Jesus is The Way...The Truth...The Life - The Promise of Heaven You need to be baptized in order to get into heaven. >> Absolutely not. I can prove it to you. When the thief on the cross accepted Jesus Christ, Jesus said to him, "Today you will be in paradise with me." He didn't say, "Today after I get you baptized, we're going to paradise." Baptism is an important act of obedience, but it is not a part of salvation, and it is not a requirement for heaven. >> Let's talk about heaven. At the crossroads of the world, Turning Point built something ((music playing)) extraordinary. A glass studio in the middle of Time Square. Three days of filming, 20 powerful segments, one message that transcends time featuring Bible teacher, author, and pastor ((music playing)) Dr. David Jeremiah, James Brown from CBS Sports, ((music playing)) Lauren Green from Fox News. Experience compelling conversations and life-changing truths as we share the promise of heaven, our eternal reward for all who believe and receive God's ((music playing)) plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. >> So Dan, first of all, I want to ask you where are we and what are we doing here? Well, we're in Time Square, New York City, where we're producing some events for our new book that's on the subject of heaven. >> And heaven series that we're talking about while we're here in New York is going to speak to the people about evangelism, which is very much on your heart now as we do all of this outreach at Turning. Well, David, the Bible says that every one of us are born with eternity in our heart. Which means that whether we even know it or not, there's a hunger in our heart for something more than what we experience in this life, for the everyday temporal things that we know, and eternity is heaven. And so, what I'm trying to do is take the message of the Bible and match it with this internal hunger that people have for something more and help them understand it. >> And I think that's why we're all so excited to be here. is to take that message and share the message of heaven with as many people as we can. What an incredible opportunity. So why is heaven such an important topic? >> One of the reasons because even when people don't know it, they want to know about heaven, but they don't know about heaven. Somebody said most people spend more time planning for a twoe vacation, even if they're Christians, than planning for where they're going to spend eternity. And the things the Bible says about heaven have a lot to do with how we live now. So, it's really critical that we get our arms around this material. >> It's a bold move for us to be here in the middle of Time Square. What's the strategy? What's the purpose behind doing that? How does that change what we're doing? >> You know, many messages on heaven are given in church. And they need to be given in church. But let's face it, if you want to give a message about heaven that's going to touch the world, you have to go to the world where the people are. And I think what's happening here is we're building a bridge between this incredible message about heaven and a world that desperately needs that message. >> Dad, how did you come about writing a book on heaven? What made that the priority? What made that what you wanted to do next? >> Well, 3 years ago, I started a kind of a series of books and I wrote a book on the rapture and then last year I wrote a book on the millennium. And it seemed to me that in order to finish that, I needed to write a book on heaven. And these books are created in a very unique way because they're not long chapters. Each one of these three books is made up of 31 chapters. I have 93 chapters now on what's going to happen in the future. >> Wow. And the books are written in such a way that there's a practical story out of the secular world that begins each chapter and one primarily that ends each chapter. And sandwiched in between these stories is the truth from the word of God about heaven and what we have to expect. Hello, my name is Grace Jeremiah Baker and I'm sitting here with my grandfather, ((music playing)) a man many of you know very well, pastor, author, and Bible teacher, Dr. David Jeremiah. I have a list of questions for you, some light-hearted and a few serious. And I'd love for you to answer them based on your 40 plus years of Bible teaching and your recent indepth study of trick questions. A few >> perfect ones. All right. >> Why did God create people that won't go to heaven? >> Well, he created all of us. Gave us all a free will. And I don't think God ever created anybody with the purpose of them not going to heaven. He did not forordain people not to go to heaven. He gave us a free will. He gave us the opportunity to receive his son Jesus Christ as our savior. And when we do that, we go to heaven. If we don't, we don't go to heaven. Speaking of free will, do you believe we'll have free will in heaven? >> It certainly will be within the will of God. It won't be free will to do anything outside of the will of God because we'll all be perfect in the sense that we'll be walking in holiness. >> Do you think babies will go to heaven? >> I absolutely know they're going to go to heaven. One of the things that we learn from studying the Bible is that until a child reaches the age of accountability where he can know between good and evil, understand the gospel, he's protected under the blood of Christ. You know, I have a child that was almost born, but not. And we often say we have four children, but we really have five. And we know that one day in heaven, we're going to see that baby and spend eternity with >> Will we be able to recognize each other when we get to heaven? >> The Bible says that when we are raptured or resurrected, we are going to get bodies. The Bible says in Philippians, our lowly