Category Archives: Heaven and Hell

Discerning / Judging, Heaven and Hell, Jesus (hearing from God), Marriage, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Share the Good News, Study the Word, Teachable

Be Ready In Season and Out of Season

Yeshua was always prepared to give an answer to help lead people to greater understanding of the kingdom of heaven. Whether the questioners sought to trap Him, or genuinely learn, Yeshua never missed an opportunity to make an important point to His audience. He was prepared to speak to the scriptures at all times.

Mark 12:13-34

Jesus Answers the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes

      13Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.

      18Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER. 20“There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21“The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. 23“In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” 24Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? 25“For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26“But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob’? 27“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

      28One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE’S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

We should study and learn from these thoughtful and quick responses which Yeshua gave as well as reflect internally upon our own preparation to provide an answer to those who may ask questions. Ask yourself… “Are you prepared to share God’s message? Are you willing to share God’s message?” Are you prepared to speak even if someone is baiting or trapping you with the question? 

Before you answer too quickly and move on in your day… ask yourself also “When was the last time you did share God’s message?”

2 Timothy 4:2

2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me be prepared to always speak of You and Your scriptures to others. Help provide for me the words to speak in wisdom to help others draw nearer to You and shut down those who wish only trouble. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

All Knowing, Heaven and Hell, Lying / Deceiving, Money / Finances / Wealth, Wickedness / Evil, Wise, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Give to Caesar Things That Are Caesar’s; and to God Things That Are God’s

The Pharisees were not pleased with the preceding parables about the vineyard owner and the wedding feast in which Jesus revealed clearly that they face God’s righteous judgment for rejecting God’s commands and mistreating His messengers, the prophets and Jesus, Himself. Rather than consider if they were wrong, which they were not open to accepting, they went and plotted with another group against Jesus… a group which they did not even agree with… the Herodians. With malice and forethought they plotted to trap Jesus in Matthew 22:15-22.

      15Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17“Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19“Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. 20And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.

They were hoping for one of two outcomes:

  • Jesus says to pay the tax to Caesar and the people turn against Jesus because they saw Caesar as an occupying force rather than a civil government.
  • or Jesus says not to pay the tax and they notify the governor that Jesus is speaking against Rome in hopes He will be dealt with harshly by the Romans.

They attempted flattery and deception, but to no success. God will not be fooled by men. Jesus sees right through their attempted trap and calls them out on it. Then he answers the question in a way they can not even use to trap Him.

The answer still applies today. Much of what Rome was doing was evil in the sight of the Lord, but Jesus pointed out that the money in question comes from Rome and thus can be used to pay lawful taxes to Rome as the civil governing authority. This is not to say that we have to like it… and certainly does not discourage us from getting involved in our local and national governments where we have a voice and trying to reduce taxes that way. Governments are generally wasteful and spend money inefficiently and without honoring God. Spending “other people’s money” is not a natural driver to be good with spending. Spending your own money… that is a strong driver to be good with money.

Beyond the taxes, Jesus made another point… give to God, what is God’s. We know from other scripture that Jesus instructs us to put Him first, to put not even father or mother ahead of Him.

[Matthew 10:37-39] 37“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Thus we can clearly understand that we can submit to civil government so long as we are not required to compromise our service to God… our honoring of His commands.  God must come first. We should actively engage in our local, state, and national government where we have the opportunity to help protect our individual rights as Christians, which are often under attack by powerful central governments that desire to be the ultimate authority instead of God.

Most of us pay our taxes lawfully for fear of the government. Many do not give to God what is God’s. They do not fear Him as they should. Thinking of God only as love, many expect that they can live in active disobedience to Him and His commands without consequence. They are wrong.

[Proverbs 9:10]   10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

[Matthew 10:28]  28“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

When we accept Jesus as Lord, we are called to repent from our sins, obey His commands and submit to His will. To do so, our lives should reflect significant change. Our attitude, passion, time, talents, and money should be used to serve and honor God.

Give to God what is God’s.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, You and You alone are God. There are none like You. Though we may fool others or fool ourselves in the way we should go, we will never fool or trick You. You are wise and not to be tripped up by the plans and deceit of men. Help us to have wisdom to know the way we should walk. Lead us to give to government what is theirs and give to You what is Yours. Let us have wisdom and courage, however, not to compromise Your instructions to comply with government. You come first. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Heaven and Hell, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Marriage, Study the Word, Teachable

Let God’s Word Guide My Understanding and Not My Understanding Limit God’s Word

There is no contradiction between the Torah and the writings of the prophet (Old Testament) and the gospels and letters (New Testament). Yeshua never fell into a trap He could not explain. He often emphasized the Old Testament in His teaching.

