The Christ in Prophecy Journal

The Inbox: Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?

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I am not really a fan of heights, but inevitably, a good handyman will find himself having to climb up on a roof. And once up on that roof, you hope there will be a number of solid ways you can easily get down. But, then you come to the realization — there was only one way you were able to get up on that roof, and therefore only one way to get down. Sure, you could try some other more drastic methods, but the truth is, there is only one way to climb up on the roof — a ladder. It is just what it is.

Likewise, there is only one way to get to Heaven — Jesus Christ. And that, too, is just what it is. How can I make that claim?

Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?

After all, you’re probably thinking that just me claiming that Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven is rather intolerant, right? After all, what about all those different beliefs other religions have? Isn’t universally everybody going to make it to Heaven, or at least all the “good” people? God is all love, right?

If it was just me making that claim, then you’d be right. I’m just a man. What do I know? But, I didn’t originate this claim. Jesus did.

Jesus’ Outrageous Claim

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it… [And] not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:13-14,21).

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

The Apostles’ Outrageous Claim

The Apostles — Jesus’ followers who witnessed His miracles, death on the cross, and testified to His miraculous resurrection from the dead — also claimed that Jesus taught that He was the only way to get to Heaven.

Peter: “Let it be known to you all, that by the name of Jesus Christ… salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

John the Baptist: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36).

Paul: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

John: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life… believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13).

The Bible’s Outrageous Claim

The claims of the Bible in many, many passages reveal that:

  1. All people are born rebellious against God and hurt people with our sins.
  2. Our sins need to be forgiven, so God sent Jesus to be the world’s one and only Savior.
  3. To reject Jesus means to continue to face God’s wrath and just judgment in Hell.
  4. To put one’s faith in Jesus means to be saved from God’s judgment and to live eternally in Heaven.

Our own sin separates us from God and that’s what keeps us out of Heaven. But, God provided THE way for our sins to be forgiven with someone who could take the punishment on our behalf, a perfect sacrifice for an imperfect people.

The Bible teaches that God sent His very own Son to come to earth as a man to die in our place, which He did on the cross. Jesus then beat death by resurrecting Himself from the dead.

That God provides just one and only one way to get to Heaven shouldn’t leave us upset, for He didn’t have to provide any way at all. No one drowning in the ocean complains about which life preserver is thrown to rescue them. Rather, we should be praising God that He loves us that much!

Your Eternal Choice

So what about Jesus being the only way to Heaven? When it came to Jesus’ claim that He was both God and Savior, author C.S. Lewis wrote:

“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice.”

You, too, must make your choice, and it is an eternal one. If Jesus is indeed the world’s only hope to be reconciled with God, have you grabbed hold of that lifeline? It’s a free gift, but you have to accept it.

To grab hold of God’s promise, from your heart in faith and repentance pray: “Dear, Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, and be my Lord and Savior.” The relationship with God is then restored. You are a new creation, a child of God. And when you die, He promises you will live forever with Him (John 1:12; 10:28-29).

Heaven awaits you!

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

8 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • SPEAKING OF A LADDER…

    “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” (Gen. 28:12)

    “And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” (John 1:51)

  • I am not surprised with any teaching by man anymore. Any serious student of scripture knows that what is being taught and proclaimed, this easy believing requiring no cross just the crown, tickling of the ears is all prophesied to happen right before he returns. Lovers of self, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. The falling away from the faith, love of truth waxing cold, sad especially when all one has to do is read scripture without their rose colored glasses on. It is getting more difficult to proclaim the truth without offending and upsetting people because they just don’t want to hear it, tell them nice words, smooth words, not the truth.

  • Claiming to believe that we can choose our own way of salvation, when the Scripture plainly says otherwise is nothing more than the continued rebellion of mankind. It began in the
    Garden and continues unabated today. We are not the ONE in command, and to think
    otherwise is a certain course to destruction.

  • When you said that to receive Jesus at the end of the article to pray this, “Dear Jesus, forgive me of my sins….” What sins are you talking about?

    If you mean the sins that the Jews were accountable to under the law, then you must exclude Gentiles from this prayer. But, actually no one is accountable to the sins under the law since Jesus’ death and resurrection. Because He delivered Israel from the law(Rom.7:4) through His death. Also see Heb.9:15.

    Jesus told the apostles what sin the Holy Spirit would reprove the whole world of in John 16:9. “Of sin, because they believe not on me”. This sin is the only sin anyone will be judged for. Which is why He said to those who claimed salvation based on what they had done in Mt.7, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” and also said that eternal life was to “…know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
    A prayer that begs forgiveness of sin under the law is not a prayer of faith. The law has nothing to do with faith. And the sins under the law are not imputed where there is no law. The Gentiles have never been accountable to the law. And no one from Adam to Moses and since Jesus’ death and resurrection are not under law either.
    So the only sin that one needs forgiveness of is no faith in Jesus. Which is why it is called repentance when we turn from serving the false god to worshipping and serving the true God.
    Blessings:-}

    • Edwitness, I disagree. Certainly the sin of not believing in Christ in tantamount, but that is not the only sin the Bible says we need to repent of. Praise the Lord, yes, Jesus did all the work of salvation once and for all by the shedding of His blood on the cross, which enabled the Holy Spirit to lead people to this truth and so by God’s grace through faith and in repentance believe in this and be saved.

      Repentance defined is a heart issue, where we acknowledge our rebellion against God and ask for forgiveness. It is only the humble that God acknowledges (Lk. 1:52; Js. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6). Acts 2:38 and 3:19 tells us to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” We are also commanded to humbly submit our hearts in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Repentance is an attitude that goes hand-in-hand with understanding the reason why we need Christ’s salvation.

      While our salvation is secure in Christ’ sacrifice, a continually repentant heart that ask for forgiveness is essential to the process of sanctification and in building a better relationship with our Savior.

      • Nathan, I don’t understand how anyone could read and study the bible, the history of Israel, of mankind, the prophecies that have been fulfilled, the historical events that coincide directly with the scriptures, the archeology that proves the biblical times and the events in Israel and the world, the words of Christ that are becoming reality every day. The Proof of the crucifixion, The dead sea scrolls, and the words that were passed on to the disciples to guide mankind in truth. Its harder to disbelieve in Holy Trinity than believe, with all the information and knowledge that are given to the people on earth. The fact is that the Holy Spirit helps people to discern the truth and to have the wisdom to understand.

      • Debbie, Romans 1:21 I think explains it best: “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

  • Those who don’t know Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. (He is our Hope) 1 Timothy 1:1… Jesus is the Bread of Life, our sustenance…John 6:32-35….God’s Chosen One..Luke 23:35….The Door, the Gateway…John 10:9…Jesus is God…John 1:1 14-18, Romans 9:5….The Head of the Church Ephesians 5:23….Jesus Saves..Matthew 1:21…. Lamb of God, our Sacrifice…John 1:29, 36, 1 Peter 1:19, Lord of Lords…Revelation 19:16 1 Timothy 6:15…The Redeemer, our redemption. Job 19:25….. Our salvation Luke 1:47. 2,11; John 4:42, 1 John 4;14. Without Christ’s intercession, no prayers would make it to the ears of God. We should think of our prayers as Christ’s own prayers through us, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit.

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