The kingdom of Heaven is the promise that is central to all Christian religions: after death, souls have a chance of salvation with Jesus and God regardless of many things, including their social standing on Earth. It is ironic that Dickens includes this as the sermon that Pip hears on his day of departure. It is ironic because even if Pip is able to achieve his status as “a gentleman,” his status in Heaven is apt to be no different than if he were to remain a commoner. In fact, in the reading being alluded to, the rich man does not in fact end up in heaven, because he was so greedy and mean-hearted during his lifetime. Matthew 19:23 plainly states that it is “hard for the rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
Source:
Matthew. King James Bible. Print.
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