Sometimes we have to be willing to change our pre-conceived understanding or bias that we may have when we confront an apparent contradiction. We have to admit we don’t always already have the full understanding and allow ourselves to change or adapt how we think of something. If we do so, we will understand more and draw nearer to God.

Said another way, do we redefine God’s word based on our current understanding? or do we redefine our current understanding based on studying what the Bible actually says, even if it contradicts tradition and common church teaching? Naturally, testing what we understand from scripture is important. The best place to test it is against scripture itself. Remember, that is the source of truth.

In some ways it is a bit like a puzzle.  You take on faith when you open a new box that all the pieces are there and fit together. Knowing that, you work and search to fit them all together.  You do not simply give up the first time you can’t find the right piece and assume the puzzle is defective. You keep looking. In reading the Bible, we start with the understanding that the pieces fit together and then search out how to put them all in place.

Matthew 22:23-33

Jesus Answers the Sadducees

      23On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘IF A MAN DIES HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.’ 25“Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 26so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. 27“Last of all, the woman died. 28“In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”

      29But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30“For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31“But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” 33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

We should keep in mind that in answering the question, Yeshua reflects on the Scriptures. This would have been the Old Testament. The New Testament was not written yet. Yeshua constantly points to that as authoritative truth.

With regards to marriage, we see in the resurrection people do not marry. People react to this in a variety of different ways. Perhaps some are grateful because they have had very complex family relationships, somewhat like the one listed in scripture. Many may feel disappointed as they want to be with their spouse in the same way. This is all we know how to get our mind around. The point is that we do not let the constraints on our understanding define what the word says. Instead, take it in, even if you don’t fully understand it and accept it. Let the scripture change your understanding of what the resurrection will be like, even if it makes you uncomfortable or disappointed at first. Trust in the LORD. Has he not said, there will be no sadness in the resurrection?

Revelation 21:3-4

3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Another point to clarify here is that the scripture says we will be like angels in that we do not marry in the resurrection. This is not to say that we will be angels. Angels and people are distinct creations. One does not transition between them. You are either an angel or a person and that never changes. Many mistake this to say that we become angels in heaven, but that is not what it says.

Don’t miss in reading this that Jesus also confirms resurrection is real and those who were in right relationship with God when they died have already been resurrected and are with Him in Heaven. While this may not yet be our physical bodies, which will be resurrected after Yeshua returns, we are none the less alive spiritually and in the presence of the LORD.

In conclusion, Yeshua is chastising the Sadducees for misreading the scriptures and adding their own assumptions to them, and then declaring that it did not make sense. Yeshua is, in a sense, saying they should have realized that if they got to a point that did not make sense to them, they should have checked their assumptions and gone back the the scriptures to see what they really say and what was added by the Sadducees, even if they did not do so intentionally. We should do likewise.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to clearly understand Your word. Holy Spirit, please guide me and instruct me. Help me to have wisdom and courage to challenge what I believe as I study and learn new insights and truth. Let the Bible transform my beliefs instead of my beliefs dictating how I read or understand the Bible. Thank You! Amen. 

For some additional study, I have included a portion of the Barnes Commentary on BibleHub.com.

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Ye do err, not knowing … – They had taken a wrong view of the doctrine of the resurrection.

It was not taught that people would marry there. The “Scriptures,” here, mean the books of the Old Testament. By appealing to them, Jesus showed that the doctrine of the future state was there, and that the Sadducees should have believed it as it was, and not have added the absurd doctrine to it that people must live there as they do here. The way in which the enemies of the truth often attempt to make a doctrine of the Bible ridiculous is by adding to it, and then calling it absurd. The reason why the Saviour produced a passage from the books of Moses Matthew 22:32 was that they had also appealed to his writings, Matthew 22:24. Other places of the Old Testament, in fact, asserted the doctrine more clearly Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19, but he wished to meet them on their own ground. None of those scriptures asserted that people would live there as they do here, and therefore their reasoning was false.

Nor the power of God – They probably denied, as many have done since, that God could gather the scattered dust of the dead and remould it into a body. On this ground they affirmed that the doctrine could not be true – opposing reason to revelation, and supposing that infinite power could not reorganize a body that it had at first organized, and raise a body from its own dust which it had at first raised from nothing.

Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Neither marry … – This was a full answer to the objections of the Sadducees.

But are as the angels of God – That is, in the manner of their conversation; in regard to marriage and the mode of their existence.

Luke adds that they shall be “equal with the angels.” That is, they shall be elevated above the circumstances of mortality, and live in a manner and in a kind of conversation similar to that of the angels. It does not imply that they shall be equal in intellect, but only “in the circumstances of their existence,” as that is distinguished from the way in which mortals live. He also adds, “Neither do they die any more, but are the children of God; being the children of the resurrection,” or being accounted worthy to be raised up to life, and therefore “sons of God raised up to him.”

