05/03/2019 — The Old Testament and New Testament-era writers universally acknowledged the existence of hell. It is variously described as a place of punishment after judgment, a place of darkness and mourning, and an eternal destination. Jesus spoke about it more than He spoke about heaven.

Hell was not made for you! You were made to spend eternity in heaven with God the Father and His Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet, a just God can only welcome you in heaven if you have made the divine exchange of your life for that of Jesus. Hell is the only alternative to that decision. Decide today that you'll do what it takes to live in heaven and not hell!

EDUCATION

Daniel 12:1-13
“'And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.'
"Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the water of the river, 'How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?'
"And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. And when they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
"As for me, I heard, but I could not understand. So I said, 'My lord, what shall be the result of these things?'
"And he said, 'Go your way, Daniel. For these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white and tried. But the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
'From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
'But as for you, go your way until the end. Then you shall rest and rise again for your lot at the end of the age'” (MEV).

Matthew 25:31-46
“When the Son of Man appears in his majestic glory, with all his angels by his side, he will take his seat on his throne of splendor, and all the nations will be gathered together before him. And like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats, he will separate all the people. The ‘sheep’ he will put on his right side and the ‘goats’ on his left. Then the King will turn to those on his right and say, ‘You have a special place in my Father’s heart. Come and experience the full inheritance of the kingdom realm that has been destined for you from before the foundation of the world! For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison you visited me.’
“Then the godly will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and give you food and something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and invite you in? When did we see you poorly clothed and cover you? When did we see you sick and tenderly care for you, or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’
“Then to those on his left the King will say, ‘Leave me! For you are under the curse of eternal fire that has been destined for the devil and all his demons. For when you saw me hungry, you refused to give me food, and when you saw me thirsty, you refused to give me something to drink. I had no place to stay, and you refused to take me in as your guest. When you saw me poorly clothed, you closed your hearts and would not cover me. When you saw that I was sick, you didn’t lift a finger to help me, and when I was imprisoned, you never came to visit me.’
“And then those on his left will say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not give you food and something to drink? When did we see you homeless, or poorly clothed? When did we see you sick and not help you, or in prison and not visit you?’
“Then he will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you refused to help one of the least important among these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you refused to help and honor me.’ And they will depart from his presence and go into eternal punishment. But the godly and beloved ‘sheep’ will enter into eternal bliss.”

APPLICATION

• We have lost the absolute fear of God. We believe that it is contrary to the character of God’s love, because we have overdosed on a misinterpretation of the love of God. But we can't know that God loves righteousness without understanding that He punishes evil.
• In the Old Testament and during Jesus's earthly ministry, writers acknowledged the existence of hell. And Jesus agreed! He spoke of it often.
There may not be literal flames in hell, but a thorough study of what was said about hell in Jesus's time and what those statements means suggest that it may be worse than an eternity in a place of unquenchable fire.
• Hell is a real place of punishment for those who have not chosen to live for Jesus. Unfortunately, many contemporary preachers have chosen not to speak about hell because they fear the response of the people who need to hear about hell the most!
• The only way to avoid hell is to be sure you're ready for heaven! And you can be! Choose today to make a commitment to leave your sinful past behind and live for Jesus. Then you will be bound for heaven and will never know what hell looks like. Then, commit to bringing everyone you can to join you in heaven!

IMPARTATION

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the clarity of Your Word and the words of Your Son, Jesus Christ, concerning the reality of hell! It is surely not pleasant to contemplate. But you have clearly shown the choice that is before me and the people in my circles of influence concerning their eternal destiny. I believe what You have shown about the consequences of refusing Your offer of heaven.

Order my steps so that I may share with everyone I know about the reality of both hell and heaven, so they will choose to turn from their sin nature and embrace an eternal future with You. Thank You for Your plan, Heavenly Father!

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – Jehovah Joshua Messiah – I pray. Amen!