Comparing Heaven and the Judgment Day Passages in the Four Gospels to See If There are Inconsistencies
This is part of a major research project. I felt led to compare different aspects of the Bible and analyze them for consistency and inconsistencies. This time, I’m researching what Jesus said about heaven and Heaven on Judgment Day, as recorded in the four Gospels . I will use the King James Version of the Bible [NKJV], unless otherwise noted. Also, I may use internet resources, as needed. Since it’s sometimes confusing when they use “he” and “him” within the same Bible verse, I will put who is speaking or who is being spoken to within brackets if I deem it’s needed for clarity. Additionally, I will put my analysis, evaluation, comments, and opinions within brackets and will tip you off in the podcast when I’m doing so.
Since this research is sometimes lengthy, you may want to check out the research in its entirety on one of these three blogs I felt led to create for sharing this information. Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/, Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/, or End of World Bible Prophecy at https://EndOfWorldBibleProphecy.blogspot.com/
As I read and re-read the Gospels collecting this information, I realized that the passages tended to fall into two distinct categories. One is about Heaven being a Desirable Goal. The other is focused on Heaven on Judgment Day and what happens if people don’t have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior or a combination of both. This research would have been easy if things were grouped together by one or the other of these two topics, but Jesus, being the Son of God, knew that not all people learn the same way. [Example: Some students are motivated to do their homework, because they want to excel and get good grades. I would equate that with Heaven being a Desirable Goal. Other students are motivated to do their homework, because they don’t want a bad grade or don’t want to fail the class. That would relate to the Heaven on Judgment Day category. So, I will just label the category within brackets after each passage Jesus shared. Note: Some of the Bible passages will be a combination of both categories. Additionally, you will hear similar passages in the other Gospels, since they may have heard Jesus sharing this information, as well.
Kingdom of Heaven-Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Somewhat similar to Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-17, and John 12:23-43]
Matthew 5:17-18 Jesus says: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Luke 16:14-17]
Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break instead; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Somewhat similar to Matthew 13:44 and Luke 12:32-34]
Matthew 7:13-20 Jesus says: “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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life [Eternal] , and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps’ clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” [Both Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Somewhat similar to Luke 13:23-24]
Matthew 7:21-29 Jesus says: “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. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Similar to Luke 6:47-49]
Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus says: Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically similar to Luke 10:12-16, Luke 12:8-9, and John 5:24-30]
[Usually, my evaluation follows the Bible passages, but if I were to do so, you might not realize how significant this point is. It sounds like the Gospel authors are quoting all types of heaven parables, which may or may not be consistent. In the portion below, I have kept all these Matthew 13 heaven parables together that Jesus shared on the same day.
Matthew 13:10-12 says: And the disciples came and said to Him [Jesus]. “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He [Jesus] answered them and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” [Introduction to the parables]
Matthew 13:16-23 Jesus goes on to say: “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desire to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” [Both: Heaven on Judgment Day and Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Basically similar to Mathew 13:34-43, Mark 4:13-20, and Luke 9:9-15]
Matthew 13:34-43 says: All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” [Foretold in Psalm 78:2] Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” He [Jesus] answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man [Jesus]. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age [end of the world], and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age [end of the world]. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! [Both Heaven on Judgment Day and Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Basically similar to Matthew 13:16-23, Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:13-20, and Luke 9:9-15]
Matthew 13:44 says: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Somewhat similar to Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:32-34]
Matthew 13:45-46 Jesus says: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. [Heaven is a Desirable Goal]
Matthew 13:47-52 Jesus says: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He [Jesus] said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” [Both: Heaven on Judgment Day and Heaven is a Desirable Goal]
Matthew 18:21-35 says: Then Peter came to Him [Jesus] and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he [the first servant who owed the large sum of money] would not, but went and threw him [who owed the small sum of money] into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him [the first servant who owed the large sum of money], said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically similar to Mark 11:25-26]
Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus says: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. “Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ “And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ “But he [the landowner] answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [It’s Basically similar to Luke 13:25-30]
Matthew 22:1-14 says: And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.’’ “But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited are not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ “So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Luke 14:16-24]
Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus says: “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for out lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. [Be prepared: Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [These have a similar message: Mark 4:26-29, Luke 12:35-48, Luke 17:27-37, and Luke 19:12-17]
Matthew 25:14-31 Jesus says: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability: and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. “And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ‘So you out to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically the same as Luke 12:35-48 and Luke 19:12-27] [When you see that this parable is in both Luke 12 and Luke 19 and may wonder why Jesus said the same or similar parables so many times. Well, Jesus traveled from town to town preaching to people in various communities, so that they would come to know that He is the Savior, the Son of God. You may also wonder why the parables are similar and not recorded word for word the same in each of the Gospels. That is because each Gospel writer uses their own writing style, paraphrases at times, and some add more details and some fewer. Additionally, you may wonder why there rarely are similar parables listed for the Gospel of John.
