Book Review on Heaven is so Real!
by Mark Andrew
Click on the Back Cover for larger view
A book entitled "Heaven Is So Real!" by Choo Thomas has been claimed to be a revelation from Lord Jesus, or "another Jesus"? My prayer is that may the Holy Ghost anoint your eyes of understanding and open your heart and mind, as you read on, so that only the truth shall be revealed to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
The aforesaid book is divided into three parts namely Part One: Visitations and Visions (154 Pages: 1 - 154 ), Part Two: Preparation and Anointing (154 Pages: 157-195), and Part Three: Three years of Ministry Training (53 Pages: 199 - 251). As you can see, it is not a book solely on visions or revelations and prophecy. It also comprises about the visitations of her Lord and 3 years of ministry training!
Rev. Dr. David Yonggi Cho, Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Korea may have realised the doctrinal discrepancies of the book in the light of the Holy Bible. He wrote this statement in his "Foreword" in the book: "Please do not consider this a theological thesis or a book on doctrine. Just read it and enjoy it as the author's personal experience and testimony about what she has seen and heard in heaven."
Having been told that it is not a book on doctrinal teaching, then what book is it? But the author says it is her Lord's book; she said her lord is Lord Jesus Christ. A pastor of a church interprets that "Jesus' book" means "simply, the message of Jesus in book form". But in the context of the book narrated by the author, the term "Jesus' book" means more than a book of message inspired by Jesus. The book told us that Jesus was the person who determines what to be written and what not to be written. In other words, Jesus was an originator of the book who has chosen a spokeswoman or prophetess, to convey His message to the world. Jesus was reportedly in control of the book from the time of writing the manuscripts, cover design to publication, marketing and distribution. It is this kind of standard which is understood by the readers of the book. So we have to test it against the Holy Scripture and determine whether or not there is any truth in it. For a book to be claimed as the Lord's book, it must be consistent with the Holy Bible; no internal contradictions and external contradictions. Any book which claimed to be God's words are subject to this basic evaluation and critique. The author wrote at the end of the Preface in the book: " Evaluate my experiences in the light of the Word of God. I believe you will find that the things I share about heaven and my experiences with the Lord are thoroughly biblical. -- Choo Thomas Tacoma, Washington February, 1997"
In accordance with the advice of the author, I am doing just what the author requested the Readers to do after reading her book. I have read many spiritual books but have never wrote a book review. This is the only book that challenges me to evaluate the author's experiences in the light of the Holy Bible - the Word of God. My heart will never be at rest until I complete this book review. Take notice that all my scriptural quotations are taken from King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible.
The author claimed that it is her Lord's book (Jesus' book) in the following accounts:
1) The Lord of the author said: “Now you know why, My daughter. I want you to concentrate on the book, with no interruptions. This book is very important to Me, and it will be a special blessings for My children. Whatever you do, I want you to talk to Me first. Everything about this book has to be My will.” (Reference: Page 9 Para 3)
2) Her Lord said: “ From now on, Choo Nam, I want you to stop worrying. I do not want you to worry about anything. Some people will not believe you, but you don’t need to worry about that. My daughter, I am simply using you for this book. It is My book and I will take care of it.” (Page 80 Para 4)
3) Her Lord said: “My daughter, I don’t want you to ever worry about anything. Just leave everything to Me. As I have told you, this is My book, and it will be done according to My will.” (Page 108 Para 2)
4) Her Lord said: “This book is about all My words and the kingdom I have prepared for whoever wants to come. Everything is already prepared.
