Tag Archives: Hell

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Religion, Religious, Spiritual

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Most humans are focused on the here and now as it concerns their day-to-day life. We each have a routine that we adhere to, and some of us do so religiously. However, in the midst of the daily grind as it has been called, there is the inevitable presence of the “afterlife.” In many different religions, the afterlife is a place or a metaphysical condition that follows life here on Earth. Concerning Christianity, the Bible makes it clear that there are two destinations when a person leaves their Earthly body. Heaven is the eternal resting place that all who have given their lives to Jesus will spend eternity in the presence of God. Hell on the other hand is the place where those who rejected Christ and a relationship with God find eternal damnation and torment.

Regardless of what different religions ascribe to as the afterlife, the Bible which is the only authoritative truth speaks clearly as to what two directions are possible concerning humanity. In the Matthew 25:46 it says,

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Notice the two words mentioned in each of those scriptures. “Eternal life” and “Heaven” are meant to denote the reward and provision that God makes for those who choose to follow Him through Christ. Heaven is by God’s design and it is meant only for those who accept Jesus Christ. It is important to also understand that it is God’s desire that we experience a relationship with Him through Christ, and this also means that when our Earthly lives are finished, we have the opportunity to be present with the Lord.

However, Hell is also a destination only meant for those who refuse to acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ. Revelation 20:15 says “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Matthew 10:28 says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Hell which is directly mentioned in the Bible is a place of eternal torment and separation from God. It was not ever designed for God’s creation, but it is a place that many go to due to their choice of rejecting Christ. The reason that Hell was established in the first place was to be a holding place for anyone who followed Satan. According to 2 Peter 2:4, there were fallen angels (who made the decision to defect and follow after Satan during his rebellion against God) who were banished into captivity in Hell. Anyone who stands in opposition against God and dies in that condition will find their same fate in Hell.

The Bible makes it clear that there are two roads that we as humans will find our eternity in. Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose again so that we could have eternal life with God in Heaven. It is through the bloodshed of Christ that we can have our sins forgiven. However, anyone who does not accept Christ’s sacrifice will be eternally separated from God and fiery torment will be felt. God does not wish that any man or woman perish. Rather, God desires to have a relationship with us through His son Jesus.

Do you know Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sins? If not, today is a great day to give your heart and life to the Lord. Tomorrow is not promised, which means that none of us knows when our time on Earth is finished. You can have eternal assurance in your destination and that can be known through accepting Jesus Christ and living your life in service unto the Lord. Where will you spend eternity?

The Good News – What Exactly is it?

20 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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Everyone likes to hear good news because it signifies that something pleasant has occurred.  Good news could be that you will receive a raise or a promotion on your job.  It may mean that you received a positive diagnosis from your doctor after getting a negative report.  Good news essentially means that a person’s fortune or current status in life has improved from a previous status. It is the positivity of any news story that provides joy, hope, and an elevated outlook towards the future.

It is the same type of hope and joy that can be found when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is examined.  What does the term, ‘Gospel’ mean and how does it translate into ‘The Good News?’ In the book of Mark Chapter 16, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is recorded. In this chapter, there is an account of Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome. The three women purchase burial spices in order to anoint the body of Jesus in the tomb. According to verses 3-4, they find that the stone which had been in front of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away.

In verses 5-6, they encounter an angel of the Lord. They are told by the angel that Jesus is not dead but alive.  They were then given the instructions to go to Peter and the rest of the Disciples to deliver the news. However, because they were too frightened, they did not deliver the instructions right away as they had been told. The next day, Mary Magdalene is the first to see Jesus. Mark 16: 9-11 says the following:

(NLT) “After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.”

Notice that the initial reaction of the Disciples was that they did not believe the news that was given. However, Jesus scolds the Disciples and gives them instructions in verses 14-15:

(NLT) “Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” 

This particular translation uses the phrase, ‘Good News’, however, other translations use the term, ‘Gospel’.  Essentially, the term ‘Gospel’ means, ‘Good News’. The word ‘euangelion’ is Greek for the word, ‘Gospel’.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is considered the ‘Good News’.  However, why does Jesus use that phrase, and why does He instruct the Disciples to go into all of the world to preach this ‘Good News’?

If you look at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in its essence, it was an occurrence in human history that forever changed the dynamic of humanity’s initial destiny which was that of destruction. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was the very act that repaired the chasm that existed between God and humanity. John 3:16 which is one of the most quoted Bible verses, simply states that it was the act of God’s love that gave humanity an opportunity to be redeemed through Jesus Christ. ‘The Good News’ is that Jesus Christ came to die for the sins of the world so that you and I could be redeemed and set free from our sin.

However, the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t simply a New Testament occurrence. ‘The Good News’ is actually for both the Old and New Testament because the Gospel goes as far back to the book of Genesis.  The reason why sin entered into the Earth originally was due to Adam & Eve’s disobedience.  Thus, the generation of every person after Adam & Eve, inherited the sinful nature that exists within the world today. Based on that fact, humanity was destined for destruction because of the original condition of being in sin. That is obviously the bad news.

It is important to note that even in the Old Testament of the Bible, there were prophecies of Jesus Christ coming to save humanity from its sinful condition. For example, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied of the 1st coming of Christ:

Isaiah 9:6

(NLT) “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The above scripture is a direct prophecy of the 1st coming of Jesus Christ. Basically, the Gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t limited to the New Testament of the Bible, but it encompasses the entirety of God’s Word.  It was always in God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ, even before He came to the Earth to die and rise again. So, the point is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed good news for all of humanity. The reason why it is called ‘The Good News’ is because, we as humans now have a way of avoiding destruction.

In our sinful state, we are unable to have fellowship or communion with God. It is because of our sin, that we are separated from truly knowing God in an authentic relationship.  However, when Jesus Christ came to die, the power that sin had over humanity was broken.  Christ was the advocate who took the punishment and death that was ours to pay. It was because of Christ’s willingness to become sin for us, that you and I now have an opportunity to be cleansed of our sin through His precious blood.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed ‘The Good News’ for the entire world. Nowhere else in human history will there ever be a greater love than God’s love, and a greater story of redemption. By birth, you and I were born into sin and it is because of that reality that we deserve destruction.  However, the destruction that is pending can be cancelled upon the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior.

Unfortunately, there are many Pastors and even Christians who have not adequately expressed or shown the world what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. There are those who have either watered down the Gospel or have not taken the time to focus on it which, in essence, rejects Christ’s original instruction. Jesus’ original instruction to the Disciples was to preach the Gospel unto all of the nations.  That should be the goal of every Christian because ‘The Good News’ is meant to be spread unto all of humanity.  Not spreading this ‘Good News’ only means that many will be unaware of the reality of Hell and destruction.  Also, by not adhering to Jesus’ instructions, many are missing out on knowing God in an authentic relationship for themselves.

Do you know Jesus as your Lord & Savior?  If you have not accepted Christ’s sacrifice, you have an opportunity.  The bad news is that you are destined for Hell and eternal separation from God’s presence if you do not accept Christ’s sacrifice.  However, the good news is, that Jesus Christ is your way out of such a horrid destiny.  The price has already been paid.  Reach out to Jesus and confess before Him that you are a sinner in need of His saving grace. When you do that, you will be saved, and you will be able to declare the Gospel to another lost soul. This in turn perpetuates the opportunity toward those who will be forever changed because of Jesus Christ.

Maximizing the Time That You Have Before Its Too Late – Choosing Jesus Christ

14 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-1002578If you have ever had a job interview or an appointment that was of importance, you would have taken the extra steps to make it to your destination on time. To be on time or early, is to prepare ahead of time so that you do not miss an important opportunity. So, this means that you will ensure that before the time of your appointment, you would have planned ahead in the event of an un-forseen disaster.  For example, en route to your destination there might be a car accident impeding your progress. However, because you were well prepared, you were able to move beyond the accident and make it to your appointment on time.

However, what if you did not prepare before your appointment? What if you took it for granted that you would make it to your meeting on time and decided not to leave your home with a sense of urgency? The chances are, you would likely be tardy to your appointment, which would have a set of negative ramifications. Most know that if you were to show up to a job interview late, you would not be considered for the position. The reason is because your lateness disqualifies you in addition to it being a signifier to the employer that you may repeat the pattern if hired.

