We need to take a long overdue trip to Reality City and deal with the issue of life here on Earth and what lies beyond it. This life is not all there is in terms of existence, accountability, being, and influence. None of us have a warranty or guarantee that we will live into old age. The fear of death is something that we often ponder but are not ready to face. We are scheduled to depart from this life one day, either through the "Blessed Hope" (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) if you are a genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, or go the way of all men and close our eyes in death, only to wake into heaven or hell.
A lot of people tend to believe that they are destined for heaven because they see themselves as basically "good" and God would surely not cast them into hell, if they believe in the existence of hell at all. If hell is a real place, they tend to see it as the place to send the "really wicked", such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Lenin, pedophiles, and other people whom they classify as "reprobates". You would think that those individuals who identify themselves as "Christians" would have a solid, biblical viewpoint and tell people that all who reject Christ are lost and will end up in hell unless they repent and turn to Him for salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Not so.
It is said that nearly 60 % of average professing "Christian" today do not believe in a literal evil being called the devil but see him as a mere symbol of evil. Many believe that the concept of eternal punishment is too harsh, and that the souls of the wicked will cease to exist after time. Many "believers" today agree with the concept that there are many ways to heaven, or that the idea of heaven is a state of mind. We live in a time where the Christian worldview based on Scripture may be as low as 9%, and biblical ignorance is running rapid, and then wonder why the faith we claim to have and the churches we attend are in a state of chaos. it is because we either will not or do not accept the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17: 2 Peter 1:19-21) as final, inerrant, and all sufficient. Neither do we consider that we will be held accountable before the Sovereign Holy Lord God Almighty one day, ready or not.
Consider the final, frightening last words of those who were unprepared to face eternity:
1) Queen Elizabeth 1 of England (1556-1603): "All my possessions for one more moment of time."
2) Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher: "I am about to take my last voyage; a great leap in the dark."
3) David Hume, English skeptic and philosopher: "I am in the flames!"
4) Anton Lavey, founder of the Church of Satan (1966) and author of the books "The Satanic Bible" and "The Satanic Rituals": Oh, my! Oh, my! What have I done? There is something wrong, very wrong."
5) Sir Francis Newport, English politician and rank atheist: "You need not tell me there is no God, for I know now that there is One! You need not tell me that there is no hell, for I feel myself already slipping! I know that I am lost forever! Oh, that fire, that fire! Oh, the insufferable pangs of hell! Eternity, Eternity! Oh, the suffering of hell!"
6) Jean Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire, 18th Century French philosopher and writer: "I am abandoned by God and man! (To his physician): "I will give you half of what I own if you will give me six months! (His doctor told him there was no hope) "Then I shall go to hell and you with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!" During his lifetime, Voltaire was reported to have cursed Christ, bragging instead that his writings would end Christianity and the
authority of the Bible within twenty years after his death. It is ironic that shortly after his death, the Geneva Bible Society purchased his home and printing press to publish Scripture (Psalm 2:1-6, 14:1, 53:1).
Now read the final words of those who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ:
1) Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): Colonial pastor and the author of the sermon "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God" (1741), used to start the "Great Awakening" of national revival: "Trust in God and you shall have nothing to fear."
2) Martin Luther (1483-1556): the founder of the Protestant Reformation: "Into Thy hands I commit my spirit. Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord of truth."
3) John Wesley (1703-1791): founder of the Methodist Church: "The best of all is that God is with us."
4) Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899): American evangelist: "I see Earth receding and heaven opening. God is calling me. This is my coronation day, and it is glorious!"
5) Robert G. Lee (1886-1978): Pastor and author of the sermon "Payday Someday": "All my life I have preached about the glory of God and heaven. I see it now and my poor preaching did not do its beauty justice."
Heaven is the dwelling place of God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7, NKJV) and the home of all who have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and assured the Old Testament saints through their faith in God and the expectation of His promised Seed (Genesis 3:15, 49:10; Psalm 2:1-12 , 110:1; Isaiah 9:2, 7, 53:1-12, 61;1; Daniel 9:25; Malachi 3:1).
It is heaven where our real treasures are located and protected by God (Matthew 6:19-21)
It is heaven where we will see the precious jewels and streets of gold (Revelation 21, 22)
It is heaven where we will be rewarded by the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:10) and our works for Him will be tested (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
It is heaven where we will be reunited with our saved loved ones (Revelation 21:1-7).
it is heaven where we will be with the Lord forever (Luke 23:39-43; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 4, 5). Our names will be forever written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Luke 10:20; John 10:28-30, 14:1-3; Rev. 21:27).
There is room for everyone who will come to Jesus in faith through the Holy Spirit (John 6:44, 16:8-11)
Heaven has been perfectly crafted by the LORD for us to dwell in forever (2 Cor. 5:1; Colossians 1:5; Heb.11:10)
Heaven and the new Earth will be forever free from the blight and curse of sin (Romans 8:20-25). Satan and all who followed him are cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity (Rev. 20:11-15).
If you are reading this message and you know that you do not have a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, I implore of you that you get that settled NOW (2 Cor. 6:2). Ask Him to save you, that you repent of your sin, and surrender your life to Him totally and in faith (Matt. 11:28-30; John 11:25, 14:6; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). He calls you this day to welcome you with open arms and has this wonderful place ready for you to call home. What are you waiting for?
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