Message from Scripture: 5/22/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Matt. 25:46. “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

 

I recently read an article where the authors were describing how no one would be punished in hell eternally. They did not deny hell exists eternally, and that it’s a place of torment, but that no one will occupy it eternally. In essence, whoever goes there will be forever annihilated, but hell itself will continue to exist. It seems as more people deny godly living, they try to find some way of not having to face God’s judgment for a sinful lifestyle.

 

However, Jesus words that some go to eternal destruction doesn’t mean they cease to exist forever. In this passage from Matthew, the term eternal means agelong, thus without end. It is descriptive of the nature of what the wicked have to endure throughout eternity. One is not eradicated out of existence for eternity, but suffers throughout eternity. The term is the same for the wicked as for the righteous. If the righteous exist for eternity to enjoy the beauty of heaven, then the wicked exist for eternity to be punished.

 

Some might argue this doesn’t seem right for God to do, if He is love and loves the whole world. In this life, one can commit such grievous crimes, he or she can be assigned consecutive life sentences, to show how despicable such acts are. One could ask if those consigned to hell suddenly start loving God, after living a life of sin? Paul reminds us that those who live for the flesh will reap the corruption it brings in eternity, while those who live for the spiritual will receive eternal life. There are no role reversals in eternity. The Hebrew writer also says, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

 

Isn’t it wonderful to know eternal torment is not what God desires for us? In Christ, through His blood, we have the sure promise of eternal life. Let’s live today to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing life in Him is not in vain. God bless.

 

Robert