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Heaven And Hell
John R. Gentry
The Psalmist asked, "What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol (place of the dead—JRG)?" (Psa. 89.48; cf. Heb. 9.27). Some day we will all die. But what will happen to us after we die? The Bible teaches we will either spend an eternity in heaven or in hell. Where do you want to go?
"Eternal Fire Prepared For The Devil And His Angels"
It has been said that Jesus spoke more concerning hell than any other person in the Bible. Why would Jesus talk about a terrible and terrifying subject? Because he knew people needed to understand the consequences of not obeying the Lord’s plan for man’s salvation. Jesus described hell as "eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels...eternal punishment," and a place "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Matt. 25.41, 46; Mark 9.43-48). In Matt. 7.21-28 Jesus also warned that those who did not do the will of the Father would not go to heaven, and therefore would go to hell.
Jesus’ disciples also warned people of the horrors of hell for "those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel" (2 Thess. 1.5-10; Rev. 20.14-15; 21.8).
"Great Is Your Reward In Heaven"
In contrast to the horrors of hell, we also need to understand the bliss and blessings of heaven. In addition to warning people of hell fire, Jesus also foretold of heaven. For those who obey him, he described heaven as "eternal life," a "great...reward," his "Father’s house...that where I am you may be also" (Matt. 25.36; 5.12; John 14.2-3).
Paul spoke with confidence of his home in heaven (2 Tim. 4.6-8). He said we, too, can have this confidence if we will but love Jesus by obeying his commands (John 14.15; 1 Jn. 5.3).
We would be remiss if we failed to mention how beautiful heaven must be. John describes heaven’s beauty for us in Revelation 21-22. I want to go to heaven, do you?
Paul proclaimed "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor. 5.10). Those who obey God and do good will spend an eternity with him in heaven. Those who do not obey God will spend an eternity with the devil and his angels in the hell prepared for them.
Where do you want to spend eternity, heaven or hell?
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.08.15