TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 12:22-24; Job 38:1-7
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TODAY IN THE WORD
More than forty years after the most famous martyrdom in modern missionary history, the full story of the deaths of five young missionaries in Ecuador in 1956 has come to light.

From the Huaorani (Auca) attackers themselves and other missionaries comes an incredible story of how Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, and three others died trying to bring the gospel to a savage people. Three Huaorani women who were there say they heard strange music and saw bright figures above the trees as the killings took place. All of those who participated that day saw what Steve Saint, Nate's son, describes as ""a bright multitude in the sky.""

Did God send angels from heaven to witness the death of His servants? We know that the death of His saints is precious in God's sight (Ps. 116:15). We also know that He has a vast army of angels in heaven who do His bidding.

We have already seen that heaven is the dwelling place of saints who have died and of heavenly beings such as the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. But other than God Himself, the most familiar inhabitants of heaven are the angels.

From Genesis to Revelation, angels are prominent in the Bible. We are not told when they were created, but Job 38 indicates that they were present at the creation of the earth and shouted with joyful praise at God's handiwork. Perhaps this is why of all the created inhabitants of heaven, angels are uniquely involved with people and events on earth, particularly with God's people.

Angels warned Abraham of Sodom's destruction (Gen. 18), protected Elisha the prophet from the Syrians (2 Kings 6:16-17), announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 1), ministered to Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4), and released Peter from prison (Acts 12).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The ministry of angels reminds us of a truth we too often forget. As someone has put it, ""Man proposes, but God disposes.""

In other words, what goes on around us every day is not the whole story. Heaven has the final word on what happens on earth, including the plans we make. Think about that for a minute, and you'll find yourself praising God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 21:1-4
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TODAY IN THE WORD
When legendary professional golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias was dying of cancer, her husband, George, unable to control his emotions, began to cry at her bedside. ""Now, honey,"" Babe said to him, ""don't take on so. While I've been in the hospital, I have learned one thing. A moment of happiness is a lifetime, and I have had a lot of happiness.""

Sometimes it seems that the only happiness this life affords us is momentary. From the perspective of heaven, we would have to say this is true. Thankfully, it is also true that our trials and afflictions are ""light and momentary"" compared to the ""eternal glory that far outweighs them all"" (2 Cor. 4:17).

Everything about this life is brief and fleeting compared to the endless ages we will enjoy in heaven. It's good to step aside from our daily routine once in a while to refresh our memory about the joys awaiting us in heaven.

What the apostle John saw and heard, as recorded in Revelation 21, has comforted and energized God's people throughout the history of the church. In these wonderful verses, John includes just about every kind of circumstance and setback that can cause us grief here on earth. We know that heaven is a place of indescribable joy and peace, but sometimes we need to let that truth sink down into our souls.

Does focusing on heaven, however, make us just starry-eyed, heavenly-minded saints who aren't much earthly good? Paul didn't seem to think so. The knowledge of eternal glory ahead gave Paul the strength and courage to keep on going for Christ (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

More importantly, God does not seem to be ""worried"" about spoiling us for earth by showing us heaven. In Revelation 21:5, He exclaimed with joy, ""I am making everything new!"" Then He commanded John, ""Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.""
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here on earth, when we recover from tears or pain, we expect to experience them again at some point. ""That's life,"" we say.

It may be ""life,"" but it's not ""Life."" When God wipes away tears and removes pain, He will do so eternally! Best of all, heaven will be the full realization of the believer's ultimate joy: unending fellowship with God (Rev. 21:3).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 11:4-7
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TODAY IN THE WORD
King James I of England, the monarch whose name is linked to the King James Version of the Bible, once tried his hand at being a judge. But after hearing both sides in one case, James was so perplexed that he gave up his ""career"" in despair. ""I could get on very well hearing one side only,"" he said. ""But when both sides have been heard, by my soul, I know not which is right.""

King James is not alone in his perplexity. We often don't know who's right and who's wrong, or which side in a dispute is telling the truth. Just ask any parent quizzing two children who take turns insisting, ""Did too!""...""Did not!""

