Heaven and Hell

There is a heaven to embrace.  In heaven there will no longer be any death, no hearse will be seen, no wreaths on doors, no more funeral processions, and no cemeteries.  There will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain.  Its beauty is beyond man’s comprehension.  The apostle John described its walls to be like jasper and its street like pure gold.  The foundation stones of the city wall will be adorned with every kind of precious stone.  Its twelve gates will be like twelve pearls.  There will be no need of the sun or moon for the glory of God is the light thereof.  Nothing unclean will ever enter it.  No profane people, fornicators, adulterers, murderers, child molesters, homosexuals, liars, drunkards, dope pushers or users, abusive, or church dividers will enter heaven.  The redeemed will live in absolute peace and serenity, without fear.  Won’t it be wonderful there?

There is a hell to shun.  It is a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.  It will be like a bottomless pit where there is the sensation of falling, yet never reaching the bottom.  It is a place not just of darkness, but outer darkness; a darkness so thick you feel like you could cut it with a knife.  A perpetual fire from which there is no relief will be the experience of hell.  The scum of the earth will be its occupants.  All liars, murderers, immoral persons, sorcerers, and idolaters will reside there forever with the devil and his angels, along with all hypocrites.

In his February newsletter, Ken Joines, a long-time gospel preacher wrote, “For the obedient believer, this world is the nearest thing to Hell you will ever experience.  For the unbeliever, this world is the nearest thing to Heaven you will ever know.  This simple truth should cause those of us who believe to persevere and never let our hope grow dim.  And it should cause the unbeliever to change the course of his or her life and decide to head for a better world.  The longer I live the more certain I am that I would hate to be trapped here forever.”  Amen, brother Ken, Amen!!