Heaven & Hell
Are they Real Places?
Many
people, including some Christians, do not believe there is a literal Heaven or
Hell. However, regardless of what we as people think, the Bible clearly states
that both places exist. Hell is often described as a place of constant torment
and the feeling of hopeless and being lost. Heaven is often described as a
modern city where the saved go and are rewarded for their faith in God. For
those who do not believe the Bible and have no faith in God, you are gambling
on 50/50 odds that you are right. Image the horrible consequences that await
you if you are wrong.
One of
the best descriptions of both places occurs in the Bible in the book of Luke,
Chapter 16, verses 19 -31. It is the story told by Jesus of a rich man and a
beggar named Lazarus. Both men had died and were in the Hades, the temporary
holding place for the dead. (Note that prior to Christ’s death on the cross,
both the righteous and unrighteous went to Hades. The unrighteous entered into
torment while the righteous entered into the bosom of Abraham. Now, after
Christ’s death and resurrection, only the unrighteous go to Hades at death.
Believers go directly into heaven and the presence of God.)
The rich
man had entered into torment and Lazarus had entered into the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man cried out in his torment asking for a drop of water to be placed
on his tongue. He was burning but not being consumed. It is said that Abraham
goes on to describe to the rich man the great gulf fix that separated the two
areas, preventing the passing from one side to another. Then the rich man begs
that a messenger be sent to warn his five brothers of this place.
What we
see in this description is that the rich man, while burning was not being
consumed. He remembered his life back on Earth and his family. Yet, he was
doomed with no hope of ever being rescued from his torment. He wanted to warn
his brothers so that they did not end up in his position. After the 1000 reign of
Christ on Earth, the rich man will be taken from his torment in Hades to the
Great White Throne judgment and then into his permanent punishment in Hell.
Satan and his angels and followers will also be cast into Hell where they will
remain forever.
10. And the devil that deceived
them was cast into
the lake of fire and
brimstone,
where the beast
and the false prophet are, and
shall be tormented day and
night for
ever and ever. 11. And I saw a great
white throne, and
him that sat on it,
from whose
face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no
place for them.
12. And I saw the dead,
small and great,
stand before God;
and the books were opened:
and another book
was opened , which is the
book of life: and the dead
were judged
out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their
works.
13. And the sea gave up
the dead which were in
it; and death
and hell delivered up
the dead which
were in them: and
they were judged every man according to
their works. 14. And death and hell
were cast into
the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not
found written in the
book of life was cast
into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20: 10
– 15
King
James Bible
Some Christians do not believe that the lost will remain in hell forever. They believe that the lost are destroyed and no longer exists. However, in Matthew 25:46, it clearly states that: "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
When I
worked for KXTX TV Channel 39 in Dallas (Christian Broadcasting Network – CBN)
there was a man who appeared on the 700 Club who described his journey to Hell.
Seems he had been hit in the head with a log and knocked into the water. He was
lying dead for about 45 minutes. He said he did not believe in God or an after
life. During the time he was dead, he tells of how he went to Hell and saw the
lake of fire with its intense blue flames. He spoke of the heat and torment in
that place and about the feeling of being without hope. Then he saw Jesus. He
said he knew if Jesus would just turn to look at him that he would be rescued
from this place. Jesus did look at him and sent him back to Earth to his body.
Trust me, now the man totally believes in Christ and in the after life.
More
recently, a man named Bill Wise has told his story of how he spent 23 minutes
in Hell in 1998. If you do an internet search using 23 minutes in hell by bill wise,
you will see sites with more information. His story is very fascinating.
The believers in Christ who go to heaven will have an awesome
future. However, it is not a place where you will just sit around all day. Many
will be placed in positions of authority over other creations of God and rule
other worlds. There are jobs and tasks and other occupations that will be
filled. However, in that life, you will never experience pain, suffering,
sorrow, or death.
A Personal Family Story
My uncle LeRoy was sorta rebellious in his younger years. My grandma Hattie was a very strong Christian and would pray that God would bring LeRoy to the faith. One night, uncle LeRoy was getting ready for bed. As he sat down on his bed a voice spoke to him saying "LeRoy, we have heard the prayers of your mother and I am here to show you where you are headed when you die." He looked and saw the backside of a being who was glowing - an angel. Then he was shown a vision of Hell. He saw the lake of fire and the people burning but not being consumed. He heard the cries and saw all the horrors of Hell. After the vision, he repented and accepted the free gift of eternal life through faith in Christ. He joined the Baptist Church and was active in it all the way up to his death. You can believe this story or not, it is your choice. But that vision changed my uncle's life forever.
Heaven is God's Free Gift to You!
You can accept God’s free gift of eternal life and know you will be going to heaven when you die!
Father God, I confess with my mouth that Jesus was your Son and that He died on the cross for my sins. I believe he arose from the dead and is now in Heaven with you. I ask for your forgiveness and accept the free gift of eternal life in Jesus name. Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer, I have great news for you! You
have been adopted into the family of God. Your past mistakes and wrongs are
totally forgiven and you are a new creation in Christ. Yes, you are still the
same person with your likes, dislikes, habits, and the such, but now you are an
heir to God's incredible promises and your life has a new meaning!
If you just accepted God's free gift of eternal life for the first time, please click here so that we can send you some FREE
information. Thank you!
If you are a Christian who has already accepted the free gift of eternal life in God’s awesome kingdom, you have a great eternity awaiting you. You can rest assured KNOWING that you have eternal life in Christ the Lord.