| Politics and religion are topics, it's said, which should | | | | Heaven is a place, a circumstance, a context or |
| never be discussed at social gatherings. They | | | | an environment totally filled with God. It's a place |
| bring from within us such divergent views. And | | | | where joy and peace and love prevail to the glory |
| people from different perspectives, at times, | | | | of God. Once we're there, we're there for |
| must fight for their convictions rather than | | | | eternity and in continual awe at, and of, God's |
| respect the other's viewpoint, which is a much | | | | Presence. |
| wiser stance. | | | | Conversely, hell is a place, a circumstance, a |
| This has got to be one of the most contentious | | | | context or an environment devoid of God. After |
| and debated topics in religion and spirituality: "What | | | | the equivalent of one year totally without God the |
| happens when I die?" I can only answer this one | | | | people in hell will probably already know the depth |
| general way; the way any Bible-believing Christian | | | | of their poor judgment in life, not to accept Jesus |
| would, or should I say, 'should.' | | | | as their Lord and Saviour. Imagine how they'll feel |
| The only way to heaven and to spend eternity | | | | after the equivalent of one thousand years... or |
| with God is through the stated and believed | | | | the equivalent of one million years? (Though, |
| acceptance and discipleship of Jesus Christ, the | | | | again, time is really a poor comparator in the |
| Son of the living God (John 3:16; 14:6; Romans | | | | context of eternity. The period of one million |
| 10:9). | | | | years is not even a blip in the context of eternity. |
| When we die we will all meet God. We will be | | | | Eternity is an 'absolute' concept and reality.) |
| judged for what we've lived for and our deeds, | | | | Imagine the horror for those bound for hell... |
| both known and unknown--yes, even the secret | | | | having only just seen the transcendent brilliance |
| ones (Ecclesiastes 12:14)--as God knows | | | | and majesty of the God who cannot be |
| everything. He will bring us to account for | | | | adequately described; in awe, they must now |
| everything we've done--everything i.e. no | | | | leave his Presence, which must be the most |
| exceptions. | | | | wonderful thing anyone could imagine, to spend |
| So, having met God (all of us)--and get this, to | | | | eternity with the Tormenter. That is quite |
| finally see how awesome he really is--we will then | | | | honestly a shocking thought. |
| be ushered to one of two places to spend the | | | | And this is the ultimate choice for all |
| rest of eternity... (the term 'rest of eternity' in | | | | non-God-followers, presently. You do not know |
| itself is wrong as it implies a timeframe. Eternity is | | | | what time is yours. It could be today that you |
| not time-based--it's forever i.e. from everlasting to | | | | meet God and are judged (immediately) prior to |
| everlasting.) | | | | hell and damnation. It's your choice. |
| Above the door into heaven might stand a sign, | | | | If the Bible's wrong we all lose... but what if, just |
| "forever accepted regardless of fault," whereas | | | | if, the Bible's right? Imagine that now! |
| the door leading to hell might have a sign, | | | | Copyright © 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights |
| "forever condemned." (See also, John 3:18.) | | | | Reserved Worldwide. |
| Between the two eternal destinations will stand a | | | | [1] See the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in |
| great chasm (Luke 16:19-31)[1] and it will be | | | | Luke 16:19-31 for more. |
| impossible to crossover. | | | | |