21 Apr Inheriting Heaven or Hell
Last Sunday, Pastor Jason Finley preached the sermon: “Before the Risen King,” from Romans 3:9-26. We considered the glorious news that Jesus provides the righteousness that is required of us.
Read: Revelation 20:11-21:8
This Sunday, Pastor Jason will preach from Revelation 20:11-21:8, showing that God will be glorified in bringing final retribution in hell and perfect restoration in the new heaven and new earth. As you prepare for our Sunday gathering, let this devotional from John MacArthur lead you to further rejoice in Christ alone, who is our living hope, and fervent pursuit of those who are not in Christ.
Reflect: “Inheriting Heaven or Hell”
“[God] caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
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Everyone receives an eternal inheritance—either Heaven or Hell.
[R]ealize that unbelievers also will receive an inheritance, for Jesus will say to them, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. … And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:41, 46).
Only Christians have eternal life and a royal inheritance. When you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you became a new creation in Christ, and your life began to center on Him rather than yourself. The Holy Spirit indwelt you and began to transform your attitudes and actions. That’s the new birth! It’s like starting all over again, only this time you’re pursuing God’s glory rather than worldly pleasures or goals.
Also, when you were saved you became an heir of God and a fellow-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17). So the new birth was the means of your salvation and your eternal inheritance.
Having said that, I must admonish you, just as Paul admonished the Corinthians, to “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5). You will want to avoid ever being deluded about your relationship with Christ. When you trust in the living Lord, you have a living hope and a glorious eternal inheritance. Anything less results in an inheritance of eternal damnation.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Be sure your faith is firmly fixed on Him.
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Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for family and friends who don’t know Christ. Ask the Lord to redeem them, so He will be glorified and they will become joint-heirs with Christ.
For Further Study: What do the following verses teach about the new birth? John 1:12–13; 3:3; 1 Peter 1:23.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb,” by People & Songs
2. “Great I Am,” by New Life Worship
3. “Maranatha (We Long to See the Day),” by Crosspoint Music
4. “Come Ye Sinners,” Arr. Vertical Worship