Everyone will face eternity one day. The righteous enter “life eternal” (Matt. 25:46), and the unrighteous are cast into hell or the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). The lake of fire is the final dwelling place for those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 20:15).
We should thank God for the revelation His Word gives us concerning Heaven. If we are in Christ, we are Heaven-bound! We should also thank God for what scripture says about hell. Those who haven’t made Jesus their Lord are not Heaven-bound. Christians need to reach these people with the Gospel. We must let them know there is a Heaven to gain and a hell to shun.
Who’s Who
There once were books that listed people who achieved a degree of prominence in the arts and sciences, in business, and in various professions. Sometimes it’s interesting to know “who’s who” in life. The Bible also gives us a “who’s who” in hell, so to speak.
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
This scripture lists the kinds of unsaved people who go to hell. We know that those who practice sin do not know the Lord (1 John 3:6–8), and the Bible says without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, no man can see God (John 3:3; 14:6).
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31, the rich man didn’t go to hell because he was wealthy. He went to hell because he was not rich toward God. He left God out of his life and didn’t acknowledge Him as the author of eternal life.
The parable of the 10 virgins (Matt. 25:1–13) illustrates another kind of person who the Bible says will spend eternity in hell. Parables usually convey one central truth the Lord wants to get over to us. The main principle in this parable is to be ready for Heaven as our eternal destination! We need to be ready to meet the Master!
There are good people in hell. They are there because they never accepted Christ as Savior and Lord.Kenneth E. Hagin
The five foolish virgins weren’t bad people; they were clean and wholesome. But they weren’t ready to meet the bridegroom. There are good people in hell. They are there because they never accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord.
The Bible also says the fool will be cast into hell. In Luke 12:16–21, the foolish farmer had the attitude of many people today. They are laying up treasures for themselves on the earth. They are enjoying the pleasures of life today without giving any thought to eternal things. But God said to the farmer, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (v. 20 NKJV).
Are You Ready?
It takes more than belonging to a church or being baptized in water to miss hell and go to Heaven. The Bible says, “You must be born again” (John 3:7 NKJV)!
Are you ready to meet the Master? You can be if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The Bible says there is no other name under Heaven but the Name of Jesus by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Through Jesus, you can miss hell and be listed among the “who’s who” of Heaven where you will dwell eternally with the Lord.
[Editor’s Note: This article was adapted from Kenneth E. Hagin’s book Classic Sermons.]
Salvation Prayer
Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I repent of my sin and ask for Your forgiveness. I surrender my life to You and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving and loving me! Help me to live every day for You for the rest of this life.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time, let us know by emailing [email protected]. We want to send you free material to get you started in your new life as God’s child.
Author
Kenneth E. Hagin
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