Is There a Heaven and a Hell?

These two words seem to be absent from today’s society. We live in a world that offers many religions that have different beliefs about Heaven and Hell. Because of this factor, many people have formed their own views from bits and pieces of things they may have heard, seen or even read. Many people may wonder if they truly exist and what the real truth is about such places if they do. People’s view of Heaven and Hell may also come from within their own thoughts and imaginations, and sadly many people have been mislead by such imaginations and false teachers instead of knowing the truth of God’s word. I’d like to share with you some of these different views through the next few articles. I’d like to break down the different types of people and their beliefs into small groups. By doing this we can gain a better understanding of where people are and may be able to help them to where they need to be. Within the series I pray that each one will examine their own thoughts and beliefs and if there is any confusion or doubt, may our mighty God reveal His awesome truth to you.

In exploring people’s views, we first encounter the “My Opinion Matters” group. Many people in this group say they believe in a Heaven. They feel everyone, except those who are really bad people, in their opinion, will go to Heaven. They really don’t believe that Hell is a place of torment, but rather a place of non-existence. Heaven, to them, is a good place where they will dwell as angels. They seem to think that Heaven is a lot of clouds, they turn into angels and just float around. They aren’t really interested in Heaven, because to them, it seems boring.

These type of people rely on their own opinion, and it shows in the character of their lives. They only become convicted of the things they think are wrong and praise themselves on all the things they think are right. They seem to be very judgmental of others because everyone, again in their opinion, must be living within their opinion. If you don’t fall in line with their view, then you are the one who is wrong.

But in exploring God’s truth we learn in Psalm 11:47 that, “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in Heaven: His eyes look upon the children of men. The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and those that loves violence his soul God hates. Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loves righteousness; His countenance does look upon the upright.”

Therefore, we must answer the question “Is Heaven real?” Yes!  Heaven is a very real place, just as the earth that we live upon is real, so is Heaven. God, Jesus, the angels and the saints of God who have died are in Heaven (extra study: Psalm 103:19-22, John 3:12-13). This one passage explains that Heaven is real, it also shows very clearly that God watches his creation and he knows all that each one does. We can see further that God loves righteousness (those who have received Jesus Christ as savior are made righteous through his divine blood and will live in Heaven).

“Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3

Further, God hates wickedness. The word wicked in the passage means morally wrong, those people who live on their own opinion and refuse to believe God’s word. Those who are judgmental and want to conform others to their opinion. To all that are wicked, God’s wrath will fall.

“All things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:41-42

Iniquity means Sin – people who cause others to sin and remain in sin themselves, people who have not received Jesus Christ as savior WILL go to Hell and those who have died without Christ ARE in Hell. My friends, Heaven is real. Hell is also real! Millions of people are in each place right now, and one day ,we too, will be in one place or the other. The only way to Heaven is through the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ while the one way to Hell is to reject Jesus Christ and his gift. It’s your choice. God’s unconditional love is being poured out upon you today.  He has given you the very breath you breath. With that breath of life, you can chose Christ and receive his salvation. Are we promised the very next second of life? No, we have only this very moment, for no one but God knows what our lives hold and how long we have. God also knows when he will allow Jesus to come back to earth for his children. In either event, death or rapture, where will you spend eternity?

“For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Please consider as you look around at all the beauty that God created in this world, how much more beautiful it will be in a prefect paradise, where God himself dwells. A place without sin, pain or sorrow. A place where beauty never dies and God’s very being is the light. And finally, remember what Matthew tells us in Chapter 3:2, “Let your hearts be turned from sin; for the kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Minister Lori Hull, along with her husband Minister Jeff Hull are the founders of Living Waters Outreach which is a non-denominational/non-profit organization with a mission to reach out to all people with the good news of Jesus Christ. They reside with their 3 children in Smithfield, Pennsylvania. http://livingwatersoutreach.com

Next Page »