Where Will You Spend Eternity? In life we do many things that we consider to be important to us. For example, falling in love, having children, buying a house and car, pursuing a career, saving for the retirement, etc. These things are important to most people, but there is something that has such great importance that is towers above all other things, that is where we will spend eternity? For those people that think physical death is the end, or that they will be re-incarnated are in for a shock because the Bible makes it clear that after death there is a judgment:-
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." Revelation 20:12-13.
The outcome of that judgment will determine where one will spend eternity. There are only two possible destinations, that is either forever with God (Everlasting Life), or forever in Hell (Eternal punishment, known as the Second Death):-
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:14-45.
But why will people be punished forever in Hell? It's because of their Sins, their transgression against God, His Law and His Will:-
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die..." Ezekiel 18:20.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.
With the exception of Jesus Christ who lived a sinless life, we have all sinned, we have all fallen short of God's perfect standard:-
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:", "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:10,23.
Sin separates us from God and prevents us from having a relationship with God:-
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2.
Rejecting Jesus Christ is a great sin and condemns us to eternal death:-
Jesus himself said: "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Gospel of John 8:24.
Jesus said: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Gospel of John 3:17-18.
We can see that if nothing is done about our sin, we will perish forever in Hell. There are many that try to atone for their sins with good works, but good works will not save us:-
"Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:9.
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6.
Then there are those who think that belonging to a particular Church, or denomination, being sprinkled with water at birth (baptism) and being confirmed by the church will save them. Religion cannot save us, only Jesus can save us from our sins. He came to save us from our sins:-
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;.." 1 Timothy 1:15.
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Gospel of John 1:29.
The only way of Salvation is through Jesus Christ, He is the only way back to God:-
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Gospel of John 14:6.
When there was no hope of saving ourselves from our sins, God gave His only Son Jesus to die for us, for our sins. Jesus took our sins, the punishment that we deserve on Himself. He allowed Himself to be sacrificed for us, He gave Himself for us. He died on the Cross for us, that we might be Saved, set free form our sin and receive God's gift of Eternal Life:-
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Gospel of John 3:16.
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."... "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." Gospel of John 10:11,17-18.
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Gospel of John 8:34-38.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
Jesus said: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Gospel of John 10:28.
We have already seen that we cannot save ourselves with good works and the Word of God tells us we are saved by Faith in Jesus Christ:-
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Ephesians 2:8.
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16.
The Bible defines Faith as follows:-
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.
In other words, we simply believe God and His Word, that what He has said is true:-
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
Isaiah speaking of Jesus says: "¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:1-12.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."Gospel of John 3:16.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" Gospel of John 11:25-26.
Jesus said: "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Gospel of John 6:40.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10.
It doesn't matter how great your transgression, how great your sin is, you can be forgiven today if you humble yourself before God and turn from your sin, God will not reject you, He will Save you from your sins:-
"¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:6-7.
Jesus said: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.
Speaking of Jesus: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
You can be Born Again Spiritually today, you can become a new person in Christ Jesus, God can transform you and your life today, if you will come to Him:-
"¶ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Gospel of John 3:1-8.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
If God is speaking to your heart, come before Him right now in prayer. God Loves you so much, He does not want you to perish in Hell, He wants to save you from your sins and give you Eternal Life, the joy of Salvation and the peace of God in your heart. You can know where you will spend Eternity:-
One of those Crucified at the same time as Jesus said: "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:42-43.
Lord Jesus, I come before you as a sinner, knowing that I cannot save myself from my sins. Please forgive me of all my sins and give me the strength to turn from them and not sin anymore. I believe that you died for me, for my sins and that you rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures and by Faith, I now take you Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord Jesus for Saving me from all my sins, for your great love you showed towards me, dying for me on the Cross and shedding your precious blood for me. Help me to follow you, seek you, and do your Will. I ask that you will give me the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost that I might be led by your Holy Spirit into all Truth. Amen!