Matthew 22:31
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

As touching … – That is, in proof that the dead are raised.

The passage which he quotes is recorded in Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, This was at the burning bush (Mark and Luke). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been dead for a long time when Moses spoke this – Abraham for 329 years, Isaac for 224 years, and Jacob for 198 years – yet God spake then as being still “their God.” They must, therefore, be still somewhere living, for God is not the God of the dead; that is, it is absurd to say that God rules over those who are “extinct or annihilated,” but he is the God only of those who have an existence. Luke adds, “all live unto him.” That is, all the righteous dead, all of whom he can be properly called their God, live unto his glory. This passage does not prove directly that the dead “body” would be raised, but only by consequence. It proves that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had an existence then, or that their souls were alive. This the Sadducees denied Acts 23:8, and this was the main point in dispute. If this was admitted – if there was a state of rewards and punishments – then it would easily follow that the bodies of the dead would be raised.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Consequences of Sin, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Fear / Reverence for God, Heaven and Hell, Justice / Judgment, Parables, Seeking God, Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant, Wickedness / Evil

Fishing with a Drag Net… Some Will Be Discarded, Others Saved

The last parable in Matthew 13 is very similar and consistent with the earlier one of the wheat and the tares. We can see that there is a mixture of good and evil upon this earth. At the end of the age they will be separated and the wicked thrown into the fire. This is real. Take is seriously. Do not simply read over it too quickly and miss the importance of what is said.

Matthew 13:47-52

A Dragnet

     47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; 48and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49“So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

      51“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” 52And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

We have an opportunity now to pursue and submit to our LORD while we yet live. So, too, we have the opportunity to witness to and serve others in His name, to love others in His name. Let us pursue this as the priority in our lives and rejoice in our relationship with Him.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Consequences of Sin, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Heaven and Hell, Jesus (hearing from God), Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Worldliness

To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected

The day of judgment will come for each of us. It is only a question of when. If we die before Yeshua returns, then we may face it individually. Ultimately we will also face a second judgment after He reigns for a thousand years (Revelation 20:11-15).

Let us learn a lesson from Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 11 as it applies to us personally as individuals. No matter how many sin along side us or accept corruption and live apart from Yahweh and Yeshua, we will face judgment individually.

Matthew 11:20-24

The Unrepenting Cities

      20Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22“Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23“And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24“Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”

When Yeshua calls out the cities, He is really calling out the collection of individuals which have chosen a like path. If there were a righteous person there, they will not be judged as part of a city, though they may suffer in this life being a part of it, as the behaviors of those around us influence our lives as well.

There is not one level of suffering and separation for all, or this teaching of Yeshua would really not make sense. If it will be more tolerable for some than for others, then there are distinctions in the suffering, just as elsewhere in scripture we see distinctions in the rewards.

It is worthy to note why the distinction is made. It is not simply that one city was more wicked than another. There is a different nuance that is important. One city received more miracles, more evidence of Yeshua as Messiah and still rejected Him. Thus the judgment will be more harsh. Think about this personally. As Father blesses individuals and deepens in relationship with us, He expects more from us. Similarly, for those that reject Him, it is worse if they had more opportunity to know Him and still rejected Him.

If you know the LORD, He expects more from you than from those who do not. To those whom much is given much is expected.

Luke 12:47-48

47“And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Do not grow complacent, comparing yourself to others in their walk with the Father (or absence of it). Look to the Father, look to the example of Yeshua and the standards laid out for us in the Torah, the writings of the prophets, and the example documented of the earthly ministry and life of Yeshua and His disciples.  Let this be our standard… and it is high. Keep pursuing it.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Heaven and Hell, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Satan, Submitted / Servant, Wickedness / Evil, Worldliness

Not Everyone Who Says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ Will Enter

Matthew 7:21-23 should be a real attention grabber for any who take salvation and their relationship with Yeshua seriously.

      21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

If we have any shred of humility we should stop and prayerfully reflect on our lives in relation to this statement. It is too easy for people to claim the name of Yeshua and assume they are in right relationship with Him and headed to heaven. Yeshua Himself gives us this strong warning, or wake up call. Not everyone who calls Him LORD will enter the kingdom of heaven.

To prophecy in His name and to cast out demons or perform miracles is not a guarantee that someone will be accepted. How much more so if all we can say is we went to church weekly, paid a tithe, talked about Him a lot. In fact, those who are turned away are called lawless. This is not a random use of the word. It is deliberate and points back to following the Law of God, which is not obsolete, though some elements have been fulfilled (e.g. animal sacrifice for sin offering) and others can not be done (e.g. those involving the temple and Levitical priesthood). Yeshua compares those who do not do the will of the Father to those who do not obey the Law of God.

