Date: Wednesday, 30th August, 2023
Text: Mark 9:43-48
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
It is very important to have a balanced view of God. Jesus Christ came to the world as a humble Lamb meant for global sacrifice; but He is also the fierce Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He came as a suffering servant but He is also the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He brought the Water of Life but He is also the Consuming Fire- Hebrews 12:29.
Psalm 97:3 says, “A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.” The Greek word translated as Hell is Gehenna, a place reserved for the disobedient and the enemies of God.
Hell is real because the Lord Himself said so. He preached more about Hell than Heaven for the sake of emphasis and to warn all of us about the danger of ending there. Christ was the only one in the Bible who described Hell in graphic details and vivid terms.
Jesus Christ warned, “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
Hell is a place of torment. According to today’s text, the fire is unquenchable and the worms from the bodies of the damned do not die. The road to Hell is very wide, allowing all sorts of character and behaviour; anything goes except the love of God and obedience to His word.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also warned, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:47-48
Another name for Hell is “Outer Darkness” where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:30.
There is no repentance there; prayers cannot be answered there. God’s mercy and grace do not operate there. There is no opportunity to be released or return from there even to warn loved ones. Luke 16:19-31.
Escape for your life TODAY by repenting from your sins and accepting the salvation offered by Jesus Christ and live the rest of your life in holiness.
Reflective Nugget: Hell is big enough to contain all the Earth’s inhabitants, if they decide to shun the salvation Christ purchased with His blood for them- Isaiah 5:14. Heaven also has the capacity to contain all the inhabitants of the Earth, if they all choose to embrace the salvation of Christ. John 14:2-3