Not to long ago one of the top videos being played on the web was Gov. Mike Huckabee’s answer to a debate question about creation. It was obvious that the [old] mainstream media debate questioner, [liberal] Wolf Blitzer, was attempting to marginalize any Republican presidential candidate he could. Huckabee went on to answer the question, not giving Blitzer any political fodder which would make him [out] to be perceived as a fanatic.
As I reflected on this debate segment, I was reminded of two priority subjects that most people will avoid:
1- “Creation” as historically documented in the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures
2- “Hell” as historically documented in both the Old Testament Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
Even more so to be avoided than the Biblically recorded history of creation, is the literal existence of “hell.” This is not to say that “hell” is not recognized, as it is very often glibly used in conversational speech. But, most generally, “hell” is not taken seriously, by most people. After all, why would someone believe in a literal hell if he or she did not believe in a literal creation and that they were special creations of Almighty Creator God?
Apart from Scriptural references to hell – this [following] is why I believe in a literal hell
Sometime ago I came across the folloing website link - don’t ever doubt hell’s existence and its intended purpose:
“Child Sacrifice -- How the Islamist death cult is destroying a generation of youth” -- wnd.com
It is my contention that our world would not make sense if there were no literal hell. If certain human beings of past, present and future exercised their free moral will to commit horrendous acts upon their fellow human beings and ultimately “get away” with it, then, how could one reasonably believe in goodness, love, heaven – and, especially, “justice?” Even the hardened Nazi war criminals (as they appeared at the Nuremberg Trials), had to cover their faces in shame as real live movie footage was displayed in court, chronicling their holocaust atrocities. They knew by (God-given) instinct (of human conscience) that what they perpetrated was utterly wrong and ghastly by any standards and that justice was crying out! Romans 2:11-16
If hell and its retributive justice for human sin do not exist, then what does actually exist? Are, what we all experience by sight, sound and touch mere figments of our collective imaginations?
One of Christ’s references to hell
Creator Triune God has made it abundantly clear in His [Scripture] Revelation Gift to humanity, the stark reality of hell. It is said that when it came to hell and heaven, Christ spoke more about hell than he did of heaven. In one of Christ’s most striking desciptions about hell, Christ related the parable of “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” Luke 16:19-31
Hell is an utterly lonely God forsaken place of unimaginable horror. It will be a person’s final destination of forever regret. It will be an eternal prison of pain and agony to be experienced with all the senses. But most of all, it will be a fixed and unending [eternal] punishment for those who neglected Creator / Savior Christ during their physical [earthly] lives. And, the literal “hell of it” will be, that forever lament, (as exemplified in Christ’s parable) of having had the opportunity to have avoided all the hellishness of hell and not having made provision for one’s own priceless soul!
Everyone "qualifies" for hell
You don’t have to be an unrepentant Nazi war criminal or a present day terrorist (training children to blow themselves up as suicide bombers) to qualify for hell.
You don’t have to be the worst of humanity’s scum to qualify for Creator God’s just judgment:
“Elton John’s Attempted Redemption:” -- “……If a depraved criminal has raped and murdered ten women, the judge couldn’t care less how much he has redeemed himself by giving to charities. He will judge him on his crimes alone. You say that it’s an unfair comparison -- to liken the average human being to a depraved criminal. Not according to the Word of God… (Romans 3:10-18)…."
The point being: If you, as a businessman, politician, preacher, housewife, student, etc. and have broken any of God’s commandments – you, need cleansing from those sins of cheating, lying, extortion, etc. sins -– singular and / or cumulative. Heaven is not heaven for the imperfect. Lord God will not allow human sinners and their sin to experience and contaminate his holy celestial abode without, first, having been purged from all sin.
And, it is at this point, where human pride ends up damning one’s soul.
Lord God has provided the only way to purge human sin – and that one way is wrapped up in the birth, perfect life, suffering, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [1st Corinthians 15:1-4] His primary purpose was to be Creator God’s sacrificial lamb to cleanse human sin and make it possible for sinners to approach a holy God. Creator God will only recognize as substitute for human sinners and their sin, the perfect sacrifice of Christ. [Hebrews 9:13-14] He and He, alone, is the key for life eternal, rather than hell’s death eternal. Gospel of John 17:3 ; John 3:1-21
My prayer for all you who hear and read this message, is, that you would come to realize your own sin against holy Creator Lord God and Christ. My prayer for you is that you would drop your pretension and pride and confess your sins before God.
Having acknowledged by heart and lip your sinful wretchedness [Luke 18:9-14] –- believe the God of the Holy Hebrew and Christian revelation Scriptures. [John 3:14-21 ; 1 Corinthians 15] Trust in Him. [Isaiah 55:1-3 ; Isaiah 55:6-9] May you then be finally counted with all of heaven’s eternal souls. Only then, for you, will this life of strife, suffering and sin make perfect sense.
Amen.
Please also note:
"Hell to Pay: Believing that something is a figment of the imagination doesn’t change its hereafter reality"
Why are many people hard of spiritual hearing? -- Why will many human souls end up experiencing eternal damnation?
Above Message and Related Scriptures [below] -- Intended to be utilized in a simple worship format:Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins Related Scriptures To the Above Message
Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures:
Genesis 3:1f – Sin against God’s Commandments produces knowledge of sin and often shame. Sin will also bring forth Creator God’s certain judgment
Psalm 37:1f – The godly versus the ungodly – the godly seeks the Lord’s wisdom and guidance; the wicked do their own thing to their own destruction
New Testament Christian Scriptures:
Luke 16:19-31 – Christ’s parable of the “Rich man and Lazarus,” in which hell is vividly depicted
Matthew 25:31-46 – The Last Judgment
The Epistle of 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 – God’s righteous retribution upon “those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”
_________________________________
Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- Isaiah 53:1-12 -- an in-depth view of and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
______________________________________
Please note: Topical Messages, by subject
Pastor (emeritus) Nathan Bickel
Please also note:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship format are not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages, related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
The Christian Faith: Parts 1-3
1 -- What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3 -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “Saved” [is a Christian
Note: This edited message was previously posted online by Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel
2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3 -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “Saved” [is a Christian
Note: This edited message was previously posted online by Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel
0 comments:
Post a Comment