Does Heaven have a ranking/class system?

On Earth, we are not all equal. There are various ranking/class systems throughout the globe. In the U.S. we have three basic classes: Upper, Middle, and Lower.

The Upper class are the wealthiest in the country, living in luxury without financial worry for the most part.

The Middle class consists of citizens who aren't necessarily poor, but are far from rich. They may or may not have financial problems.

The Lower class are the citizens who are considered poor. They have financial problems and probably depend on other entities to help them survive.

We are not all equal and the lower class more than likely will never know what it is like to live in luxury.

In describing Heaven, the Bible alludes to a ranking system there as well.

Matthew 18:1 "Verily i say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 11:11 "Verily i say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than john the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (11:11).”

Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Just wondering if people will be in heaven for all eternity, stuck in different classes like on earth.

I know that islam also has a wide ranking system, apparently 500 levels depending on your level of contribution and the way you lived your life.

reply to post by Hydroman


Well.......I know I get a Mansion when I get there.

JC is off building it for me right now!

Seriously though, I don't think rank will exist in paradise - everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Originally posted by ISeekTruth101
I know that islam also has a wide ranking system, apparently 500 levels depending on your level of contribution and the way you lived your life.

That would suck having to spend an eternity locked in a specific class. I guess it's better than the alternative place though.

Originally posted by Sublimecraft
reply to post by Hydroman

 

Well.......I know I get a Mansion when I get there.

JC is off building it for me right now!

Seriously though, I don't think rank will exist in paradise - everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Quick question: What need do you have of a mansion in heaven? We have dwelling places on earth for many reasons. 1.) They provide a form of protection. 2.) They provide a place to sleep during the night. 3.) They have facilities in them to cater to our needs. a.) Bathrooms for ridding waste and for cleaning our bodies. b.) Kitchen for storing and cooking food. c.) Entertainment.

Why do you need that in Heaven?

reply to post by Hydroman


I read a book a while ago, where the author was couching evangelism in terms of "scoring points" that you get to redeem in heaven (I suspect he was trying to appeal to video gamers, lol) for some sort of increased status or something. That didn't make a lot of sense to me, but I asked a couple of Evangelicals about it, and they had similar beliefs.

Originally posted by adjensen
reply to post by Hydroman

 

I read a book a while ago, where the author was couching evangelism in terms of "scoring points" that you get to redeem in heaven (I suspect he was trying to appeal to video gamers, lol) for some sort of increased status or something. That didn't make a lot of sense to me, but I asked a couple of Evangelicals about it, and they had similar beliefs.

Doesn't that encourage pride? Isn't that a sin?

reply to post by Hydroman


I don't - its a metaphor.

Mansion = luxury (earth term)

My abode in heaven = luxury (Christ term)

Originally posted by Sublimecraft
reply to post by Hydroman

 

I don't - its a metaphor.

Mansion = luxury (earth term)

My abode in heaven = luxury (Christ term)

What?

Originally posted by Hydroman

Originally posted by Sublimecraft
reply to post by Hydroman

 

Well.......I know I get a Mansion when I get there.

JC is off building it for me right now!

Seriously though, I don't think rank will exist in paradise - everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord.

Quick question: What need do you have of a mansion in heaven? We have dwelling places on earth for many reasons. 1.) They provide a form of protection. 2.) They provide a place to sleep during the night. 3.) They have facilities in them to cater to our needs. a.) Bathrooms for ridding waste and for cleaning our bodies. b.) Kitchen for storing and cooking food. c.) Entertainment.

Why do you need that in Heaven?

It is a fairly standard Christian view that all of that stuff will exist in the afterlife (well, I don't know that anyone talks about bathrooms in heaven, lol.)

Right after my wife died, I had a series of... well, "impressions" is about as good a term as I can find, of where she was and one of them was of her building a house for us, which seemed like kind of a weird thing to happen, but earlier this year, I came across this book: Intra Muros, a 19th Century book about a woman's NDE and vision of heaven, and it's pretty much exactly what I saw in those impressions three years ago.

