Are we to think that God wipes away tears once we get to heaven, but we have to die to experience it?
Actually, the teaching that God will wipe away our tears isn't a promise about heaven. It is a promise for now, that extends into the afterlife.
Spiritual Myth-Busters: The Lake of Fire
What is the Lake of Fire? It is assumed that the Lake of Fire is a place of eternal torment, or hell. That is the standard modern definition in most churches in America. But is that true?
I think I can show scripturally and logically that the Lake of Fire is a symbol for the fires that destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
Does God Give Second Chances After Death?
The Healing of Hades and the End of the Lake of Fire!
If You Are Ashamed of Jesus, Will You Go to Hell?
Hell No, We Won't Go! The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
It talks about a great gulf between heaven and hell right, which no one can cross? The rich man is in a place of torment where the flames seem to burn him. Certainly this is a story that God torments people for eternity with flames of fire right?
Except… that there are elements around this story that teach us that this story has zero to do with an idea called hell.
Did Paul Promise Everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord?
2 Thessalonians 1:9 (AKJV), "who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power..."
Is this verse about hell?
No. Who are the ones Paul is speaking of? They are the ones who have been persecuting the Thessalonians. Do you know who that is? It was the apostate-unbelieving Jews (1 Thess. 2:14-16; Acts 17:1-5).
Abide in the Vine or Go to Hell?
Did Jesus threaten to throw you into the fires of hell if you don't abide in the vine? Abide in the vine or go to hell! Stay "in Christ" or burn? Did you put yourself in Christ to begin with? 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus..."
That is really the implication of John 15:1-6 if we don't understand it. Many Christians and unfortunately pastors too, have misinterpreted this passage and placed a weight of fear on believers that they were never intended to carry.