I learned something the other day about hell. God created hell for Satan and his fallen angels, not man. Also, the angels don’t get a second chance like we do. The blood of Jesus does not cover them. The blood of Jesus does cover man. I haven’t done all the research yet, but I think that is what Satan is so mad about. God made man above the angels and Satan is not happy about it. Matthew 25:31-46 says when the son of man comes in His glory He will separate all the nations of the world like a sheppard would his flock. He will put the sheep on the right side of him and the goats (sinners) on the left. Then He will say to those on His left, depart from me, you are cursed into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. When they ask why He will tell them in (v.45) truly I say to you as you did not do good to them (your neighbor) you did not do good to me. Whatever you did to my people you did to me. And the people on the left, the proud, sexually immoral, evil, sorcerers, etc. He will tell them “Go away into eternal punishment and for those on the right you will receive eternal life” (v.46). 2 Peter 3:9-13 says “the Lord is not slow to fulfill His promises as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be? Living lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells! “Therefore beloved, since you are waiting these things, be diligent to be found by him without blemish and at peace” (v.14).
Well I could go on but I won’t. Let me stop and ask, do you believe in God? If the answer is yes, then you must believe His word! That is where all of this comes from! So are we riding the fence, playing with fire, or are we certain that we live a life that is pleasing to God? I believe when we die our earthly body sleeps and our spirit or soul goes to be with our master, either God or Satan. If it happens to be Satan we will wait in hell with all feeling, senses, communication, sight, hearing, desire, and emotion until Jesus returns to take all His children home. Then all will receive their earthly bodies back with their spirit and be judged and separated. The righteous of the world will have eternal life with Jesus and the unrighteous will have hell to pay. Now that is how I understand it right now. I found proof of this stuff in Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Peter 3:9; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; and Luke 16:19-31 (must read). Look them up for yourself and see what you think.
The one thing that counts at the time of a man’s death is this: have you ever received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior? John 1:12 says but to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 3:16, 36 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Whoever believes in the son has eternal life; and whoever does not obey the son shall not see life, but will see the wrath of God” (v.36). It is more than just believing! I guarantee you that Satan believes and all his angels believe and all the unrighteous souls who are suffering in hell right now believe! Now if you say you believe then I say good. What are we doing to live our life in a manner that will be pleasing to God? Ecclesiastes 11:3 says “…where a tree falls there it will be.” To me that says when we die there is no second chance. Our destiny will be forever determined at that instant. Hell is prison for the unrighteous and there is no escape, ever!!
To go to hades, there is nothing we have to do. To get out there is nothing we can do. Those of us who reject the savior on earth choose hades, along with those who neglect the Gospel, ride the fence, and say they can’t decide what to do. We should ask ourselves, where will we go when we die? Those of us that repent, are born again, make an effort to know God, and live a life that is pleasing to Him will spend eternity in heaven! Is all of that worth the worldly pleasures you have on earth? Those are only temporary and way over rated. It’s a choice God gives us. To live or die?!!
Prayer
Father God, I pray for all the lost souls, the lazy people, and the ones who are on the fence. I pray for those of us who think there is still time! I pray Father God that you will touch the lives of my friends, family, and all who read these notes I have taken from your word. In Jesus name, Amen
Thoughts:
My whole life I have never given much thought to where I would end up upon death. I thought I would go to heaven because I was an alright guy. As I read God’s word, I become enlightened as to just how lost I was and how risky my behavior has been. It is truly motivating to know for sure that I would have gone to hell if I continued to be naive and think that what I was doing wasn’t all that bad. I think it is good to love the Lord but also to respect Him. He is as deserving of our fear of Him as any child would fear their earthly father. His word is our guide. Don’t just let His word sit there without reading it. It explains everything. It is the roadmap to your true salvation.
2 Peter 3:9-10 – The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
No comments:
Post a Comment