First, the obvious. Take nothing for granted in this sin-filled world, as we don’t control the amount of time we are here. James 4:13-15; “Come now, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go into such and such town, and spend a year there, and trade and make a profit; yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Anyone who has ever worked in a hospital, or has been involved with emergency services, has witnessed just how fleeting life can be. One minute, there is a vibrant, full-of-life person, and the next, a body for the undertaker. I know that sounds a bit gruesome, but I can testify through personal experience that it’s also a reality.
We were never brought onto this earth to last forever. Our parents from the “Garden of Eden” took care of that when they sinned against God. As it is, everyone who is born is destined to eventually die. That is, except for a certain group that will not taste death but will depart from here rather rapidly to rise up and meet Jesus in the air. And there is something you can do about that. More later.
There is one thing the Bible is very plain about, and that is there are only two addresses available for our eternal souls. Heaven or Hell. All the false prophets and antichrists in the whole world can’t change this one bit. Those bound for Heaven never really say “goodbye.” Those bound for Hell may be there with many acquaintances, but it won’t matter. All will be suffering their own torment that will last forever.
The statement that I’ve heard people say, “I’d rather go to Hell so I can party with my friends,” is absolutely foolish. The “outer darkness” that is spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 22:13 and other places in the Bible does not paint a picture of “party central.” All the light will be in Heaven; Hell will have no light at all.
Revelation 16:10-11 is a prelude to this; “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed God of Heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.” This was a darkness so complete that everyone could actually “feel” it, and it caused great pain.
Just the opposite will be in the New Jerusalem, as stated in Revelation 21:22-23; “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamp is the Lamb.”
A couple of “totals” here: total darkness or total light. This is completely and totally up to each and every person to choose. The only ones that God is going to send to Hell are the devil, the antichrist, the false prophet, and all the fallen angels or demons. None of these have any pathway to forgiveness as all humans do. Hell was made for them, as given in Matthew 25:41, Revelation 19:20, and Revelation 20:10.
Everyone else that ends up in the Lake of Fire will have chosen to be there themselves. They will have chosen the things of this earth over the gift of Salvation offered by Jesus. They will have chosen to follow Satan rather than Jesus. This is obvious today with all the satanic activity that people are willingly becoming a part of. Finally, God will honor their choice and allow them to participate in the Judgment of the Great White Throne of Revelation 20:11-15.
That Judgment is not to determine if someone is going to Hell or not; that has already been established. The determination here is the severity of the punishment each person will receive forever. There are no pardons, and it’s too late to call out for forgiveness.
For true believers, all will be healed when we rise up to meet Jesus in the air. The dead in Christ first, and then as Paul said, we who are alive will rise next. All will receive new, immortal, imperishable forever bodies. Also, our minds will not be subject to temptation again. On earth, we will have pain, persecution, and will be hated. However, as Jesus said in John 16:33, we are to be at peace because He overcame the world, and yes, He understands that the world can be a huge handful.
Once we have made the transition from earth to our new home, we will be reunited with all our saved loved ones and be with them forever.
Casting Crowns performed a song called “No Scars in Heaven,” and it was released just this year (2021). It’s a reminder to value our relationships while we’re here, as they can be over in the blink of an eye. But for believers, that parting is not permanent, and we look forward to the day when the “nail-scarred hands” hold us all.
1.) If I had only known the last time would be the last time, I would’ve put off all the things I had to do. I would’ve stayed a little longer, held on a little tighter; now what I’d give for one more day with you. Cause there’s a wound here in my heart where something’s missing, and they tell me it’s gonna heal with time. But I know you’re in a place where all your wounds have been erased, and know your healing is healing mine.
Ref.) The only scars in Heaven, they won’t belong to me and you. There’ll be no such thing as broken, and all the old will be made new. And the thought that makes me smile now, even as the tears fall down, is that the only scars in Heaven are in the hands that hold you now.
2.) I know the road you walked was anything but easy; you picked up your share of scars along the way. Oh, but now you’re standing in the sun, you fought your fight, and your race is run. The pain is all a million miles away.
3.) Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the hands that hold you now. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t see you; you live in all the better parts of me. Until I’m standing with you in the sun, I’ll fight this fight and this race I’ll run, until I finally see what you can see. (ref)
For anyone to believe they cannot possibly know for sure that they are saved, they are doubting the Father’s given word. God does not waste time with mind games, nor does He try to confuse us. We do that to ourselves.
First, John 14:6; “And Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” This plainly states Jesus is the only way to the Father and an eternal Heavenly home. No “many ways” to Heaven – period!
Second, here’s the full account of the steps to Salvation in Romans 10:9-13:
Start with verse 9; “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Note, it does not say where you have to make this confession; and what about those who are unable to speak? God “hears” our every thought. If you are alone and able to speak, just talk to Jesus as if He’s right there with you, because He is. Confess that you believe in Jesus and that you are a sinner, as everyone is (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). To believe is to tell God you have faith that His word is true. If you are unable to speak, see the words in your mind, and it’s the same to God as speaking out loud.
Verses 10-11; “For with the heart one believes and is justified; and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
Verse 12 tells who is eligible to receive this Salvation; “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him.”
This tells us the same as John 10:16, that Jesus would make a sacrifice, not only for Jews but for every living soul on this earth. “One flock; One Shepherd.”
Finally, verse 13 ties it all together; “For all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
No special rituals with candles, incense or whatever; no formal words to memorize and repeat; no walking on fire or broken glass barefoot. Three times in the above verses it says that if you do this step, you will be saved. Your action is required to receive the word of the Lord and accept Jesus as your Savior. Period.
Will you be instantly sinless? Not as long as we’re on this earth; however, 1 John 1:8-10 and 1 John 2:1-2 tell us that when we do sin, we are to confess this to the Father, and He will forgive you. Remember, don’t try to cover up any sin, as He already knows what we have done. But ours is a God of pure love, and if we have His Son, our sins are cast out as far as east is from west (Psalms 103:12).
The tribulation is just about to get started, and the ultimate evil antichrist will arrive soon. However, before that can take place, all indwelt true believers will be removed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8). By “indwelt,” we have the Holy Spirit within us from the moment we ask Jesus to forgive and save us.
The Rapture will be over in a “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52), so we must be prepared for it in advance. Right now would not be too soon to call on Jesus to be your Savior and be ready for the trumpet blast and shout from the archangel.
From the moment we are taken up to be with Jesus in the air, we will all be held by those “nail-scarred hands.” To wait may put you in the category of being left behind to face all the terrible wrath that will be taking place on this earth. Any odds-makers would say this is a “sure bet.”
Jesus, I come to Thee!