bodies will become like the risen body of Christ. So when we get to heaven, we're going to have brand new resurrection heavenly bodies and we will be able to know each other. We have evidence of that. When Jesus came back from the resurrection, everybody knew him. And uh on the Mount of Transfiguration, when those two guys showed up from the Old Testament, they knew him. So there's a lot of testimony in the Bible about that. >> This next question is my favorite question and one that I've wondered for a long time. Will I still be your granddaughter when we get to heaven? Absolutely. You will still be my granddaughter and we will still have family uh kind of relationships, but there'll be so much beyond anything we can imagine. It's hard even to describe it. >> Will you still be married to my nanny in heaven? >> Well, the Bible says when we get to heaven, we're going to be like the angels, neither marrying nor given in marriage. So, marriage won't be quite the same. And there's a whole chapter in my notebook on that. And in that chapter, I point out that our relationship with Jesus is going to be so overwhelming. Even the joys of marriage will pale in significance to it. We won't lose that joy, but we'll have so much more in our relationship with him. >> Will the new heaven and earth be totally new? >> The Bible says that God is going to refurbish the earth. In Peter, it talks about the earth being burned up. And many people think that means it's going to be destroyed. And I don't believe that's what it means at all. I think God is going to renovate this earth, burn the cross and the ugly things up and recreate it according to his own purpose, but it will still be the same earth and still be the same heaven. >> I have one more question. How do we get to heaven? >> Well, the Bible is very clear about that, Grace. I'm glad you asked that because if all we do is learn all the answers to these questions and we become smart about heaven, that doesn't anybody any good. I didn't write this book to make people smart about heaven. In almost every chapter, I answer your question. How do you get to heaven? Here's what the Bible says. In the same chapter, in the same passage where Jesus promised heaven, this is what he said. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And then he was asked some questions by his disciples and Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." The way you go to heaven is by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The Bible says when we do that, he gives us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So when people want to go to heaven, they have to pray and ask Jesus Christ to come and live within their life and forgive their sin and he becomes their savior. And when he becomes their savior, they go to heaven. >> Wow. Incredible. Well, thank you again for sitting down with me and chatting about heaven. If you have any questions on heaven or how to get to heaven, please contact us today. Poppy, thank you so much for answering these questions and teaching all of us a little bit more about heaven. >> Great interview. Thank you. >> Everyone's asking Dr. David Jeremiah, "If we're going to spend eternity in heaven, shouldn't we know more about it?" In his new book, The Promise of Heaven, Dr. Jeremiah reveals 31 compelling reasons to be excited about your eternal home, answers your ((music playing)) most personal questions about heaven, and shows you that what God has promised is far more wonderful than you ever imagined. The Promise of ((music playing)) Heaven by New York Times bestselling author and pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah. >> ((music playing)) >> Hello, I'm Nathan Johnson and we are here in the heart of Time Square and we have some wonderful contestants who are going to try to figure out which of the following three statements are false. So, I'm going to read you two truths and one lie. And it's your job to determine which of the statements are actually false. And when you hear that false statement, I want you to hit the buzzer. In heaven, there will be no more crying. In heaven, you'll finally be an angel. >> False, >> Nathan. >> Correct. >> I just went with it. >> The dramatic pause was awesome. You were like, [laughter] >> false. Well done. In heaven, you will still have your personality. In heaven, you'll worship with people from every nation. or in heaven, sports and entertainment will be a thing of the past. You think that one's false? >> Yeah, >> you're correct. Ask her to keep her hand down. Heaven is a lot like earth except it's in the sky. We really can't even imagine how heaven will be. Or heaven is a reward for Christians. >> NO. [screaming] NO. NO. [laughter] >> NO. WHAT? >> You're playing with my mind. Did you Did you get that? In heaven, there will be no more crying. Or in heaven, you'll finally be an angel. In heaven, you nailed it. We're not going to be an angel in heaven. ((cheering)) Which of the following three statements is false about heaven? Are you ready? >> Ready. >> All right. Here we go. In heaven, everyone will be wearing white robes. Everyone will be wearing white robes. [laughter] >> Wow. Be careful with the buzzer. In heaven, you will still have your personality. I hope not. >> In heaven, you'll worship with people from every nation. Or in heaven, sports and entertainment will be a thing of the >> of the >> of the Are you reading my cards? >> No, but I told you keep her hand ((music playing)) down. Send help. >> Well, Dr. Jeremiah, thank you so much for asking ((music playing)) me to be a part of this heavenly kind of presentation. And we are in the middle of Time Square. This is a crossroads of the world. So much going on in the world. And I think it's an appropriate time, ((music playing)) I would think, to talk about heaven. What about people