In my last post, I ventured into the subject of Biblical
Eschatology. Please understand that I am
a layman, not a clergyman, and I have not had the benefit of seminary
(cemetery). Further, in the interest of
full disclosure, I want to share with you that, although my views are my own,
my beliefs about “end time” events have been strongly influenced by Hal Lindsay
(www.hallindsey.com) and Jack Van Impe (www.jvim.com). Please understand that I realize that
scripture on this subject is open to interpretation, and that in most cases
people should not divide over such interpretation.
With all that said, let me proclaim that God is good and
kind! (Ps 25:8-11, Lk 6:35) Many people raise the objection that a good and
loving god would not send people to hell.
That is the argument of the criminal.
It is blaming God for the consequences of the choice the person makes to do wrong. If you spend time talking to incarcerated
felons, you will find that they frequently blame anyone and everyone but themselves
for their incarceration; rather than accepting the responsibility for the
consequences of their actions.
God is love. (1Jn 4:16) He loved humanity so much that He
gave the His only begotten Son as a substitute; to die the death we deserve for
the wrongs we have done. (Jn 3:16, Rom 8:3) Sin brings death (Rom 6:23), but
God has provided eternal life through Jesus Christ (Jn10:27-30); if only we
will just accept it. (Acts 11:30-31)
Since the fall of Satan (Is 14:12, Rev 12:7-9), there has
been an ongoing conflict between good and evil.
If we choose the good, and follow Jesus, we will inherit an eternal life
full of blessings and joy in the very presence of God. (Lk 15:10, Jude 24-25,
1Thes 4: 13:18) If we choose evil, we will be cast into the lake of fire, along
with Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet (Rev 20). And, the smoke of our torment will rise up
forever and ever. (Rev 14:11, Rev 19:3) How
we end up depends on what we choose. It
is not because God is mean, but because good and evil cannot coexist in the
kingdom that the Father will give to Jesus when he puts His enemies at His
feet. Good will triumph in the end. (Rev
19,20,21)
God knew that no man can be completely righteous. (Rom
3:10) Compared to the righteousness of God, the best we can do is like filthy
rags. (Is 64:6) God does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to
repentance. (2Pet 3:9) He gave His Son to provide a way, the only way (Jn 14:6),
of salvation. We cannot save ourselves with good deeds. We are saved by grace and grace alone. Why?
In order to do the good deeds that God has prepared in advance for us to
do. (Eph 2:6-10) We must set aside our sinful nature, take up our cross daily,
and follow Him. (Lk 9:23)
You can’t serve both God and evil. (Mt 6:24) The love of
the things of this world is hatred of God. (1Jn 2:15, Jas 4:4) That is why
there is so much opposition to the teachings of the Bible in today’s world. Give your life to Christ, and be indwelt by
the Holy Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit
to lead you, and you will keep the commandments of God (Rom 8:4-11, Gal
5:16-25). Choose the side of the good,
or you will be led by the Devil into hell. (2Thes 2:9-10) And, you will not be able to blame anyone but
yourself.