There are two very good reasons that human judgment is often faulty. We are not absolutely holy or just, and we lack perfect knowledge in any situation. But heaven's Judge possesses both of these qualifications. From His heavenly throne, God ""observes the sons of men"" (v. 4). He examines hearts and discerns motives and judges accordingly.

According to verse 5, God examines the righteous. Since He is righteous and loves justice, those who are upright before Him will see His face (v. 7).

But because nothing escapes the sight of heaven's Judge, the wicked will not escape His justice (vv. 5-6). As we will see later this month, the psalmist's use of ""burning sulfur"" to describe God's judgment on the wicked is suggestive of the punishment of hell.

Psalm 11 presents a stark contrast to the idea that God sits impassively in the heavens, watching but not getting involved with the events of earth. This psalm also opposes the false idea of ancient cultures that the gods shared all the vices and idiosyncrasies of human beings.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Although we are imperfect, God has given us His revelation, the Bible, to guide us in living lives of righteousness that please Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The famous story of how gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848, triggering the great California gold rush, is a familiar one to many people. What is not as well-known is that the discovery, made on January 24, 1848, occurred just nine days before Mexico formally ceded the California territory to the United States. The transaction was part of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended a war between Mexico and the United States.

Even though Mexico possessed great riches when it possessed California, the Mexican government had to yield the territory. Mexico was a defeated foe. In much the same way, the angel Lucifer had to surrender his heavenly glory after leading a rebellion in heaven against the rule of God Himself.

Even though Satan's sin is well-documented in Scripture, it still boggles the mind to realize that rebellion began in heaven. But the record is there in the prophets, couched in terms that cannot apply merely to a human leader such as the kings of Babylon or Tyre.

Without explaining the mystery completely, these texts supply much in the way of indictment against the angel called ""Lucifer"" (Isa. 14:12, KJV) or the ""morning star."" The problem clearly began in Satan's heart. He said in his heart (v. 13) that he would exalt himself above the throne of God. The five ""I will"" statements of Isaiah 14 outline his sinister plan. Ezekiel 28 reveals that pride entered Satan's heart because of his great beauty (Ezek. 28:17).

Satan's rebellion was doomed to fail, of course; and his judgment was sure. One of the most exalted angels in heaven was cast out of God's presence and thrown to the earth (Isa. 14:12; Ezek. 28:17).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Unfortunately, our battles against Satan do not always end in decisive spiritual victory.

But that's due to our humanity, not to any lack in God's daily provision for our spiritual lives. Knowing the kind of enemy Satan is, God has given us all the armor we need to defeat the devil.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 28:10-22
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TODAY IN THE WORD
A little boy was traveling alone to visit his aunt in a big city. His father had seen him off at the railway station, but once on board the train, the little boy became frightened.

Before long, though, the conductor approached the boy, personally welcoming him. No sooner had he left than a newsboy brought him apples, candy and picture books. When the train arrived, the little boy was again worried, but a cab driver met him at the gate and drove him safely to his aunt's home.

Later, the boy learned that his father had made all the arrangements for that journey. He told the conductor to look after his son, paid the newsboy to take care of his needs, and telegraphed ahead to a cab company.

The boy's father cared for his son's needs. In the same way, our heavenly Father loves us. He cares for our needs, even when, like Jacob, we haven't been behaving like one of His children. In today's reading, Jacob is on the run after deceiving his father and angering his brother.

Every Sunday school student knows the story of Jacob's ""ladder"" (KJV), filled with angels going up and down between heaven and earth. But the key to the vision was the Person whom Jacob saw standing above the stairway, the God of heaven. God confirmed His promise to give the land of Canaan to Jacob and his descendants, and He assured Jacob of His unfailing protection and Jacob's safe return home (vv. 13-15).

This vision came at a key time for Jacob. He was running for his life from his brother Esau that night. He had no visible prospects for the future, and he could not go back home.

Jacob's situation was largely the result of his own sin and deceit. He had schemed against Esau and his father Isaac to steal Esau's birthright and blessing, throwing Esau into a murderous rage. For these actions and their consequences, Jacob had many years of hard lessons ahead of him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In verse 18, Jacob set up a memorial to the Lord that sealed the moment and the promise in the patriarch's heart.

