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...