Steven A. Bush - February 23, 2020
Heaven, Yes! Hell, No!
Revelation 21:3-4 could not be more hopeful and promising as Jesus describes the new heaven and earth: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'” (ESV) This is the promised eternal destination for the regenerated sons and daughters of God, purchased by Christ's blood, made His forevermore. But verse 8 of this same chapter could not be more cryptic and foreboding as it describes the eternal destination of those who reject Christ: "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV) This list of sins is not exclusive and Jesus went to the cross to suffer the punishment for all sin. The question is, have you acknowledged that He has died for your sins? Have you placed faith in Him who alone atones and cleanses? There is an implicit invitation here for you to receive Christ and it comes from Him personally. How will you respond to His invitation?