Much of religious thinking has been and is very much like the prodigal son. We look forward to getting out, getting away, reaching the after life benefits; however, when we leave home, looking for that which already IS, we miss the existent realities. The Kingdom IS NOW. Heaven isn’t some later destination. We are ALL IMMORTAL NOW.
Those who are following the ancient Pharisaical model still demand that one jumps through hoops A through Z in order to get to heaven, be a citizen of the Kingdom, and enjoy the good-God life. And of course if one doesn’t do “certain things” (each denomination has their list of “things“) it’s off to an eternal hell. Why would a benevolent Creator set up such a tension-filled all or none course to be run?
Could it be that he didn’t? 
Could it be that misinformed religious leaders along with control freak emperors and Pope’s decided life and society would be better controlled if the “threat of hell” was kept before the minds of people? You know, a weekly dose of “turn or burn” would surely heap enough guilt and doubt on the populace that they’d at least give a second thought before embarking on some evil activity.
And if one were Catholic there was CONFESSION as a control switch as well. Who wants to have to tell the priest all of ones weekly dirt?
Can you hear what I’m communicating? A religion that speaks of a future tense (heaven and-or hell) and doesn’t live and enjoy (or not) those benefits here and now is contradicting the very person they say that they’re following- Jesus, who became the Christos. For it was he to whom it’s reported as having said “the Kingdom is at hand- it is NOW baby” (a little paraphrase there). One religion prepares for the future (good or bad) , while the other religion LIVES it NOW. One accepts what IS, while the other is trying to create it. One is enjoying the benefits of the ship that’s moored at the docks while the other is waiting for the ship to come in.
Quit putting the Kingdom life off into another age. See the eternal life as NOW. You game?
I’m game and enjoying the kingdom now.
Jesus made it very clear how to enter the kingdom of heaven when He said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3,4) The key: simple belief. He continued to declare that unbelief is a stumbling block that will put us into hell (v. 6-9). It’s our choice for now as well as eternity.
I feel more like a child now than ever. Trusting my creator more than any other time in my life. Linda, I’m not going to debate the heaven and hell issue, that is something only the Spirit can reveal to a person. But the question is are you willing for the Spirit to put light on the subject other than what you currently understand?
CW–I am absolutely willing for the Spirit to give me illumination. I am however, wise enough to know that any new understanding will be in accordance with the word of God! Psalm 12:6 penned by David, declares, “the words of the Lord are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” Isaiah agrees, “the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus said it this way, “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
” I am however, wise enough to know that any new understanding will be in accordance with the word of God!
Glad you are wise enough. A few days ago, you were the foolish one used by God to shame the wise. If Jesus did say, “….but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”, what makes you think God isn’t still speaking “out of his mouth”. The NT “words of God” often contradict the OT “words of God”. Jesus obviously wasn’t speaking the “words of God” when he told his disciples that many of that generation and some of the disciples would see the kingdom right here on earth, because you don’t believe that the kingdom has already come. So I guess those words of his were not God’s words. You are still looking for Jesus to return and take all “believers” to the kingdom and send all the rest of us, about 90% of the world’s population down through time, to hell. Come on, you can’t have it both ways. Either you believe Jesus/God (their words in the Bible) or you don’t.