“This book must be written by a Spirit-filled person. My daughter, if you were not under the special power of my Holy Spirit, I could never use you for the work. …” (Page 116, Para 4-5)
5) The author said: The message that Jesus gave to John was the same as the one He gave to me. This is the message that the Lord wants me to share with everyone who will listen: “Behold, I am coming quickly Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:7). (Page 94 Para 5)
6) Her Lord said: “ I see that My Book is doing well. Did you write down the name of the book that I gave you?” (Page 119 Para 10)
7) Her Lord said:” I want you to write down exactly what I show you and tell you. Nothing more and nothing less…” (Page 121 Para 4)
In view of the foregoing facts, I am convinced that it is not a book of an individual's experiences "in the spirit". It is a book claimed to belong to Jesus. Having read through the book, I must say that the author is honest, obedient and one chosen for the end-time ministry. She loved the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul. The question is which lords is she serving? Lord Jesus already warned his apostles that during the end-time there are false Christs and false prophets in the world. As much as we would like to believe in the end-time message from the Lord Jesus, we should heed His warning that false Christs who shall come in His name to deceive even the very elect and "another Jesus" may be preached.
Apostle Paul, who had an encounter with Lord Jesus personally, wrote in his epistle to II Corinthians as follows:
| 11:4 | For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. |
| 11:5 | For I suppose I was not a whit {least} behind the very chiefest apostles. |
Apostle Paul in epistle to Galatians, wrote:
| 1:7 | Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. |
| 1:8 | But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. |
| 1:9 | As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. |
| 1:10 | For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. |
| 1:11 | But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. |
| 1:12 | For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. |
Why this Book Review?
The objective of this review is to tell all book readers of "Heaven is So Real!" to judge it against the Holy Bible which is the inspired words of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness". At the onset, we shall adopt the standard of the Mosaic laws whereby the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses are necessary to establish every word that is in doubt. Moses says, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” -- (Deuteronomy 17:6). Jesus says, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. “-- (Matthew 18:16).
Who are we to judge the author's claim about her Lord's book?
Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:29 that while 2 or 3 prophets speak at a time, the other judge the prophecy. In this context, it is not other prophet will judge the prophecy, it is the other members in the church who have the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and inner witness by the Spirit of truth. Apostle Paul's words are the commandments from God and believers have to heed it lest we are deceived by the Spirit of deceptions.
| 14:29 | Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. |
| 14:37 | If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. |
Apostle John advised Christians not to believe every spirit but to try the spirits. By this commandment, we are authorised by God to safeguard from being deceived by an angel of light by testing the spirits and the "fruit of the spirits". To test or not to test the spirits? In 1 John 4:1-3, Apostle John wrote:
| 4:1 | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try {test} the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. |
| 4:2 | Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: |
| 4:3 | And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. |
As true Christians, we have to heed the warning from our Lord Jesus about false Christs. Little is mentioned in the Bible about his appearance but we are told about his work that he "shall deceive many". Lord Jesus did not promise to return until the end of the age. Apostle Matthew testified that there shall be false Christs during the end-time:
Matthew 24:4-5 & 24-25
| 24:4 | And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. |
| 24:5 | For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. |
| 24:24 | For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. |
| 24:25 | Behold, I have told you before. |
In Mark 13:3-6, we heard the same warning about false Christs. So there is a true Saviour and false saviour; true prophecy and false prophecy - a counterfeit!
| 13:3 | And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, |
| 13:4 | Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? |
| 13:5 | And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: |
| 13:6 | For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. |
Why we should not be deceived by false Christs or false prophets?
In 2 John 1:9-11, Apostle John warns us that if we do not abide in the teaching of Christ, we do not have God. Do not attend to false prophets or false teachers as we shall be guilty of partaker of evil deeds.
| 1:9 | Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. |
| 1:10 | If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: |
| 1:11 | For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. |
Revelation 20:10 tells us that false prophets and their deceived ones {partakers} will be thrown to the lake of fire and brimstone. Those who are deceived will follow the false prophets to the lake of fire.
| 19:20 | And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. |
| 20:10 | And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. |
In Matthews 7:19-23, Lord Jesus told us that:
| 7:19 | Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. |
| 7:20 | Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. |
| 7:21 | Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. |
| 7:22 | Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? |
| 7:23 | And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. |
Matthews 24:11
| 24:11 | And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. |
A Pastor who commented on the book (http://cdpc.org.my/interfaith.php?tid=32
under Extra biblical Revelation), interpreted that the author's
mention of “Jesus’
book” simply, message of Jesus in the book form. "That leads us to
consider the operation of revelations", he wrote.
