Tuesday, October 5, 2010

October 5, 2010

"In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side." Luke 16:23



Life is tough these days. In fact, it has never been easy.


The struggles of life can cause you to become a bit myopic as the urgent crowds out the eternal.


Perhaps that is why Jesus talked about it often.



Here is a summary of references either from Jesus or the Gospels or the Epistles:


everlasting fire - Matthew18:8, 25:41 - everlasting punishment - Matthew 25:46everlasting chains - Jude 1:6 - everlasting destruction - 2 Thessalonians 1:9eternal damnation - Mark 3:29 - eternal judgment - Hebrews 6:2 - eternal fire - Jude 1:7 - unquenchable fire - Matthew 3:12 - the fire that never shall be quenched - Mark 9:43, 44, 45, 46, 48 - fire unquenchable - Luke 3:17 - mist of darkness is reserved for ever - 2 Peter 2:17 - the blackness of darkness for ever - Jude 1:13


If you want a sobering Bible study - there you go!


Back in Northern Indiana where I was raised, it was a largely rural area. Surrounded by an abundance of corn fields and soybean fields and pasture land, there is a sameness about it. Therefore, it is easy to get lost in cetain areas.


A common way of giving directions went something like this: "Well, go straight ahead to the first hard road (paved) and you will see a weathered gray barn. But don't turn there. Go another two miles until you get to the second hard road and you will see a sign pointing to Sidney. Don't go there. Turn left instead and follow that road five miles. To the main road. Take another right onto the main road and follow the signs."


As Jesus gives directions from life to eternity He does point to hell and says, "Don't go there!"


Instead, Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me."

Go there!