If you have sincerely prayed that prayer from the heart, then you are Saved, you are Born Again of the Spirit of God, you are a new person in Christ Jesus. Being Saved is only the beginning, you must go on and move forward in God. God wants you to grow spiritually and become perfect as He is perfect:-
Jesus said: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48.
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." I Peter 5:10. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:7-8.
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour: seek Him in prayer, every day, with all of your heart:-
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Read your Bible every day, ideally portions from both the Old and New Testaments. Use a good translation, such as the Authorised Kings James Version (see Maranatha File: Holy Bible God's Word). Before reading, ask that God, that by His Holy Spirit would give you understanding of the Scriptures. Try to memorise key Scriptures. The Bible is the Word of God and the more you know, the stronger you will be as a Christian:-
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.
Seek the fellowship with other Born Again, Spirit filled Christians, who can help you grow and strengthen you in your faith. Be wary of joining a Church as most are likely to have erroneous doctrines, such as the secret rapture. Always check with the Word of God, to see if what they are teaching is in accordance with the Bible. The more you know your Bible, the less chance there is of being deceived by false doctrines.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.
As Born Again Christians, we are disciples of Jesus Christ:-
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ and in obedience to Him we should be Baptized:-
Jesus said: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Matthew 16:16.
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.
The baptism the Bible speaks of is not a sprinkling of water on the forehead, but a total emersion in water:-
"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." Gospel of John 3:23.
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:35-39.
Notice in the first scripture, the place was chosen "because there was much water there". You don't need much water for a sprinkling do you? In the second passage, they both "went down into the water", the eunuch was baptized and they then both came "up out of the water". This is not a sprinkling, but a Baptism by total emersion in water. Jesus was Baptised, He is our example and we should follow Him, in obedience to Him:-
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him." Matthew 3:13.
Being baptized identifies us with Christ, His Death and His Resurrection:-
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" Romans 6:3-8.
One should get baptized as soon as possible. If there is no minister, or pastor available to baptise you, have a Christian friend do it for you, or even your husband, or wife. One could make use of a swimming pool, or as a last resort, even your bath tub. Your obedience to Jesus Christ is more important than the words spoken at the point of Baptism. Some use the words: "I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ", however, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost":-
Jesus commanded His disciples: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19.
One should also seek God for the promised gift of the Holy Ghost:-
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.
The Holy Spirit leads us and guide us in all Truth and reveals things to us. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to be effective witnesses of Jesus Christ:-
Jesus said: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." Gospel of John 16:13.
Jesus said: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31.
God can give you the Holy Spirit directly, of through laying on of hands (read my testimony, Maranatha Web Host page):-
"¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:44-48.
"¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." Acts 8:14-17.
"He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." Acts 19:2-6.
Receiving the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, a gift that He wants us to have and will give us if we ask Him:-
Jesus said: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13.
The main sign that we have received the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues, a language that we have never learnt:-
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4.
When you receive the Holy Ghost, you are filled to overflowing with the presence and power of Almighty God, so much so, that you want to glorify Him by speaking in other tongues. It is a Spiritually transforming experience. Those who have received the Holy Ghost will appreciate how great and wonderful this gift is from God. There are other gifts of the Holy Spirit you can seek God for, such as interpretation of tongues, prophesy, etc. (See: I Corinthians 12:4-12). As you continue your Christian walk with God, remember the words of Jesus:-
Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Gospel of John 13:34-35.
Remember also that we have been Saved from our Sins and we should therefore live right before God in Holiness and not continue to sin wilfully:-
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." Galatians 5:13.
"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." Romans 6:18-19.
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1.
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." Romans 6:22.
Why do we walk in Holiness before God? Because we love Him, we want to be perfect before Him and in doing so we fulfil His greatest commandment:-
Jesus Said: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31.
"We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19.
If we are in Jesus Christ and we walk in Him, we know that we will be with God forever:-
"¶ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:1-5.
Amen!
