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Eternity
pastor corner

When one studies the word of God, it is seen that an eternal destiny is a fact that every person faces.

It teaches of two places Heaven and Hell. One of these will be the place of eternal destiny when life is over. God prepared Hell for the Devil and his angels, but sinful man will find himself there if he does not obey God (Matt. 25:41).

This is not what God wants for man, but man makes his choice. God prepared Heaven (Jno. 14:1-6, Rev. 21) for those who will obey Him. This is the desire of God but again man must make the right choice.

God made man a free moral agent “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15). God provided the only sacrifice for sin, Christ, He has provided all that pertains to life and godliness (Jon. 3:16; Heb. 10:10; II Peter 1:3).

It is up to each individual to either obey God or reject Him. “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 7:21). “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Heb. 5:8,9). As one studies the scriptures it become more apparent that God wants man to be saved, but man must make the right choice.

When Heaven and Hell are compared it is unbelievable that some live lives of sin. Heaven is described as a place of rest, no sorrow, or crying, a place of joy, living with Christ throughout all eternity (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 14:13; Rev. 21:4; Matt. 25:23; Jno. 14:13). In life there are so much sorrow and pain, death and dying. All these things are absent in heaven, and knowing that the glories of heaven await, who would not want to go to heaven? Hell is pictured a place of weeping, with no rest, everlasting fire, without Christ, and a place of anguish (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 14:11; Matt. 25:30 Jno. 8:21). Imagine the worst pain possible and it will seem as nothing compared to the torment of hell. Who would actively seek this place as an eternal home?

Many are living lives that are going to lead to their destruction (Matt. 7:132,14). They refuse to obey the gospel, which is the way of salvation (Rom.2:8; II Thess. 8). Paul wrote that the gospel saves (I Cor. 15:1- 4). Some men believe their teaching is greater than God’s. They will find out to late it is not (Matt. 15:9). God is the one who decides the requirements of admission to His Kingdom? He provided the Way, the Light, and the Sacrifice – Christ (Jno. 14:6; Jno. 1:4,5; Heb.10:10).

God’s plan of salvation as told in the New Testament is Hear 10:17 –Rom.; Believe – Heb.11:6; Repent – Acts 17:30; Confess – Rom. 10:9,10; Baptism – Acts 2:38 and living a faithful life – Rev.  2:10. Their obedience or non-obedience to God’s word will settle one’s destiny. So, who determines the soul’s eternal destiny?

God leaves that up to the individual.

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