We don't build stone memorials today to honor God's faithfulness in our lives. But we still need to tell the story of God's goodness to the next generation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 18:20-40
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The August 27, 1883, eruption of the volcano on the island of Krakatoa remains one of the most spectacular and deadly displays ever of nature's fury. Most of the island was blown away. The sound of the blast was heard four hours later by people at a distance of more than 3ꯠ miles. Ten days later, volcanic dust fell on those same people. Worst of all, a huge tidal wave swept over nearby islands, killing about 36ꯠ people.

No one alive on earth that fateful day could doubt that fire erupted on Krakatoa. Similarly, on the fateful day of Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, no one present could doubt that fire fell from heaven.

The contest on Mt. Carmel marked a turning point for the nation of Israel and the prophet Elijah. He served during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, names synonymous with corruption and idolatry.

Jezebel's import of 450 Baal prophets into the nation was a slap in the face of Israel's God. She fed them and other idolatrous prophets at her table, an abomination in God's sight. Even worse, the Israelites were being led astray.

So Elijah issued a challenge to Ahab--and the rest is biblical history! You can read the familiar story of the contest for yourself; but for our purposes today, we want to concentrate on verses 38-40, where God answered Elijah's prayer as fire fell from heaven and consumed the entire sacrifice.

Elijah had set the conditions of the contest (vv. 23-24). By answering the prophet's prayer in such a dramatic way, God was telling His people resoundingly that He is the one true God. His throne in heaven is secure. No usurper can replace Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have made the wise choice to serve the true God. But even as believers, we face choices that demand a fresh commitment to follow and serve God. Perhaps you are facing such a choice right now. It could be a stand for Christ you need to take at work, a family decision that must be made, or an internal struggle you are dealing with.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:18; 17:1-5
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TODAY IN THE WORD
After more than two years in captivity in Colombia, Wycliffe Bible Translators missionary Ray Rising was released by his captors on June 17, 1996. Rising said that among other things which helped him hold up during his ordeal, he heard a Christian broadcast entitled ""In the Fullness of Time."" The program helped Rising see his situation from a higher perspective, and he realized that God had sent encouragement his way on several occasions just when he needed it most--in ""the fullness of time.""

God has always acted in the fullness of time, even when it doesn't seem like the right time from our perspective. The ultimate example of this is when He sent His Son from heaven to earth to be born of a virgin.

Jesus came from heaven, where, as the Second Person of the Trinity, He enjoyed equality of essence with God the Father and the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:6). The apostle John referred to Jesus' heavenly, eternal existence in John 1:18 when he stated that Jesus came from the Father's side.

Jesus Himself clearly outlined His eternality in His ""high priestly"" prayer. Before the earth was created, Jesus shared the glory of the Godhead in the Father's presence (John 17:5)--that is, in heaven.

These texts in John give us a different kind of glimpse into heaven. Instead of telling us something of heaven's beauty, heaven's servants, or heaven's activity, these verses reveal something of heaven's Ruler.

In Jesus Christ, we see what the God of heaven is like. Jesus' infinite love, compassion and holiness are a perfect image of the Father's attributes. Jesus could tell His disciples, ""Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"" (John 14:9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Since God can meet the spiritual and emotional needs of a captive missionary ""in the fullness of time,"" we don't have to worry about His showing up late in our circumstances.

But when the pressure is on or the trial is hard, it's easy to wonder why God doesn't act according to our timetable. Maybe you're wondering where God is right now and when He is going to move on your behalf.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14-1
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Taxes are due in a month and a day! Those who have complicated financial affairs or who find government regulations difficult to understand may hire an accountant or a tax service to calculate their taxes for them.

One benefit of having an expert fill out your tax forms is that in case of an IRS audit, that person or agency will represent you before the auditor or in tax court. He will speak on your behalf, bringing his superior knowledge to bear on your side and in your defense.

That's what Christ, our great high priest, is doing right now for us. With knowledge of our situation and our humanness, He is interceding on our behalf (Heb. 4:14-16).

The truth of the Savior's ascension back into heaven and His present ministry at the Father's right hand is a priceless blessing and comfort to God's people. We began the month with Jesus' promise that He was going back to the ""Father's house"" to prepare a place for us. His ascension was the first step in the fulfillment of that promise.

