WHO IS IN HEAVEN AND HELL? (CONCLUSION)

Seriously consider Paul’s words here:

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Galatians 5:19-21 (Emphasis mine)

Again, again, again, consider what Paul said! 

He used the word “obvious” to describe the acts of the sinful nature and “those who live like this.”  What they are can be seen and known, so much so that one can distinguish between those who are following the Spirit and those who are following the sinful nature.  Paul’s warning is to the Galatian Christians!  (That is a topic in itself!)  But this warning doesn’t leave room for doubt or last minute salvations!  From what Paul said, from his clear warning, the Galatians could know for certain that if they observe these OBVIOUS behaviors in a person’s life, this person will not inherit the kingdom of God.  This means if someone dies while living like this, he or she, and anyone observing him or her, should  KNOW that they will not inherit the kingdom of God!  How can this be a warning if there is uncertainty in Paul’s words?

Read Jesus’ words to the Church at Smyrna as recorded in the Book of Revelation:

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.  Revelation 1:10

It was clear that some of the believers in the Church at Smyrna may die after this 10 day imprisonment of suffering and persecution.  From what Jesus said, it could be OBSERVED that if these believers were faithful, even to the point of death, they would indeed receive the crown of life IN HEAVEN!  In other words, they, AND ANYONE WHO OBSERVED THEM AND KNEW JESUS’ PROMISE, would KNOW they were going to heaven.  While the ones who live according to their sinful natures, AND ANYONE OBSERVING THOSE LIVING ACCORDING TO THEIR SINFUL NATURES, can be CERTAIN that they will NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

In other words, if there is such a thing as objective moral truth--real good and evil, real justice—then there MUST be people on earth who live in such a way that on their death beds, any sane person would KNOW they will enter heaven or hell after they die! 

(This is not about assigning seats in heaven and hell from pure judgmental arrogance.  It is about the meaning of life on earth, the hope of seeing loved ones again, and the certainty of justice now and eternally.  It is very good and true that the unsaved can be saved at the very last minute of their lives, with their very last breath.  And it is wise if the dying unsaved use their last breath to trust in their Savior.  Yet it is even more wise to see that the scriptures warn against waiting to the very last minute, as if the last minute is guaranteed!  Today, right now, is the time to be saved.  Each day of resisting God makes the next days' resistance that much easier.  The next day may very well be the last day.) 



I conclude by using a personal illustration. 

I was arrested for a crime I did not commit.  Later I was gloriously vindicated.  But while I spoke to a detective I said something like this:

“Sir, I know you hear criminals claim innocence all of the time.  But I’m sure you are skilled at reading people.  Surely you can look into my eyes see the difference between guilt and innocence.  If this is not possible, then law enforcement is useless and hopeless.”

As a corrections officer, I know the difference between those who are “career criminals” and those who are arrested for the first time in their lives AND HAVE NO INTENTION TO BE ARRESTED AGAIN!  There are very distinct behaviors between the two.  The career criminal is calm and at home in jail.  The first time offender with no intention to continue crime is nervous and very much out of place, and rightly so.  Jail should not be considered a home away from home!  The judge is usually very lenient and merciful to these first time offenders, but hard on career criminals. 

He or she KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE. 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. 

THIS DIFFERENCE CAN BE KNOWN, NOW AND ON DEATHBEDS. 

This is comforting. 

This is also a warning. 

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I write these as my last words on the last day of 2012:

 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."  Psalms 39:4

Many did not live to see the end of 2012, and the coming New Year.  These thoughts on heaven and hell may not seem like Happy New Year sentiments.  Many seek to begin anew.  What better way to begin than with the certainty of heaven.

May these last words give that certainty, so that the new year will be truly happy.