Bible Question: Revelation 15:8 says no one can enter the temple in heaven until the seven plagues of the seven bowl plagues are finished. Does this mean no human can enter heaven at all during this time and if so, why? And if no human can enter heaven does it mean they have not ever entered heaven and will not until the 7 plagues are done or only that they cannot enter during the time the 7 plagues are poured out? I asked a similar question last week and in reviewing the answers am becoming more confused by this. Can anyone shed some light on this topic? |
Bible Answer: Rev. 8:5 also shows that Jesus no longer mediates between God and fallen mankind once the seven last plagues start. I think I posted something about this before. There IS a literal temple in heaven (Heb. 8 something or other). Moses was shown a pattern in Mt Sinai and made the earthly temple after that pattern. This symbol of no one being able to enter the temple in heaven would also seem (like Rev. 8:5) to indicate that God no longer offers the chance of repentance to humanity. Rev. 22:11 points to this as well. I don't have all the references right now for this, but no one can enter heaven unless Jesus comes to get them. The only exceptions are Enoch and Elijah cause they never died anyway. Those who are dead must wait in their graves for the resurrection before entering heaven. Job mentions this. Dan. chapter 12 contains a command for him to wait (rest in the grave) until the last days for his salvation. Somewhere in the book of Acts it shows that King David has not YET ascended into heaven. Paul also (I forget excatly where) stated he had to wait for Jesus to come before he could receive his reward of eternal life. Anyway, does this help you any? It's amazing how a study of the prophecies of just Dan. and Rev. can shed light on many errors of doctrines of today's churches. Perhaps that is why they have been included in the Bible, why it is so important for God's people to read and understand and why there is so much conflict over what they mean. People have to (so obviously) twist around what is being said in Dan. and Rev. just to hold on to their own individual church doctrines and beliefs. By studying these things such false beliefs are shown for what they are and God's true gospel can shine forth. |