THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
The Reality of Hell
By
J. Stephen Lang
CBN.com
-- Now here is an unpopular topic, one that even very faithful people
tend to avoid. In our age when nothing seems permanent, the idea of being permanently
separated from God strikes people as too -- well, final. We wonder, Shouldn't
there be, perhaps, a second chance? No wonder the belief in reincarnation
is so popular. It gives people the comfort of believing that if they ruin this
life, they will get another chance, and another, and... This isn't the picture
the Bible presents. It presents us with one life per person, a life that can be
used in the service and worship of God, or a life that is lived without God. God
made us free, able to make moral and spiritual choices. So he can't really be
accused of "sending people to hell," as if he took some delight in punishing us.
Far from it! But since we are free, we can -- finally and forever -- say "No"
to God. "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure
in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways
so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should
you die?" Ezekiel 33:11 "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow
gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose
the easy way. "But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and
only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:13 "I, the Son of Man, will send my
angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all
who do evil, and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly will shine like the sun in their
Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"
Matthew 13:41-43 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that is thrown
into the water and gathers fish of every kind. When the net is full, they drag
it up onto the shore, sit down, sort the good fish into crates, and throw the
bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels
will come and separate the wicked people from the godly, throwing the wicked into
the fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:47-50 Cowards
who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the
immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars
-- their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second
death. Revelation 21:8
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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