Revelation__21

Scripture

 

Revelation‬ ‭21:7-8‬ ‭

 

“All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

John receives a revelation of the new heaven and the new earth...the new Jerusalem. John’s vision is glorious! No more sorrow, no more tears. Heaven’s gates made of pearls, the roads made of pure gold, no more sun and moon because God’s presence illuminates everything! No temples, because God is our temple who we will be worshiping! It sounds amazing and I can’t wait! However, there is another side of this vision. The side where the unbelievers go. The fiery lake of burning sulfur. A place Jesus describes as a place of torment (Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the rich man). This is their second death. A place we as Christians, who are called to love our neighbors, and are to have compassion for those in need, should be praying that no one goes to.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.

 

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’”

John‬ ‭3:3-7‬ ‭

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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”-John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭

 

So how do we avoid that fiery death (the second death) spoken of in this passage? It’s really quite simple actually. Put your faith in Jesus, repent (turn away) from your sins, and get baptized! God doesn’t want anyone of us to go to Hell. He actually created Hell to imprison Satan and his demons. God actually went out of His way for us to avoid Hell so we can be able to spend eternity with Him in Heaven...and the ONLY way is Jesus! So what are we waiting for?! I’m sure we all know someone in need of this message. Someone in need of saving. Another way to put it is if we saw someone about to drown to death, wouldn’t you throw them a life saver? Or would you just watch them flapping away, sinking, dying an excruciating death?! Wouldn’t you want someone to help you if you were in that situation?

 

Life Application

 

Be more purposeful with my relationships.

 

After this past Sunday’s message from R.K. aren’t you motivated to share with others the gospel? I know I am. I need to find more ways to be purposeful with the people God puts around me. Whether it’s at work or in my neighborhood, I know God desires all to come to know Him through His only Son Jesus Christ.

 

Father God, give me Your eyes to see and Your ears to hear the people in need of You. May Your Holy Spirit fill me with courage and boldness to speak life into their lives as I rub shoulders and live life with them. Ultimately it’s You Jesus who saves. So help me to do my part and just pray and obey. In Your name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi