Why, God? Why?
Eternal life. The term eternal connotes a hereafter existence that never ends. People believe life stops when we die. Many people believe life begins when we die. Some believe death begins at birth, and then there are people who believe life begins at birth. Regardless of which perspective you believe, the commonality is life and death.
This topic came to mind March 27th, the day I hit my head and fractured my rib when I fell on the iron steps outside. While I was on the mend, I considered the worst that could have happened. The damages and loss of life that God did not allow. I wondered about people who die outside of His covering.
Last night, I happened across a show called, It’s Supernatural, hosted by Sid Roth. His guest was a woman who had battled with depression before she gave her life to Christ. She talked about going to a Bible conference and how that while she was praying; she went up to heaven. She encountered Jesus and shared a wonderful experience. She talked about attending a different Bible Conference. On that occasion, she said, “the walls opened up. I could feel the heat rushing over me. I opened my eyes. An arm reached out and grabbed me and pulled me into hell.”
The woman explained Jesus took her down into hell because He loved her. She said He warned her to rid her life of unforgiveness. Right away, I understood why Jesus said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
The connection made me feel afraid. I searched my heart for lingering unforgiveness. I urge you to do the same. The most significant aspect of eternal life or death besides repentance, confessing Christ is Lord, and being born again, is forgiveness. Holding grudges past or present is deadly; gossiping is deadly, hatred is deadly.
In most cases, we forget old resentful thoughts and feelings because time passes them into our subconscious mind. But because we forget; it does not mean we have forgiven.
Last night, I asked Jesus, “Why didn’t You destroy the devil’s legion when you cast him out of the man dwelling among the tombs?” Today, I was led to find the answers.
The Bible teaches that Satan was cast out of heaven. God did not destroy him for his treasonous acts. Instead of destroying His creation, he cast him out. This is what Revelation 12:3-9 teaches:
“And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
I remembered reading about Adam’s disobedience in the book of Genesis. God didn’t destroy Adam. God sent Adam down from paradise to “sweat” in a dry place. Then my spirit opened to the answer to my question. The Gospels teach the following about hell and them who wake up there for eternal life:
“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”
“… And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”
“When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.”
The most descriptive and persuasive answer of all is in the book of Luke. The story is about the eternal life of an unnamed rich and selfish man who died and became a resident of hell. Luke 16:24 states this about the man. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Notice the present tense voice in the words, “I am tormented in this flame?”
Bible study revealed why the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit did not destroy Satan and his imps.
I understand why Jesus allowed the legion to go into a herd of pigs instead of destroying them. It’s clear why the unnamed man burned alive. I am sure the devil vexing the daughter of the Canaanite woman who pleaded with Jesus for help, was not destroyed. Everything happened for this one reason: The appointed time of the Judgment. Until Judgment day comes, wicked spirits, unrighteous acts, Godless sinners, Satan, and his devils are allowed to continue to walk in their ways. God allows evil to exist because spirits are indestructible, and the Day of Judgment is prophecy.
Jude 1:6 teaches this: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
2 Peter 3:7 teaches this: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Bad things happen for a purpose! Everything shall come to “an expected end.” Eternal life in paradise is reserved for born-again believers who love and obey God.
If you should ever find yourself wondering why this or why that, read Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:9. “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Rene Thompson,
Thank you for your concise article about the spirit world and that judgment will be when all is put in final order.
I found it to be well written and personable.
David Russell
Very enlightening, wonderfully thought out!
This is a very important message that the World need to know, though most people ignore to read and watch these series of truth. The Enemy doesn’t want them to know these mysteries. But thank God for Rene. She is sharing to the World.
Great article!
I appreciate Rene’s biblical insight about the importance of forgiveness and the deadly consequences if we don’t. The Lord has brought me to this brink on more than one occasion, because it is a serious matter, effecting my soul and my eternity. It is good to be reminded to come before the Lord to check this area of our hearts. Thank you, Rene.
Thanks to Miss Thompson, for an article reminding us, how vital forgiveness is to our lives. Her article is well written including scriptures, for guidance. Showing us the benefits, we can reap if we read and follow God’s word. We all make mistakes and need to forgive— or to be forgiven. An act of forgiveness, might mend a friendship, rekindle a family or give peace to one’s mind. Thanks to Miss Thompson for a great piece of work. I recommend it for all to read and look forward to her next article.
The perfect article for the times. So, eloquently put, short, concise and understandable as she knits scripture together into a subject a recognizable answer. Thank you, Rene. Well done.