Final Destination

What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?

Psalms 89:48

From the 21st of December until the 24th, youths from all over Malaysia, and Singapore gathered for the 8th annual Reformed Baptist Youth Camp in El Sanctuary, Melaka. The theme of the camp was Life's Final Destination and the topic of Heaven and Hell was covered in 4 sessions.

Facts About Death

Luke 16:19-31

19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

 22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

In this passage, we see a contrast of the two classes seen in the world: the rich and the poor, yet the conclusion for both classes is that they all still have to die.

Facts about death:

1. Death is certain - you don't know when you will die, but it is certain that you will die.

2. Death is common - all sorts of people die, and death respects no man.

3. Death is not the end - our body turns to dust, but the soul is judged and goes to either Heaven or Hell.

Are you prepared?

Hell is Real

Evidence of Hell:

1. Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross was so that our sins could be forgiven, and this is so that we would not have to be punished for it in Hell. If Hell wasn't real, Jesus would not have died.

2. Man's conscience.

Unconsciously, we know there is a hell. Looking at religions and traditional practices all around the world, the element of hell is prevalent.

3. Jesus taught that there is a Hell.

Matthew 5:21-22 (click here)

Matthew 10:28 (click here)

Matthew 13:40-42 (click here)

Misconceptions of Hell:

1. Annihilation - the soul is not punished, but destroyed.

What the Bible has to say: Souls of those did not know God and did not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will be punished with everlasting destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, click here)

2. Second chances - God being a merciful God, will give us a second chance.

What the Bible has to say: There is no crossing over once you're in Hell, no more redemption there. (Luke16:26, click here)

3. Purgatory - A Roman Catholic idea where believers who were not perfect are cleansed here before they can go to Heaven.

What the Bible has to say: Nothing. There is no scriptural support for this idea.

4. Good works will keep you from Hell - self-explanatory

What the Bible has to say: Our righteous acts are like filthy rags, so by God's standard, you still will be going to Hell. (Isaiah 64:6, click here)

What is Hell like?

It sure won't be a fun place 'cos Elvis and all the cool people will be there. It will be a place of anguish and torment. (Mark 9:48; Matthew 8:12, 13:42; Revelation 19:20)

Is There a Better Place?

Revelation 21:1-4 (click here)

What is Heaven?

By Biblical definition, there are three meanings:

1. The atmosphere.

2. Space, as in the galaxies and planets kind.

3. Heaven, where God is. 

Why does Heaven Exist?

Heaven does not exist for our sake, not to make us happy, but primarily for God's glory, as Heaven is always equated to God in the Bible, as seen in Luke 15:21. 

What does Heaven mean?

Heaven is not a place where you wear robes, sit on clouds and play harps all day. Going to Heaven means being with Jesus; in fact, in the entire New Testament, you read nothing of believers going to Heaven, but rather, going to be with God!

Implications:

Since Jesus=Heaven, therefore, going to Heaven is the comfort that one day, we will be with the Lord.

What is Heaven Like?

Perfect in all aspects. Our bodies will be risen up in Glory and in power, while relationships will be made perfect, so that there will no longer be a need for marriage. We will also be enjoying fellowship with God. 

Who Will be in Heaven?

Not everyone is in Heaven, or will go. (John 14:5-7, click here)

The Passport and the Ticket

John 14:1-6 (click here)

I can't give you what the speaker said on this topic as I was out sick, but I shall give it to you as I understand it.

Mankind is fallen and will never attain Glory on their own, therefore we need the forgiveness of God, and this forgiveness is made available in Christ Jesus who says that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light, and that NO ONE comes to God except through Him. He is our passport and ticket to Heaven.

Yet, it does not mean we shall all commit suicide just so we can be with God. We are called to be the light and salt of this Earth, working God's glory in this sad and dreary World.

Note: All underlined text except for the titles are links to the Bible verses, so click on it for reference.