The message of eternity is woven throughout the Bible. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke about eternal life (John 3:16) and spent a good portion of His ministry talking about heaven and hell. Christ discussed the eternal destinations because they are central to our relationship with God (Him) and because they were on the minds of everyone. Jews believed in heaven, and hell. According to rabbinic tradition hell had two sides: Sheol (paradise, holding place) and Ghenna (torment, fire, and perpetual pain). The Greeks and Romans held that there was Olympus (dwelling of the gods) and Hades (the place of the dead). All people wither civilized or barbarous believed in an afterlife with multiple destinations, usually one ascribed to the good and heroes and the other to the damned and wicked.
I share the different views of the afterlife to make one point, Mankind both saved and unsaved believed in a final destination and that our actions in this life effect our destination in the next life. This mindset helped keep people conscious of their behavior and morality. In contrast, many generations today have become nihilists who believe this life is all there is and so they behave however they want. The modern humanist fears no judgment, nor do they think of damnation. They consider the afterlife as folklore and fantasy. As a result these people not only do not fear hell, they don't even believe they need a savior!
Jesus who is God made it clear there is a heaven and hell. He knows because firstly, He is God, secondly He has lived in both: He descended into hell (Acts 2:24, 1 Peter 3:19, Ephesians 4:9, Apostle's Creed) and ascended into heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:2, Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 1:3. Not to mention that Christ lived in heaven for eons prior to coming to Earth in the flesh. Perhaps what is even more astonishing is that our Savior Jesus Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20) and in heaven. Heaven is thus interconnected to Earth through us God's Temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Jesus Christ and The Apostles preached about heaven and hell. Our Lord and Savior said, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10). Heaven is a location, it is not the stratosphere or space, it is a dimension where the Everlasting God is enthroned, even though he is also enthroned in us. The Apostle Paul spoke of heaven, he said, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21). We are citizens of heaven because Christ dwells in us and we believe in Him, but what is heaven going to be like? Here is one example, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) It is clear heaven is a place of joy and freedom from pain. There also will be new heaven after Jesus reigns for millennium, for The Apostle John records in Revelation, "Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." (Revelation 21:1).
What of Hell? Does the burning lake of sulfur and torments exist? The Bible clearly states that hell is a dwelling place. Jesus says, "They (the wicked) will go to eternal punishment, and the righteous to eternal life," and those wicked Jesus clearly says they will be "thrown into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing teeth." (Matthew 13:50). The latter verse refutes the Catholic notion of purgatory, which they interpret is the "outer darkness and gnashing of teeth." Here Jesus articulates acutely that hell is the place of gnashing teeth. Hell is alluded to in other parts of the Holy Scriptures. The Apostle Paul says of hell, "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Paul reveals an aspect of hell as being separated from God's presence. John The Theologian records those who will enter hell. He says, "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8). Satan too will dwell in hell, "Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10). Here the concept of eternal torment and punishment is illustrated on the evil one and a reminder of what will happen to those who are unbelievers (fail to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) and those who follow the devil.
The Final destination differs for the believer and unbeliever. For those who believe it is "eternal life," but for those who disbelieve or are unbelieving it will be "eternal punishment." Ignoring eternity is fatal. Many will perish because they deny heaven and hell exist. They refuse the only provision for salvation, who is Jesus Christ (John 3:16). He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and the Father is in heaven (Matthew 6:9). Thus Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life (John 3:16). He is the Way, and while many celebrate the hellish holiday (Halloween) this month, they should be mindful that the images of hell, skulls, flames, darkness, and tormentors will await those who do not believe! God so loved you, He died for you on the cross and His name is Jesus. Choose today to ascend to eternal life through believing (trusting in, loving, and following) Jesus Christ and you will avoid descending into the burning pit of sulfur and fire.
Take this moment to pray the following prayer, "Jesus, I recognize I am sinner and that my sin separates me from you and promises me the eternal separation which is hell. But you have died for my sins, and I repent and ask you to wash me clean of sin and lead me into eternal life. I believe in The Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, Three who are One. Amen."
If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the Family! Now get a Bible App or Holy Bible (NASB, NLT, TLB, NIV). Read the Gospel of John, read 1 John the letter, read Galatians, read Ephesians, and read Romans. Then find a bible study and fellow believers in Christ.
Beware of Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), New Age Christians, Unitarian Christians/Church, Christian Scientists, Jehovah Witnesses, Scientology, Coptic Christianity, who do not believe in the Trinity and True Jesus Christ.
Beware of the Gnostic Gospels, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, and other extra canonical books that are forgeries, false gospels, and religious books that are bad for your relationship with Christ.
Always ask people:
I. Do you believe Jesus was both God and Man, 100% God and 100% Man.
II. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is One (completely one in essenTe and One God) with the Father and Holy Spirit.
III. That the Holy Bible is 66 books.
If they say yes to all three, then you are safe. If they answer only one or two, then are not safe.
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