- Choo Thomas
-
Sister Choo Nam Thomas is a Korean American and an author of the best selling book called Heaven is so Real. In 1992, she became a Christian and two years later she saw Jesus Christ at her church Neighborhood Assembly of God in Tacoma, Washington. In 1996, she stated that she was taken to heaven, the story of which was published in her book. The book has been translated into 43 languages[citation needed]. It has received significant endorsement from Assemblies of God minister David Yonggi Cho.[citation needed] Many readers have stated that their faith have been impacted by reading her book or by watching her video of the book.[citation needed]
Contents
Visits to Heaven
Over a period of time, Thomas claims to have made a number of visits to Heaven accompanied by Jesus.[1] Although in some instances she stated that these were physical visits,[2] on other occasions she implied that they were out of body experiences as she said that she could see her physical body still lying on her bed while she ascended to Heaven, while in others, she saw her "transformed body" in a vision.[3]
These heavenly visits normally begin in the same manner. She and Jesus walked and talked together on a beach before going onward to Heaven.[4] She often spoke about being given special clothes to wear for her visits.[3] Her visions contained accounts of seeing hell, where she saw both her mother and her father (in hell), mansions, children, Abraham and the Apostles.[5] She went on long walks, ate fruit,[6] and sat at a special pool to speak with Jesus.[7] Her responses to these visits were generally one of awe, humility, and praise - which is expressed in her singing special "heavenly songs".
She stated that it was during these visits that Jesus told her to write the book "Heaven is so Real", which is to be the "last chance for people to realize how soon I (i.e. Jesus) am coming for my people".[8]
Parts of her visits to Heaven were taken up with learning a special dance which Jesus told her to perform during church services. Jesus taught her every move, and every move, turn, twist of the wrist, etc., had to be performed exactly as he instructed her. She claimed that it took her a considerable time to learn every move, and some time longer before she was permitted to do this dance.
The book contains its own apology. Thomas contended that only "spirit filled people" are able to discern the truthfulness of her message,[9] while those who reject her message are under the influence of the devil. She said that she is an "end time Prophetess",[10] and as such all should listen to her, and those who doubt her message are rejecting the word of Jesus.[11] She wrote that Jesus said that those who reject her message are "the doubtful and ones who don't know my Word". She further wrote about the occasion when the Holy Spirit led her to the front of the church to dance and the Pastor took her by the arm and made her sit down and not disturb the congregation. She indicated that Jesus told her to leave this church because, "He didn't believe you because the devil got to him. . . Any pastor who mistreats My special servants and My prophets will not be blessed".[12]
Teachings
Thomas' book states that tithing (the giving of 10% of one's income to the church) is important to Jesus heaven. The tithe is to be on one's gross, not net, pay.[13] She stated, "The Lord has showed and told me clearly that whoever doesn't tithe will not see his face because they love money more than Him". And again, "Any Christian who does not tithe will not be blessed.".[14] However, she stated that those who did tithe would be greatly blessed.[15]
She indicates that "only the obedient" enter heaven,[16] and because tithing is a sign of obedience, those who do not tithe, are not obedient.[17]
She indicates that sickness is often a sign of sin, and that those who are sick need to cast out the devil, pray, search their hearts for sin, and repent.[18] Sickness and problems in one's life are also caused by the devil.[19]
What Heaven is like
- Heaven is a garden, with flowers, tree lined roads, and white fences.[20]
- She states that the food of heaven is fish, and recounts a time when she and Jesus went fishing in heaven.[21] On another trip to heaven she played with the fish.[22] She often talks about Jesus and her going for boat rides in Heaven[23] with Jesus rowing the boat.[24]
- Heaven contains a brown lifeless valley outside heaven where disobedient Christians go (a third eternal destination),[25] while "sinful Christians" are sent to the Lake of Fire.[26]
- She saw a literal "Mansion" which was to be hers in heaven.[27] This idea of Christians having a "Mansion" is taken from John 14:2 in the King James Version of the Bible, "In my Father's house are many mansions." Rather than being a translation of the Greek term μονή in the New Testament, this is a transliteration of the Latin word "mansiones". The modern understanding of the term as a very large house rather than a dwelling place confusing the meaning of the original Greek word and the later Latin for modern readers.
- Jesus dresses for his birthday in Priestly robes on Christmas day.
One of her accounts states that heaven contains a large, warehouse type room, where all aborted babies are kept. Thomas claims that Jesus tells her "I do not like abortion", but if the mothers of these babies are saved, then they can have their babies back. If these women are not saved, then the babies will receive new mothers from those women who are saved and go to heaven.[28]
Writings
- Thomas, Choo. Heaven Is so Real! Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2006. ISBN 978-1591857891
References
- ^ Thomas, Choo, "Heaven is so Real", Charisma House: Lake Mary Fla.; 2006
- ^ Thomas, 113
- ^ a b Thomas, 103
- ^ Thomas, 19
- ^ Thomas, 56
- ^ Thomas, 96
- ^ Thomas, 102
- ^ Thomas, 200
- ^ Thomas, 204
- ^ Thomas, 102, 168
- ^ Thomas, 92
- ^ Thomas, 193
- ^ Thomas, 213
- ^ Thomas, 127
- ^ Thomas, 135
- ^ Thomas, 119
- ^ Thomas, 21
- ^ Thomas, 207
- ^ Thomas, 189
- ^ Thomas, 24
- ^ Thomas, 97
- ^ Thomas, 88
- ^ Thomas, 106
- ^ Thomas 100
- ^ Thomas, 46
- ^ Thomas, 58
- ^ Thomas, 44
- ^ Thomas, 38-39
External links
Categories:- Writers from Tacoma, Washington
- Living people
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
