LEARNING TO PLEASE GOD
LESSON THIRTEEN – ETERNAL REWARDS
The death of a saint is precious in the Lord's sight. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalms 116:15) The death of an unsaved person is a sorrow and grief to God. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8) There will be a resurrection of the body. Our faith in the resurrection is based on the word of God. The dead will be raised. "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29) On the Day of Judgment you will be there to give account of yourself to God. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12) The deeds, words and thoughts of your life will be judged on that day. The result of judgment will be, one is saved and another is lost. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:46) Are you ready for the judgment day?
Is there a real place called Hell? The Bible forcefully teaches that God will punish the wicked for their unbelief and disobedience. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31) There should be a fear in our hearts of losing our soul in hell. "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) Hell is terrible because it is a place of torments. “These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20) Hell is a lake of eternal burning. It will be so horrible that those who are there will weep and gnash their teeth. "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:30) There is no second chance, nor is there hope of any change after a soul leaves this earth. Are you ready for the Judgment Day? According to the Bible, hell is a real place of separation and outer darkness in an unquenchable lake of fire filled with burning torments and everlasting punishment!
Is there a real place called heaven? Heaven must be real, otherwise Jesus could not have said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3) Those who deny that heaven is a place prepared for every true Christian deny the word of God. Heaven is prepared for those who will prepare to go to that place. Heaven is the great goal of every child of God. Our reward is in heaven. "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:12) Are you preparing yourself for heaven? In heaven, Christians have a house not made with hands waiting for them. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1) Heaven is an inheritance which is reserved for God's faithful children. "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4) Heaven is for those who have become partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) A true Christian is a person living a Christ-like life, preparing for heaven.
Christians must never fail to develop the character, attitudes and actions that will help them go to heaven. Christ has shown us the way. Let us follow His example. If we have failed, we must repent and return to God. (Revelation 2:5) If we have not started the Christian life, we should become a Christian today. To become a Christian, hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37) and be baptized to wash away sins. (Acts 22:16) Do you really want to go to heaven?
True or False:
1. _________ It is not precious to God when a Saint dies. (Psalm 116:15)
2. _________ No one goes to a lake of fire and brimstone. (Revelation 21:8)
3. _________ Only the righteous will be raised on the last day. (John 5:28-29)
4. _________ No one living today should expect to go to heaven. (John 14:1-3)
5. _________ Baptism is not necessary in order to go to heaven. (Acts 22:16)