I would consider this sign unnecessary; but that is just me. There are all sorts of people in this world, some who will look for God, some who will reject the almighty. I don't understand the last group, because it makes sense to me to at least hedge your bets and acknowledge him. Why? Because if you are wrong in doing so, then you are no worse off. However, if God does exist (and of course he does) then you will inherit heaven if you obey his will. But, not everyone thinks the same, so you choose!! Jesus told a parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) that encompassed everyone out there and it focused on the true sign that leads to heaven- THE WORD OF GOD!!!!
Matthew, Chapter 13 (WEB)
1 On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3 He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” ...
18 “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
The groups of people are:
1. Those who don't listen vs. 19
2. Those who don't truly believe vss. 20f.
3. Those who have mixed up priorities vs. 22
4. Those who believe and act on the WORD vs. 23
Dear friend- what direction are you headed in and which group would you honestly place yourself in?
Your life, your choice.
Need another sign?
How about Jesus' resurrection from the dead?
Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16; Luke 24:1-27; John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11