who have really no biblical background? They live pretty much a secular life, you know. What about them? How do you talk about heaven with someone like that? >> Well, let me tell you something I learned. Ecclesiastes 3:11. It says, "All things are beautiful and God has created eternity in our heart. I believe that God gives to every person when he creates them a space that belongs to eternity, a place that belongs to God, a place that belongs to heaven. And what are we chasing? I just read recently a statement by Tom Brady after he had won so many Super Bowls. And his statement was, "Is that all there is?" M >> you know if we try to be fulfilled with the things we can find around us in time square we're not going to be fulfilled because that we weren't created to be fulfilled that way. >> One of the things and I I know a little bit off topic because we're talking about heaven. But in order to really understand heaven, do you also have to believe in a hell? >> Absolutely. Because actually there's more about hell in the Bible than there is about heaven. And Jesus said more about hell than he said about heaven. Hell's not a happy thought, not a wonderful thing to talk about. But the formula is very clear. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me. You decide to go up some other way, you're not going to make it." And the alternative to that is a place of punishment. >> You know, why doesn't God just create heaven on earth for us right now? Why doesn't he just snap his fingers and get rid of the pain, get rid of the suffering, get rid of the turmoil, get rid of the war? Why doesn't he just do that? Well, for one thing, God is not accountable to us. And he does not live in time. God created time. He lives in the everpresent now. God has a plan for all of this. And in his wisdom and sovereignty, we submit to that plan. There are some of these things. The Bible says the secrets belong to God. And I don't know some of the answers to those things. But what I do know is I trust God. And I know that God is up to good for me, for you, and ultimately for those who will trust him. What questions come to ((music playing)) mind when you think about heaven? God's word is full of detailed information if you know where to look. In the promise ((music playing)) of heaven, new from Dr. David Jeremiah, you'll find biblical answers to your biggest questions about ((music playing)) eternity and 31 reasons to get excited about your eternal home. These short, ((music playing)) powerful chapters will change the way you think about heaven and how you live today. The Promise of Heaven by Dr. Jeremiah is yours for a gift of any amount or for your gift of $75 or more. Request the promise of heaven set, which contains Dr. Jeremiah's new book, ((music playing)) his complete teaching series on CD or DVD, a correlating study guide, a special interview with Sheila Walsh on DVD, and the 10 things you may not know about heaven bookmark. Plus, when you order from Turning Point, you'll receive two exclusive bonus chapters written by Dr. Jeremiah. It's time to get excited about your eternal home. Request the Promise of Heaven book or set ((music playing)) when you contact Turning Point today. Well, well, welcome here to New York, the heart of Time Square, where we are hanging out in one of the most visited tourist ((music playing)) attractions in the world. And we're talking about attractions and destinations like New York and also something bigger than that, paradise. ((music playing)) Another type of destination, heaven. Now, heaven's a big topic and everybody wants to go there and everybody wants to know what it's about and what it's going to be like. But instead of ((music playing)) going deep, we're going to go kind of light. We're gonna have fun playing a game called You or Me in Paradise. Okay, here we go. Let's start off. You or me in Paradise. Question number one. You get to heaven. Which of you will be the first to audition for the Angel Choir? >> Me. >> Can we get a sample, please? >> That's amazing. You're done. Heaven on earth. Here we go. First person who wants to watch what's happening on Earth. >> Me. >> You. >> What would you want to see? >> I am nosy. Everything. >> Okay. You know, I am nosy. Nosy section in heaven. All right, here we go. First person to find a celebrity in heaven. >> Me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Who would it be? >> Probably Elvis. >> Can we get a sample? >> Oh, no. [laughter] >> First person to get lost around heaven. >> Me. I would agree. [laughter] >> First person to try walking on water. >> Me. >> Yeah, that'd be you. You've >> tried it before. It'll be safe. You won't die. Who's the first person to take a selfie with the disciples? >> Me. >> Oh, nice. Nice. First person to challenge Samson to an arm wrestling match. >> Me. >> Oh, >> I'll take him to the barber first. [laughter] >> Who's the first person ((music playing)) to say, "This place reminds me of Disneyland." >> Yeah. >> Me. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> All right. Who tries to pet every animal in heaven? >> Me. >> What's the first animal? >> Dog. >> You think there's dogs in heaven? >> Yeah, of course. Heaven. >> What's your dog's name? >> Bod. >> Bod. >> Yeah. >> This one's for you. Next question. Who tries to find their guardian angel first? >> Me. >> Oh, yeah. Really? >> I have bad luck. Are you going to be like, "What happened? Where were you sleeping on the job?" Fired >> 100%. >> Okay. First person to miss having a cell phone. >> Me. >> No, me. >> Why is that? >> It's part of my body. >> Part of Who's the first person to say, "This place reminds me of Disneyland." >> Oh. First person to come back to Earth and mess with people. >> You, right? You got to be you. >> You first person to ask if there's Wi-Fi. Me. >> I was alive before there was Wi-Fi. >> Oh, heaven. Moving on. That was weird. Okay. First person to ask about taking a really long nap. >> Me. