THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES
Revelation 21:3-8, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. BUT the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Nothing could be so different as the two possibilities presented in the above passage. One vividly describes the eternal bliss given to those who know Christ as their Savior, while the other vividly describes the eternal torment of those who continue to reject Christ and live in their sin. I want to make sure that you examine your heart today to ensure that you are born again. Many profess, but far fewer possess a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
The joys of living with God through all eternity are depicted in verses 3-7. Some of the blessings are living in the very presence of God, all tears being wiped away, and no more death, sorrow, or pain. All things in heaven are new, in stark contrast to the experiences we have living in a sin-cursed world. Those who have overcome the penalty of sin through the shedding of the blood of Christ will enjoy this bliss forever.
The torment of being separated from God through all eternity is depicted in verse 8. The second death is their plight. They never overcame the penalty of sin because they never placed their faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior of mankind. Death is physical, it is spiritual, and it is eternal. The second death consigns a person to have "...their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." This is a place of eternal torment, utter darkness, a bottomless pit, whose chief inhabitant is Satan himself. All the demons of the earth will live in this place of torment, and every person who ever rejected Jesus Christ as the Savior will comprise its citizenry.
NO ONE HAS TO DIE IN THEIR SINS! THEY SIMPLY MUST ADMIT THEY ARE A SINNER, REALIZE THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SIN, AND TRUST JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BLOOD AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FORGIVENESS. REPENT BY TURNING FROM SIN TO CHRIST, RECEIVE HIM, AND CALL UPON HIM.
Thank God if you have been delivered by faith in Jesus Christ. If not, turn to Him today, you will be glad you did.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Are you only a professor of Christianity, or are you a possessor? Explain your answer.
2. What is it about Heaven that you most look forward to experiencing?
3. Based upon Revelation 21:8 who are the fearful that will occupy Hell?
4. Ultimately why are people cast into Hell? Why are people allowed to enter into Heaven?