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
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
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