Author: Rick Tryon

Your Life And What Comes After (26): What Is Heaven?

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Where exactly is heaven? Is it up in the clouds? In outer space? On another planet, or in a galaxy far away?

Before we can understand where heaven is, we should first know what heaven is. When heaven is mentioned in the Bible, it can either mean any place above the ground or it can mean the realm in which God lives.

Anywhere Above the Ground

Genesis 1:20
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

The birds we often see flying above us are in heaven, so to speak.

The stars, clouds, and planets are also above the ground, and there are many verses in the Bible that talk about those things being in the heavens.

Where God Lives

Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

This verse says that our Father, God, is in heaven. Does that mean He’s flying around with the birds that are in heaven? No, of course not.

Here the Bible is talking about a different kind of heaven. This heaven is the realm where God lives—invisible to our eyes, yet very real and near.

Acts 17:27-28
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

The main idea about heaven that we should understand is that it is not a place up in the clouds where we go someday after we die to get wings and play harps if we’re good in this life.

Heaven is a place we can go to now—and every day—in prayer, to be in the presence of our Father, God.

Are You A ‘Non’?

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Anyone who knows even a little bit about the Bible and the history of Christianity knows that it was the religious leaders of the time, along with their secular allies, that were responsible for the killing of the prophets, the reformers, and even the Son of God himself, Yeshua our Messiah.

The religious leaders. The wolves in sheep’s clothing. The whited sepulchers. The vipers. The religious leaders.

There is no new thing under the sun. Fallen human nature and the rot of man-made religion hasn’t changed since they murdered the prophets, burned the ‘heretics’, and tortured and crucified our Lord.

That is part of the reason why I do not subscribe to a modern denominational creed of set of doctrines. I don’t think that modern day Evangelicals, or Baptists, or Lutherans, or Catholics are going to burn anyone in the town square – it’s just that I don’t trust organized religion.

I’m non-denominational. I’m a ‘Non’. And there are a lot of others just like me, in fact more and more folks are fleeing traditional ‘churchianity’ every day. Why? More on that in future posts.

Here’s my one and only creed, which I’m happy share with my brothers and sisters in The Fellowship of the Nons:

Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons

Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

A huge part of the purpose and reason for the Bible Rebel blog is stated in our mission:

“To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.”

What The Hell: Universal Salvation

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Bosch, Hieronymus; An Angel Leading a Soul into Hell; Wellcome Library; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/an-angel-leading-a-soul-into-hell-125754

Bible Rebel is exploring the three major Christian doctrines concerning the theology of hell. Below are some quotes from three prominent theologians/scholars who hold the universal salvation view.

Links to the other views on Bible Rebel
Annihilationism (often called “conditional immortality”)
Infernalism (eternal conscious torment)

David Bentley Hart (Eastern Orthodox theologian)

“If God is the good creator of all, then in the end all shall return to Him—every last rational soul.” —from That All Shall Be Saved (2019)
Hart argues that God’s goodness, freedom, and victory in Christ logically require the ultimate restoration of all people.

J. A. T. Robinson (Anglican bishop and New Testament scholar)

“The Christian faith is universalist in its logic… God’s purpose is the reconciliation of all, and nothing less.” —from In the End, God… (1950)
Robinson was one of the first major 20th‑century Anglican voices to articulate universal reconciliation as the natural conclusion of the gospel.

Thomas Talbott (Christian philosopher)

“If God truly wills the salvation of all and if nothing can finally defeat His redemptive love, then universal reconciliation follows.” —from The Inescapable Love of God (1999)
Talbott’s work is foundational in modern Christian universalism, arguing from Scripture, logic, and the character of God.

Your Life And What Comes After (25): A Tree Or A Volcano?

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Culley grinned as he whispered the first sentence to the kid next to him, carefully covering his mouth with his hand like it was a top-secret message. The sentence was simple and harmless—something about a blue bike leaning against a tree—but as it traveled around the circle, giggles popped up, eyebrows lifted, and whispers grew faster and messier. By the time the message reached the last student Culley could barely sit still in his chair.

