Tag: Jesus Christ

4 Ways Hell is Described in Revelation 14

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Clear teaching on the reality of Hell is not a popular topic in the church today.

Even though it is unpopular, we should be clear where the Bible is clear. Here is an eye raising description of the reality of Hell.

“Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.” Rev 13:9-11

1. Hell is for those who don’t worship the true God.

“Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger.”

In this case, those who worship the beast experienced the anger of God. But anyone worships anything but God will also be subject to God’s wrath.

The only way to escape Hell is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. He died so that we don’t have to go to Hell. All we have to do is accept his grace and make a choice to turn from our sins and follow him and we will receive eternal life.

2.  Hell is where people who rebel against God experience God’s wrath.

“It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath.”

God’s wrath is another unpopular topic. Knowing that God’s anger toward sin helps us realize that he is a just God and helps us see why Jesus had to die.

3. Hell is a place suffering and torment.

“And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb.”

The suffering in Hell is related to burning and fire. This is the closest earthly description of the sufferings that will take place in Hell. If you have ever burned yourself you know it is very painful.

4. Hell is a place where there will be no relief forever and ever.

“The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”

Imagine this type of suffering and knowing that you have no rest or relief to look forward to. Just as Heaven is forever, Hell is also forever.

These truths do not make me happy. I am heartbroken thinking about people who will experience this. I  am motivated to do whatever I can to help as many as I can to avoid this fate. Through prayer, sharing the gospel, and loving our neighbors we can be a part of rescuing people.

How does the reality of Hell effect your desire to share the good news of Jesus saving us?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 14 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

4 reasons you should read the book of Revelation. (Revelation 1)

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1. Revelation is from Jesus Christ.

“This is a revelation from Jesus Christ…” Rev 1:1a

The fact that the book of Revelation is from Jesus is enough for me to want to read it. Don’t let fear of not understanding everything to stop you from reading a book that Jesus gave us.

2. Revelation is a faithful report of future events.

“…which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 1:1b-2

God gave us this book as a warning of future events. He wanted us to know in advance some of what will happen in the end times so that we can remain faithful till the end.

We can be assured that John faithfully reported what he saw in his vision.

4. Revelation is an encouragement to Churches.

“Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Rev 1:11

The first several chapters are written directly to these churches, but I believe it has much that the modern church can apply today.

3. Revelation comes with a blessing to those who read and obey it.

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” Rev 1:3

You will be blessed if you read or listen to the book of Revelation. There is a blessing that we can get from reading and applying all scripture, but this is a specific blessing for this book. You will be blessed if you read Revelation and apply it to your life.

One reason for this is that those who learn what Revelation teaches will be better equipped to understand the signs of the end times. There are also some very valuable encouragements that can apply to every era.

Also there is a stunning description of what we have to look forward to in Heaven and a startling description of Hell. Understanding what we can about Revelation will help us live with an eternal perspective now.

Revelation uses a lot of symbolism that is hard to understand, but I encourage you to read it with an open heart looking for what you can apply to your life.

You don’t have to understand everything to apply something!

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

4 Hope Giving Truths About The Trials In Our Lives – 1 Peter 1

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Peter shares 4 truths about trials that will help you endure suffering.

1. Trials can bring future joy.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead… 1 Peter 1:6a 

Looking forward to future joy you will help get you through the pain.  Heb 12:2 tells us that Jesus, “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.” 

Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that awaited him. In the same way we must endure our trials for the joy that awaits us.

2. Trials are temporary.

“even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” 1 Peter 1:6b

Trials last only a short time for the Christian. They only last a short time compared to how long we will be in Heaven with Jesus!

3. Trials test your faith.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” 1 Peter 1:7a

Suffering is the greatest test of our faith. When times get hard, we see if we are really going to cling to the promises of God or not.

“In the same way fire separates pure gold from the rest, trials show who is truly genuine in their faith.” Tweet This

4. Trials can bring future honor.

“So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:17b 

Those who suffer well will be given praise, glory and honor when Jesus comes back. What a celebration that will be!

Answer this question with a comment…

Which of these truths is most encouraging in you most in your current suffering?

Share on Facebook or Twitter. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in 1 Peter 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

We’re not saved by what we DO, but by what has been DONE by Jesus! Titus 3

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From my reading in Titus 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Most people think that salvation can be earned by doing more good things than bad things.

Paul tells us the exact opposite.

“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”  Titus 3:4-7

God saved us, we can’t save ourselves!

Jesus washed away our sins with his blood and gives us new life through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we are saved.

We are saved by God’s mercy, not our good works.

Because of God’s love and kindness, followers of Jesus can be 100% confident that they will inherit eternal life. We are declared righteous in God’s sight because of Jesus death on the cross.  Our salvation is 100% dependent on Christ’s death and 0% depended on our good works.

We are not saved by what we DO, but by what has been DONE by Jesus!

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10 Identity Shaping Truths About Who You Really Are In Christ – Ephesians 1

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From my reading in Ephesians 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Paul gives us 10 truths to remind us who we are in Christ.

1. I am blessed.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

2. I am loved.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4

3. I am chosen.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4

4. I am holy.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Ephesians 1:4

5. I am adopted.

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5

6. I am redeemed.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

7. I am forgiven.

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 

8. I am included.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” Ephesians 1:13 NIV

9. I am marked.

“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV

10. I am called.

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:18

Which of these truths encourages you most?

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God Shows No Favoritism – Acts 10:24-48

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From my reading in Acts 10:24-48 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus came to the Jews, but the good news is for everyone.

After Peter saw the vision reminding him that all foods were clean (see my article Why Christians Can Eat Bacon), he realized that because of the cross no one was unclean or impure because of their race.

“Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28

This is great news for Gentiles like me; the salvation of Jesus is open to us. God’s plan all along was to bring salvation to all nations through the Jewish people. Peter continued later,

“I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Acts 10:34–36

God shows no favoritism.

He accepts everyone willing to receive the peace of Jesus and make him the Lord of their lives.

There are people who fear and obey Jesus all over the world, and every one is welcome if they come through Jesus and not their own merits.

No matter how good a person is, without Jesus they are not good enough.

Praise God that everyone can enter God’s family through Christ. One of my favorite quotes is this…

“The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” – Unknown

This truth can help us have an attitude of humility realizing that compared to Jesus we are no better than anyone else. Jesus offers his love and forgiveness to ALL PEOPLE! Praise God that we serve a God of inclusion and radical grace. As a church, we have been called to go to all nations and preach this message.

“And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Acts 10:42–43

Jesus commanded the apostles to go to all the world to preach the good news, because the good news is for everyone!

This is still the mission of the church today. Either you can be a part of it or you can waste your life! Ask yourself this question?

What role can I play to help bring the good news to all people?

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