Matthew 25:32-34 Jesus says: “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [Heaven on Judgment Day]
Matthew 26:62-64 says: And the high priest arose and said to HIm [Jesus], “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Mark 14:61-62 and Luke 22:66-70]
Kingdom of Heaven-Gospel of Mark
[Again, Jesus said all the Mark 4 parables about heaven on the same day.]
Mark 4:13-20: And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word, And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” [Both: Heaven on Judgment Day and Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Additionally, this is the same basic parable as was recorded in Matthew 13:16-23, Matthew 13:34-43, and Luke 9:9-15. It says the same basic thing and is considered consistent. Sure, there are some differences in wording, but most writers write, using wording they are comfortable with, and some writers put more details and some fewer.]
Mark 4:21-25 says: Also He [Jesus] said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”[Parable Intro] [This is basically the same as Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 8:16-17, and John 12:23-43.]
Mark 4:26-29 says: And He [Jesus] said: “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This has a similar message to Matthew 13:34-43]
Mark 4:30-32 says: Then He [Jesus] said: to what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on the earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [This is basically the same as Luke 13:18-19]
Mark 11:25-26 Jesus says: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically similar to Matthew 18:21-35]
Mark 14:61-62 says: But He [Jesus] kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Matthew 26:62-64 and Luke 22:66-70]
Kingdom of Heaven-Gospel of Luke
Luke 6:47-49 Jesus says: “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” [ Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Similar to Matthew 7:21-29]
Luke 8:16-17 Jesus says: “ No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him. [Parable Intro] [This is basically the same as Matthew 5:14-16 and Mark 4:21-25.]
Luke 9:9-15 says: Then His disciples asked Him [Jesus], saying, “What does this parable mean?” And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see And hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. [Parable Intro and Both: Heaven on Judgment Day and Heaven is a Desirable Goal][This is basically the same as Matthew 13:16-23 and Mark 4:13-20.]
Luke 10:12-16 Jesus says: “But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. [Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically similar to Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9, and John 5:24-30]
Luke 12:8-9 Jesus says: “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [Similar to Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 10:12-16, and John 5:24-30]
Luke 16:14-17 says: Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John [the Baptist]. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Matthew 5:17-18]
Luke 12:16-21 says: Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops.’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is not in the other three Gospels. Does that mean it’s an inconsistency or that Jesus didn’t say it? Nothing in my Biblical reading or experience leads me to make that determination. Luke 6:6-7 says: And He [Jesus] marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He [Jesus] called the twelve [disciples] to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. In that Jesus sent various of the disciples out to preach to those who didn’t know that Jesus is their Savior, not every disciple would have heard all of the same information, because they were out preaching.]
Luke 12:32-34 Jesus says: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [This is almost identical to Matthew 6:19-21 and Matthew 13:44]
Luke 12:35-48 Jesus says: “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Then Peter said to Him [Jesus], “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?” And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically the same as Matthew 25:14-31, Luke 17:27-37, and Luke 19:12-17]
Luke 13:18-19 says: Then He [Jesus] said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [This is basically the same as Mark 4:30-32]
Luke 13:20-21 says: And again He [Jesus] said: “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” [Heaven as a Desirable Goal-in that we all should want to share our faith in Jesus with others, so it grows and is spread to others, like the leaven (yeast) made the bread rise, so it all was leavened.]
