Common Questions & Objections: Heaven & Hell [Part II]

"Could you be wrong in your claims about Judgment Day and the existence of Hell?"

 

You did cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still.  ~Psalm 76:8

 

The existence of hell and the surety of the judgment are not the claims of fallible man. The Bible is the source of the claim, and it is utterly infallible.

When someone becomes a Christian, he is admitting that he was in the wrong, and that God is justified in His declarations that we have sinned against Him. However, let's surmise for a moment that there is no Judgment Day and no hell. That would mean that the Bible is a hoax, in which more than forty authors collaborated (over a period of 3,000 years) to produce a document revealing God's character as "just." They portrayed Him as a just judge, who warned that He would eventually punish murderers, rapists, liars, thieves, adulterers, etc. Each of those writers (who professed to be godly) therefore bore false witness, transgressing the very commandments they claimed to be true. It would mean that Jesus Christ was a liar, and that all the claims He made about the reality of judgment were therefore false. It would also mean that He gave His life in vain, as did multitudes of martyrs who have given their lives for the cause of Christ. Add to that the thought that if there is no ultimate justice, it means that the Creator of all things is unjust -- that He sees murder and rape and couldn't care less, making Him worse than a corrupt human judge who refuses to bring criminals to justice.

Here's the good news, though, if there is no hell: You won't know a thing after you die. It will be the end. No heaven, no hell. Just nothing. you won't even realize that it's good news. Here's the bad news if the Bible is right and that there is eternal justice: You will find yourself standing before the judgment throne of a holy God, who has seen every sin you have ever committed. Think of it. A holy and perfect Creator has seen your thought-life and every secret sin you have ever committed. You have a multitude of sins, and God must by nature carry out justice. Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. Ask Him to bring to remembrance your secret sexual sins, the lies, the gossip, and other idle words. You may have forgotten your past sins, but God hasn't. Hell will be your desert (exactly what you deserve), and you will have no one to blame but yourself. This is the claim of the Bible. If you don't believe it, it is still true. It will still happen.

Yet, there is good news -- incredibly good news. We deserve judgment, but God offers us mercy through the cross. He paid our fine so that we could leave the courtroom. He destroyed the power of the grave for all who obey Him. Simply obey the gospel, and live. By doing that you will find out for yourself that the gospel is indeed the "gospel truth." Jesus said that if you obey Him, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (see John 8:31,32). Get on your knees today, confess and forsake your sins. Tell God you are truly sorry, then trust the Savior as you would trust yourself to a parachute. Then you will find yourself in a terrible dilemma. You will know for certain that hell is a reality. When you get up the courage to warn people you care about, they will smile passively, and say, "Could you be wrong in your claims about Judgment Day and the existence of hell?"

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 759 [Bridge-Logos].

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

 

Common Questions & Objections: Jesus Christ [Part II]

"Jesus wasn't sinless – He became angry when He cleared the temple."

 

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.  ~Mark 11:15

 

The temple of God was filled with the day's equivalent of money-grabbing televangelists. Jesus called it a "den of thieves" (v. 17), because the moneychangers were not interested in God but in taking financial advantage of those who came to worship. Anger at hypocrisy isn't a sin -- it's a virtue.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 842 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Miscellaneous [Part I]

"God made me to be a homosexual, so He doesn't want me to change."

 

Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 7

 

    Homosexuals argue that they did not make a conscious decision to be that way, so it must be natural. They are born that way just as all of us are born with a sin nature and sinful desires (Ephesians 2:1-3). Tell them that it is natural for them, and for all of us, to be tempted to do things that God says are wrong. In the same way, pedophiles and adulterers (alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.) don't make a conscious decision to choose that self-destructive lifestyle, they simply give in to their sinful desires. However, although sin is natural for unbelievers, that doesn't mean God wants them to remain that way. God can set them free from their sinful nature (Romans 7:23-8:2), give them new desires (Ephesians 4:22-24), and help them withstand temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 842 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Women [Part I]

"Christianity oppresses women by making them submit to their husbands!"

 

Key Scripture: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ~Proverbs 31:10

 

    The Bible does say, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord," but it also instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22,25). A man who understands that Jesus Christ sacrificed His life's blood for the Church will likewise love his wife sacrificially and passionately. He will honor her, respect her, protect, love, and cherish her as much as he does his own body, as he is instructed to do (Ephesians 5:28). He will never say or do anything to harm or demean her. It is in this atmosphere of love and security that a godly wife willingly submits herself to the protective arms of her husband. She does this not because he is better than she is, but simply because this is God's order for His creation.

    A godless world rejects the God-given formula to make marriage work. It thinks it knows best, and suffers the heartbreaking consequences of destroyed marriages and ruined lives. The Christian ideal of marriage is not one of an authoritarian and chauvinistic male holding his cringing wife in submission like an obedient dog. It's the very opposite. While most of the great religions treat women as inferior to men, the Bible gives them a place of dignity, honor, and unspeakable worth, expressed so evidently in Proverbs 31.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 848 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Personal Witnessing [Part I]

"How do I reach my neighbors with the gospel?"

 

Key Scripture: Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not; neither go into your bother's house in the day of your calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. ~Proverbs 27:10

 

    Neighbors are like family. We don't want to offend them unnecessarily, because we have to live with them. We need to be rich in good works toward all men, but especially our neighbors. The Bible reveals that this is a legitimate means of evangelism. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). It is God's will that "with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:15). Sinners may disagree with what you believe, but seeing your good works makes them think, "I don't believe what he believes, but he sure does. He certainly is sincere in his faith."

    A friendly wave, a gift for no reason, fresh-baked goods, etc., can pave the way for evangelism. Offer to mow your neighbors' lawn or help do some painting. Volunteer to pick up their mail and newspapers while they're on vacation. Compliment them on their landscaping and ask for gardening tips. Invite them over for a barbecue or dessert. Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel, and be prepared for it when it comes.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 842 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: The Ten Commandments [Part I]

"What if someone says, 'I've broken every one of the Ten Commandments'?"

 

Key Scripture: I acknowledge my sin unto you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. ~Psalm 32:5

 

    Do not take this statement to mean that the person has seen the gravity of his sinful state before God. He may say something like, "I'm a really bad person!" It is often used as a way of shrugging off conviction. Say to him, "Well let's take the time to go through them one by one and see if you have." As he is confronted with the righteous standard of God's Moral Law, pray that the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 727 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Salvation [Part I]

"Is Water baptism essential for salvation?"

 

Key Scripture: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out to him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. ~Mark 1:4-5

 

    While we should preach that all men are commanded to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38), adding any other requirement to salvation by grace becomes "works" in disguise. Even though numerous Scriptures speak of the importance of water baptism, adding anything to the work of the cross demeans the sacrifice of the Savior. It implies that His finished work wasn't enough. But the Bible makes clear that we are saved by grace, and grace alone (Ephesians 2:8,9). Baptism is simply a step of obedience to the Lord following our repentance and confession of sin. Our obedience -- water baptism, prayer, good works, fellowship, witnessing, etc. -- issues from our faith in Christ. Salvation is not what we do, but Who we have: "He that has the Son has life" (1 John 5:12).

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 1244 [Bridge-Logos].

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Religion [Part I]

"Why are there so many religions?"

 

Key Scripture: For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. ~Romans 10:3

 

    It has been well said that religion is man's way of trying to deal with his guilt. Different religions have different ways of attempting to rid their adherents of sin and its consequences. They fast, pray, deny themselves legitimate pleasures, or chasten themselves, often to a point of inflicting pain. They do this because they have a concept of what they think God (or the gods) is like, so they seek to establish their own righteousness, being ignorant of God's righteousness.

    The Good News of the Christian faith is that no one need suffer the pains of religious works. Christ's blood can cleanse our conscience from the dead works of religion (Hebrews 9:14). Jesus took our punishment upon Himself, and He is the only One who can save us from sin and death. See Acts 4:12 and John 14:6.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 1469 [Bridge-Logos]

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Guilt [Part I]

"I don't feel guilty."

 

Key Scripture: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. ~1 Timothy 4:2

 

    People often don't feel guilty when they sin because they have "seared" their conscience. They have removed the batteries from the smoke detector of their conscience, so that they can sin without interruption. The way to resurrect a deadened conscience is to go through each of the Ten Commandments, reminding the person that they know that it's wrong to lie, steal, commit adultery, etc. Always preach the Law along with future punishment, then pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon them and cause them to be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's The Evidence Bible, page 1575 [Bridge-Logos]

 

TJ's Personal Note:

There comes a time when taking a risk is a good/healthy thing; however, this is not one of them. Look at it this way: Let's say that the Bible is wrong, and all Christians (past, present, & future) are not redeemed by the Savior. Then on the unfortunate day you die, nothing will happen. You won't even have the opportunity to say "I told you so!" But WHAT IF the Bible is correct, and all -- and only -- Christians are redeemed by the Savior. Then you will not just spend eternity separated from the presence of God, but as the Bible puts it, forever burning/tormented in Hell, where the fire NEVER quenches & the worm NEVER dies!!

Out of love we, Christians, are only asking that you consider the WHAT IF...before your time runs out. If you are saying, "Well, I don't want to make a decision out of fear...that doesn't seem genuine; or it seems like a cop-out." The Bible says that it is the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil/sin! Therefore, let that fear work in your favor! If you were on an airplane and you knew you had to jump, isn't it the fear of the law of gravity that entices you to put on a parachute?! Well, the same thing spiritually, let the fear of the Law of God and His justified wrath entice you to put on His parachute...the Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!! Repent once and for all for your sins -- and name them if you can -- and then place your faith & trust SOLELY in the Savior for your salvation! Do it today, because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Thank you for reading and God Bless.

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Pride

"Man is the master of his own destiny!"

 

Key Scripture: What man is he that lives, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. ~Psalm 89:48

 

    If man is in total control of his future, then he should at least be in control of his own body. Instead, he is subject to involuntary yawning, sneezing, breathing, swallowing, sleeping, salivating, dreaming, blinking, and thinking. He can't even control hair and nail growth. He automatically does these things, irrespective of his will. God has set his body in motion and there is little he can do about it. He also has minimal control over his daily bodily functions. His kidneys, bladder, intestines, heart, liver, lungs, etc., work independently of his will. It is ludicrous to say that man controls his future when he has trouble predicting the stock market, political outcomes, earthquakes, and even the weather, let alone having control over these things.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's "The Evidence Bible", page 768 [Bridge-Logos]

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Hypocrisy [Part I]

"The church is full of hypocrites."

 

Key Scripture: Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ~ 2 Timothy 2:19

 

    Hypocrites may show up at a church building ever Sunday, but there are no hypocrites in the Church (Christ's body). Hypocrite comes from the Greek word for "actor," or pretender. Hypocrisy is "the practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold." The Church is made up of true believers; hypocrites are "pretenders" who sit among God's people. God knows those who love Him, and the Bible warns that He will sort out the true converts from the false on the Day of Judgment. All hypocrites will end up in hell (Matthew 24:51).

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's "The Evidence Bible", page 745 [Bridge-Logos]

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Holiness is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Heaven & Hell [Part I]

"I don't mind going to hell. All my friends will be there."

 

Key Scripture: Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. ~Psalm 55:15

 

Obviously, those who flippantly say such things don't believe in the biblical concept of hell. Their understanding of the nature of God is erroneous. The slow-witted criminal thinks that the electric chair is a place to put up his feet for a while and relax.

It may be wise therefore to speak with him for a few moments about the reasonableness of a place called hell. Reason with him by saying, "If a judge turns a blind eye to the unlawful dealings of the Mafia, if he sees their murderous acts and deliberately turns the other way, is he a good or bad judge? He's obviously corrupt, and should be brought to justice himself. If he is a good judge, he will do everything within his power to bring those murderers to justice. He should make sure that they are justly punished.

"If Almighty God sees a man rape and strangle to death your sister or mother, do you think He should look the other way, or bring that murderer to justice? If He looks the other way, He's corrupt and should be brought to justice Himself. It makes sense then, that if God is good, He will do everything in His power to ensure justice is done. The Bible tells us that He will punish murderers, and the place of punishment -- the prison God will send them to -- is a place called hell."

"God should punish murderers and rapists. However, God is so good, He will also punish thieves, liars, adulterers, fornicators, and blasphemers. He will even punish those who desired to murder and rape but never took the opportunity. He warns that if we hate someone, we commit murder in our hearts. If we lust, we commit adultery in the heart, etc."

