Thank you Sister Connie Keyohara for this very timely message! God Bless you and yours!!! I just posted these comments considering the state of affairs in our Country and the entire world: I will say again that the Church needs to preach heaven and hell, sin, repentance, salvation…..carry out the Great Commission. The Church has to stop being a high school pep rally as Chuck Colson said years ago. As the Church goes, the country goes…..We have to look into the mirror, take responsibility.
Once again Sister Connie, thank you for your timely post:
There are some topics I do not always care to discuss and then there are topics that are hard to discuss or explain…. this is one of my tough ones, so here goes.
While hell is not a pleasant topic to discuss, it is important to understand why we must discuss this and that the alternative gives us hope!
In English Bible translations, the word “hell” is used to translate the Hebrew word Sheol (grave or pit) and its Greek equivalent Hades. The English Bible translations Is “hell.”
The doctrine of hell has been omitted by many because of its intended severity, but it’s there for a reason. We have been told about hell to demonstrate to us the magnitude of God’s holiness. Hell should make us Alert at the righteous and just holiness of God. If we did away with the notion of hell, we’d have to do away with the very resources that show God’s justice and Sovereignty.
“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.” (Matthew 10:28, quoting Jesus)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left … Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Unfortunately, I really believe that those folks that do not care to know God now, actually say they hate God, and those that have no time or use for him now, won’t care if they’re separated from him for eternity. That’s sad!
2 Thessalonians describes it like this: They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
Matthew 8:12 says: The children of the kingdom will be driven out into the darkness where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth”.
“We cannot let pop culture define hell as something cartoon- or fable-like and harmless. We want people to understand we’re talking about hell out of love for others, not out of condemnation, manipulation, or with anything less than a broken heart. It is a real ‘final destination’ for some.” -Author unknown
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest. John 10:10
If you’re unsure where are you will spend eternity, you can speak to your Pastor or other clergy. Don’t delay, for we know not when the Lord will call us home.
Many blessings,
