Would you believe me if I told you my conversion story had something to do with God scaring the hell out of me? In this context, hell is that literal place Jesus talks about in Scripture. Just around the time of my conversion post 9/11, I dreamt that if I died, the only place waiting for me was hell. This truly scared me and it led me to seek God.
“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.”
Matthew 25:41
Then he will say to those on his left – If picking a side happens to be despicable to you, God’s Word tells us which side is the good side, and sorry to disappoint you, it isn’t the left side.
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels – This brings much clarity on why hell exists. It wasn’t intended for any humans to go there to begin with. This is proven when Jesus Christ, God incarnate took it upon Himself to die on our behalf so none of us would end up in this place of torment. Even though Jesus died for all men, people have the choice to accept or reject Him as their Savior.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
1 Peter 4:12
2020 has been like hell on Earth for all of its inhabitants.
Wives and husbands find themselves to be suffering from betrayal trauma
Loved ones dying
Joblessness surging
Civil unrest and lawlessness abound
Earthquakes, floods, sinkholes and mass animal die offs
Fear of death and the unknown is heightened…
God is using all this fiery ordeal to purify those who are His (Daniel 11:35) and those who are to inherit salvation. What the world is experiencing now is nothing compared to what’s coming.
“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again.”
Matthew 24:21
But fear not. If you’re a child of God, you have this assurance,
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:2
There is only one fear that is acceptable (Proverbs 9:10),
“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell.
Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Luke 12:5
This fear is the only fear that will give you peace.
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