Read: Matthew 25:31-46
Key Text: Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ (Matthew 25:41)
Reflection: Jesus second coming will be followed by Judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15). Judgment will bring about a separation, a division of two kinds of people; the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the evil one (Matthew 13:38), the wise and the foolish (Mark 7:24-27), sheep and goats (Matthew 25:-31-46) and those who enter into life and those who are thrown into hell (Mark 9:42-48). (DofJG) This is the sobering and consistent teaching of Jesus in the gospels and developed further in the rest of the New Testament.
The basis on which judgment is made is whether Jesus knows us or not (Matthew 25:41). Jesus’ knowledge of us is based on our faith in him (Luke 12:8-9), evidenced by good works (Matthew 25:31-46) and doing the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23). Judgment will be based on the status of our relationship with Jesus. The outcome of judgment will be expressed in terms of our relationship to Jesus and the Father. Those who receive God’s approval will enter into his full presence eternally, while those condemned will be cats from his presence forever.
The bible uses rich imagery and symbolism to describe the spiritual reality of heaven and hell. For example the image of hell is taken from the Valley of Gehenna, a rubbish tip and burial ground outside Jerusalem’s walls that perpetually smoked with the fires of burning garbage. The Valley of Gehenna was a dirty, desolate, God-forsaken place. Hell is not full of fire and brimstone (that has more to do with medieval imagination than biblical truth), but is empty of God’s presence forever and ever. That is frightening enough.
Question: How do you respond to the challenge often put to Christian believers, ‘How can a loving God condemn people to hell?’
Read: Revelation 20:11-15
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