After the dramatic moment in which Jesus was taken up into heaven while the apostles looked on, His presence and ministry dominate Scripture's references to heaven. For believers, the knowledge of Jesus' ministry in heaven is a source of encouragement and a spur to holy living. For example, as Stephen was being stoned for his witness, he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God's right hand (Acts 7:55-56)--a profound comfort to a suffering saint.

The writer of Hebrews uses the high priestly work of Jesus in heaven as an encouragement for believers to be faithful. And Paul reminds us that we will appear before Christ in heaven to give an account of our Christian lives and to receive rewards for faithfulness (2 Cor. 5:10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The fact that Jesus is now in heaven at His Father's right hand should make a difference in your life today.

Scripture says Jesus stands ready to intercede for you with God the Father (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:24-25). He carries you on His heart the way the Old Testament priests carried the names of Israel's tribes on their garments when they went before God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:11-16
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TODAY IN THE WORD
As the fierce warrior Genghis Khan and his Mongol forces swept across Central Asia in the early thirteenth century (see March 2), they struck fear in every heart. One historian says that in those countries that had not yet been overrun by Khan, everyone spent the night in fear that he might come. Even today, more than seven hundred years later, it is said that people in Herat, Afghanistan, speak of the Mongol invasion that devastated their city ""in voices tinged with apoplexy, as if it had happened yesterday.""

The world has perhaps never seen a conqueror who inspired more fear in his enemies than Genghis Khan, a title meaning ""universal ruler."" But the world has not yet seen its true Universal Ruler--the resurrected, ascended and glorified Lord from heaven.

We have seen that Jesus Christ came to earth from the glory of heaven to be our Savior. He came the first time without opening His mouth, as the gentle Lamb of God, who offered Himself to be put to death by His enemies.

But when Jesus comes the second time, He will ride out of heaven as the Conquering King, leading the armies of heaven to judge and to wage war (v. 11).

The description in Revelation 19 of Christ's second advent is truly a terrifying, awe-inspiring picture of the ""Judge of all the earth"" (Gen. 18:25) coming to execute His righteous judgment.

To be sure, this is not the comforting, encouraging picture of the Lord's coming for His own in the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18). But then, the Second Coming of Christ will occur at the end of the Tribulation, not before it. And believers are not objects of the King's righteous vengeance. It is unbelievers who will feel the fury of His wrath.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We are told that when Genghis Khan destroyed Herat, only nine people in the city escaped death.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 25:31-46
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Are Baby Boomers in denial?

The leading edge of the post-World War II ""Baby Boom"" generation turned 50 last year, but they're not about to acknowledge it. Boomers battle aging with body lotions, hair coloring, cosmetics and vitamins. They flock to health clubs and follow ""miracle diets."" They read self-help books by the tens of millions. Meanwhile, many have experienced their first serious illnesses, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

Whether Boomers want to acknowledge it or not, they are aging. Mortality is a reality of human experience that simply won't go away. Like it or not, so is the question of eternal destiny. When it comes to the topic of heaven and hell, many would simply rather not think about hell.

Although the world doesn't want to face it, and as uncomfortable as it makes many believers, the existence of hell is part of the revelation of God. We need to know the truth concerning hell as part of our commitment to the ""whole will of God"" (Acts 20:27).

Most of the objections to hell center around the argument that a good and loving God would not create a place as horrible as hell or send people there for eternity. The unstated part of this argument is that most people are ""ordinary folks"" trying to do their best and don't really deserve eternal judgment.

We will deal with these objections and ideas over the next few days, then finish up the month by returning to the topic of heaven and our future there.

Today's text describes a judgment that we believe will occur at the end of the Tribulation. In the middle of this discourse, Jesus reveals the fact of the existence of hell: ""the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels"" (Matt. 25:41).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The gospel has to be bad news--sin--before it can be good news--salvation. This is certainly true when it comes to the subject of hell. Some gospel presentations skirt the issue because people don't like to hear that they are judged and condemned to hell unless they turn to Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:17-21; 20:10-15
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TODAY IN THE WORD
When American troops went to California's Mojave desert in 1942 to train for desert warfare, they got more than enough of the blistering heat and burning sand. The soldiers called the Mojave ""the place that God forgot."" They experienced desperate thirst. Their skin cracked and blistered. A few even died in training, but the rest went on to North Africa to defeat a German army.

