The Peace Arch sits on the 49th Parallel and straddles the international border between the United States and Canada. Here in this photo, you can see two International Boundary markers – one on this side of the road, and another on the far side of the road. These markers indicate the 49th Parallel.
Here is a close-up view of the International Boundary marker.
One side of the International Boundary marker has the designation: “United States.” On the opposite side is the designation: “Canada.” Off in the far distance you can see the Canadian border crossing. The road here is leading to the US border crossing.
And here you can see the US border crossing.
Which leads us to today’s blog topic: Not just anybody can get in.
In order to be allowed to pass through the US border crossing and enter the United States, you must have the correct legal documentation. Not just anybody can get in.
This is a good picture of what entrance into Heaven looks like. Not just anybody is allowed to pass through the border crossing and enter Heaven. A person must have the correct legal documentation.
“Then I saw a great white throne and him [Jesus Christ] who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. … If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, they were thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:11-15
Having one’s name written in the Book of Life is the correct legal documentation required for crossing the border and entering Heaven.
How do I get my name written in the Book of Life?? How do I make sure I have this correct legal documentation so that I am allowed to cross the border and enter Heaven??
A person must repent of their sin and accept the free gift of salvation which Jesus Christ offers. It’s as simple as that. When a person repents of their sin … and surrender to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, at that moment their name is officially written in the Book of Life. The legal transaction occurs.
The “passport” for citizenship in Heaven is granted.
Of course people without the correct legal documentation try to sneak across the border and get into the United States anyway. The parking lot where hubby and I parked to walk down to the Peace Arch was on the U.S. side of the border. A beautiful grassy field stretched out in front of the parking lot where we parked. On the far side of the grassy field was a neighborhood street with houses. That was Canada. The only thing separating the grassy field and the neighborhood street was a low wooden park fence. That’s all.
Two border patrol officers were parked in the parking lot to keep an eye on that wide-open space where anybody who wanted to be devious might try to just walk right on across.
This doesn’t happen when it comes to sneaking into Heaven. There is no sneaking into Heaven. There is no entrance into Heaven any other way other than passing through the border crossing and presenting the correct legal documentation.
Jesus speaking: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” – Matthew 7:22-23
Or … my own personal paraphrase: “Many will arrive at the border crossing into Heaven and say, ‘But look at all the good deeds I did. I was a really good person. Just look at what a good person I was. I didn’t do horrible bad things like other people. I did so many good deeds.’
“Then Jesus will tell them plainly, ‘You never repented of your sin and accepted my free gift of salvation. You are not mine. You do not have the correct legal documentation. You may not cross the border. You are not allowed entrance into Heaven.’” (paraphrase of – Matthew 7:22-23)
Not just anybody can get in.
Do you have the correct legal documentation in order to be allowed to pass through the border crossing and enter Heaven?
