Judgment Day Is Coming: Why God Warns Us About Heaven and Hell
- Lee Young
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
Zechariah 14:9 (NIV)
9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name
Judgment day is coming.
As we consider the end-time prophecy, Scripture reminds us that there is a day coming when the books of Heaven are opened, and we will be judged by what is written in them (Revelation 20:11-15). If our name is found in the book of life, everlasting life with God is ours. If not, we are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). In today’s culture, where love has been defined as accepting any thought, word, or behavior without criticism, the Biblical passages about Hell are not popular.
Secularism, in an attempt to discredit the God of the Bible, posits that a loving God would not send anyone to Hell. On the contrary, it is a loving God who imposes drastic consequences in an attempt to keep everyone motivated to stay out of Hell. Like a Momma screaming at the top of her lungs to stop her baby from sticking a paper clip into an electrical outlet, Hell is not hate, but love.
Yet, the church has not always applied these passages in a godly way. Love is patient and kind. It does not keep a record of wrongs. The church, especially in decades past, lacked love when speaking of Hell. However, God is clear. If we are not acting in love, we are not in alignment with Him.
As believers waiting for this day when Jesus will be the only King of all, our mission is to love people to Him. This does not mean we avoid addressing destructive behaviors and ideas that people may choose. We still address sin as that thing that works to kill, steal, and destroy everything God has for people. But we do it in love.
Yesterday, we discussed how Christ prophesied that love would grow cold as the time drew near, and the evidence of this is evident everywhere. What an opportunity we have to contrast the hate of this world with the love of Christ. We speak the truth, but gently, with mercy and grace. And we never stop loving. If God wants that none would perish eternally, we must work to do all we can to love people to Jesus, for the day of judgment comes soon.
Prayer: Lord, keep my eyes open to see people with mercy and grace, regardless of life choices, for this is how You saw me when You found me. Amen.
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