Luke 13:23-24 says: Then one said to Him [Jesus], “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He [Jesus] said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. [Both Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Somewhat similar to Matthew 7:13-20]
Luke 13:25-30 Jesus says: When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed these are last who will be first, and these are first who will be last.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically similar to Matthew 20:1-6]
Luke 14:12-14 says: Then He [Jesus] said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal]
Luke 14:16-24 says: Then He [Jesus] said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [This is basically the same as Matthew 22:1-14]
Luke 17:22-37 says: Then He [Jesus] said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here! Or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other left.” And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Similar message as John 12:23-43]
Luke 19:12-27 says: Therefore He [Jesus] said; “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’” [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically the same as Matthew 25:14-31 and Luke 12:35-48]
Luke 22:24-30 says: Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He [Jesus] said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. But you are those who have continued with Me in My trails. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on my thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Heaven as a Desirable Goal] [Is somewhat similar to John 12:23-43]
Luke 22:66-70 says: As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He [Jesus] said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” [Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically the same as Matthew 26:62-64 and Mark 14:61-62]
Kingdom of Heaven-Gospel of John
John 1:51 says: And He [Jesus] 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.” [Heaven as a Desirable Goal]
John 3:13-15 Jesus says: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him [Jesus] should not perish but have eternal life.” [Heaven as a Desirable Goal]
John 5:24-30 Jesus says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Basically similar to Matthew 10:32-33,Luke 10:12-16, and Luke 12:8-9]
John 6:32-33 says: Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Similar to John 6:49-54]
John 6:38-40 Jesus goes on to say: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal]
John 6:49-54 Jesus says speaking about Communion: “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood [through Communion] has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Heaven is a Desirable Goal] [Similar to John 6:32-33]
John 12:23-43 says: But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him”Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become the sons of the Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him [Jesus], but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. [Both: Heaven is a Desirable Goal and Heaven on Judgment Day] [Somewhat similar to Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-17, Luke 17:22-37, and Luke 22:24]
John 14:1-3 Jesus says: “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 and prepare a place or you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
[You may have noticed that not many of the passages that the Apostle John writes include the parables, although many of the things he writes are on similar topics. Is this an inconsistency? No. I mentioned earlier Luke 6:6-7 which says: And He [Jesus] marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He [Jesus] called the twelve [disciples] to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. In that Jesus sent various of the disciples out to preach to those who didn’t know that Jesus is their Savior, not every disciple would have heard all of the same information, because they were out preaching.]
[Although this is a possible explanation as to the reason the Apostle John doesn’t list many of Jesus’ parables, I actually think it’s much different than that. After all my extensive research in comparing passages in the Bible, especially passages in the Gospels and much prayerful contemplation, I finally came to the realization after reading the following two passages in the Gospel of John, that he rarely records things that have been adequately recorded in the other three Gospels. Sometimes, if he feels that not all pertinent details have been share, he would record those, but in general, the Apostle John tried to record information, so those who read about Jesus would have as much information as possible!]
John 20:30-31 the Apostle John records this after Jesus shows Thomas the wounds in His hand and side after Jesus arose from the grave and showed Himself to His Disciples the second time: And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
[and]
John 21:24-25 the Apostle John records this after Jesus arose to heaven: This is the disciple who testifies of these things [John always refers to himself in third person], and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen]
[The last sentence of this second passage proves this point most conclusively:] And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen]
[This is the Big Take Away that I get from comparing all these Gospel passages about heaven: Jesus tells us many times, in many different ways, that we are to watch and prepare, because He will come like a thief in the night, when we least expect it. We need to make sure our faith is focused on Jesus Christ, because those that believe in Him as our Savior will have everlasting life in heaven with Him and those who don’t believe in Him as their Savior, won’t be joining Him in heaven on Judgment Day.]
Remember John 3:16-21 when Jesus says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
[Follow Jesus Christ our Savior! He is the Light that will lead us to Salvation!]
