A voice From The Grave

But we must all must consider that if there was no hell there could be no heaven and justice would be a mockery and grace and mercy mere empty words. The cross would be senseless and meaningless. It is significant that those who preach no hell normally preach no cross and no gospel.

I read a story long ago of a young liberal seminary graduate being called to a particular church.

As the months progressed he continued to negate and omit the great truths of the gospel in his mes- sages. An older deacon in the church began cutting out the pages and passages of his Bible that corresponded with his attack upon the Word of God. When he finally was left with but a few tattered pages, he confronted his pastor, who was horrified at such desecration. But are not those who deny hell committing such desecration in thousand of pulpits around the world today?

Yes, the doctrine of hell is at the very heart of the gospel and emanates from the very heart of a loving God. Many years ago I heard of a mother whose young rebellious son was killed in a pub brawl. He was obviously unprepared to meet his God. In her sorrow, the mother understandably cried out in her sorrow, "Where was God when my boy was killed, if he has gone to hell?" After the trauma of grieving was over, her pastor told her in love, "God was at the same place he was when His only begotten son was killed and suffered hell in your boy's place."

If the lost are to be warned of the finality of this awful eventuality we who are saved must understand that men, women, and boys and girls, who have reached the age of accountability, are dropping off into hell at an alarming rate every second of every day. Many of them are our relatives, neighbours and friends. Others are those we are called to share the gospel with around the world.

Jesus was good and gracious to us when he lifted the veil of secrecy and allowed us just a peek into that awesome place. As a warning he allows us to hear the hideous voice from beyond the grave. We would do well to understand and heed this voice from beyond the grave.

First, let us consider the voice of a man. This is a real person who lived and breathed in this world who is a permanent resident in that awesome underworld because he rejected the love of God. His destiny is not the destiny God desired for Him. God made him for the heavens. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."

(Psalm 8:4-5)

God created him to be His eternal son. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God . ." His plan for man encompassed His eternal purpose to make unto Himself eternal sons with whom He could commune and love forever. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good plea- sure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Eph. 1:4-5) Surely every person who rejects Christ as Saviour and insists upon joining this one whose voice we hear from beyond the grave, must break the heart of the Father who gave His Son and the Son who gave Himself as a complete sacrifice for our sins.