It Is Finished Audio

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

King of kings and Lord of lords: Heaven and Hell (Part 4)


Who Will Go to Hell?

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). 



            There is a great deception taking place. This deception encompasses many to believe that all one has to do to avoid hell is to do good works and be good. Many people think that living a life where one does not steal, kill, cheat, and occasionally do acts of kindness such as donate to charitable organizations helps to avoid a fiery afterlife. Well, they are absolutely mistaken, and the Word of God lets us know that good works cannot get you into Heaven. The Bible says, We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind” (Isaiah 64:6). The prophet Isaiah was letting us know that we are in error to think that our righteousness or good works can get us anywhere. Yes, we are to do good to others, but this does not guarantee one’s entry into Heaven. There are many people who give money to great causes and will sometimes volunteer time at a food pantry to feed the homeless, but they have not accepted Christ into their hearts and asked for forgiveness of their sins.

            Acceptance of Christ into one’s heart and repentance of sin is the only way to enter Heaven. You or someone you know may say, “I have already accepted Jesus into my heart.” Well, that is wonderful, but there is something that goes along with that – following Christ requires a lifestyle change. What did Jesus say to the woman who was brought before Him and was accused of committing adultery? The Bible says, “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more” (John 8:10-11). Jesus let the woman know that He forgave her of her sins, but she had to turn from her adulterous life when He told her to go and sin no more.

            When we accept Jesus into our hearts, there should be a desire and an effort to change from our sinful past. Otherwise, it is only belief that we display without any action and even the devil believes. The Bible says, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:19-20). The Apostle James is saying in this text that there need to be actions behind your belief. The Word of God lets us know that we will know who a person is by the fruit that they display. The Bible says, “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). Your actions speak louder than your words. Therefore, we must all be careful to display the fruits of righteousness.

            In order to understand more about who will be going to hell, let’s break down some of the acts of wickedness that will cause one to go, so that the myths that surround this will be dispelled. The Bible says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Sexually Immoral – America and other nations are becoming more wicked by the day. Homosexuality with other acts of lewdness is being endorsed and promoted as freedom of sexual expression. Adultery fills the television screens, books, and celebrity magazines, while fornication is encouraged instead of teaching abstinence. These things are not limited to those in the world but are also taking place amongst those who consider themselves as part of the body of Christ. However, if they do not turn from their wicked ways, they will find that they are nothing more than prosthetic limbs, that will never be a part of the true Body of Christ. The Bible says, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sexual sin also includes pedophilia, bestiality, pornography, masturbation, and sodomy.

Thieves – Some people may erroneously believe that just because they have not committed armed robbery or have done something like stealing a tv prevents them from being classified as thieves in God’s eyes. Well, they are wrong. Stealing can also include: cheating on one’s taxes, taking another person’s spouse, robbing God of quality time, being stingy with finances, taking credit for someone’s work, and much more. All criminals are not locked up behind bars, but all thieves will have an eternal home in hell if they do not repent. The Bible says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

Greedy – There are a lot of people who will do anything for money. The Bible says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). Many have sold their souls for the sake of fame, prosperity, and status. Unfortunately, this too has and still is taking place amongst those in the body of Christ. You have many pastors, evangelist, teachers, and apostles who are prophets for profit. They pimp the sheep out of money all for selfish gain, and then, will call out politicians for doing the very thing that they are guilty of doing themselves. God is displeased with those who will compromise His truth for the sake of greed, and they will have to stand before the judgment seat of God to answer for what they have done if they do not repent and turn from their wicked ways. The Bible says, “For the leaders of my people—the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds—are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain” (Isaiah 56:10-11).

Drunkards – There are a lot of people who love to drink an occasional glass of wine and some drink vodka, whiskey, and other hard liquors to get drunk on a regular. The Word of God lets us know that people who do such things are foolish and will have not part with Him. The Bible says, “Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). Not only are those who get drunk off of alcohol will spend an eternity without God, but those who get drunk off of the sins of others. The Bible says, “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!” (Habakkuk 2:15).  Not partaking in something yourself does not clear you of guilt when you enable others to sin for your benefit.