Originally posted by Hydroman

Originally posted by adjensen
reply to post by Hydroman

 

I read a book a while ago, where the author was couching evangelism in terms of "scoring points" that you get to redeem in heaven (I suspect he was trying to appeal to video gamers, lol) for some sort of increased status or something. That didn't make a lot of sense to me, but I asked a couple of Evangelicals about it, and they had similar beliefs.

Doesn't that encourage pride? Isn't that a sin?

You got me -- like I said, it didn't make much sense to me, but I'm not an evangelist.

Yes there is. Not much is known about it, but the general idea is this:

First Sphere of the Angelic Hierarchy:
- Seraphim (have 6 wings, caretakers of God's throne, constantly sing praises, never sleep)
- Cherubim (4 faced creatures, serve as guardians, Satan is a Cherub)
- Ophanim (wheels within wheels, covered in eyes; carriers of God's throne, Ezekiel saw one in his vision)
- Thrones
Second Sphere:
- Dominions
- Virtues
- Powers or Authorities
Third Sphere:
- Principalities or Rulers
- Archangels (such as Michael and Gabriel)
- Angels


Then there's the Redeemed Elders, which the Bible says will be above the angels. I'm not sure where they'll be on the hierarchy other than above angels.

reply to post by Hydroman


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.
John 14:2

A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that describes a subject by asserting that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object

As part of his creation, a human being, I will be equal to all other humans and reside in heaven amongst them accordingly.

Yes, but the goal for everyone is to move up the ranks, and everyone is capable of it.

Plus, there's a difference between equality and rank. It's like here, everyone is equal, but an adult has more rights than a kid because they are more mature and responsible.

Just because someone is of a lower rank than someone, doesn't mean they are worth any less.

I don't believe that in heaven there are "classes" due to wealth. But I do believe there are classes due to the level of rank our spirit is. That being said that doesn't mean God loves one more then the other. I believe our goal is to grow spiritually and by coming to earth we learn how to live. We have lessons to overcome on earth and sometimes that requires us to be poor or rich.

I do believe we have homes and cars in heaven if we chose to have them. Why we have them is for enjoyment. Some people enjoy making a home. Some symbolize homes with family and togetherness. It really is all of what you wish to do.

reply to post by Hydroman


Yes, but you can drastically improve your status by sending all of your money to this guy:

During the supposed Dark Ages, this uniformity of standing in the Christian heaven was a big draw for heathen cultures. Tribal leaders usually dictated the religious direction of the community, with different areas worshipping different figures in the heathen 'pantheon' and those who served the leader basically worshipped how he worshipped. Tribal culture was very hierarchical at this point with those at the bottom, have very little say in a very grim life where slavery was common and things not that much better for most others. The class structure was even explained in (Norse) religious terms as being created by the Gods themselves in the Rígsþula where a God (many think Heimdall) stays with 3 couples of 3 different socio-economic standings and, after sex with the wife, creates children born into that class structure.

Prior to exposure to the actual practice of Christianity, there's very little evidence of a heathen afterlife. The barrow or bones in a cremation urn was everyone's destination: concepts like 'Valhalla' are likely to be a later development postulated as a rival concept to 'heaven' (in Anglo Saxon 'heofon' meant sky with no other connotation as such).

During the conversion period(s), tribal leaders and kings saw conversion as, ultimately, a political move which allowed real access to the power structures of Europe through (Christian) marriage, improved trade, tapping in to the military and monetary muscle of the Roman Church &c. However, for everyone else, those who lived pretty crappy lives, the idea of an afterlife at all, and one that would offset or even reward the hardship they endured on earth had fantastically massive appeal.

reply to post by Hydroman


If go to heaven and there's people on welfare there, I'll kill myself...... DOH!

Originally posted by XLR8R
reply to post by Hydroman

 

If go to heaven and there's people on welfare there, I'll kill myself...... DOH!

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. (Isaiah 55:1 NIV)

Everyone in heaven is on welfare, including you!

reply to post by adjensen


Really? Are you sure? Ok, then. There's a first for everything.