Does our Consciousness continue in Heaven?

[Bathsheba]

Just thinking about this today. I am not motivated to be a "good person" so that I can get to Heaven (just for the record LOL) but say it exists... I don't think i am going to be aware of being there. I don't think I'm going to have my consciousness after i die. Some part of me that I'm not aware of may live on... but not the part that stores my memories etc. Just mulling it over.

What does everyone else think?

[Heaven]

Hmm...good question.
I don't think we go to Heaven straight away when we die. I think our spirits kind of hang around (doing what, I have no idea) and that we are not really 'concious' then.
But then I think at the second coming of Christ we will all be 'resurrected' and the whole judgement day thing like it says in the bible and we will go to 'Heaven' then.

But then, maybe we are concious in that spirit part, coz there are psychic people who talk to these spirits and they talk like they are concious and have all the memories from their life. But then again the bible says we're not supposed to trust that kind of thing, lol.

Wow, I don't know if I made any sense in that last part.

[Bathsheba]

Maybe psychics are only talking to spirits that are still hanging around in a plane between Heaven and Earth? I think, maybe, to go into the heaven dimension you have to relinguish your consciousness? Maybe those spirits aren't prepared to do that yet? Just guessing.

[~Trish~]

Ooh, great question! I totally believe our consciousness will be with us in heaven. I have read lots of accounts of after death experiences (obviously the people were brought back to life LOL) and I have no doubt that we will be aware of everything and essentially be who we are.

A lot of the people who saw heaven described exactly the same thing. They could all think and feel emotions as you would when alive. I think it is all too mind-blowing in that realm to say for sure what it will be like and how it all works! Can't wait to go there though!!

I will have to hunt down the name of the book, but there is a great book full of peoples experiences after they were officially pronounced dead. Some saw heaven, some saw hell and most of the stories described the same thing, it is amazing.

Re: psychics, I think there are some people's spirits that linger for one reason or another (I suppose we will never know for sure), but I also think that some spirits aren't who they say they are.

Anyway, hope my ramblings made sense!

[Bathsheba]

Trish: Do you think those accounts of near death experiences are from souls that actually passed through into Heaven or just were aware of it's close proximity? I'm just wondering whether, if Heaven exists, that our consciousness isn't scientifically possible to cross into that dimension? But thanks for sharing girls please don't read my questions as putting down your beliefs... just trying to nut it out

[Heaven]

but I also think that some spirits aren't who they say they are.

Ahh...yes I think so to, I think in the bible it says you shouldn't see psychics for advice b/c it's often bad spirits impersonating loved ones for their own reasons. Or somewhere I read that.


ETA: Oh ok I found what the bible says (well according to gotquestions.org)

The Bible strongly condemns the practice of spiritism, mediums, occult, psychics, etc. (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). Horoscopes, tarot cards, astrology, fortune tellers, palm readings, seances, etc., fall into this category as well. These practices are based on the concept that there are gods, spirits, or deceased loved ones that can give you advise and guidance. These “gods” or “spirits” are demons (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). The Bible gives us no reason to believe that deceased loved ones can, or would even want to contact us. If they were believers, they are in heaven, enjoying the most wonderful place imaginable – in fellowship with a loving God.

So, if our loved ones cannot contact us, how do mediums, spiritists, psychics, etc. get such accurate information? There have been many “exposes” on psychics. It has been exposed how a psychic can gain immense amounts of information on a person through ordinary means. Sometimes by just using a telephone number through caller ID and then an internet search, a psychic can get names, addresses, dates of birth, dates of marriage, family members, etc. However, it is undeniable that psychics sometimes know things that should be impossible for them to know. Where do they get this information? The answer is - Satan and his demons. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 tells us, “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” Acts 16:16-18 describes a fortune teller who was able to predict the future until the Apostle Paul rebuked a demon out of her.

Satan pretends to be kind and helpful. He tries to appear as something good. Satan and his demons will give a psychic information about a person, in order to get that person hooked into spiritism – something that God forbids. It appears innocent at first, but soon a person finds himself addicted to psychics – allowing Satan to control and destroy their life. 1 Peter 5:8 proclaims, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." In most cases, the psychics themselves are likely deceived, not knowing the true source of the information they receive. Whatever the case, and wherever the source of the information – nothing connected to spiritism, witchcraft, astrology, etc. is God’s intention for us as a means to discover information. How does God want us to discern His will for our life? Simple: (1) Study the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17), (2) Pray for wisdom (James 1:5).

ETA again: oops, sorry Bath, I've gone a bit off track.

[Bathsheba]

Not OT Sarajane Very interesting. Will come back and add when I can...

[mummy of many]

mum of many hubbie here , hi all . yes there is a heaven , i lost my 8 year old son brendan in 2004. i have seen a meduim , well known to some tv shows here in oz and nz . they have told me things that no one would have known about my son,s funeral . from 2004 till now i have been told things that have amazed me , things that has happen since my son passed away. three things that stand out, the clothes brendan was bury in , she said brendan told her that we where two have two more boys ,the year and month they would be born . guess what 2 boys spot on with info. yes i believe in heaven .

[LimeSlice]

I think I will try and stay on topic, SJ as quite frankly the info you posted is quite flawed o me! lol
Being a druid, we believe many things that are considered "Satanic" by the Christian Church, and as such, I find the concept of Bible worship interesting.
I personally believe in spirits, they must exist even according to the Bible, if we are to go to heaven, obviously our bodies dont go, so a higher spirit must exist in order to be able to go to "heaven"

I also believe in reincarnation too. The buddhist notion of living until one reaches Nirvana and then leave the earthly realm is quite interesting and repeats itself in varying guises through many religions too.
I believe that one's conciousness must continue to the "other plane" whatever.whereever that is otherwise there would be no point ot the lessons we learn here on earth.

Ok, so I will go a little of tipic! lol
SJ: If you are interested there is a lot of information about the rituals of christianity that are actually based on those "satanic" offerings , like the Christmas tree, Easter, St Patrick, etc. It is quite interesting to see how the Christian religion as we know it today ( the Roman Catholic Church ) and the Modern Bible was developed and put together by a conference put together by Constantine when it was made to official religion of the Empire in the Fourth Cneturay AD. All sorts of practices were assumed to the Church in order to make it more palatable to the Pagans, it is quite fascinating, if you are interested

MOM Hubby: I'm glad that you have been able to find peace and comfort in the messages from teh other realm. I am sure youre son is a guiding light in your lives everyday Thanks you for sharing.

Bath, great topic! Thanks, this hs really kicked me up the butt with my studies!