The suffering endured by these troops gives us a tiny inkling of the suffering the Bible says awaits those who die without Jesus Christ and are consigned to hell. The most familiar image of hell is fire, a fire that Jesus said will never go out (Mark 9:43).

The Old Testament has little to say about hell. Most of the references to ""hell"" in the King James Version of the Old Testament are actually a translation of the word for ""grave"" or ""underworld."" The New International Version does not list the word ""hell"" at all in the Old Testament. (We will look at different words for ""hell"" on Friday.)

The most complete information on hell comes from the teachings of Jesus and the book of Revelation. The two chapters we are studying today give us the most thorough picture of hell as a ""fiery lake of burning sulfur"" and a ""lake of fire.""

Revelation 19:17 picks up where we left off on Saturday in the description of Christ's Second Coming to conquer and judge an unbelieving world. Two particular objects of His wrath are part of Satan's unholy, counterfeit ""trinity."" The beast is the Antichrist, and the false prophet is Satan's forgery of the Holy Spirit.

These two are captured and thrown into the lake of fire, which is hell. One thousand years later (Rev. 20:7), the devil himself will be judged and also thrown into hell, where he will undergo eternal torment.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One pastor advised, ""When you preach about hell, do so with tears in your eyes.""

That's wise counsel. There is no delight in the truth of God's judgment. But the answer is not to deny or evade the truth. Today's verse reminds us that Jesus is coming back, and He will not be one second late. Our task is to snatch precious souls from the fire (Jude 23).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 20:1-6, 14; 21:6-8
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TODAY IN THE WORD
A producer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) who was planning a series of programs on heaven and hell wrote to the BBC's advisor on Roman Catholic affairs, asking how he could ascertain the church's official view on heaven and hell. The advisor's return memorandum contained this one-word reply: ""Die.""

There's a world of truth in that terse answer. God's Word tells us plainly that physical death ushers all people into eternity and whatever prospect it holds for them (Heb. 9:27).

The Bible also refers to a ""second death,"" which in Revelation is another term for hell. The word is used only four times in the New Testament; we have all four of these occurrences in front of us today, including today's verse. Revelation 20:14 makes hell and the second death equivalent.

The idea of a ""second death"" seems incongruous to earth-bound people, for all we can see is the ""first death,"" the end of physical life. But Scripture uses the idea of a second death in its teaching on hell. The term does in fact add to our understanding of the horrors of this place prepared for the devil and his angels, reserved for those who refuse Jesus Christ, the only way to heaven (John 14:6).

Death is certainly not a pleasant thing to think about. A fear of the unknown can be powerful for those on this side of the grave who are uncertain about their eternal destiny. The anticipation of death strikes dread in the living. How much more the concept of a death that is eternal!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How grateful we can be that the One who warns us of the second death is the One who ""died and came to life again"" (Rev. 2:.

Jesus is uniquely qualified to tell us about death because He has been to the grave and back. More than that, because of His death for sin and His resurrection, death is a defeated enemy for us!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 25:14-30
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TODAY IN THE WORD
""Atheism turns out to be too simple,"" wrote C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. ""If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that is has no meaning: Just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. 'Dark' would be without meaning.""

Lewis makes a great point. It takes the light of heaven to make sense of the darkness of hell. At the end of Jesus' parable of the three servants, the master of the worthless slave commands him to be thrown ""outside, into the darkness"" (v. 30).

Jesus used the image of darkness (""outer darkness,"" KJV) for hell three times in the Gospel of Matthew (see also Matt. 8:12 and 22:13). Since, as we have already seen, hell is also pictured in Scripture as a burning lake of fire, some assume that darkness is a metaphor for the utter isolation and loneliness of hell.

Whether metaphor or literal reality, the use of darkness to describe hell conveys a powerful truth. If you have ever been in a large cavern when the guide turned off the lights, you have a sense of the total isolation that complete darkness brings.

