But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Matthew 5:22

My friend we all know about how Jesus loved people.  How he went about doing good, healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, cleansing the lepers and even raising the dead. Yes, Jesus loved people then, and he loves you and me today.  His death on the cross was because of his great love for all of us. It was through his death that he paid a debt we could not pay by taking our place. This was the only way to satisfy the justice of God for our sin against him. You and I have all sinned against God and broken his laws.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23

Did you know that Jesus spoke more often about hell than he did about heaven. Jesus talked about the reality of hell, in fact. He talked about it more than any other person in the Bible. He also knew more about hell than anyone, and of the eternal loss of a soul that goes there. Jesus knew how precious the soul of man was, and that is why he came and died upon the cross for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus often talked about how awful hell would be as he held conversations with different people. So in our thoughts for this message we want to share with you some of the times Jesus mentioned hell.

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:5

I know there are some people who do not believe there is a hell, and that people really will go there. They do not believe if there is a hell somewhere that a good God would send people there. Then there are some people who believe there is a hell, but that only wicked or mean people will go there.  They reason that if a person lives a good moral life and worked hard taking care of their family surely they will not go to hell. That is called human reasoning. The spiritually blind do not understand this.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

What many people fail to understand is that we all have sinned and the penalty for sin is eternal death in hell.  The problem in people’s thinking is they do not understand the holiness of God. God cannot look on any sin. With God there is no big sin or little sin. To God sin is sin. Sin must be dealt with no matter who sins.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD. Romans 6:23

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom. 5:12

We must remember we were born sinners and we sin because we are a sinner!

We cannot change who we are. Only God can change us by the new birth that Jesus spoke about.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:6-7

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41

Jesus tells us the reason for hell, this place of everlasting fire. It was created for the Devil and his angels. When Satan attempted to take over God’s throne he led a large number of angels with him in his rebellion. But, they failed! So now they are consigned to be cast into that dreaded lake of fire one day that was created just for them. It was not created for us, the believers! However, Jesus also will include in this group who are consigned there, the people who would not accept him as their savior. We all need a Savior and Jesus is the ONLY Savior. To reject him means separation from God forever in this place of suffering, the everlasting fire, and also what most think of as hell.

SAVED AND UNSAVED

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. ... The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Matthew 13:30, 41‑42

A chilling scripture indeed, but Jesus used this illustration himself to point out the separation of the saved and the unsaved. As a farmer makes a distinction between the weeds and the grain, so will God make a distinction. He will separate those who accepted Him and believe in his son, from all those who rejected him and have no time for him.

BEWARE OF SELF

Jesus also tells us not to allow the members of our bodies to cause us to miss heaven and go to hell.

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8

We must be careful not to let selfishness, pride, or lust lead us into sin. If we are so consumed with the cares of this life that we do not care about our soul our eternal destiny will be one of separation from God and heaven.

MAN IN HELL

These following scriptures in Luke are probably some of the most graphic in nature about Hell that we will find in the Bible. It is where Jesus spoke of two men who died and what happened immediately thereafter. One went to rest in Abraham’s bosom which represents heaven, and the other went to a place of suffering.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:19-24

This man was rich, he had affluence, he had authority, but he was an unsaved man. He had prepared well for this life, but he failed to prepare for eternity.  He had no Savior and everyone needs the savior. Now that his fate was sealed he worried that his brothers would be joining him in this place of torment.

My friend, before it could become too late for you, and your fate becomes sealed, if you are not already born again, you should bow your head right now and seek Him. God promises to hear all honest, heartfelt pleas. God has said if you trust my son, then I will accept you as my child.

FEAR GOD

Far too many people, with the way societal beliefs are today are confident that because God is a good and loving God that he would not allow them to go to hell. Yes, God is a wonderful, kind and loving God but he is also to be feared! He hates sin of every description. If a person is wise they will repent of their sin and trust Jesus to be their savior. He is the Only One who can destroy both the body and soul in the fires of hell. Make no mistake about it.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 1 John 2:23

So what about my readers today?  Do you really trust Jesus as your savior? Have you really sincerely turned from a life of sin to follow Jesus and serve him as your Lord and Savior? Remember, when we are saved we no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to him because he has purchased us for himself to do his will.

RELIGION AND HELL

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:15

Think of the many religions of the world that mislead myriads of people. Because man is dead in his sins and spiritually blind he can easily be deceived into thinking one religion is as good as another. But “religion” never has and never will save anyone. Religions do not pay for man’s sin, and religions do not provide man a savior.  God ordained only one savior and it was his only Son the Lord Jesus Christ. So let me ask my readers are you trusting or depending upon your religion, or even your church membership to get you to heaven? If you are you should be spending your time trying to find out the truth between “religion” and a relationship with Jesus. These are two totally different things! 

Jesus said that these Pharisees, in the scripture above, were making other people who were joining their religion more suitable for hell than they themselves were. So instead of making a person better to have their religion, they would be more damnable than before after their becoming “religious.” It is so sad that people are being deceived out of their souls.

Eleven times Jesus himself spoke of hell as being a real place. He ought to know because HE is the one who made it, to put all of his enemies where they belong. Where they will spend eternity regretting they opposed the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Yes, there is a place called hell, and people are going there every day.

In fact, Jesus said that most people would go to hell to spend eternity!

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Matthew 7:13-14

Dear readers, if you are unsure about what we have discussed in this newsletter please begin to read and study your Bible daily. If you seek the Lord you can find him. You also need to find a Bible teaching, preaching church, not one of the so called social churches we find so many of today.

If you have any questions for us, or prayer requests, as always it would be a blessing to help you to know the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we bow before you as we give thanks and praise for our salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. How worthy are you of the praise of all creatures in heaven and earth.  Blessed be the name of our God.  We pray for all our readers and their families Lord, that they will seek your will in their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

“Loving the Savior” Preacher