All Need to Know

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
 
THE Lord has just delivered his judgment message. He was very clear the unbelievers will be judged into Hell in the second death. What might be God’s purpose to restate and emphasize this?
   Perhaps this is another sign of his love for mankind. A loving parent wants to be sure a child knows the right rules. It is vital in an orderly home for all to know right and wrong. All must know, too, the reward for good and penalty for wrong.
   This is a good Father’s message to his church. For example, the cowardly refers to those afraid to stand on the gospel truth. This leads to a casual, a lukewarm attitude regarding sin and salvation. That’s one reason for the letter to the seven churches: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-17) Attempting to please the world, too many preachers reject the Word’s truth of sin and judgment. Preaching of eternal torment, a lake of fire and the second death – the eternal death in hell – are considered preaching “fire and brimstone”. “We’re not that kind of church,” I’ve heard preachers say. And who wants to hear that in church? Isn’t church a place to feel good?
   Not according to Jesus. He didn’t come to earth to suffer and die because all is good. He came to save us from Hell. That’s why he preached against Hell more than he preached about Heaven. To save us from our sin he needed to tell us about our sins. He wants us to know we are trapped in Satan’s grasp until we pray to Jesus with confession of our sins and of his lordship, so we are saved. If we do not see sin in our lives, we will have no use for a Savior. The cross becomes meaningless. We replace God’s sovereignty with our own pleasure. After all, God loves. He will let us choose our own way to heaven, won’t he?
   Certainly not! Such thinking is idolatry. We are sinners born enemies of God. We have no means to eternal life until God resurrects our souls into the kingdom of God.
   You can thank God he has taught this  truth: John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”  
   Jesus’ completely taught the truth: Mark 16:16b “But whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Also, three times the gospels record Jesus’ affirmation: Matthew 24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
   Preaching the gospel must be a preacher’s love to awaken the world to sin’s penalty, so all know sin’s salvation in Jesus Christ. Why would anyone refuse to speak such eternal good news?
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) Amen.