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> First person to find a celebrity in heaven. >> Me. >> Who would the celebrity be? >> Me. >> Yeah. That done. Done. Yeah. I won't even ask. First person to ask for Samson's number. >> Me. [laughter] >> Hey, thanks so much for joining us for some of these fun and light-hearted ((music playing)) ideas about heaven. Now, heaven is an amazing topic and there's so much to learn about it from scripture. We would love to invite you to find out more. Or if you have questions, go to heavenexplain.org to find out more. We'll see you around. ((music playing)) >> Everyone's asking Dr. David Jeremiah, "If we're going to spend eternity ((music playing)) in heaven, shouldn't we know more about it?" In his new book, The Promise of Heaven, Dr. Dr. Jeremiah reveals 31 compelling reasons to be excited about your eternal home, ((music playing)) answers your most personal questions about heaven, and shows you that what God has promised is far more wonderful than you ever imagine. The Promise ((music playing)) of Heaven by New York Times bestselling author and pastor Dr. David Jeremiah. Hey, I'm in New York City in Time Square. with a wonderful friend. I have to tell you something about my friend. He's a football guy who loves Jesus. I'm a pastor who loves football. So, you have a great time when we get together. I hope you'll welcome my good friend James Brown. >> Doctor, it is excellent to be here with you. But doc, I I must ask you, you call it how do you get to heaven from Time Square. Why heaven? Why time square? >> Well, of course, Time Square is like any other place. There's only one way to get to heaven and that is through the personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. And no one comes to the father except through me." John 14. So if you want to go to heaven, you have to go through Jesus Christ. Whether it's from New York or San Diego or any place else, there's only one way. >> The promise of heaven. That title, the promise. Is heaven promised to us, Dr. Jeremiah? Well, it's promised to those who will come to heaven God's way. If we come to Jesus and accept him as our savior, if we ask for forgiveness of our sins and acknowledge that we can't make it to heaven through our own good works, the Bible says when we trust him, I like to say it, he punches our ticket to heaven. >> It seems to be for many who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, that's pretty exclusive. It is what it is. But how do you answer the question, doc? Why so exclusive one way? >> Here's an interesting thought. Uh James, when God Almighty decided to create physical life, he said it will be created through an egg and a sperm. When he decided to create spiritual life, he said, "I will do it through the word of God and the Holy Spirit." There's only one way to be born physically, just like there's only one way to be born spiritually. >> Dr. Jay, you kind of remind me of the eagle in a storm. You're above the clouds of the storm. You never seem to get caught up in the muck and the mer. Why do you stay above the frey and the manner in which you preach and teach us? Well, you know what? If we're always cursing the darkness, nobody can ever see the light. You know, I I could preach stinging messages on the wickedness of the world, >> but God has not called me to curse the darkness. He's called me to to light a candle and and be a light in the dark world. And that's what I want to be. And I'll tell you the reason why I'm that way is there are so few of us. I don't I don't have an Elijah complex by any means, but I look around today and when I see what goes on in a lot of churches, it sure isn't lifting up Jesus and lighting the light for people to go forward. And that's what we've been called to do. And that's the really the only thing, James, that can make a difference. Why would I give my life to something that's just going to reinforce what everybody already knows? I want to tell them about Jesus who can make it better, who can make it different, who can transform their lives. That's what I've been doing all these years. >> And God has strengthened you down this stretch to go as strong as I've ever seen you going, Dr. J. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. I've been blessed to cover a number of championship matches of all sorts. Nothing compares to talking about matters of life with you, >> James. Thank you so much. I know how busy you are and for you to take time out of your schedule and come and let me bounce heaven off of you for a few moments and then share that with the the whole audience that we have means more than I can tell you. Thank you so much for coming. >> Thank you so much for having me here, sir. Thank you for sharing these few moments with me as we have talked about heaven. I hope we've answered some of your questions, but there are so many questions about heaven. We couldn't answer them all in a few moments. So, we have written a book called The Promise of Heaven. It's full of answers to questions you ask about this eternal place. I would urge you to get your copy. And if you want more information about how to do all of that, go to my website, which is davidjeremiah.org. And before I say my final goodbye, let me remind you that there's something I can do for you about heaven today. I can tell you how to get there. The Bible says we get to heaven through Jesus Christ. And if you have never received Jesus Christ as your savior, there couldn't be a better time to do it than right now. I hope someday to see you in heaven. But if we're going to be there, you need to make your reservation. I hope you'll do it. And let's keep studying heaven as we go forward.