The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Praying for the Dead (Purgatory)

NO ONE goes to "heaven" unless they ARE justified. Additionally, NO ONE goes to "heaven" because they are "sanctified", i.e., they have achieved some prescribed level of righteousness/holiness. For God requires that one be 100% perfect to even have communion with Him, never mind reside in His presence. Thus, as CIB pointed out, it is only by being united to Christ by a true living faith that one is justified and having been justified, they are then accepted by God and "ready for heaven", as you phrased it.

Romans 8:29-30 (ASV) "For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Notice that those whom God justifies are also glorified! Sanctification is immovably wedged between justification and glorification, which is the end of sanctification. The apostle Paul mentions this fact later in his letter to the Corinthians where he wrote to them:

1 Corinthians 1:30 (ASV) "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:"

The short end of it is, a sinner who believes on Christ with a true living faith, which flows from and can only flow from a regenerated soul is immediately declared acceptable, i.e., he/she has been reconciled to God and whenever the Lord has ordained that they leave this earth, they are immediately joined with Christ in the heavenlies to await the final eschaton.

In His grace,