It is not about following the Law perfectly (as Yeshua did) to be saved. We can not. It is about submitting to Yahweh and doing His will. When we do that, we will follow His instructions more and more fully. We should challenge even common teachings in churches today and compare them to what the Bible says with a critical eye and open mind. There are many commonly accepted teachings which are not Biblical, such as teaching that the Law of God is obsolete, except for a few we hand select to keep… like paying the tithe.  How convenient for churches to preach keeping tithe, but also teach that the law is obsolete. The tithe is part of the law.

For more context on this subject consider our teaching on Understanding the Law – What Does it Mean Today?  and review our prior devotionals relating to Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law.

We encourage you to review a broader context for today’s scripture, included below. The narrow and wide gates visual is very interesting. If you find that you fit in with most in society and are following nicely on a comfortable path that is generally accepted by most… you are probably on the wrong path. Don’t make an assumption that somehow as long as you fit in with most Christians you must be on the right path. I would point you back to our opening scripture. Many who call Him LORD are on the wrong path. Test everything against the Bible itself and ask help from the Spirit to understand it properly, as Satan often tries to draw us away from the Father through twisting and misuse of scripture.

Matthew 7:13-23

The Narrow and Wide Gates

      13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

      15“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.

      21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Free Will, Grace / Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell, Idols / False Gods, Justice / Judgment, Lying / Deceiving, Murder, Repenting from Sin, Righteous, Salvation, Sorcery, Through Prophets, Visions, Wickedness / Evil, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Final Message

The final message at the end of Revelation should be worth our pausing to consider how it applies. What was the key message at closing of the Bible that YHWH had written through men?

He wants us to know about the prophecy or vision in Revelation. That means that we should spend time on it and try to understand it rather than just ignoring it because “it is too hard”.

YHWH knows some will continue to practice wrong and He will let us have that choice. He will not make us be righteous at the cost of our free will.

Further, when He comes, every man will be rendered reward (or judgment) according to what he has done. Our deeds matter, not just our thoughts or good intentions.

We are reminded that YHWH is the first and the last, all powerful and worthy of reverence.

We are not inherently righteous, but can wash our robes (be forgiven) at no cost to us by accepting Yeshua as LORD and submitting to Him, which means repenting of our sinful ways. We can see a list of a few sinful ways which are specifically called out here, but not assumed to be all inclusive. Note that loving and practicing lying is called out and in our society today we tend to make a lot of excuses about why lying is acceptable.

We are warned not to add to or take away from what is written with dire consequence stated if we do.

We are reminded of the grace of Yeshua.

It is a lot to take in. Dwell on it. Take your time. Reflect prayerfully.

Revelation 22:10-21

The Final Message

      10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

      12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

      14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

      16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

      17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

      18I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

      20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

      21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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The River and the Tree of Life

The scene documented in Revelation 22 is wonderful. A crystal clear stream coming from YHWH and Yeshua waters the tree of life. There is no more curse, I presume associated with sin and disobedience, because there is no more sin and disobedience. YHWH is so bright, there is no longer a need for the sun and there is no more night. Whether that is literal or metaphorical, it speaks volumes. The LORD once again rules and lives among His people. What a scene to look forward to.

We also see another reminder, several in Revelation, that we are not to worship angels, but only YHWH Himself.

Revelation 22:10-10

The River and the Tree of Life

      1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

      6And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

      7“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

      8I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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The New Heaven and Earth

After all the tribulation and trials, after the 1000 year reign of Yeshua, after the judgment and many are thrown into the lake of fire… the new heaven and earth. What a wonderful moment to look forward to. God will come down to dwell again with His people. This is the event that celebrating Feast of Tabernacles reminds us to look forward to each year. This is the restoration of all things, making all things new. No pain. No sorrow. The new Jerusalem is a magnificent place. Spoiler alert… you will want to choose and submit to Yeshua to experience this wonderful place. The alternative… the lake of fire.

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and Earth

      1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

      5And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

      9Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

The New Jerusalem

      10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

      15The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. 18The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

      22I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; 26and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 27and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

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We All Face Judgment Before YHWH

The dead will rise again to face judgment and a second death. We will all stand at the judgment seat of YHWH and be judged based on our deeds while alive.

Revelation 20:10-15

Judgment at the Throne of God

11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

There are varying levels of reward in heaven (GotQuestions.org/treasure-heaven) or punishment in hell (GotQuestions.org/levels-hell). This may be part of the judgment at the throne of YHWH. Of course, many focus more on the simple “do I go to heaven or hell” question.

We are all guilty and none deserve to be saved (Romans 3:10).  However, those of us who are saved, are saved not by works, but by grace.

Ephesians 2:8-10

8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

It is by faithful submission to YHWH through Yeshua that we are put in the Lamb’s book of life.

John 3:16-21

   16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.