Jesus spoke extensively on the existence of heaven and hell. In fact, no one in the entire Bible spoke more on heaven and hell than Jesus. If the most influential person in the history of humanity believed in a literal heaven and a literal hell then we should acknowledge that if heaven and hell aren’t real then Jesus is a colossal liar, the Bible is a book of false stories, and our faith in Christ is in vain. But as Christians we can have great confidence that whatever Jesus teaches about heaven and hell is not only true but of the upmost importance. After all the Scriptures clearly teach that our eternal destiny depends on who we believe Jesus is.
So, if heaven and hell are real what should our response be as Christians to a world drowning in sin? I believe that we need to do everything in our power to warn those around us that Jesus is the only cure for sin. And without one’s sin being atoned for through the shed blood of Jesus we force the hand of God to judge the sin of those who won’t confess Jesus as their Savior and sin substitute. Sadly, the Bible clearly teaches that those individuals will be eternally separated from God and cast into a literal hell. As Christians we have the only antidote for those who await banishment to hell; and that is Jesus. We need to share this great news with our family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers as the Lord leads. We also need to pray that the unsaved would feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit as well as for softened hearts to hear the message of the cross.
I know that some may argue that the descriptions of heaven and hell in the Bible shouldn’t be taken literally but metaphorically. Some say do you really think that heaven has streets of gold and gates of pearl? Or that hell is a place of everlasting fire, outer darkness, and a place called the lake of fire. I will concede that we can’t be certain if these images are to be taken literally or metaphorically. However, one thing we can be certain of is that heaven will be much greater than the words that are used to describe it and hell will be much worse. I believe that these descriptions of heaven and hell are meant to give us a glimpse of the absolute glorious nature of heaven or the absolute horrid state of hell.
Hell is real, it is horrible, and it is eternal. Prayer and share are our two most powerful ways to open the eyes of the blind and rescue them from their date with destiny – hell. Remember there is only one decision we can make that has an eternal impact on our destiny and that is what will we do with Jesus. So, let’s do whatever we can to get the word out that Jesus saves – someone’s eternal destiny depends on it.
very well stated
It matters not to me that heaven’s streets are paved with gold or that hell is everlasting fire; if heaven is where my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ will be, then that is where I want to be. Because an eternity separated from him is the darkest hell, I can imagine.
We are asked: “What should our response be as Christians to a world drowning in sin?”
Drowning implies water. Our citizenship is in heaven but our eternity is on the New Earth. It’s the 5:5 promise “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matt. 5:5
And this earth is filled with water and trees. We don’t inherit a world “drowning in sin” but a world of knowledge, fruitfulness, abundant water and healing. That process started at the Resurrection. Jesus was resurrected to earth, fellowshipped and ate before ascending to His throne beside the Father. He is ruling the earth from there for now so that we can ask “on earth as in heaven” but when His enemies have been made His footstool and he returns, we will be swimming in the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
So what should our response be? Nothing less than the full Gospel that is not restricted to one’s individual salvation but is an all of life worldview where our God given gifts and talents are developed so that “By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Our Gospel response should include water, trees and fruit. A cornucopia of victory and blessing that belongs to those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Ezekiel 47:1-12
Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side. When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles.read more.
Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
Revelation 22:1
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Isaiah 11
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
For now, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”