Trending
While sitting at McDonalds I was asked when I was going to have a message that is hell, fire, and brimstone for the newspaper. Unfortunately, through the business of the holidays, I have not submitted an article. I will try to do better in the future.
Revelation 21:8
There are many Bible verses that talk about heaven and hell. When we talk about heaven, we talk about the glorious gathering place of the saints of God. John, the Revelator, was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of this third heaven, with all its splendor, gold, jewels, and everything it has to offer. Revelation 21:4 says God will wipe away all tears. There is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain, and the former way of life has passed away. To me, if this is not the number one selling point for wanting to live the rest of eternity with a God that loves you and his Son that died for you, I would imagine you might as well give up and quit reading this article. I have preached countless funerals and sat at bedsides watching many people die. One thing I know without a doubt, we all have a soul that lives on. When that last breath is breathed, the body takes an instant transformation and becomes exactly what it is called, a dead carcass. The soul has been released for eternal bliss or eternal punishment. You can hope for some sort of judicial reprieve from hell after death, but there is none. The Bible is absolute that your name must be written down in the Book of Life before the last breath is breathed to enter heaven. When we are born, unfortunately we are under the curse of death. Thank you Adam, Eve, and Satan. Refer to Romans 3:21. A judgment took place on the day of original sin. Sinners will not enter into heaven. Those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ can and will. You may say you believe in God, but the devil believes, and he is not going to heaven. Satan is being thrown into the lake of fire with all his henchmen and those who are not named in the Book of Life. You may be foolish enough to say you don't mind going to hell because all your friends will be there. Jesus said himself there will be weeping, crying, and gnashing of teeth in hell. There will be extreme pain, the demons will torture you, and there is no water to drink. Most important of all is the absence of God and the presence of pure hate. At the end of all time, it gets worse. You are thrown into the lake of fire to be tortured by the heat and severe pain of burning but will never die.
Let's look at the requirements of hell. It is extremely easy to get there. Do nothing. Continue with hate toward your neighbor, all sinful attitudes, drinking, carousing, sexual immorality, pride, and selfishness, which each of us were born with.
The requirements to go to heaven are extremely positive, but foreign to our carnal nature. First, we must believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Second, we must realize that without the blood of Jesus being applied to our lives, we are still sinners. Third, the most important part is we must have a contrite and sorrowful heart for all our sinful actions. Fourth, we must ask for forgiveness and invite Jesus into our heart to change our carnal attitudes and actions. Fifth, we must repent, which means that we change our lifestyles from one bent for hell to one that is pleasing and righteous to God. You are not alone in this process. The Lord has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, to guide, and direct you in the path of righteousness. The choice is clearly ours. Heaven is a wonderful, magnificent, and better country to live in. Use the instructions above to help secure your name in Lamb's Book of Life.