When the final sentence was spoken out loud, it was nothing like the original: the blue bike had turned into a flying goat, the tree had become a volcano, and somehow a librarian was involved. The class burst into laughter, and Culley laughed too, realizing how easily a message could change when passed from person to person.

A Blue Bike or a Flying Goat?

Our little story here shows how the meaning of words and ideas can change into something different from what was meant at first. It’s how true things become false rumors.

This happens with some of the things God has said in His Word, the Bible—especially things about heaven, hell, and the end of the world. So, we want to be sure that what we hear about the things of God is actually what God really meant when He inspired people to write them down in the Bible.

Was It an Apple?

For example, how many people think that the fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden was an apple?

Genesis 2:16–17 (KJV):
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

But it doesn’t say “apple,” does it? It says “fruit.” Do you see how words and ideas can change?

So, before we dig into what the Bible says about heaven, hell, and the end of the world in the next chapter, let’s be aware of the ideas, words, and pictures we already have in our minds that may or may not be what God actually meant in His Word.

Next: Where Is Heaven?

They Said It: Four Quotes On The Books Of Samuel

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Here are four insightful quotes about the Old Testament Books of I and II Samuel.

On the overarching purpose of Samuel
“The First Book of Samuel was written to show who the true Shepherd‑King of Israel must be: the Son of David, a man ‘after the Lord’s own heart’; Second Samuel was written to show that this true King of Israel will finally establish God’s forever kingdom.”
The Gospel Coalition

On what Samuel teaches about God and obedience
“In 1 and 2 Samuel what you really see is how God operates, what He requires of His people, and what He does when His people fail… Hope is never found in a human king; hope is found in the King of kings.”
Paul Tripp

On God’s sovereignty in the narrative
“The books of 1 & 2 Samuel reveal God’s sovereignty in history: God humbles the proud and exalts the humble, and He sovereignly works through the rise and fall of kings to accomplish His purposes.”
Randy McCracken

On the theological significance of Samuel’s leadership and the kingship theme
“Samuel’s story and the monarchy narratives show that God providentially draws His people back into right relationship with Himself by choosing and exalting leaders according to His will, even amid human failure.”
Jonathan Anderson

Your Life And What Comes After (24): See All The People

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What is the Church Age?

Have you ever heard the nursery rhyme that goes like this—‘Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the doors and see all the people’?

Is the Church Age about church buildings, or is it about people? In the Bible’s New Testament books after the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the ‘Church’ always refers to the people who believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Son of God.

Just as the Old Testament was instruction for the people who lived back in those times on how to walk in God’s purposes, and the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John show us how Jesus lived according to God’s plan, the New Testament books after the Gospels now instruct us today on how to do the same.

Seek God First

Colossians 3:1–2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Spend some time every morning praying and just enjoying the presence of God, speaking to Him and letting Him speak to you.

Add Value to the World Around You

Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Do meaningful work. Gain knowledge and learn valuable skills. Help and serve others around you in real ways that meet real needs.

Do Hard Things Without Fear

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Don’t ever be afraid of hard work or of doing hard things. God loves you and has already given you great strength and courage.

Fight Darkness with Light

Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Stand up, speak up, and show up. Dispel the darkness around you by shining forth God’s love and light.

The You Miracle

Always remember that you are a miracle, and that God’s plan includes you in His family and household. See yourself as God sees you: His beautiful child.

Plug into God’s purposes and plan, and your life will be an exciting adventure as a co-worker with the Creator of the universe!

Next, we’ll start our journey into understanding heaven, hell, and the end of the world.

What The Hell: Eternal Conscious Torment

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Bosch, Hieronymus; An Angel Leading a Soul into Hell; Wellcome Library; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/an-angel-leading-a-soul-into-hell-125754

Bible Rebel is exploring the three major Christian doctrines concerning the theology of hell.

  • Annihilationism (often called “conditional immortality”) see Bible Rebel post here
  • Infernalism (eternal conscious torment)
  • Universalism (everyone winds up in “heaven” eventually)

Here are some quotes from three prominent theologians/scholars who hold the eternal conscious torment view of hell.

