“HEAVEN IS REAL” by Todd Burpo IS A DECEPTION

And it is on the best-seller list!  Jo Anne Lyon , General Superintendent of the Weslayan Church writes:

“Colton’s story could have been in the New Testament--but God has chosen to speak to us in this twenty-first century through the unblemished eyes of a child, revealing some of the mysteries of heaven.  The writing is compelling and the truth astonishing, creating a hunger for more.”

 Should we run with the crowd  to accept the testimony of things that are unlawful for a man to speak?  Please consider these words of the apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to THE THIRD HEAVEN.

2 Corinthians 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

2 Corinthians 12:4 HOW THAT HE WAS CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE, AND HEARD UNSPEAKABLE WORDS, WHICH IT IS NOT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO UTTER.

Matthew Henry says:

“This account which the apostle gives us of his vision should check our curious desires after forbidden knowledge, and teach us to improve the revelation God has given us in his word. Paul himself, who had been in the third heaven, did not publish to the world what he had heard there, but adhered to the doctrine of Christ: on this foundation the church is built, and on this we must build our faith and hope.”

Since we are told to “Prove all things and hold fast that which is good.”  Let us examine the purpose of the book “Heaven is for Real”  By Todd Burpo and see why it is flawed.  It is advertised as “A little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back.”  In praise of it, Ron Hall writes:

“A beautifully written glimpse into heaven that will encourage those who doubt and thrill those who believe.” 

 Friends, we either have faith --or we don’t have faith.  The Bible tells us that faith is a gift from God.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”  Ephesians 2:8

Genuine faith comes from hearing the word of God:

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Please notice that the obedience of the faith comes from hearing the word of God --not the testimony of a person  who would  come back from the dead.   In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus Jesus said exactly that:

Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, IF THEY HEAR NOT MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, NEITHER WILL THEY BE PERSUADED, THROUGH ONE ROSE FROM THE DEAD.“

The truth is that Colton, under the influence of drugs [anesthesia], had an experience with familiar spirits that gave him the information that he described. Fallen angels and demons also know many secrets of the past.

Satan is using  Colton’s testimony  to seduce Christians from the Father’s truth and is drawing them into  necromancy and sorcery that will destroy their souls.

NECROMANCY AND SORCERY ARE AN ABOMINATION TO GOD.

A necromancer is one who claims to be able to foretell the future by communicating with the spirits of the dead and a sorcerer receives his forbidden knowledge through the influence of drugs.  Necromancy and sorcery are forbidden in the Bible and are an abomination unto the LORD.  (Deut 18:10-12)
 
The Almighty God is the fountain of all truth.   Christians, this question must be asked:  Do you love the truth --or do you love a lie?  

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that THEY may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Only those who do God’s commandments may enter - In Colton Burpo’s version of heaven there were people in heaven who did NOT keep God’s commandments.

CONCLUSION:  Faith and Repentance are gifts from God that come from hearing the Word of God. When faith is tested and approved, a person receives the crown of life. 

On the other hand,  Satan uses necromancy and drugs to lead people into witchcraft and rebellion that will destroy their souls.

Donna Kupp

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.


*SORCERERS - Pharmakos, an adjective signifying “devoted to magical arts,” is used as a noun, a sorcerer, especially one who uses drugs, potions, spells,  enchantments,  Rev.21:8, in the best texts (some have pharmakeus) and 22:15.

dk