The reality of the Lake of Fire...

(Revelation 21:8)  “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

Once again I have been confronted with a sober thought that has sprung to mind, life in its entirety! Not just our existence here on earth but the full picture considered for what it is; our reality! The full picture and not only that which most have been deceived to believe about life on earth and then the apparent smell of roses for all that pass from this life into the next regarding our spiritual existence in eternity; a timeless reality after death but in a spiritual form. How often have you heard family and friends say that a loved one in now in a far better place regardless of the way they have lived their lives, irrespective of what God has taught us through His word, the Bible!  In other words we have all been born as babies then live life here on earth, then we die, are buried and because what happens after death is unseen; no one has actually live there and then lived here, save the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection; “"Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”” (Luke 24:46-28)  - These were eye witnesses that saw the Lord Jesus’ resurrected body after His death.

He proved to them that there is life after death, they handled his resurrected body, and it wasn’t an airy-fairy mystical body like “Casper the ghost” but very real and tangible. No different in likeness to what our bodies will be like when we pass from this life into the next. We do not die in that sense but move into a different realm, this is our reality! Our physical bodies will certainly die but our souls will live on. An Idiom like “I can sleep when I am dead” is a lie! And for most there will not be the smell of roses but sulphur burning in a lake of fire. Why? All because most will not yield to the message of the gospel! Some may embrace the idea on their own terms but this will never cut it. It will not help you escape God’s judgement! God has chosen to use the realm of faith as a key to get us to escape His judgement, He has made a way in which we may escape the Lake of Fire (hell), but only for all who will trust and obey His gospel. Why has He chosen to do it this way? Who are we to question God? We are His creation and we must align ourselves with His choices or pay the price. There is nothing complicated about that! Will we embrace the gospel or not? Will we follow the Lord Jesus example or not? Will you remain defiant as I have heard many speak like fools regarding the free gift of salvation? We cannot say we are good people because we are not, just look in the mirror with an honest heart and that will be soon realised. Expressions like, “I trust that the good I do will out way the bad I have done”, it will never meet God’s requirements that I can promise you! The Bible is very clear on that. “All have sin and fall short of the glory of God”. Only the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted by God and unless you are covered by His spilt blood, hell will be your final destination, period! But God has made a way for all who in faith believe His promises; seek out His forgiveness will earnestness and it will be well with your soul. Come God’s way and life for eternity will end well. Reject His mercy and it will end badly!

There is not only one death but two and the only way to escape the second death is to have our names written in the book of life. In order to be enrolled in that book we need to come the way of the gospel; “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

To my dear friends, it is not enough to sit on the fence. I know this is a sobering thought, but lets us rather face this reality now because on the other side it will be too late and there will be no second chances. My prayer would be for you to surrender to Him, the One who is worthy of all surrender, even Jesus Christ the Lord, praise His glorious name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone