If I have properly gotten the drift of Mike's position, it is that heaven is likely enough to be out there, that it is worth seeking. And if one decides to bet on that, to invest their life seeking to enter heaven, what is the tack most likely to succeed?
I might add on here, that there is something known as "treasure in heaven," which implies that not only is getting to heaven a hopeful idea, but having more treasure there is also good. So, we might want to inquire how to get rich in heaven, after we are assured of getting there.
Finally, if not getting to heaven implies certainly going to Hell, that is, there is no purgatory or neutral alternative, getting to heaven becomes even more interesting.
But, what are we talking about? Angels playing harps on clouds? A glorious feast, with great music and entertaining company, wonderful food? Something called worship, which would best be described as really, really good sex. I think it was CS Lewis, who supposed that actual sex was a shadow of what it felt like in heaven.
But, for all this pleasure, there is a cost, that Milton caught in the devil's comment, that he would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven. We, alas, are servants there, love slaves perhaps. Our master is most loving, but we are after the joy of Samwise here, who gets the last line in the Lord of the Rings. We have to choose the joy of service and submission. Not what everyone would choose, of course.
Anyway, what is the surest way to get to heaven, and avoid hell, should that be your choice? The theologians observe that the way is open to everyone by what Yeshua did on the cross. Moreover, we are told that the Spirit is poured out on all flesh, so everyone whatever their situation, has some insights in answer to this question. But we are also advised that to whom much is given, much is required. We all here have been given, at great historical cost, the scriptures. What counsel can we find there?
Yeshua talked a lot about this, and Peter, writing much later, inserted the only "be very diligent" in the Scriptures, exhorting all to be "sure of their election and calling." Very diligent doing what? Being sure implies having faith, which comes from hearing God speak, so we are advised. Thus, the most direct way to know about one's "election and calling" would be to ask God to speak to you about the matter. "He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own." (from a famous hymn).
Can it be that simple? "Hey, God, or whatever spiritual beings who might be out there and in charge of a heavenly place of truth and love. Elect me, call me, tell me I'm invited to the banquet." When He starts telling you that you are saved, and you accept what He says by repeating it back to Him (confessing it), you're in.
When He starts talking, I do recommend that you ask Him about the following scriptures:
My sheep know My voice.
The rich man was excluded from heaven because he had Moses and the prophets, but ignored them.
Those who don't forgive are not forgiven.
Those who say they know God, but do not keep His commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them. and, All liars have their place in the lake of fire.
I never knew you, begone from Me all you who practise lawlessness.
Never forgetting, of course, that if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Admitting that you cannot forgive someone, but ought to, is actually to be counted as forgiving them. Ditto with keeping the commandments, etc.
Most of us, as we are, are undesirable dinner guests. God is not much interested in having us as house guests for eternity, as we are. But He made us to be different than the way we are, and if we choose, we can become actually fairly decent company. We just have to choose the life He created us for, instead of the life we have chosen for ourselves.
I say all this because any who find it helpful, and end up seated next to me at the great banquet, will be great fun. A real treasure. And those who examine the choice set before them, and choose to not seek Him and His voice, will make the Judge's task on judgment day oh ever so much easier. Nothing like an open and shut case. So many, Yeshua noted, on that day will try to exclaim, "Oh, I didn't know! Why didn't you tell me?"
So, ask Him already!
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