Revilers – God wants us to watch our mouth. Many people are killing others with their tongues and make the mistake of thinking that they are on their way to Heaven. They belittle people, demean them, gossip about them, and find various ways to tear them down. This is called verbal abuse and it is just as bad as physical abuse because it involves emotional abuse which causes people to wear hidden scars for many years. There are countless people who have left the church because of back-biting “saints” who did not act so saintly. The Bible says, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). We are to righteously support people and not tear them down. This does not mean that one must compromise the Word of God, but many people are just malicious gossipers and are not interested in helping anyone. There are those who are narcissists and all they do is look for ways to degrade others to inflate their own egos. People who are like this will have their eternity spent in hell if they do not turn from their wicked ways. The Bible says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

There are many things that can cause people to be lost and lose out on Heaven unless they repent and turn from their wicked ways. We cannot list every sin in this one lesson, but one must ensure to have a daily walk with Jesus. No one is perfect, and everyone has sinned, but when we repent and allow the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out, Heaven will be our eternal home. Hell is not a destination that the saints of God have to worry about. We were unable to save ourselves, but it is only through the blood of Jesus that one can be saved. The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Many people do not take it seriously that there is a place where we will be designated to go once we depart this earth. Nevertheless, despite those who choose to ignore this important fact, everyone will have a final destination. The choice of where one goes is totally up to the individual because God gives us all the free will to choose. God has not predestined people to hell, but they make the poor choice to go there themselves. 

There is more to this lesson, but this is the final part that will be posted to this blog. I pray that you have enjoyed the King of kings and Lord of lords Bible Lesson series. More lessons will be available towards the end of this year on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. God bless!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

King of kings and Lord of lords: Heaven and Hell (Part 3)


What and Where is Hell?

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). 



           
The Australian rock band, AC/DC, released a single in 1979 called, “Highway to Hell,” which became one of the top-selling singles during that time. Six months after the release of that single, their lead vocalist, Bon Scott, died in the back seat of an acquaintance’s vehicle after a night of heavy drinking (Wikipedia, 2017). The song is said to have been about a highway in Australia that ran from where the lead singer lived to the bar that he frequently visited. The highway had a major decline in the road that had no speed or stop signs to slow motorists down. Therefore, many drivers were said to have died along that road due to fast speed after a night of partying, which earned it the name highway to hell (Song Facts, 2017).

            Many people are on the highway to hell and are not aware of it. They think that after this life is over, there is going to be a major party down below where everyone will be drinking, smoking, dancing, and having fun. Well, the Word of God tells us that hell is anything but a party. As a matter of fact, it lets us know that there will be crying and grinding of teeth. The Bible says, “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42). Hell is not an amusement park where you can get on a thrill ride. It is a place of pain, suffering, misery, and agony. It is a real place that was originally created for the devil and his angels. Unfortunately, many people are choosing to go there on their own accord due to their persistence in being rebellious against God. The Bible says, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

                When God created the universe, He desired that man would love and honor Him with their lives. God’s love for His creation has been displayed in so many ways. Jesus was part of that love in order to save man from having to spend an eternity without Him. Man, however, has often been defiant against God and have rejected His plea for them to turn from their wicked ways. As a result, many will find themselves in a place where no one is able to escape from its insurmountable horror. The Bible says, “And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched’ ” (Mark 9:47-48). There is no departure from hell once you go. There are no gate passes where you can travel in and out. 

        Hell has a permanent residency where there are no visas. This is a place of unimaginable torture and those who go will regret everything they thought was more important than their final destination. What they believed was the deal of a lifetime on earth will have proven to be the greatest horrific scam that they could have possibly imagined. No one in their right mind would want to go to hell. Unfortunately, many people are not of a sound mind, and not speaking of those in mental institutions, but those who reject God. The Bible says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). When God turns you over to yourself, it becomes a dangerous thing. One may be foolish to believe that there will be no accountability in the hereafter, but everyone will have their reward rather good or evil.

