Does the Bible teach that Christians never go to heaven, but that they will always be on the earth? Let us see what the word of God has to say:
What did Jesus tell Peter about where He was going?
John 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
Where did Jesus go?
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Where will we meet the Lord?
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
What was Jesus promise if he goes and prepares place and comes back?
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also
Where is the place Jesus has promised to prepare for us?
John 14:2 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.
Where is His Father’s house?
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
So where is our inheritance?
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you
When Jesus comes what we will He do?
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Luke 6:23 Behold, your reward is great in heaven
Abraham looked for a better country that is?
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Who else will sit with Abraham in the kingdom of Heaven?
Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Where exactly are the victorious saints?
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Note: It says the victorious are on the sea of Glass or glassy sea.
Does anyone have the mark of the beast now?
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name..
NOTE: No person has the mark now. When it becomes a forced issue, only those who have received the mark of the beast will be able to buy or sell.
Where is the sea of glass?
Revelation 4:1-6 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Note: The Sea of glass is before the throne in heaven. The victorious surely are in heaven.
Where is the great multitude?
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God
Note: The throne is in heaven and the Great crowd is before the throne in heaven.
How long will the saints who came to life reign with Christ?
Revelation 20:4-5 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
To what may we then look forward after 1000 years?
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Who will inherit the earth made new?
Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
See: Preview of the Coming Age - A lesson on the Millenium (1000 years) for a better understanding of where the saints will reign and the condition of the Earth.
Your thought questions answered:
1) Indeed, Jesus was going to heaven, but in John 14 he said he was coming again and it was upon his coming again that he would receive his disciples to himself. That is here upon the earth. When he comes, Christians will indeed ‘meet him in the air,’ but that does not mean to go to heaven. In the context Christ is in the very midst of his coming. It is during his arrival that they meet him. He doesn’t come to suddenly jump back to heaven, but to carry out war and judge the wicked. Our reward is great in heaven, but as New Jerusalem comes from heaven, so does our reward.
Response: The Bible says that we shall meet the Lord in the air and be with the Lord. Why should we meet the Lord in the air and come down to earth again? Coming of Jesus is as a thief in the night. This means that He will come suddenly and also to come and to steal us away. Naturally, thieves do not stay at the house where they are stealing. They come and take away stuff and go back to where they are from. Jesus says in John 14 that "in my father's house are many mansions." That is clearly not on the earth. Finally, Revelation portrays the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven after the 1000 years. Saints certainly follow Jesus to where He is now - HEAVEN.