Hi Friends,
What the Bible says about Heaven:
*** Rbi8 Hebrews 11:12-16 ***
12 Hence also from one [man], and him as good as dead, there were born [children] just as the stars of heaven for multitude and as the sands that are by the seaside, innumerable. 13 In faith all these died, although they did not get the [fulfillment of the] promises, but they saw them afar off and welcomed them and publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land. 14 For those who say such things give evidence that they are earnestly seeking a place of their own. 15 And yet, if they had indeed kept remembering that [place] from which they had gone forth, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven. Hence God is not ashamed of them, to be called upon as their God, for he has made a city ready for them.
All the other scriptures talked about are quoted at the bottom of this article for your viewing.
*** w89 10/1 15 Do You Condemn the World Through Your Faith? ***
21 The Scriptures clearly show what is needed to survive the great tribulation: a strong faith. Noah had such faith, but do you have it? If you do, like him you will become "an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:7) Noah survived the God-decreed destruction that came upon his generation. Not only did he live for 350 years after the Flood but he is to be resurrected with the prospect of living on earth forever. What a grand blessing! (Hebrews 11:13-16) You can share in that blessing with Noah, his family, and millions of others who love righteousness. How? By enduring to the end and condemning the world through your faith.
Does Hebrews 11:13-16 say that? Where is the Society getting this interpretation from these verses?
*** w83 3/15 21-2 "Be Joyful Forever" ***
TRULY, we can be most joyful that the Messianic King, Christ Jesus, now reigns in a heavenly "Jerusalem." This is the city "belonging to heaven" mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, and for which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 'reached out.' They "publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land" of Canaan, for they were earnestly seeking "the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God." But as with the "great crowd," who today have hope of everlasting life on earth, the "fulfillment of the promise" to those men of old must wait until anointed Christians have received their inheritance in the heavenly Kingdom.—Hebrews 11:8-16, 39, 40; Revelation 7:9.
Read Hebrews 11:12 it speaks of a multitude & innumerable which would mean the great crowd, now read verse 16 which says "But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven." Rev 7:9 speaks of the great crowd before the throne and before the Lamb. Now where is the throne before the Lamb located?
Heaven.
Does anyone know how to explain this inconsistency in the explanation?