Monday, April 27, 2020

King of kings and Lord of lords: Heaven and Hell (Part 2)


What is in Heaven? 

“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). 



            When you think of Heaven, what have you pictured as being there? We have all seen the beautiful Heaven paintings that various artists have made over the centuries, but are they real, or is there more to Heaven where even the best artist cannot relay in the most eloquent painting? What is in Heaven that we should all be looking forward to seeing and not seeing? The Bible says, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there” (Revelation 21:21-25). Few people have had the opportunity to experience what it is like to live as the wealthy elite in their high-rise buildings, mansions, palaces, resorts, or other places of dwelling. The only encounter most people have had or will ever experience will be through viewing the royal life in a book/magazine, television show, museum, and/or visit some castle where tourists are welcome. Nevertheless, God has a place that is far beyond what we could possibly imagine. The most beautiful mansion on earth is peanuts compared to where God lives. We know this because of the description of what He has given to us in His word.

            One of the things that the Bible lets us know about Heaven is that there are jewels of every kind such as gold, and other adornments which decorates God’s dwelling place. The most beautiful precious stone on earth cannot compare to the beautiful adornment in Heaven. Another thing that one will find in Heaven is that there is no darkness anywhere because God gives the light Himself and the Lamb of God is the lamp. Therefore, there is no sun or moon for God is all the light that is needed. Just imagine – there will never be a need for sleep, nor coffee and energy drinks in Heaven to stay awake. All the things that we had to do on earth to sustain us such as rest, sleep, bathing due to avoiding perspiration, and brushing your teeth to prevent them from turning yellow will be a thing of the past. The Bible says, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). We will have new bodies in Heaven. Our current vessels will not be the ones that we will have in Heaven, for they are destructible, but we will put on indestructible bodies that will never break down. This means that we will never have another pimple, or acid reflux. We will never have another ache nor any colds. There will be no more diagnosis of cancer nor surgeries of any kind. Our bodies will be a repellent of the former things that threatened to destroy it.

            What else can we look forward to seeing in Heaven? What about animals? The Bible says, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-9). The Bible lets us know that there will be animals of all kinds in Heaven, but they will not harm anyone. Therefore, the animals will not act as predators, and the saints will no longer be carnivores in Heaven. Everyone, including the animals, will be on a plant-based diet. Sorry to all you steak lovers! Bar-be-ques with beef sirloin and rib tips will not be served.

            Is there food in Heaven? If so, what will we eat? Will there be a need to eat? Well, due to having new bodies, we will not starve as we could have experienced in our human bodies from not eating because these bodies are indestructible. God, however, did Adam and Eve food to eat even though they had not yet sinned. The Bible says, “And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden” (Genesis 2:16). Adam and Eve had not sinned where they would have died without eating and drinking, but God gave them food to eat. We also know that there is food in Heaven because God sent down manna from Heaven for the Children of Israel to eat when they were in the wilderness. The Bible says, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Exodus 16:4).         

            In heaven, even though there is food, we will not have to eat because we are hungry or drink because we are thirsty, but we will be able to do so just for the pleasure of it. The Bible says, “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat” (Revelation 17:16). Just imagine being able to eat without worrying about your calorie consumption. Yet, we know that we will eat and drink with Jesus once we get to Heaven to commemorate the gift of Salvation that He freely gave to all who accepted. The Bible says, “Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25). We are all invited to the feast of the Lamb where we will dine with our Lord and Savior. The Bible says, “When one of those who reclined at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15).

            Heaven is a beautiful place where the things of this earth will be forever gone, but we will be able to enjoy all the wonders that God has in store for us. The Bible says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:1-4). To be able to be in the presence of God will be so amazing for those who have accepted Him into their hearts, souls, and minds. The invitation has been sent. All one has to do is accept it in order to have their RSVP by way of being written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The Bible says, “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God” (Revelation 19:9).