For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
I felt joy after reading the above scripture. It reminded me of the message of John, the baptiser, before he revealed the Messiah: “…Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2) However, I don’t hear this proclaimed anymore, though.
If you listen to Christian evangelists, preachers or teachers, it is more likely you’ll hear about countless other topics than the need for mankind to repent, because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Yet, this simple truth seems to have been lost in the myriad of voices who claim to be preachers of the gospel of “Christ”.
It’s amazing how the 27 “books” which make up the new testament has generated such a vast universe of rhetoric, doctrines, debate and merchandise all aimed, supposedly, at preparing “believers” for the return of Christ. Yet, the core message of the gospel seems to have been lost.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
This scripture is the cornerstone of every evangelical message aimed at converting non-Christians to belief in Christ. Despite being often quoted, and most widely known, the simple, but powerful truth of its message, has lost its efficacy among those who seek to misuse the gospel.
In the gospel of John chapter 3 and verse 16 the love of God for man is manifestly expressed by the creator sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. This love is not a warm hug, nor is it an ethereal cosy feeling of effervescence. This love was demonstrated and defined by this sacrificial and self-less act of seeking our redemption from eternal destruction as a result of our inherent sinful nature. Thus, the verse says: “…that whosever believeth in him should not perish…”
Owing to mankind’s sinful nature, in contrast to the creator’s holiness, we are eternally separated from the presence of God. But, He, being a loving and merciful creator, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from His wrath against all ungodliness.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
God has chosen a time for all men to be judged. Therefore, for those who accept their sinful condition and receive the gift of his love through belief in His Son, they will be saved from the wrath of His final judgment. What is the final judgment God?
There are many who do not believe that hell is real. Regardless of what they choose to believe, those who are willing to accept that God does exist will do well to believe that while He is a God of love and of mercy, He is also a God of judgment.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… (2 Corinthians 5:11)
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:26-29)
This fundamental truth is important to note, because being assigned to hell is not something anyone would desire as their final and eternal punishment. Because of this knowledge of the ultimate end facing all those who reject the salvation in Christ, the preaching of the gospel to all mankind had greater impetus.
In the gospel of Luke chapter 16 and verses 19 to 31 Jesus gives an account of a rich man who lifted up his eyes in hell being in torment. For the first time, those who read these verses get a much clearer picture, albeit not a complete one, of what the sufferings of the condemned are like.
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matthew 18:8, 9)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30)
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50)
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; (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… (2 Corinthians 5:11)
The good news of the gospel, along with the promise of new heavens and earth, is our God’s gift to those who believe Him and believe in His Son. It is made even more profound, when we understand the great penalty to be paid for rejecting so great a gift of love and hope.
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation… (Hebrews 2:3)