Charles H. Spurgeon (Baptist preacher)
“When thou diest, thy soul will be tormented alone; that will be a hell for it, but at the day of judgment thy body will join thy soul, and then thou wilt have twin hells… every nerve a string on which the devil shall forever play his diabolical tune of ‘Hell’s Unutterable Lament.’”
— Spurgeon vividly affirms conscious, ongoing torment in hell after death, consistent with traditional teaching on eternal punishment.

Denny Burk (Theologian; The Gospel Coalition essay)
“Hell is a place of eternal, conscious torment for everyone who does not trust in Jesus Christ…I t describes unending experience of divine judgment and just retribution for sin.”
— This reflects a contemporary evangelical articulation of the historic doctrine of ECT, emphasizing unending conscious punishment for the unrepentant.

John Piper (Reformed theologian; quoted in public domain margin)
“No one can hide from the Lord… God’s power is present in hell as the One who… maintains suffering…†…† (paraphrased summary of his emphasis that torment in hell is real and ongoing).

Watchdog Alert: Recent Biblical Archaeology News

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on discoveries and news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers.

First Assyrian Cuneiform Inscription Found in Jerusalem (2025)

Archaeologists uncovered a small Akkadian cuneiform inscription sherd in Jerusalem dated to the First Temple period (about 2,700 years old). The text appears to be an official notice from an Assyrian king to the king of Judah regarding tribute, marking the first known Assyrian inscription discovered within Jerusalem itself. This find provides direct extra-biblical evidence for the political and diplomatic realities of Judah’s relationship with Assyria described in biblical books like 2 Kings and Isaiah. Bible Archaeology Report

Temple Mount Sifting Project: Bulla with a Biblical Name (2025)

Excavations associated with the Temple Mount Sifting Project yielded a clay bulla (seal impression) inscribed with the name “Yed[a‛]yah, son of Asayahu”, dating to the 7th–6th century BC. The name matches a figure mentioned in the Bible during the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:12; 2 Chronicles 34:20). This supports the historicity of individuals in the biblical narrative and helps tie archaeological material culture to known biblical figures. Bible Archaeology Report

Grape and Olive Remains Under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (2025)

Archaeologists working beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem uncovered 2,000-year-old remains of grape seeds and olive pits in soil layers dated to the time of Jesus. These botanical finds match descriptions of the Garden of Gethsemane / Golgotha landscape in the Gospels and contribute to identifying the setting of pivotal events in the life and death of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. New Life

Your Life And What Comes After (23): A Town-Sized House

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A wise king once chose a quiet stretch of countryside and there he built a house so vast it was the size of a town, with countless rooms, wide halls, and courtyards. When it was finished, he sent his loyal servants to live inside it. Their work was to prepare every room—sweeping floors, setting tables, lighting lamps, and making each place ready for life. Yet the king gave one puzzling command: the doors were to remain locked. The servants obeyed, working faithfully day after day, hearing the sounds of people passing by outside but never opening the doors to them.

At the right time, the king sent his son, the prince, to the great house. Unlike the servants, the prince carried the keys. He walked through the halls, threw open the doors, and called out to the people from every road and field, inviting them to come in. Families, strangers, and wanderers entered together, filling the rooms with laughter and conversation.

The prince welcomed them to live with him, not as guests but as family, alongside the servants who had prepared the house. And at last the king’s house became what it was always meant to be—a living home where many shared one life under the care of the king’s son.

That Sign at Football Games

In the Old Testament, God worked through Israel to carry out His plan. Then came Jesus, who completed that plan through His life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the grave.

Because of what Jesus did, we are now in the Church Age, where all people—not just the people of Israel—are invited into the household of God.

Have you ever seen the signs people hold up at football games for the TV cameras that say, “John 3:16”? That verse tells us what God’s plan was all along and why Jesus is the most important part of that grand plan.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Whosoever. Not just some, but everyone is invited to take part in the goal of God’s plan through Jesus Christ—everlasting life.

Next, we’ll look at how we plug into God’s plan in this new Church Age. Hint: it’s not different from the ways we’ve already talked about.