A Hard Truth

A Hard Truth

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which  burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8

As we continue our consideration of the eternal state, and specifically, the things which God excludes from the Heavenly Kingdom, we arrive at a hard truth.  Not only  does God exclude certain things from heaven, but also, He excludes certain people as well.  We must embrace a Whole God, A Whole Christ, and a Whole Bible.  This means that there will be some exclusions from heaven.  Our text for today details who these people are, ‘…the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars….’  As surely as there is a heaven, there is also a hell.  As surely as there is a reward for righteousness, there is a punishment for unrighteousness.  This is the direct result of the Last Judgment, ‘The seas gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.’  Why is this important to those who are redeemed?  Remember, the people excluded from the Heavenly Kingdom are the predators, the users, the oppressors, and the manipulators.  These are those who have refused to repent.  These are those who are utterly out of Christ. It is Christ alone Who cleanses the soul from sin and fits us for Heaven.  Of every redeemed soul, the truth remains, ‘…and such were some of you….’ In additional to these reasons why God excludes these folk from His Presence, there is the fact that they are those who have been the great abusers of His little ones.  These are those for whom ‘it would be better…that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea….’  Christ is Loving, but Christ is Just.  He will repay evil, especially when it has affected His people.  ‘And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  I tell you that He will avenge them speedily….’  Let us today embrace a Just Christ Who is ever the Great Avenger of His little ones.

Our most Holy and Just God,
We praise You, that You make no errors in judgment.
We rejoice that You, ‘the Judge of all the earth, do right.’
Show us Your Way. Show us Your Glory.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning.