|
What Happens Next?
Heaven or Hell The Final Separation . . .
The Lord's Offer
Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me . . . for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matt 11:28-30)
The Bible tells us the Kingdom of Heaven will be filled with peace and beauty . . . and it tells us Heaven is where we will find our "rest" and our "peace"... forever and ever and ever!!! The Bible says no human words can ever fully describe the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Bible also warns every person has a soul, and every soul will be judged . . .
The "real" life God has prepared for us will not start until after our Earthly body dies. The Bible says this short life on Earth is merely a test, and God is using this time to separate the "wheat from the chaff" and the "sheep from the goats," separating those people who sincerely want to be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven . . .
First, the "Bad News" (let's hear the bad news before the good news) . . .
Our Problem ...
1. The problem is most people don’t believe (or won’t believe) they will really be judged after they die. It is a fearful thing so most people simply deny it, trivialize it, or just ignore it. Yet, the Bible clearly warns . . .
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but, after this the Judgment" (There is no reincarnation ... and no 'Purgatory') (Hebrews 9:27)
2. The Bible also warns us there are two deaths: The first death is the death of these earthly bodies which we will all experience (unless the Rapture happens first) ... And then the second death which is being cast into Hell (which is the death we are told we should fear) . . .
"He that hath an ear, (that's everybody) let him hear what the Holy Spirit says unto the churches; He who overcomes (through faith in Jesus Christ ...Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) shall not be hurt by the second death (Hell)." (Because we've been saved into the Kingdom of Heaven) (Revelation 2:11)
that has part in the first resurrection: (for those will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven) on such the second death (Hell) has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years."
"But the fearful, (afraid of what 'others' might think about following and trusting in Jesus) and unbelieving, and the abominable, (this covers many sins including sexual immorality, homosexuality, etc.) and murderers, and whoremongers ('pornos' ... from which we get the word 'pornography'), and sorcerers ('pharmakeus' ... drugs), and idolaters, (wanting or loving anything more than God-Jesus ... work, sports, music, etc.) and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death (Hell)."
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (That’s our first death) But rather fear Him (God-Jesus) who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell." (Matthew 10:28)
Our Predicament . . .
The Bible tells us no sinner(s)
(unrighteous) will “inherit” or will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ... "If we say that we have no sin,
The Bible warns until we acknowledge we are sinners and that we desperately need a Savior (to save us from our sins ... past, present, and future) we won't be saved from Hell. How many sins does it take to make a sinner? One. The Bible warns if we commit one sin we are guilty of all sins (James 2:10). So, whether we have committed (or are committing) any sin the Bible warns against such as homosexuality, abortion, murder, stealing, sexual immorality, adultery, gossip, harboring hate in our heart or 'hardening' our heart in refusing to forgive someone, telling a lie, being greedy and selfish with all the Lord has freely given us, being self-righteous (looking at the splinters in everybody else's eye (life) while ignoring the logs in our own), being filled with 'sinful pride' (unwilling to submit to authority or to anyone - "Nobody is going to tell me what to do!"), divorcing for any reason(s) other than what the Bible approves, having been "disobedient to parents", or "drunkenness", or using drugs for pleasure or addiction, or having enough material comforts to "feel content without God" without acknowledging and sincerely thanking Him for them, or feeling 'discontent' with whatever it is we do have (such as wife, husband, job, house, money, car, 'my life', etc ... called “covetous” in the Bible), or are short-tempered, rude, and angry (symptoms of pride ... Satan's sin … which God says He "hates"... or fear ... which we are told is not of the spirit of the Lord) . . .
Whatever sin is in your life (past, present, and future) the Bible tells us God will forgive us if we ask and are willing to "repent" (which simply means to turn back to God and His ways while sincerely trying to stop doing all those things the Bible says are wrong, and seeking His help when we can't do it on our own.) We are also to trust in Jesus completely (even when we fail ... and we will all fail) and sincerely admit our sin(s) to God as we sincerely ask for His forgiveness. God offers this gift of forgiveness through His Son who lovingly paid for (and died for) all of our sins (past, present, and future) on the Cross. All believing Christians who enter into the Kingdom of Heaven have had to come face-to-face with the fact we are all sinners and desperately need a 'Savior' to save us from our sins and from Hell . . .
