Ezek 31:1-32:32 | PS 113:1-114:8 | Prov 27:18-20 | Heb 12:14-29
Eternity! Many choose to ignore the reality of it as though not thinking about it changes the reality of it. But it is real and it has been the destination of all who have gone before us and will be real for all of us currently walking the earth. Spend your time immersed in the words of Scripture and you soon realize it has nothing to do with being "a good person", belonging to the "right denomination", attending "the right church". The simple gospel message is all that will matter in the end. Acknowledgment and repentance of our sins and dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ who has already paid for the sins that we are unable to pay for. We read of those destined to heaven in Hebrews 12:14, 22-24, "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord...No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel."
In contrast, in Ezekiel's messages concerning the soon coming downfall of Egypt we get a vivid reality of the alternative destination. Note that these warriors and leaders were nationalistic, were physically strong, many had families (might have been excellent fathers and husbands), etc. But they were lifted up in pride and placed their trust in something other than the One True God. We read in Ezekiel 32:20-21, "The Egyptians will fall with the many who have died by the sword, for the sword is drawn against them. Egypt and its hordes will be dragged away to their judgment. Down in the grave mighty leaders will mockingly welcome Egypt and its allies, saying, ‘They have come down; they lie among the outcasts, hordes slaughtered by the sword.’" The grave is also called Sheol or the place after life. The prophet then lists many nations who have taken on a similar fate: Assyria (32:22-23), Elam (32:24-25), Meshech and Tubal (32:26-27), Edom (32:29), concluding in 32:30, "All the princes of the north and the Sidonians are there with others who have died. Once a terror, they have been put to shame. They lie there as outcasts with others who were slaughtered by the sword. They share the shame of all who have descended to the pit." All these nations, some of the most powerful empires conceivable, all shared the same fate: the pit.
God does not play games when it comes to eternity. He doesn't hide the truth. If you come from a lineage of people in the faith, that is great, but that does not guarantee your eternity in heaven. Go to church, great, also not a guarantee. It comes down to one thing, God made a way through His Son to enjoy fellowship with Him in heaven. If you believe this is too simplistic, then suit yourself, but sadly you will join the hordes in the pit. Please, repent! Empty yourself of pride! Stop relying on your intellect or even what makes sense to you. All of this is unimportant and will hold no sway in the heavenly courtroom. Our only defense is repenting and placing our sins on the cross of Christ and coming before the Judge covered in the blood of Jesus. There simply is no other way.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: