The adversary, in his cunning way, has fooled many to believe the lie that all souls are destined for heaven. In fact, many of today’s institutionalized churches promote this lie. It seems that every funeral service I can remember has proclaimed that the deceased was now in heaven, in spite of what that person’s true soul condition was in this world. It is true that Jesus died for all mankind, but we cannot neglect the truth that we each need a genuine personal relationship with Christ to be born again (transformed) and gain citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. If we fail to establish this personal relationship here in this world, we can only expect to spend eternity in a dark place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The book of Isaiah tells us that there is only one way into heaven, and no one will find it outside of the truth, the way, and the life offered through Jesus Christ. “And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it--only those who walk in the Way--and fools will not stray onto it.” Isaiah 35:8 Jesus told us plainly, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truthfully, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27
Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:13-23
Therefore, MANY will foolishly reject the truth and try to find their own way into heaven. Maybe they love their life in this world more than the thought of surrendering it now for eternal life. Some will be swayed by traditional beliefs or the influences of family members. For others, external forces pressure them to reject the truth for a lie while believing manmade myths that in the end will only lead them to destruction. There are many that believe that a one-time verbal proclamation will gain them entrance into heaven, but this is one of those manmade myths that there is little doubt Satan has helped to orchestrate. Learn from the parable of the ten virgins:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13
The End of Days is approaching and woe to those who falsely believe they have the truth when in fact they are on the broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 I pray you will turn away from this world and it’s ways, surrender your life to Jesus and follow Him, and live out the remainder of your days serving His kingdom by doing His will while turning away from your own. If you are reading this, it is not too late for you to turn from the ways of this world for an eternal life in Christ. “For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.” 1 Peter 4:3 “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8
Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:13-23
Therefore, MANY will foolishly reject the truth and try to find their own way into heaven. Maybe they love their life in this world more than the thought of surrendering it now for eternal life. Some will be swayed by traditional beliefs or the influences of family members. For others, external forces pressure them to reject the truth for a lie while believing manmade myths that in the end will only lead them to destruction. There are many that believe that a one-time verbal proclamation will gain them entrance into heaven, but this is one of those manmade myths that there is little doubt Satan has helped to orchestrate. Learn from the parable of the ten virgins:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13
The End of Days is approaching and woe to those who falsely believe they have the truth when in fact they are on the broad way that leads to destruction. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 I pray you will turn away from this world and it’s ways, surrender your life to Jesus and follow Him, and live out the remainder of your days serving His kingdom by doing His will while turning away from your own. If you are reading this, it is not too late for you to turn from the ways of this world for an eternal life in Christ. “For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.” 1 Peter 4:3 “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8
