BEYOND THIS LIFE! Most of us that have been raised in the “Bible Belt” understand that when we pass from this life we will end up in one of two places either Heaven with God and the redeemed or in Hell with Satan and his demonic forces of evil. On the one hand Heaven is a real place. It is not some made up fantasy like the city of Oz or some far away planet creation in the minds of Hollywood... on a Star Trek movie. Heaven is the next phase of this life. A place built from the foundation of this earthly life. The Bible says that it is “appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment” (see Hebrews 9:27). Heaven is kind of like flying first-class on an airliner. It is an “upgrade” from this hard and sinful existence that we know here in the present. Our loved-ones who have passed on if they were Christians are in the intermediate Heaven (remember the New Heaven and New Earth have not been established yet until Jesus comes back a second time) walking and talking just as we are right now. A fourth dimension if you will! These loved ones are not “floating” around us as guiding spirits directing our lives this morning or “watching over us” to make sure we are okay as some would suggest because that is what God’s angels are for. No, they are having fellowship with the Saints of God and the Master Himself (Christ Jesus) as they continue to receive instruction such as increasing their knowledge (Biblical studies from those scholars that actually wrote the beloved Bible), and learning to play musical instruments, arts, and other wonderful things like gardening. Remember that Jesus left Heaven to come to earth as a baby to grow up and die for the sins of Adam and Eve (He was born to die). When He left earth after His resurrection He said, “I go to prepare a place for you – for in my Father’s Heaven are many mansions…” On the other hand Hell is a very real place as we read in Luke 16: 19-31. The king begged Abraham to allow him to go back to earth to tell his brothers so they would not end up there in that horrible place. Hell is a literal place of torment! It is not a eternal grave or a state of mind. I have heard some say that this life is Hell but that does not compare to the place that will house the devil and his angels. Hell is flames, and unspeakable horrors that God wants all to avoid. As you read Luke 16 you will see that you will remember your life on earth and probably have the regrets of all the times you rejected Jesus Christ. That in itself would be a torment. Who will be in Hell? In Revelation 20:15 we read, “And if anyone’s name was not found in the BOOK OF LIFE, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Hell]. Where is you name written my friend?
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 13:42:05 +0000
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