Lauren Green (Fox News) Interviews Dr. David Jeremiah

This summary, based on Dr. David Jeremiah’s teaching on his book, The Promise of Heaven, presents a clear, biblical exploration of eternity, emphasizing that every person is born with a deep, inherent “eternity hole” that only God can fill. Through an interview conducted in the dynamic center of Time Square, the message contrasts the brokenness and chaos of the world with the assurance, joy, and exciting activity promised in heaven.

1. The Universal Hunger for Eternity

The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God has created eternity in our heart. This internal space belongs to heaven and to God.

• Unfulfilled Chasing: People often try to find fulfillment in temporal, worldly things, running around chasing immediate satisfaction. However, as illustrated by Tom Brady’s question after winning multiple Super Bowls, “Is that all there is?”, chasing worldly success ultimately leaves people unfulfilled because they were not created to be satisfied that way.
• Divine Design: God never created humanity to be satisfied solely with this world; He created people to be ultimately satisfied with His presence. The Bible promises that in the presence of the Lord is joy forever more.
• The World’s Chaos: The constant noise, sirens, and activity of places like Time Square serve as a reminder of the world’s brokenness. Heaven, in contrast, is the place where we find peace.

2. The Exclusive Path to Heaven: Jesus is “The Way”

The primary message of the study is the necessity of receiving God’s singular plan for salvation.

Jesus’s Unique Claim

Jesus stated explicitly: “I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the father except through me”.

• Not One of the Ways: Jesus did not claim to be “one of the ways” or promise to “show you the way,” but insisted, “I am the way”.
• The Reservation: Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, asking for the forgiveness of sin, and allowing Him to live within one’s life is how an individual punches their ticket to heaven and makes their reservation. This decision must be made during one’s lifetime; there is no chance to make this choice after death.
• The Exclusivity Principle: The exclusivity of salvation through Christ should not be surprising. Just as God created physical life requiring the exclusive combination of sperm and egg, He created spiritual life requiring the exclusive combination of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
• Availability: While the path is narrow, it is available to anyone who wishes to come. God is not willing that any should perish.

Confronting Other Beliefs and the Problem of Works

The secular view that all religions are equal is difficult for many to overcome. However, Christianity is not presented as a religion (human attempts to reach God) but as a relationship.

• The Failure of Works: Every religion, except Christianity, attempts to reach God through works (self-effort or being “good”). This is a “full hardy endeavor” because God is perfect and requires that same standard. Since no human can achieve this standard, God sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who passed the test 100% on the cross.
• Receiving the Score: If people put their trust in Jesus, He gives them His perfect score. Salvation is a free gift provided, paid for, and invented by God.
• Gospel vs. Advice: The gospel is good news, not good advice.

3. The Reality of Heaven and Hell

To understand heaven fully, believers must also acknowledge the reality of hell.

• Jesus on Hell: The Bible, and Jesus Himself, spoke more about hell than about heaven. The alternative to choosing the way of Jesus is a place of punishment.
• Heaven as an Actual Place: Heaven is not merely a state of mind, a feeling, or “the best you can do here”. Jesus confirmed that heaven is a place when He said, “In my father’s house are many mansions and I go to prepare this place for you that where I am there you might be also”.