Then take the time to tell him of the reality of hell. Sinners like to picture hell as a fun, hedonistic, pleasure-filled place where they can engage in all the sensual sins that are forbidden here. But Jesus said that it is a place of torment, where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched (Mark 9:43-44). We tend to forget what pain is like when we don't have it. Can you begin to imagine how terrible it would be to be in agony, with no hope of relief?

Many human beings go insane if they are merely isolated for a long time from other people. Imagine how terrible it would be if God simply withdrew all the things we hold so dear -- friendship, love, color, light, peace, joy, laughter, and security. Hell isn't just a place with an absence of God's blessings, it is punishment for sin. It is literal torment, forever. That's why the Bible warns that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

God has given His Law to convince men of their sins, and unless a sinner is convinced that he has sinned against God, he won't see that hell is his eternal destiny. He may consider it a fit place for others, but not for himself. That's why we mustn't hesitate to open up the Law and show that each individual is personally responsible for sin, and that God's wrath abides on him because of it.

Ask him to consider why you would say such a thing to him if it wasn't true. Tell him to examine your motives. You are so concerned for his eternal welfare that you are prepared to risk offending him. Then ask him if he would sell an eye for a million dollars. Would he sell both for ten million? No one in his right mind would. Our eyes are precious to us. How much more then is our eternal soul worth?

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's "The Evidence Bible", page 745 [Bridge-Logos]

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Redemption is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: Sin [Part I]

"The Old Testament said that children were to be stoned to death for being disobedient. Isn't that rather harsh?"

 

Key Scripture: "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken to them." -Deuteronomy 21:18

 

The men of the city were to enforce swift capital punishment for a stubborn, rebellious, disobedient, gluttonous, drunkard youth (that sounds like the average contemporary teenager).

But here's what is interesting; each year in our country, thousands of youths die through drunk driving, violence, alcohol poisoning, drug abuse, etc., as a tragic result of their rebellious lifestyle. However, there is no record in scripture of even one rebellious youth in Israel being put to death by stoning. The Law of Moses was read to all of Israel, so no doubt all children were made aware of this law's terrifying threat before they reached teenage years.

It is that same merciless Law of Moses that will judge humanity on the Day of Judgment. However, Jesus took our capital punishment upon Himself so that we could leave the courtroom without suffering the consequences of our sins. All that God requires of us is that we repent of our stubborn, rebellious and disobedient lifestyle and trust in the Savior before the great stone of God's law falls on us and grinds us "to powder" (See Luke 20:18).

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's "The Evidence Bible", page 281 [Bridge-Logos]

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Redemption is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson

Common Questions & Objections: The Bible [Part I]

"Why does the Old Testament show a God of wrath and the New Testament a God of mercy?"

 

Key Scripture: "Justice and judgment are the habitation of your throne: mercy and truth shall go before your face." -Psalm 89:14

 

The God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament. The Bible says that He never changes. He is just as merciful in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament. Read Nehemiah 9 for a summary of how God mercifully forgave Israel, again and again, after they repeatedly sinned and turned their back on Him. The Psalms of David often speak of God's mercy, poured out on sinners.

He is also just as wrath-filled in the New Testament as He is in the Old. He killed a husband and wife in the Book of Acts, simply because they told one lie. Jesus warned that He was to be feared because He has the power to cast the body and soul into hell. The apostle Paul said that he persuaded men to come to the Savior because he knew the "terror of the Lord." Read the dreadful judgments of the New Testament's Book of Revelation. That will put the "fear of God" in you, which incidentally is the "beginning of wisdom."

Perhaps the most fearful display of His wrath is seen in the cross of Jesus Christ. His fury so came upon the Messiah that it seems God enshrouded the face of Jesus in darkness so that creation couldn't gaze upon His unspeakable agony. Whether we like it or not, our God is a consuming fire of holiness (Hebrews 12:29). He isn't going to change, so we had better…before the Day of Judgment. If we repent & place our faith and trust in Jesus for our salvation, God, in His mercy, will forgive us and grant us eternal life in heaven with Him.

 

Taken from Ray Comfort's "The Evidence Bible", page 767 [Bridge-Logos]

 

Remember: "Grace is what He gives; Mercy is what we need. Relationship & Righteousness is what He longs for; Salvation & Redemption is what we'll receive!" - Terrell D. Jackson