will you make it to heaven?

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The Protestant denominations have not reached consensus on the afterlife of all humans, nor even of all believers. Some are universalists who believe all will go to heaven. Some are minimalists who think that only their tribe will make it. Some think "once saved, always saved." Some think "once baptized, always saved." Some think that unless salvation is worked out one who was saved could lose it. The ways to read the Bible literally and puzzle it together in a systematic theology are so myriad, protestantism has also fractured in a myriad of tribes.

There are verses that indicate all these options.

I think my wild and crazy perspective on hell let's all of these verses be true. I haven't contrasted my view yet with the Roman Catholic understanding of purgatory, but I admit, there are similarities, but there are differences. I think everyone is waylaid in a purgatory/hell that acts like an afterlife version of a truth and reconciliation commission. Certainly innocents like children will zip right through this into eternal fellowship with the God who is love. But even Christians who have forgiveness to ask and forgiveness to give need to take care of this business before the final state. I also think non-Christians will also go to this intermediary after-life. I will also have to explain this in another post as well.

I do think salvation, defined as an eternal fellowship with the God who is love, is for all of us, but our process to get to that final station can be hastened or hindered in the lives we have now.

So yes, you will make it to heaven, but the life of love, acceptance, peace, and forgiveness that God wants to bring us into can begin today. I think this life looks like the blessed life Jesus describes on the sermon on the mount.

3 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 
Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
5 
Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.
6 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    For they shall be filled.
7 
Blessed are the merciful,
    For they shall obtain mercy.
8 
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see God.
9 
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.
10 
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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