We cant put God in debt.
Do you understand?

a reply to: havok

Oh but they do. Maybe not everything. Jesus said' My sheep know my voice and they obey? If you do not hear his voice, there is likely an issue. Discernment is also given. There are also special gifts given to those who have the faith of a child. Do you have that?

originally posted by: dontneedaname

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: dontneedaname

a child is a blank slate...

they have no judgement of anything... they only take in what they see and what they're taught

which is why he said "judge not lest ye be judged"

Probably even good to read all of Matt 7

Really...a blank slate?

Guess you never heard of this guy...or the countless of others like him in many disciplines over time.

yeah i have no idea who or what that is...

Your interpretation is off
I recommend you find a real Christian, one that walks with the Holy Spirit and sit down together and learn and understand the teachings of the complete Bible.

Continue with your studies.



a reply to: dontneedaname