The Pastor further stated that there are still revelations by God today (1 Cor 14:26). But these
revelations or prophecies will always be subjected to the teaching in the
Scripture already revealed to us. .. the way we weigh and judge
prophecy/revelation is:
There are 5 points which must be fulfilled in order to accept the prophecy or revelation as the word from the living God. If it falls short of one, then we shall treat it as a lie or false message.
I am not debating that God cannot use a corrupted book or book riddled with doctrinal errors, to save souls from Hell. God can use anything, angels or anybody to accomplish His will. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ wrote (in James 2:25-26) about Rahab a prostitute who by faith and accompanied by works bring justification. By faith Rahab was justified and did not perished.
| 2:25 | Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? |
| 2:26 | For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. |
Hebrew 11:31, Apostle Paul said:
| 11:31 | By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. |
God has even used a sinful woman to save His people. So I am not surprised that God speaks to His people through unbiblical books. But the danger is that all liars will go to Hell and those who spread lies are in danger of Hell's fire.
Who shall be cast into Hell to be tormented forever?
Nevertheless, let us examine Revelation 21:7-8 so as to determine who will be cast into the lake of fire and burning sulphur in Hell.
| 21:7 | He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. |
| 21:8 | But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. |
Apostle John repeated the message of warning to all liars in Revelation 21:27
| 21:27 | And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. |
Apostle John in Revelation 22:14-15 says that liars do not enter the Holy city of God
| 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. |
| 22:15 | For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. |
We notice that Revelation 21:8 & 27 and 22:15 reiterates the kinds of people who will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulphur that torment for eternity. The standard of God includes to expel whosoever loves and makes a lie; you see a single lie commited wilfully (Hebrew 10:26) will be landed in the lake of burning fire in Hell together with all liars and other evil doers.
In Hebrew 10:26-27, Apostle Paul warned that if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us.
| 10:26 | For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, |
| 10:27 | But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. |
When we repent and seek God for forgiveness, in 1 John 2:1-2, Apostle John said:
| 2:1 | My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: |
| 2:2 | And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. |
True Christian does not practise sin. In 1 John 3:8-10, Apostle John says
| 3:8 | He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. |
| 3:9 | Whosoever is born of God doth not commit {practise} sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. |
| 3:10 | In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. |
In 1 John 5:18, Apostle John says whosoever is born of God does not sin.
| 5:18 | We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. |
Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19-21 tells that:
| 5:19 | Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, |
| 5:20 | Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, |
| 5:21 | Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. |
Who shall enter Heaven - the kingdom of God?
In John 3:1-8, this is the discourse between Nicodemus and Lord Jesus about born-again in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
| 3:1 | There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: |
| 3:2 | The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. |
| 3:3 | Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. |
| 3:4 | Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? |
| 3:5 | Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. |
| 3:6 | That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. |
| 3:7 | Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. |
| 3:8 | The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. |
In Matthew 5:3, Lord Jesus said:
| 5:3 | Blessed are the poor {humble} in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
In Galatians 5:22-23, Apostle Paul says
| 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, |
| 5:23 | Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. |
When you hear such statement, it may not be true because we know that some thing good may come out of evil. As we read in Acts 16:16-18 about the damsel (young unmarried woman) possessed with unclean spirit of divination, yet she proclaimed the truth about Apostle Paul and Silas as servants of the most high God who showed us the way of the salvation.
| 16:16 | And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: |
| 16:17 | The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. |
| 16:18 | And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. |
We shall examine the book and determine as whether or not it is consistent with the Holy Bible.
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