Jesus warns 'many' who
call themselves Christian will not enter into His Kingdom of Heaven ...
1. "I never knew you"... How
do we know if we 'know' Him?
The Bible is God's Word ... and God's Law. So, "you who practice lawlessness" includes all those who without 'repentance' or 'remorse' willfully oppose, break, or ignore God's Law and God's Word as found in the Bible. It doesn't matter whether it "feels" right or not ... the Bible warns throughout this life our 'flesh' (that wants to sin) will war against our 'spirit' (that wants to do right and do good.) We will all sin ... but we need to acknowledge it, confess it before God, seek His forgiveness, and repent, which means turning away from our sin and sincerely trying to stop doing all those things that are against God's Law (and pray for His help, strength, and power when we are having a difficult time
stopping on our own) . . .
Now, for the Good News . . . ("Gospel" is the Greek word for 'Good News'!!!)
Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), who the Bible says is righteous and without sin, said He came to 'save sinners' ... lots of them ... both Jew and Gentile ... any and all who would believe and trust in Him. God has gone to incredible lengths to make it simple for us to enter into His Kingdom of Heaven. His offer is free and it is not based on our righteousness or "goodness," but on His. He took our punishment for our sins on the Cross. Jesus died to provide our way into His Kingdom of Heaven. He came to save us from Hell. He paid the debt for all of our sins on the Cross. Jesus lovingly and willingly took all our sins (past, present, and future) upon Himself. Our debt, "paid in full," by Him. We only have to accept it in faith by sincerely believing and trusting in Him alone to save us from our sins ... and 'repenting' from our sins (which simply means to stop and to turn back to God and His ways (which are good) through Jesus-Yeshua). When we receive, accept, and sincerely believe (trust) in Jesus Christ, the Bible says His Righteousness is placed upon us ... and God then the sees us in His righteousness and no longer sees us in our unrighteousness! The Bible also warns we can never 'earn' our way into Heaven through "good works," money, or through anybody else. The Bible says we are saved (from our sins and from Hell) through "faith" and faith alone ... faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ... faith that His innocent and righteous blood was shed on the Cross for all our sins ... faith that He was buried and then raised from the dead the third day (as "the first fruits of the Resurrection") ... and faith He is now seated on His throne in Heaven . . .
"For by GRACE you have been saved (from your sins and from Hell) through faith (in Jesus Christ ... Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (‘Grace’ is getting something we don’t deserve … we can't buy this gift) not of works, (we can't earn it or buy it) lest anyone should boast." (we are told it’s a gift from God … we just have to receive it) (Ephesians 2:8)
The Bible says Jesus is the door ... the only door into Heaven ... and it is His innocent blood that washes us clean from all of our sins. His blood on the Cross was shed for us to protect us from the second death which we are told is the darkness, loneliness, and torment of Hell . . .
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ ... Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) should not perish (in Hell) but have everlasting life (in Heaven). For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (into Heaven). He who believes in Him is not condemned (to Hell); but he who does not believe (in Jesus-Yeshua) is condemned (to Hell) already" (The implications of this verse are staggering!) (John 3:16-18)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way (into Heaven), the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father [into Heaven] except through Me." (John 14:6)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes (trusts) in Me, though he may die (the first death), he shall live (forever ... in Heaven). And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die (the second death ... in Hell). Do you believe this?’" (This is the question every man and woman must answer) (John 11:25)
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (and welcomed with tears of joy into the Kingdom of Heaven)." (Romans 10:9)
But, for all those who will reject God's Word . . .
"The Son of Man [Jesus] will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness (sinning willfully … without repentance or remorse), and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt 13:41-42)
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself (his soul) destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me (Jesus Christ) and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed (on the day of Judgment) . . ." (Luke 9:25-26)
"Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me (Jesus Christ) before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8-9)
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt 13:49-50)
Who will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven . . .
Let's look at three groups of people . . .
1. Those who sincerely believe and trust in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) - All those (both Jew and Gentile) who sincerely believe Jesus willingly and lovingly died on the Cross for all of our sins, and was buried, and raised again the third day (1 Corinthians 15) and is now seated on His throne in Heaven waiting to return at the appointed time. All who will acknowledge we are sinners who desperately need a Savior to save us from our sins and from Hell, and will repent of our sins (turning away from sinful things ... and turning back to God), and will humbly seek God's forgiveness for our sins (past, present, and future), and will sincerely love (as He loved us on the Cross) and believe (trust) in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) as Lord and 'Savior' (who saves us from all our sins and from Hell).
