Let me just go ahead and say before I start that no words and no phrasing in English or any other language can ever even begin to describe the joy found in Heaven and the suffering found in Hell. I capitalize both of them because I completely believe that they both exist as real places. Alright, so, here we go, Heaven, then Hell.
Heaven
Heaven blatantly is eternal togetherness with God. The subsequent infinite amount of happiness and joy that go along with that cannot even be imagined. The faithful few in the Bible, like Moses, who actually got a chance to see God in all His glory were forever changed, they could do nothing but fall flat on their faces before Him in complete surrender of how broken and in need of Him that they were. Moses had to cover his face with a veil after being in the Lord's presence because his face literally glowed. In a similar way, this is how it will feel in heaven. As Trip Lee puts it "A million years later, the joy is the same". But that just really cannot do it justice, because a million years in heaven is nothing compared to ETERNITY, a literal never ending amount of time, or, to some, a place where time simply has no meaning at all. I will not go into the theology of the passage of time in regards to the after life one way or another, believe what you will. I agree with Wesley in that once you die, you are immediately at the end of time, after everyone and everything in the universe has ceased to exist, because time has no meaning and part of your eternal joy is being with your loved ones forever. I also believe that everyone will have a job so to speak. The job that you have will be determined by determined by how you spent your time here on Earth. I am not saying that if you did nothing useful as a Christian on Earth that you will be a toilet cleaner, although that is completely possible. I am saying that if you spend your time on Earth preaching the Gospel to everyone you meet and living your life by the example that Jesus set that you will have a really, really awesome job like God's golf buddy or something. That is the best way that I can put, and that is how I see it being.
Hell
First off, I just want to quote Paul, the pastor at Summit Crossing here in Huntsville, "We should not try to scare people of hell, partially because there is no words or way to relate the horror of it...we should use God's living and active Word to show His love to the world, to bring real truth to people" That is probably not word for word what he said, but pretty close. Do not get me wrong, people should be afraid of Hell, but we should not use the idea of Hell to try to scare people into Heaven, it just does not work that way. For more insight into this, watch Nooma with Rob Bell (youtube "Bullhorn Guy", you will find it), he puts it better than I can. Anyway, the Bible defines Hell as eternal separation from God. Here on Earth we have open communication with God through His Holy Spirit within us, but imagine a place where, even if you want to, you cannot communicate with God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit in any way. Directly, I picture Hell as an eternal blackness, so expansive that you cannot reach out and touch anything and you cannot see anything, you cannot walk or anything, you are just suspended in an eternal darkness. To accompany this, there is unbearable pain that cannot be compared to any form of torture imaginable on this Earth. The Bible puts it as "where there is gnashing of teeth, and the fire is never quenched". So, there is unimaginable pain and suffering both externally and internally in the form of just pure pain, probably in the form of fire, but on top of that, you will never know God's love again, nor love of any kind. You will never be able to see your loved ones or anyone. And this suffering never gets any less, unlike electricity and other forms of torture here on Earth that the body can become used to and lessen the pain of, through endorphins or some other form of adaptation. No, this suffering never gets to be any less, and it lasts for ETERNITY. Utter unimaginable torment and loneliness forever with no hope of it ever stopping. That is how I picture hell.
Conclusion
I also believe that every single person that does not get to hear about God and anyone who rejects God will be sent to Hell, no exceptions. Think about it, if everyone who did not hear about God got a "get out of Hell free card", then telling them about God and his Gospel would be the worst thing that we could possibly ever do to them, and we know that this is not true because the Bible is absolutely filled from cover to cover with messages that it is our job as Christians to "go forth and make disciples of all nations". For this reason, it is our RESPONSIBILITY as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ to go forth and tell the "Good News" to all nations so that no person goes to hell. There is no "I am just not called to do that" or "only some people are called to do that", ALL of God's children who have been blessed with the knowledge of Him and His Son owe it to the world to tell everyone about Him. David Platt manages to summarize this into a single line in his book Radical (which everyone should be required to read, Page 74:) "Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell." SERIOUSLY, not a joke, God calls all of us to Radical abandonment to His purpose, which is bringing the Good News to everyone. Worried about what you will wear, eat, drink, where you will sleep? Read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), they are completely filled with images of how, if God clothes, shelters, and feeds birds, grass, and flowers so well, how much more will he provide for His children who are doing His will? Think about it...
