Two types of people exist, Heaven-bound or earthbound. The heaven-bound are those who focus on heavenly things and the life that is to come. These are they who are ‘bound’ for heaven. In other words, they live now for the life to come. The heaven-bound are often told they are too heavenly-minded to be any earthly good. In actuality, this could not be any further from the truth.
While it is true that this group of people no longer receives their marching orders from earthly sources and they rely solely on the Father in heaven to supply their every need, desire, and charge; this special group of people — in desiring to be obedient to leading of the Holy Spirit — are the most helpful to the ‘lost’ of the world. After all, the ‘lost’ are in need of a Savior, and the only ones capable of helping the two meet are those who are sensitive to the Lord’s will. The only way to be able to follow the Lord’s will is to seek it; this requires looking up as a child would to a parent for guidance and direction.
God’s Word makes this clear, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom 8:14, KJV).” [1]
Incredibly, the Lord had a plan for this special group called the church. In fact, Jesus prayed to the Father for those who followed Him in His earthly ministry and those who would believe because of their testimony. In this prayer, the Lord Jesus indicates that the world would know that those who look up are indeed in Christ, even as Christ is in the Father. Jesus provided the primary reason for this group in John 17:21b, “that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” This is only possible when the church desires, communicates, and fulfills the Father’s will, continually. This is further proven elsewhere in Scripture.
The heaven-bound are those chosen by the Lord to salt the earth in order to keep it from utter putrification. They are also the light of the world, set on a hill, in order to show the lost and dying of the world a better way (Matt 5:13-16). Heaven-bound people are very different. In fact, Scripture calls them peculiar people (Titus 2:14), a people who are in the world but not of it; they are just passing through (John 17:14-15). Essentially, the heaven-bound are on earth but are not of its essence. They have decided to transform their minds with the Word of God rather than conform to the ways of the world (Rom 12:1-2).
The earthbound are just the opposite. In fact, they are so bound by the things of the earth that they are literally in bondage to the material world. Earthbound people are often referred to as ‘those who dwell on the earth,’ which indicates they are not only on the earth, but they ‘dwell’ there. Put another way, the earthbound want the earth to be their home. In fact, earthbound people allow the things of the world to conform them to the point that they have no desire for heaven or the things that come after this life, which is but a vapor (James 4:14).
Indeed, the earthbound are they who the book of Revelation calls the ones whose names are not written in the Book of Life (Rev 17:8). This explains the other references to the earthbound or ‘them that dwell upon the earth,’ in the book of Revelation. The earthbound will be tried during the Tribulation (Rev 3:10). They will kill believers during the Tribulation (Rev 6:10). The earthbound, because they reject Christ, will be targeted by the judgments of the Tribulation (Rev 8:13). These will be so enamored by the earth that they rejoice upon the death of the two witnesses whom they believe to be harming the earth and those who dwell upon it (Rev 11:10).
Sadly, these will also worship and take the mark of the beast (Rev 13). The earthbound will even be amazed by the beast (Rev 17:8). Ironically, though they desire to exist on the earth, in the end, they will be cast into the ever-burning lake of fire along with Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and all those whose names are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 20:15; 21:8).
Perhaps the most ironic thing about the earthbound is the fact that they think they are saving the earth when, in fact, the exact opposite is true. Those who would save the earth are actually destroying it as indicated by the fact that God will destroy them that destroy the earth (Rev 11:18).
One perfect example of this is the complete insanity of attempting to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by all things, even cow flatulence. Yes, you read that correctly; those who would save the earth believe that animals produce too much carbon dioxide in the process of turning grass into fertilizer. Ironically, this mindset proves another prophecy about the end times. The apostle Paul prophesied to Timothy that the day would come when some would depart from the faith and fall prey to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, forbidding to marry and to eat meats:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim 4:1-5).
Doctrines of devils are, simply put, doctrines that are contrary to those set forth by God. The previous passage is a great example of this. The Lord says, “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim 4:4-5). Devils, ever contrary, would cause the cessation of eating meat which would have consequences many have not considered.
First, when people begin to believe something is unacceptable, they tend to shy away from it while simultaneously belittling those who disagree. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to see that this mentality will make the aforementioned meat less accessible, which will lead to reduction in availability. Ultimately, one of the most abundant food sources provided by God, for mankind, will be reduced to untouchable.
A secondary effect, stemming from the reduction of cows, will be reduced carbon dioxide. One question should clear up any doubt as to who is destroying the earth as noted by Rev 11:18. What do trees and other green things need to produce oxygen? You guessed it, carbon dioxide. Therefore, reduction of so-called greenhouse gases actually harms the earth that God created to sustain life. In fact, reduction of carbon dioxide will lead to the reduction of oxygen-producing plants, which will lead to the destruction of the earth, which will undoubtedly negatively affect all life on it.
Sadly, those who reject God and His truth will soon fall prey to the most wicked man to ever live. He, the antichrist, will be empowered by Satan himself. This can be seen in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians:
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess 2:7-12).
These are the ‘earthbound’ who take their marching orders from earthly sources. Their end is described throughout the book of Revelation. The coming judgment will not miss them.
This has been a short excursion into the differences between the heaven-bound and the earthbound. Perhaps the simplest way to sum up this discourse is to restate the definition of each. The heaven-bound are those who believe in life after earth, and the earthbound believe the earth is the only hope for their future. Each statement actually enforces what some call an old adage, “Your heart is where your treasure is.” What many do not understand is this is actually Scripture. In fact, Jesus uttered these words when teaching what Matthew recorded:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:19-21).
With this in mind, those bound for heaven think on things that make the God of heaven happy. Put another way, they attempt to live life in a way that pleases God. The opposite is true of those who are earthbound; they live for the now and attempt to create a world of their own liking. Unfortunately, the earthbound tend to fall prey to lies and doctrines of devils because they reject the God of truth.
Which group do you desire to be a member of? Can you see yourself ‘continually’ living the will of the Father? Are you ready to be considered peculiar and out of touch? Will you accept the moniker ‘too heavenly minded to be any earthly good?’ How about the rejection that comes with being in the ‘heaven-bound’ group? Are you ready for that? Or, do you just wish to be left to your own devices so you can live your life the way you see fit? Are you motivated to fit in, and are the latest trends your daily desire? Do you wish to be known as one who desires to ‘save the earth’ because it is your only hope?
Ultimately, each person must choose what to do with their will. The ‘heaven-bound’ will decide to relinquish their will to the Most High God. They will desire to follow His marvelous leadership and become exactly what He desires for them. The ‘earthbound’ will do the exact opposite. They will reject God and His leadership; therefore, they are destined to fall for great deception. Unfortunately, they will become ‘bound’ by the things of the earth and eventually forced to worship the forces of darkness, as seen by the narrative of Revelation chapter thirteen.
Perhaps the best way to conclude is by quoting a well-known passage from Romans:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1-2).
[1] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”