2. Those who call themselves 'Christians,' but don’t believe these things and have no real faith in Jesus Christ or the Bible … those who have never yet willingly opened the door of their heart to invite Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, into their lives and accept Him as their Lord and their Savior. Those who think they will enter into Heaven on their own "righteousness" or "goodness"... or those who believe that money and/or other peoples’ prayers will release them from Hell (or Purgatory) after they die … Hell will be filled with scoffers and procrastinators.
3. "The World." Those who do not believe, and who ridicule, scoff at, or despise those who do. Those who deny Jesus Christ as Lord and willfully reject His loving offer of forgiveness for all of our sins (no matter how bad or how many) ... and reject His gracious offer of life in Heaven.
It appears from the Bible only those in Group 1 will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
We are told in the Bible there will be TWO Judgments . . .
1. First, a Judgment for those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), whose sins are forgiven and were "paid in full" on the Cross:
- This judgment is for all those who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
- For all who have accepted God’s offer of Grace and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ.
- Any and all who sincerely believe in and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. - Each will still be judged and rewarded for every word and action. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how we obeyed His commandments. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how we served Him and honored Him. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how we treated other people. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how we forgave others. - Each will be judged and rewarded on patience and gentleness. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how content we are with whatever we have. - Each will be judged and rewarded on how we served and shared with others. - There will be rewards for good works such as kindness, forgiveness, and self control. - There will be rewards for humbly helping and selflessly sharing with others. - We will enter into our "rest" forever, and ever, and ever . . . - An eternal life . . . filled with peace and beauty. - A new life . . . an eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Then, the Judgment for all those who have rejected God's love by rejecting Jesus Christ, the One who lovingly and willingly shed His blood and died on the Cross for all our sins:
- This is called the "Great White Throne" Judgment in the Bible (Revelation 20:11)
- Every man and woman who rejects God’s offer of Grace by rejecting His Son, Jesus Christ.
- Each who stands here will be judged . . . and condemned.
- "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before my Father."
- "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed."
- Finality . . . the door is then closed . . . forever.
- The Bible warns being cast into Hell is the "second death". . . the death we should fear.
- Condemned . . . eternal darkness . . . alone . . . "separation."
- Eternal . . . loneliness . . . torment . . . "wailing" . . . "gnashing of teeth."
- It is solely based on your decision to accept Jesus or reject Him as your Savior.
- He cares!!! He died rejected, bleeding, nailed to the Cross - for you!
- There is no "soul sleep". . . no second chance . . . no reincarnation.
Please remember . . .
The Kingdom of Heaven is available to every man, woman, boy, and girl in this world. It is freely offered to any and all who will receive it. Simply learn of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), invite Him into your life as Lord, believe He died on the Cross for all of your sins and rose from the grave (proving there is life in Heaven). Learn of Him and believe in Him ... for He was the only one who has ever loved you enough to substitute Himself for you on the Cross (which represents Hell). He shed His blood, suffered, and died on the Cross as the 'Passover Lamb of God' to save you from the utter torment and darkness of Hell, if you will accept it. That is why Jesus (Yeshua) is called Savior. He now lovingly and graciously offers you life in His Kingdom of Heaven ... and it is a "take it or leave it" proposition. If you sincerely admit you have sinned (which means you will need a Savior) and sincerely believe Jesus lovingly paid the debt for all of your sins on the Cross, and honestly try to stop doing those things God says are wrong, you will go to Heaven ... It's God's Promise!!!
The only unpardonable sin is to reject God's love and His free offer of life in Heaven by rejecting Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who stepped forth from Heaven ... not to condemn the sinner, but to save the sinner (from Hell) and who willingly and lovingly shed His blood on the Cross so we can be washed clean of all of our sins. The Bible warns there will be no peace in our hearts until we make peace with God through His Son, the Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ . . .
"Therefore being justified by faith, ('justified' means 'just as if all our sins had never happened') we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1)
And with open arms and with tears of joy He will welcome any and all into the Kingdom of Heaven who willingly come to Him through the One He sent forth to save us sinners ... Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) ...'LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS"... our Savior!!!
Grace and Shalom
|