" WORD of TRUTH Lighthouse ": January 2025

Friday, January 3, 2025

"HELL - And Eternal Protection for the Saints"

2nd.Peter 2:1-9 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if GOD spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:"

GOD's WORD declares that Hell is real, and that GOD is love. Sadly, many who do not understand the nature of GOD believe that these two verities cannot coexist. Yet mankind's finite, errant understanding of GOD and HIS WORD does not negate the truth ! Not only does the love of GOD manifest itself in the gracious plan of redemption offered to all men, but it also reveals itself in the protection of the righteous as well. As odd as it sounds, Hell ensures the believers' eternal safety and his protection from sin. It is evidence of the LORD's love to all who believe in HIM.

In the physical realm, criminals are incarcerated, additionally, those afflicted with contagious diseases are quarantined. Obviously, separation from these individuals is necessary for the protection and benefit of others. The same is true in the spiritual realm. Hell guarantees our safety from evil and unbelief. Sin and sinful men destroy and defile others. Our text tells us that some even spread "damnable heresies" (v.1 pictured above) and infect many (v.2 pictured above). If these sinners refuse to receive GOD's redemption, they must be forever separated from GOD and HIS children. The LORD, in HIS goodness, knows "how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and [how] to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (v.9). While the reality of Hell is certainly an unpleasant and sobering thought, it should motivate us as believers to faithfully serve our LORD and proclaim salvation to the lost. Hell is a real place that lasts forever. Hell is necessary due to GOD's nature and HIS laws. But praise GOD for the grace HE offers to all and for the eternal protection that HE bestows on those who accept HIS wonderful gift. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"HELL - And a GOD of Law and Order"

2nd.Thessalonians 1:1-12 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST: grace unto you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are bound to thank GOD always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of GOD for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of GOD, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of GOD, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with GOD to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD JESUS shall be revealed from Heaven with HIS mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of HIS power; when HE shall come to be glorified in HIS saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our GOD would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of HIS goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST may be glorified in you, and ye in HIM, according to the grace of our GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST."

From the beginning, GOD established laws by which HIS creation must abide. Law is necessary in the home, in government, and in nature in order for things to function properly. The LORD has also set laws by which HE governs the spiritual realm. Due to the very nature of a holy GOD, divine Law demands absolute righteousness and holiness in order to enter into HIS Heaven. All, however, are born sinners. Every violation of the Law carries a penalty. The consequence for sin is separation from GOD and punishment for iniquity and unbelief (Romans 6:23 pictured at top of post); Ezekiel 18:4 pictured above). Hell is a necessary reality because sinful man is incompatible with a holy GOD. The LORD cannot change HIS attributes or nature, so what is the solution to our sin problem ? We must be changed. GOD loved the world so much that HE provided us the means to change.

All that GOD requires or demands in order for us to enjoy a right relationship with HIM is graciously offered to us as a free gift through faith in JESUS CHRIST. JESUS died that we might have salvation. We must either accept or reject this gift. Those who accept it will enjoy eternal life with GOD. Those who reject it cannot reside with GOD and will face eternal punishment. Hell is an endless prison house for those who have violated GOD's spiritual Law and refuse to be governed by it. Today's text explicitly defines the people who will spend eternity there -- those who "know not GOD, and that obey not the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (v.8). The LORD prepared Hell, not for man, but for Satan and his angels (demons). However, all who refuse HIS free gift of eternal life will pay the penalty for their sin in this horrifying place (Matthew 25:41 pictured above; Revelation 20:7-15). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"HELL - And A Loving GOD"

2nd.Thessalonians 1:1-12 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST: grace unto you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are bound to thank GOD always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of GOD for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulation that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of GOD, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of GOD, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with GOD to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Those who argue against the reality of a literal Hell usually claim that the existence of such a terrible place could not possibly coincide with their conception of a "loving GOD." These skeptics oftentimes will ask, "How could a loving GOD send anyone to a literal, eternal Hell to suffer endless torment ?" They reject what the Scriptures have to say because they fail to understand the nature of GOD.

The Bible plainly states that Hell is literal and real. The LORD spoke more about Hell then HE did about Heaven. Yet GOD's WORD also makes it clear that HE is a GOD of love and compassion. How do we know this ? First, love expresses itself in the provision of needs. GOD has provided us with so much for which to be thankful -- fresh air, sunshine, water, food, clothing, and everything else we require in order to live. Second, love manifests itself by sacrifice. We know that "GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8). HE loved us so much that HE suffered and died in our place on Calvary's cross. This is the ultimate sacrifice. Third, GOD conveys HIS love through HIS "grace" and "peace" offered to every believer (vv.2,12). HE not only desires for mankind to experience HIS grace, but HE also wants HIS children to have peace and rest amid turmoil and confusion (v.7). The Bible, from cover to cover, is the story of GOD's love for mankind. HE made the world for man. HE created day and night for man. HE initiated redemption from sin and death for man. HE promises to eternally bless all who believe in CHRIST. The LORD also desires for all to be in fellowship with HIM forever (2nd.Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 33:11 both pictured above). All of this clearly proves the love of our GOD. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

Thursday, January 2, 2025

"Is Hell Real ?"

Revelation 20:11-15 "And I saw a great white throne, and HIM that sat on it, from WHOSE face the Earth and the Heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD; and the books were opened: and another book was opened which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the [LAMBS] Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."

Certainly, one of the most unpleasant topics in Scripture is the subject of eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. Due to its horrifying description, the reality of Hell is naturally one of the most unpopular truths, even among Christians. No one wants to think about going to Hell, and sometimes believers are wary about telling others that Hell is real. As a result of its offensiveness, some religious leaders have denied the literal reality of Hell. The late Pope John Paul II said the Bible's references to Hell are only symbolic of "the complete frustration and emptiness of life without GOD." The late Evangelist Billy Graham also questioned the doctrine of a literal Hell, saying it is "not fire but something worse -- a thirst for GOD that cannot be quenched." It seems as though every month a professing Christian pastor or author makes a statement or publishes a book that denies an actual literal Hell. But what does GOD's WORD have to say on the subject ?

Since Hell is such an unpleasant idea that, in the mind of man, fails to conform to his concept of an "all loving GOD," people attempt to invent afterlife alternatives. But as today's text reveals, Hell is a real, literal place. The enemies of truth, including Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, will be cast into this real Lake of Fire and "tormented day and night for ever and ever" (v.10). Likewise, those who have rejected GOD's gift of eternal life through JESUS CHRIST will also be cast into this dreadful place (v.15). We must never minimize the reality of Hell simply because it is an unpopular subject and a horrible thought that anyone we know, or love could end up there. Apart from JESUS CHRIST, the wages of sin is death, and this condemnation entails far more than a "thirst for GOD that cannot be quenched." MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Used with permission. www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation