Today's blog deals with a very serious issue. According to statistics compiled by Barna.org, many people who call themselves Christians do not believe that anyone will go to hell. This is troubling to me and as such I will present what the Bible has to say about this. (This by no mean are the only Scriptures that deal with eternal destination.)
John 5:24-29 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
In the text of Scripture, Jesus is speaking. He stated that who ever hears His word and believes will have everlasting life. (v.24) The Barna Group have surmised that a Christian who believes that everyone is going to Heaven is the same as saying that, "God is somehow going to change His requirement for eternal life and let everyone in."
Jesus then stated that the hour will come when the dead (spiritually dead) will hear the voice of the Son of God and for those who hear - they will live. (v. 25) It is important to stress that this a choice for all of mankind--there is a choice made to believe or not to believe in Christ. While it is every Christian's responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how can we share what we do not know? We must be able to first tell others that Jesus died that ALL who believe in Him may not perish!!! (John 3:16) It is also the responsibility of every Christian to speak the truth of the Bible and to give a defense for the "hope that lies within us." (I Peter 3:13-18) The Bible is our only authority when it comes to these matters. We must never lean on our own understanding. (Prov. 3:4-6)
Jesus then re-stated that in Him was eternal life. He has the authority to execute judgement, which was given to Him by God as the Son of man.
Jesus alone will execute judgement. (v. 27) It is not possible for a preacher, bishop, minister, Pope or anyone to know for sure that anybody is going or has gone to heaven or hell. Please understand that I am trying to make clear that although we may share Christ with someone, witness them receive Christ, we still may not know for sure that they are saved. There have been many persons who have stated that they just "went through the motion" to get the person to leave them alone. This is truly sad but unfortunately it is very true. Therefore, the eternal destination of each of us will be determined by Jesus Himself. I say this because Jesus said it, yet we allow others to tell us differently! Only Christ has The Authority to judge. While understanding that Christ will be the judge, we must still do our part. He has commanded of us in Matthew 28:11-20, 18 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age."
Jesus then stated "do not marvel at this."(v. 28) He did not teach, nor should we think that this would be a delightful event when Jesus has to judge. After all, He wants us to believe in Him and not perish. Finally, Jesus stated that the hour is coming when all these things will come to pass and He will do as He must. He will call everyone "in the graves" to come forth and those "who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." (v. 29) Christ drew a clear contrast of two resurrections. How can I say anything different. Can I or you say that everyone is going to Heaven when Christ does not????!!!!!
There is a choice that we all have to make in this Life. We cannot believe that God will change His plans for eternal life, to suit us. We must believe and teach what the Bible says. I pray that you choose LIFE this DAY....Choose Christ and believe on Him with your heart...and He shall give you ETERNAL life.
To God be the Glory!!!!
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