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Favorite Verses from October 9-21
Matthew 7:1-5
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
-This is not just talking about judging other people out loud either to yourself or in the form of gossip with others, but also at the thinking level. If you judge people, whether it be the action that they are doing or their appearance or whatever, in your mind, you are still judging them.
Matthew 10:26-33,37-39
"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven....Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 18:15-17
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
Matthew 18:19-20
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Luke 12:22-31
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
-Again, I just cannot stress enough how this is not just some allegory to something that only some "special" or "called" Christians should do, it is something that we should all practice daily, and in doing so, our lives will be made much more happy and filled with joy.
Luke 14:7-14
When he noticed how the gusts picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, ad he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
-This is not just talking about judging other people out loud either to yourself or in the form of gossip with others, but also at the thinking level. If you judge people, whether it be the action that they are doing or their appearance or whatever, in your mind, you are still judging them.
Matthew 10:26-33,37-39
"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven....Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 18:15-17
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
Matthew 18:19-20
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Luke 12:22-31
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
-Again, I just cannot stress enough how this is not just some allegory to something that only some "special" or "called" Christians should do, it is something that we should all practice daily, and in doing so, our lives will be made much more happy and filled with joy.
Luke 14:7-14
When he noticed how the gusts picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, ad he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Favorite Verses from October 5-8
Matthew 5:3-16
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they ill be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for int he same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:27-32
"You have heard it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tel you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must giver her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
-This is serious stuff, not a joke, not a metaphor. Do not try to reword this passage to make it more comfortable to you in our modern day and age, when Jesus said this, he meant it as is.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they ill be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for int he same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:27-32
"You have heard it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tel you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must giver her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
-This is serious stuff, not a joke, not a metaphor. Do not try to reword this passage to make it more comfortable to you in our modern day and age, when Jesus said this, he meant it as is.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Are You Hungry?
Lately I have been consistently spending an hour a day alone with God. Subsequently, I have been reading a book called Radical by David Platt. This book is really changing my perspective on how we, as Americans, look at God. America is home to a large variety of religions, but of those who call themselves Christians, how many of them only view God as that person you come and talk about twice a year on Christmas and Easter? How many of us are satisfied with only talking about him for an hour or two one a week on Sunday? One of my good friends from Frazer once compared reading your Bible and praying to God to eating. You, as a human being, cannot survive if you do not eat. In the same way, you cannot grow spiritually in your relationship with God if you do not read the Bible and pray to God daily. Now, in Radical, Platt spends the first chapter talking about what is wrong with our idea of God as Americans. Here, where we have freedom of religion, we really do take God and his word for granted. We get up on Sunday morning, put on a nice, expensive set of clothes, get in our really expensive car of choice, drive a few miles in our air conditioned cars to a gigantic, elaborate church building, go into a nice, well lit, air conditioned building, and talk about God for a one or two hours while sitting in comfortable chairs, usually eating some kind of free food which is provided. Platt paints a picture of an average church meeting in a country in Asia where organized religion is illegal. He tells of how church leaders leave their homes early in the morning at planned, offset time intervals as to not arrive at the same time and draw suspision, some of them walking or bicycling dozens of miles to a broken down shack in the middle of nowhere with no air conditioning, to meet on the ground, with no chairs, no food, and talk about how the churches that they are trying to start or maintain are being torn apart by government or anti-Christian organizations who kidnap their church members and torture them or threaten to kill their entire families if they do not stop studying God's word. So I have to ask, are you hungry? Do you really appreciate what you have been given, not only in your worldly comforts, but in your ability to study God's word and speak about it with others openly? It should not be a chore to have to go to church or to read your Bible or to pray, it should be the absolute delight of your life. You should want to do it all the time because it brings you great joy and fills your life with happiness. I know that it is quickly becoming the joy of my days, and I truly pray that everyone can get to this same point of happiness and delight in God, the relationship that His son Jesus Christ has made available to us, and delight in reading the Bible, which God has left for us. Praying for you! Have a great day!
PS-You should really get a copy of Radical by David Platt, you can pick it up anywhere because it has quickly made the NYTimes best seller list for good reason.
PS-You should really get a copy of Radical by David Platt, you can pick it up anywhere because it has quickly made the NYTimes best seller list for good reason.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)