Our Eternal Future

What does the future hold when we pass from this earth? Is it Heaven, Hell or is it the end of any existance? Whatever it is, is it permanent, temporary or do we have another chance? There are many options that people believe and there are others; but what is the truth? Now here is where we need to examine what the Bible says.

The Bible is clear, and much is said about our eternal destiny and there are no references that we cease to exist entirely after we pass from here; but much is revealed about both Heaven and Hell. Also for both of these, it is a fact that both are eternal with no end and no option for a second chance or any type of reincarnation.

Heaven

Many believe that the majority or even all people will go to Heaven. Many others would say that only those who have done major ‘bads’ such as murder, stolen bigger things like robbed banks or peoples homes, hurt people, or other similar things will not get to Heaven; but that most people are relatively good and will go there.
But does the Bible teach us this? Lets examine a few scriptures on this subject.

Matthew 7:13,14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Here we see, that Jesus is saying by comparison, that the majority of people won't find their way into Heaven, but will find Hell instead.

Note also the verse says that difficult is the way; what does that mean? Most people have a false belief of what it takes to get to Heaven and not based on what the Bible teaches as the only way.

There are no verses of Scripture, that even remotely indicate Church membership, baptism, being a good moral person, etc; as having any indication of getting into into Heaven. When it comes to baptism, notice that if you examine the verses (Acts 18:8, Acts 10: 47,48, Acts 8: 29~31 & 35 ~ 38) closely, that you need to hear God’s Word, next believe, and then get baptised. Baptism is an outward expression of obedience, not an act that can have any power to earn you any right into Heaven.

Hell

Some say hell is not real, others say if there is a hell it is only for those who have done really bad things while here, and on and on it goes. What is the truth anyway. Should you be concerned to know the truth about hell, the Devil and Satan? Lets examine the evidence.

Hell is referred to as a place of torment, forever, darkness, fire, eternity without God, weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Bible warns of a place called hell where all those who do not believe (trust) in Jesus will burn. Over 70 of these references were uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ! John 3:36 ends by saying “he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” The wrath here references an ultimate destination in hell. Lets examine a few more passages.

HELL IS A PLACE OF FIRE. In Luke 16:24 the rich man cries ‘I am tormented in this flame’. In Matthew 13:42, Jesus says: And shall cast them into a FURNACE OF FIRE: where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. There are other passages that refer to fire such as Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:15, Mark 9:46 to name a few.

Consider our senses from Luke 16, such as:

Sight: Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments

Feeling: Luke 16:24 send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:28 For I have five brothers; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Permanence: Luke 16:26 between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

Hell is an everlasting fire: Matt:18:8, 25:41; everlasting punishment- Matt:25:46; unquenchable fire- Luke 3:17; blackness of darkness forever Jude 1:13; and on and on are other numerous scripture about hell.

In Matt: 5:29,30 Jesus Christ took hell so serious — He could say without the slightest hesitation — to remove your eye, cut off your hand or foot, if that would keep you out of hell!

The world tries to extinguish the cries and reality of hell — the truth of hell echoes throughout our world. Many desperately pretend to cover their ears and igonore the "screams, the weeping, the wailing, the gnashing of teeth" but it is still there. How many refuse to accept that such a place exists. Nothing we can do, nothing we can say, can erase the horror of hell.

The Truth about Hell is interesting to know that it was made for the devil and his angels: Matt: 25:41. God does not send anyone to hell, it is because we choose hell by rejecting the only one that can save us from our sins and keep us out of hell. It is a willful act on our behalf of refusing God’s love and forgiveness in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ gave a solemn warning in Matthew 7:21-23 that there would be many in that day that will think they are getting into Heaven because of things they have done and will be sadly mistaken. Jesus will say ‘depart from me, I never knew you.’ There are no amount of good works or deeds we can do that can earn us a place in Heaven. It is only by Gods grace and mercy that we can have eternal life with Him. Eph. 2:8,9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.