When did Heaven turn into an exclusive club?

The 'mystery' and 'gnosis' elements of salvation religions meant that exclusivity was an integral part of the paradigm by the time Christianity was developed.

Pocket summary is that salvation from an otherwise inevitable fate was possible through membership in that group, participation in their secret rites and sharing in the group's esoteric revelations. One could be a member of more than one mystery (at least if you were prestigious enough), but the rites and teachings were exclusive.

Your question is reminiscent of the on-going battle between "salvation" and "works" which is what separates a great many sects of Christianity.

But what separates "believers" from "non-believers" as far as getting into Heaven is that BELIEVERS feel that they have EARNED it and would not want to share it with someone who didn't.

So to answer your question it is that "earning" heaven either through works, salvation, or both that makes Heaven an exclusive club for believers.

What's the point in having religions if ANYONE can get into the country club?

Jesus' words:

John 3:16-18 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

Jesus hung with the scum of the earth in His time. He sought out those with no purpose, some of which could have cared less if they lived or died. He knew one of his own would betray and have him killed one day and yet loved him anyways. Heaven isn't an exclusive club, anyone can get in through Jesus. Just ask Jesus to forgive every time you've ever messed up and ask Him to fix you; He will take you in with open arms no matter your past or present and will change you. But you can't expect to just walk in the door, whether you claim to be Christian or not.

The Old Man and His Dog ~Author Unknown

An old man and his dog were walking along a country road, enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to the man that he had died. He remembered dying, and realized, too, that the dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road would lead them, and continued onward. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall, white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward the gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, but is this heaven?" "Yes, it is, sir," the man answered. "Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked." Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open. "I assume my friend can come in..." the man said, gesturing toward his dog. But the reply was, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets." The man thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going. After another long walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside, sitting in the shade of a tree in a rickety old chair, reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?" "Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home." "How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog. "He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the pump," he said. They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a dipper hanging on it and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a long drink himself. When both were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked. "This is heaven," was the answer. "Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven, and there's another man down the road who said that place was heaven." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?" "Yes, it was beautiful." "Nope. That's hell." "Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?" "No. I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."

ME!

.

Admittedly, I have some strange ideas about what

*could* be heaven (in terms of science, though)...

but one thing I stand by is that (if there is such a

place as heaven, or an afterlife) everyone should

be allowed in. I do not like exclusive clubs. I like

lots of variety in life, and would want it if there's

an afterlife.

So, I wouldn't like it.

Yes, a place of unconditional love would be nice.

One is neither happy or sad in Heaven. Heaven, as Jesus said, is not a place but a state of Being, a state of conscious awareness of What Is instead of what appears to be. I've never met yet, a Christian who believes what Jesus said about many things. In fact I have heard them respond, "I don't care what He said, I believe what I I've been told." I believe the outcome of their belief will be surprise and dismay, a crushing blow to the ego/mind that was never overcome. And again, as Jesus said, only those who have died to the ego/mind level of being will see Heaven. I believe He put it like this; "When you overcome the world, even as I have overcome, then shall I no longer send you out,,," into the experience of separation from God.

Namaste'

Heaven sucks.

This is probably why Lucifer rebelled. HIs "non serviam" had the logic of Groucho Marx : I refuse to be a member of a club that would have me as a member .....

If most of us believed or even perceived THAT, we'd have Heaven on Earth. YES!

God's conditions have always been the same. love and worship and to follow His commands.

One day Heaven will be comprised of Old Testament Saints, The Bride of Christ, Tribulation Saints and Israel.

Tribulation Saints(those who dwell on the earth and choose salvation) and Israel will come to Jesus Christ during the Tribulation.

When the religion that invented it,

turns into an organization.