Spiritually speaking, there is an element of “waiting too late” to make a decision concerning your eternity.  In the scripture of Matthew 25: 1-13, Jesus is teaching by using a parable.  In this passage, He illustrates the “Parable of the Ten Virgins.” There is much that both Christians and non-Christians can learn from this parable. Starting with the first few verses, Jesus says the following:

Verses 1-5:

(ESV) “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.”

So, here you have 10 virgins in which 5 were wise, and 5 were unwise. Notice that verse 5 says, “As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.”  This is of importance because it suggests that we are all given time by God to prepare for eternity. So, verse 5 says that the bridegroom was delayed, which meant that there was time for preparation.  However, in the earlier verses, 5 virgins were unprepared and did not fill their lamps with oil. 

Verses 6-9:

(ESV) “But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'”

In verse 6, we see that the bridegroom finally appears at the appointed time. The wise virgins were the individuals who were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom. However, the foolish virgins were unprepared, and they attempted to get oil from the other 5 virgins.  However, they were unsuccessful in their request, and they are told to get oil elsewhere.

Verses 10-13:

(ESV) “And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The unwise virgins made a final attempt to purchase oil, but as they were purchasing the oil, the bridegroom arrived, and it was too late to gain entry to the wedding feast. As the end of verse 11 says, the virgins cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” but verse 12 says, “But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”

The lesson that we can all take from this parable is that we must be prepared for our eternity. Whether you are in Christ or not, there is an urgency that we all must have concerning where we end up after our physical life is done.  The passage of the 10 virgins is critical because it shows what can happen when you are prepared and unprepared.

For the virgins who were prepared, they were able to gain access to the wedding feast. However, for those who were not prepared, they were denied access and they were told the exact words that God gives in Matthew 7: 21-23.  This scripture is similar to Matthew 25, because the concept is that there will be those who will wait until it is too late to gain entry into Heaven, and will find that their tardiness will be met with denial.

Basically, in both Matthew 25 and Matthew 7, the reality for those who are unprepared is that they will not be received into the Kingdom of God.  Only those who have chosen Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior on Earth will be granted everlasting life and will abide in God’s presence forever. Undoubtedly, there will be those who leave this Earth, and will have left without choosing Jesus Christ.

They will be the same individuals that will stand before God’s seat of judgment, making a plea with Him to avoid the fiery depths of Hell.  However, as verse 23 says in Matthew 7, God will say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” The point is that God does not recognize anyone who has not willfully given their lives over to Christ.  He only recognizes those who have accepted the gift of life which is Jesus Christ.

You and I, we have time because we are yet breathing.  However, there will come a day when our lives will end.  When your life is over, do you want to stand before God knowing that you have given your life to Jesus and that your eternity is secure?  Or will you stand before Him in judgment, hearing the words “I never knew you, depart from me.”? The great thing about God is that He gives everyone an opportunity.  Just like the 5 foolish virgins had the time to prepare, you have time to secure your eternity in Heaven with God.

This scripture and principle can also be applied to the coming of Jesus Christ. The truth is, that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. No one knows exactly when He will return, but we can all be assured that He will.  Various signs are swirling around us daily, which points to the approaching return of Jesus Christ. So, just like the 5 wise virgins we must be ready for Christ’s return.

It would be unfortunate to live a life toiling away to reach status, self-satisfaction, and pleasure only to lose your soul at the end of it. All of us have something in common – we are each given 24 hours a day to live. The difference between all of our lives is that none of us knows when our time will end. Your time may come today, tomorrow, next week, or next year. However, regardless of when your time on Earth is over, you have a choice.

You can choose Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sins and be eternally secured. Or you can continue a path without God which is one that is destined for Hell and eternal separation from God. The choice is yours and yours alone. Even for those of us who are in Christ, we must ensure that we are living wisely, by discerning our own relationship with God. We must please God with everything we have so that we will be greeted with affirming words of how we lived from our Heavenly Father. All of us, must choose. Choose Jesus Christ before you lose the gift of time which is your God given opportunity.