A person who is utterly alone needs companionship more than anything else. Mental health professionals call this sense of abandonment ""cosmic loneliness"" and give it serious attention.

Jesus' picture of hell suggests that part of its suffering is total, eternal isolation from God and man--a sense of utter hopelessness that will cause great ""weeping and gnashing of teeth"" (v. 30).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If it has been a while since you thanked the Lord for shining the light of the gospel into your heart, a lesson like today's should correct that oversight!

Think of what God did for us in salvation. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into His glorious kingdom of light, where He has a wonderful inheritance reserved for us (Col. 1:12-13).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 16:19-31
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TODAY IN THE WORD
The Wall Street Journal reported last year on a new program at the veterinary school of a large midwestern university. Called ""Peace of Mind,"" the program allows people to arrange for the future care of their pets after the death of their owners. The university guarantees to provide first-rate medical care for ""Fido"" and ""Fluff"" for the rest of their lives, along with careful placement in good, loving homes. In return, a minimum contribution of $25ꯠ per pet to the university is suggested, although the school says that figure is flexible.

If only some people would take their eternal destiny that seriously! The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a lesson in the perils of ignoring eternity until it is too late. In relating this story, Jesus also gave us a very sobering and intimate glimpse into heaven and hell.

This account is often called a parable, but it does not fit the normal parable style. It may be better to think of Lazarus and the rich man as actual people Jesus knew. One sobering thing to note here is that the rich man is not portrayed as especially evil or greedy or blasphemous. He just never got around to dealing with his need for salvation.

Once in hell, however, he became evangelistic (vv. 27-28). But the stark truth is here before us: men and women are lost outside of Jesus Christ (v. 31). The word translated ""hell"" in verse 23 is not the eternal lake of fire. Instead, it is the word ""Hades,"" the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew word ""Sheol."" Both words often refer to the grave. Here the picture is of an intermediate state between death and the resurrection.

In other words, Luke 16 answers the question of what happens to unbelievers when they die. God has not yet resurrected the unsaved dead for judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), yet the rich man was in conscious torment in the flames and very much aware of events and people on earth.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The rich man was sure that if he came back from the grave in a spectacular miracle, his brothers would surely believe.

It's easy to think that the thing unbelievers really need to come to Christ is some spectacular miracle or testimony. But the Bible clearly says it is God's Word and the Holy Spirit that will overcome unbelief (see Rom. 1:16).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 11:1-10; 2 Kings 23:4-11
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TODAY IN THE WORD
Just before his death in 1981, writer William Saroyan phoned the Associated Press to make this observation: ""Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?""

While not many people would express their thoughts in this way, Saroyan's approach to death is a common one. Many people prefer not to think about death and what may lie beyond until it can no longer be denied.

As we have seen again and again, the Bible is very forthright about eternity. God's Word tells us all we need to know about heaven and how to reach it. And the Word is also unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of the reality and eternality of hell.

The word Jesus used most often for ""hell"" (found elsewhere only in James 3:6) has an instructive history. It is the word ""Gehenna,"" the New Testament version of the Old Testament phrase, ""valley of Hinnom.""

This valley south of Jerusalem had a shameful history. We know from 1 Kings 11 that Solomon took many foreign wives, who turned his heart away from the Lord and toward their idols. One god Solomon worshiped was Molech, ""the detestable god of the Ammonites"" (1 Kings 11:5). Several hundred years later, Molech-worship was still around in Israel, and it had become even more abominable. An altar to Molech was set up in the valley of Hinnom, and King Ahaz sacrificed his son by fire to Molech (2 Kings 16:3).

When Josiah came to the throne and reformed the nation, he desecrated the Molech shrine. The valley of Hinnom became a site for burning the garbage of Jerusalem, including the corpses of animals and criminals. Over the centuries, Hinnom became a perpetually smoldering heap, symbolic of waste, corruption and evil.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's hard to imagine someone's rushing into a burning pile of trash to rescue something before it is consumed.

But the reality is that that's what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. We were not ""nice people"" made nicer by salvation. ""While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"" (Rom. 5:. He took people destined for wrath and appointed us to salvation.