Bible Studies
A Point to Ponder – Heaven and Hell; Prepared for who?
Matthew 25:34 & 41
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
This is a generally familiar passage of a parable Jesus told of separating the righteous from the unrighteous (called sheep and goats). I want us to look particularly at these two verses which might get lost in the rest of the parable. Notice that Jesus says to the righteous “take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” What strikes me here is this: the kingdom we will inherit has been prepared for us, with us in mind. Since God first created the world He had in mind each one of us who would trust in Him and prepared a kingdom for us. This kingdom which He has prepared for us is a place in His kingdom, in His glorious presence forever.
Notice in contrast what Jesus says to the unrighteous, “'Depart from me … into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” What strikes me here is this: the eternal fire where the unbelieving and rebellious will go was not prepared for them. He says it was prepared for the devil and his angels (this means all the rebellious angels – that is demons). So we see then, that it was not God’s original purpose that any human should be sent to hell, for it was not made for them.
It is only by your choice to reject God and all He has done to make us right with Him that anyone will go to hell. God has said that He, “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish (referring to the second death which is hell) but for all to come to repentance (this is the start of a relationship with Him).(2 Peter 3:9)” God invites you into His kingdom through the saving/forgiving work of Christ, He invites you into a right relationship with Himself. Jesus said, “come all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest (peace/ freedom from worry) for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)” “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me. (John 6:37 NLV)”
If you reject God and spurn His grace, there is no where else for you to go but the place He prepared for the angels who also rejected Him and His authority. I can find no place in the Bible where hell is referred to as other than prepared for “the devil and his angels” it is not meant for us nor we for it. In contrast, heaven and our place in God’s kingdom is always referred to as being prepared for us.
Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.(John 14:1-3)”
This is what He desires for every single human being who has ever lived and will live, if we will trust in Jesus Christ who said to us “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6)” We must desire to be forgiven and to live in a right relationship with God almighty, maker of heaven and earth. All who read this and are trying to live without Him, would you come to Him now? Do not put this off for, “now is the time of God’s favor, today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Right now if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:7-8) He waits with open arms to all who will come. Do not spend one more moment without the presence of the God who made you and loves you.
~Dionne Stratton
March 22, 2007
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