One of the most common questions people ask after they are baptized into a church is, “what happens to your soul when you die?”
Christians believe that you spend eternity in Heaven, but many verses in the Bible tell us how we can enter the gates of Heaven.
Bible Verses About Entering the Gates of Heaven
Entering the gates of Heaven is something that we all hope to do someday.
The Bible contains verses about entering God’s presence and being with Him forever.
Here are 19 Bible verses about entering the gates of Heaven.
Hebrews 12:14 – Our spiritual position and state should be peace and holiness.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)
Matthew 21:31 – Salvation comes after repentance.
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Matthew 21:31 (KJV)
This parable’s message is crystal apparent. Not speaking the right things but living for God is what counts. Religious leaders were skilled at communicating righteousness, but their obstinately unrepentant souls revealed that repentant sinners would enter the Kingdom before them.
Only after repenting our sins and accepting Jesus Christ’s unconditional salvation can we pass through the gates of paradise.
Luke 9:2 – Don’t be left out.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:2 (KJV)
Matthew 11:12 – Never will the Kingdom be accepted idly.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 11:12 (KJV)
The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force: Jesus’ mention of violence refers to the ferocity of the spiritual conflict that surrounded the ministry of both He and His forerunner and the ferocity needed to endure in serving God and His Kingdom.
Never will the Kingdom be accepted idly. It is always based on God’s work done for us, but God’s work always elicits a reaction from us. They won’t get men to paradise with idle wishes or heartless deeds.
Matthew 18:3 – You cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless you are transformed.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:3 (KJV)
Mark 1:15 – Jesus’ sacrifice.
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Before Israel could inherit God’s Kingdom, Christ had to die to atone for their sin and the sin of the entire world so that anybody who believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.
Israel as a nation was therefore urged to turn from its sins and trust that God’s Kingdom was indeed at hand when it was asked to do so
Matthew 5:20 – Place your faith in his name.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:20 (KJV)
We cannot enter God’s Kingdom unless we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and redeemed by grace through faith in Him.
But when we place our faith in His name, we are immediately made joint heirs with Christ, who will establish the heavenly Kingdom shortly, and we are eternally clothed in His righteousness.
Matthew 19:14 – Approach His throne of grace with simplicity.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
Today, Christ’s welcoming arms are stretched wide to anyone who wants to enter, but all too frequently, a combination of matured falsehood and adult pride keeps us from entering.
But those who approach His throne of grace with a simplicity that is so dear to our Lord are poor in spirit, humble in heart, and have a childlike faith in Him.
Let’s work to cultivate that childlike disposition to live a life that accurately represents the Lord Jesus as the God-bearing child who brings honor to the Father, both here on earth and in His heavenly Kingdom.
Luke 18:17 – God’s benefits must be received in the same manner by us.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Luke 18:17 (KJV)
Children receive Jesus’ blessing without attempting to earn it or acting as though they don’t need it. God’s benefits must be received in the same manner by us.
In addition to welcoming these tiny people into the Kingdom of God, Jesus praised them for being role models because of their capacity for love and trust.
Revelation 5:10 – God’s trumpet will blast on that day.
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 5:10 (KJV)
Philippians 3:21 – We will be transformed.
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:21 (KJV)
All Christians begin the process of sanctification as soon as they are saved, striving to become more like Christ with zeal, tenacity, and endurance.
Our wonderful God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will “transform our fallen, dying body into a gorgeous, eternal, immortal, resurrection, body… which will be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body,” as Paul urges us to strive forward in anticipation of that blessed hope and his glorious appearing.
Bible Verses About the Gates of Heaven
The Bible is full of hope and promise for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. One of the most beautiful promises is that believers will one day enter the gates of Heaven. This hope is what motivates and encourages Christians to live their lives for Christ.
Hebrews 11:16
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 11:16 (KJV)
All too frequently, people who became Christians by faith quit depending on the inspiration of Scripture. They turn away from Jesus and begin to question what God has said. They frequently grow hasty in pursuing the Lord; some even abandon their initial loves.
A Christian will develop in grace, mature in the faith, walk in spirit and truth, and please God more as they put more trust in God’s Word, believe it, and have faith in its promises.
As we fervently seek the Lord and put our faith in His Word, let us resolve to conduct our Christian lives in a way that pleases the Lord because, in the end, the gates of Heaven will be opened for us to enter.
Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 (ESV)
Jesus urged us to pray to see God’s plan on earth as it is in Heaven. On land, there is disobedience and, at the very least, visible hurdles to God’s will; in Heaven, neither are there. Jesus’ followers will desire to see His will carried out as freely on earth as in Heaven.
Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15 (KJV)
There is no more wonderful declaration than this: “Our Lord and His Christ shall reign forever and ever,” and “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of His Christ.” Lets us as Christians prepare ourselves for this great happening
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)
God knows everything about me; this is how I also am known. However, in Heaven, I shall have the complete knowledge of God—I will learn as thoroughly as I am known.
We value Heaven for a variety of reasons. We miss our loved ones who have passed away terribly and wish to be with them.
The free, unrestricted presence of our Lord makes paradise heaven, and the greatest pleasure of our everlasting existence will be to know as I am known.
To enter Heaven’s gates and spend eternity with Christ, let us strive to imitate Christ as joint heirs.
Revelation 21:2-3
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:2-3 (KJV)
Significantly, “holy city” describes this magnificent dwelling place of God and His people. Cities are populated by a large number of individuals who frequently interact.
This is a perfect community of God’s people, not a place of solitude. We have something unique here in the New Jerusalem: a sinless, pure community of holiness, a holy city. This city is not and never can be man’s achievement, but only a gift from God.
Psalms 103:19
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Psalms 103:19 (KJV)
The foundation of God’s throne is righteousness, and the fabric of His throne is His gentle mercy and loving kindness.
A royal throne of glory, a regal throne of grace, a kingly seat of administration, and a glorious throne of glory that shows His Majesty throughout the sky are all aspects of His Kingdom’s sovereign might.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that Your throne of grace is firmly established and will stand fast always. Praise Your name for Your extraordinary wisdom and strength. I know Christ will soon return and take us to be with Him. Help me to live my life in a way that pleases You so that I can enter through the gates of Heaven.
Luke 17:20
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:20 (KJV)
The days of the Son of Man were not given much respect while the Lord was still in the world. The Pharisees demanded to know when the Kingdom of God would arrive and talked disparagingly of them.
Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees who asked the inquiry that aggressive questioning would not lead to the discovery of the Kingdom of God.
The Pharisees wanted the Kingdom of God to come, just like many people do today, but you can’t enjoy the Kingdom and reject the King. Instead, open your hearts to Jesus because the Kingdom of God already exists within you.
