I have not been able to get past two related thoughts that have stayed with me now for several weeks: “Heaven” and “I am sorry”. Multitudes people alive today believe they will go to a place called Heaven when they die; many believe this that are not even Bible-believing Christians.

And, just about anyone that believes there is a Heaven after this life also assumes that it will be perfect and blissful (it will be), and that Heaven will offer all who enter there equal delights, rewards and benefits (it will not).

Jesus said that He alone is the way, the truth and the life and no man (lit. “not even one man or woman”) comes to the Father (whose realm is Heaven) but by Him, Jesus (John 14:6).

Therefore, the Hindu and Buddhist, the Muslim, the New Ager and nature worshippers, and anyone else that has false beliefs and other religious ideologies about what it takes to go the Heaven will not go there, which is thought to be about 97% or more of all that are alive today.

But what about those of us that are born again and the genuine article; ones that can be identified by Heaven as true disciples of Jesus? Will there be equal delights, rewards and benefits for all of us in Heaven? Most believe so but what is waiting for us there and what honors and rewards each person might receive depends on how we each lived as Christians while we were alive on the earth; however, that direct subject that is not within the purview of this discussion.

( What We Will Be Covering )

What we will be covering in this message is first what is in store for in our first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and then with others that we knew (and some we didn’t know) but all whose lives we affected or had things to say to or say about during our earthly lives—many such things are unfinished spiritual business.

† Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet (worthy, suitable) for repentance… (Paul--Acts 26:20)

† 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet (fit, worthy, competent) to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

† 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet (easily used, profitable, fit for use) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

( What The Lord Has Put On My Heart )

This is the thrust of what the Lord has put on my heart to share with you today—it involves the coming reckoning and then a reconciling in Heaven (yes, in Heaven). A day of reckoning is coming (an accounting for both things we were given and the things we have done) for all of us before the Lord our righteous Judge and then, as we join the family of God in Heaven, there will be a reconciling with some of those that we will live among in eternity. First, the reckoning or the accounting that will happen; our bibles are clear that every human that ever lived will have their lives reviewed and judged—either as Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ or all others at the Great White Throne Judgment. Now as to that divine reckoning, the Word of God has these things to say:

† Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. [We will seek to be found of Jesus as ones that have lived like Him—without sin or reproach and in righteousness and holiness.]

† 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. . .

† Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

† Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

† 1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

† Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. . . 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

† Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

( Knowing These Things )

Knowing these things, and we will if we read God’s Word and have good spiritual teachers, we should understand that we are to often and earnestly examine our lives on all accounts, including this one: As our lives affect others (and have affected others in the past) for the purposes of a righteous reconciling with them in the here and now, have we offended or sinned against them?

We dare not assume that since becoming a follower of Jesus that there are no more things that need to be done in our own hearts, including our past thoughts, words and acts involving others.

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Some examples of what we should examine our lives for
and will account for before Jesus if we do not, are these:

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• Untrue and hurtful accusations that affected another or others toward them
• Gossip and tale-bearing, lying, stealing, hating and malice
• Evil influences upon others
• Defrauding others of things (taking what was to be theirs for ourselves, conniving to take from others for ourselves, trickery)
• Failed relationships (marriages, estranged family relationships, abandonment)
• Betrayals

Although we cannot change the past of the things we did or said to others or how we felt about this or that person, in some instances we can affect what has happened in the past while still in this life—and we should where we can if we have a walk of love for God and others as ourselves.

This is done by first specifically repenting of that thing and asking for the forgiveness of God, including for the things that come to mind from before we were born again.

Then, where possible and as the Holy Spirit might lead us to, asking for the forgiveness of the person that we have injured in some way, and even making restitution, if needed and possible.

This step involving a person is not always possible when their whereabouts is unknown, or he or she has passed away, or that wrong cannot be discussed without creating more damage in their lives or families.

In all instances, if you are sincere and honest before God, He will guide you in what should be done or not done. At the very least, our wrongs must be faced and repented of before God.

† Matthew 5:23 ...if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought (something, a certain thing) against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled (to make different, to change thoroughly,) to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

† 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

( When We Fail To Address These Issues )

Now when we fail to address these issues in our heart first before God, and then (as possible, if possible) with those we have offended or injured, you can be sure the time will come when you will face them—in Heaven!

Beyond our appointment before the Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ, as a natural and necessary next step in our new and forever environment, this reconciling (the humble restoration of relationships between our eternal brothers and sisters) will happen with those that we have wronged in this life and did not make things right during our human but born again life on the earth.

During your and my time before our Judge, we will stand there forgiven by the Lord (if we have forgiven others) while being reminded as a result of a review of our lives of who and how we have wronged others and what we did or didn’t do about those things, especially when the Holy Spirit had pricked our hearts about that incident while alive on the earth. This is one more good reason for you and me to take the subject of sorrow for our sin and then our repentance very seriously.

Now, in that perfect and holy and pervading environment of pure and selfless love, what do you think will be the natural and right thing to happen when you come face-to-face with a man or woman that you had wronged on the earth? I will tell you what you will do being compelled by love and righteousness, and that is to say, “Father, mother…, brother, sister, son, daughter…, wife, husband…, neighbor, friend, a former spouse, I am sorry.” (This is supported by stories by those that have briefly been in Heaven and returned.)

Yes, there will be a reconciling at that first meeting with that person in Heaven. But the honor given you by the Lord Jesus for doing righteousness here while yet on the earth would be a far, far better thing!

And so I ask, in Heaven will there be unfinished business between you and others one-by-one—or will there be the praise of the Lord because of repentance and having reconciled with others while alive in the here and now? I must add that dealing with such things here on the earth has built-in opportunities for the Light of your life to be a testimony to others.

† Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (Also Matt. 10:26, 32)

† 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

† 1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

This Is A Very Weighty Discussion To Consider And Act On! It is for those that are devoted to following Jesus and doing the Word. It is hard on the old sin nature to have to make things right but the old sin nature is to no longer have any influence on you and me.

† James 1:22 ...be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.