Marriage Covenant Study

Marriage Covenant Study

What is a Covenant?

1. The Covenant is a Union confirmed by Blood.

2. A treaty

3. An Alliance or Friendship

4. A Pledge

5. A Contract accompanied by Signs, Sacrifices and a Solemn Oath which seals the relationship.

6. It is a Declaration of Absolute Faithfulness.

You will find a part or all of these in a Marriage Covenant between a man and wife. We will consider a few in our study - A Pledge and Absolute Faithfulness.

To enter into a Covenant, you must have two parties so in the marriage covenant we have the two parties. In this we make promises and vows to one another. If one breaks the covenant, the covenant is nullified. But what is allowable to break a covenant. You must look back to the promises you and your mate made to one another.

We will start in the Book of Matthew and carefully look at the Scriptures and then try to break them down and then we will trace the line or thread throughout the New Testament.

Our method of study will be Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. These questions can be answered by all who are in this study and we need to add our own to them.

Now we know under the Law that only a male could break the marriage covenant, it was unallowable for the female to do so, as she was considered under the man in this time. In today's time, we are still under the same headship, Christ over the man, the man under Christ, and the woman under the man so we must do this study in that vein. Now saying that I must say this, I am not under a man if it goes against my conscience to the written Word of God, in other words I will not risk my walk with God in order to be pleasing to a man.

We need to look at the Sermon on the Mount which is Chapter 5 thru 7 of Matthew, it talks about marriage here, but we must also look at the whole of the three chapters to get the whole of the meaning. First off, if I am a Christian my mate is also my brother or Sister and in context I must also treat them as such in the Body of Christ. So in order to do this right, study these three chapters first and just look closely at how we are to treat one another in the body of believers and you then can look at your marriage a little differently.

Now we will just take the Scriptures out of the body of these works and do a complete study on marriage but always remember to study the verses in their original context first.

Matthew 5:31 & 32 31. It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement. 32. But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication,causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Let us first consider the meaning of these words in the Greek.

Divorcement -also used in Matt. 19:7 and Mark 10:4, (if you want to include the OT(Old Testament) you may look up Deuteronomy. 24:1, 24:3, Isaiah 50:1 ) Greek word- Apostasion, adj. something separative, going back to the root word- to fall away, (comparative language the same as the church when it falls into apostasy from Christ.)-to remove, act, to revolt, to desist, to desert, depart, draw away, refrain, withdraw self. WOW!

Writing- biblos- a bill, a book, a scroll, a writing.(same word as used for Bible)

Fornication- porneia- harlotry, includes adultery or incest, Figuratively- Idolatry.

root word= to act the whore, indulge unlawful lusts, (of either sex) to practice idolatry, whore, harlot, commit any of these acts. Same definition when used anywhere in the NT(New Testament).

Adultery- adultery or apostate in action. to have a paramour, meaning is the same throughout the NT.

Well, now you can ask yourself the questions. The answers will depend on your individual walk with Christ, But always remember that we must include our mate as a Brother or Sister in the Lord.

Again go back and look at what a covenant is, Realize that when you and your mate got married, you made a covenant together. So far in our study, we have seen that divorce is an option that is only given to men, it may later take a turn and include women, I feel this is a subject of dire importance. Enjoy your study and take it as far as you can. Our Bible studies are always continuing, this is a base, my Biblical context.

Matthew 19:3-12. Read the first two verses, to get Who Jesus was talking to.

Matthew 19:3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4. And he answered and said unto them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.

5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and the twain shall be one flesh?

6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8. He said unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away you wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commiteth adultery: and who marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10. His disciples say unto Him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to be married.

11. But He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some enuchs, which were made eunuch of men: and there be eunuch, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Again we have some pretty heavy Scriptures here, and we still see the only one that can give a writ of divorcement, is still the man. Also remember that we are dealing with people who are under the Jewish law here. But we still see that there is only one reason given wherewith we can break the Covenant of Marriage between two people. I think that these Scriptures are self explanatory and need not be explained.

Cleave- proskollao- to glue, to adhere, cleave, join self. root word- pros- in this context a strengthened form of direction.

Asunde- chorizo- to place room between, to part, to go away, depart, put asunder, separate. ( this definition is only used twice in the NT also used in Mark 10:29)

One- mia- one or first,or only

Remember to ask your 6 good friends to help you with this study and see how far you can take it. Always keeping in mind the definition of Covenant. Mark comes next.

Mark 10:1 And He came from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto Him again; and, as he was wont, He taught them again.

2. And the Pharisees came to Him and asked Him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting Him.

3. And He answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4. And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement and to put her away.

5. Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain but one flesh.

9. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10. And In the house his disciples asked Him again of the same matter.

11. And He saith unto them, whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another commitheth adultery against her.

12. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Well, I do not think we need to look up any of these words for the explanation of them. It is very clear, so now I will give you the setting of this story on Marriage and Divorce.

Well we know from the setting here, that Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, looking to the Crucifixion. We see the religious Pharisees trying to trap Him, they were trying everything in their power to give them an excuse to kill Jesus. So this was one marriage where they tried to trap Him. They full well knew the law and they were looking for a loophole to call Jesus on and as we study these Scriptures, He gives them none.

If they could get Him to make a statement that was contrary to the law of Moses, they would of won and this is what the language here is, so you are looking at the Divine Law of God for Marriage here, what it was supposed to be from the beginning.

Genesis 2:24&25

24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Still in today's world, people want to jump into any controversy, to find an excuse for what they want to do. There were two schools of thought under the Jewish law on marriage. Rabbi Shamai taught uncleanness meant only that if the mans wife was not a virgin, that he could divorce her. This is a narrow view point, but that was the only grounds for divorce in Deuteronomy. Now Rabbi Hille taught the liberal side of this, if she yelled for any reason and you could hear her voice next door, then you could divorce her, as yelling women under the law are considered unclean. So with any liberal law you make the true law of the covenant you made with that man or woman mean less. You do this by the hardness of your heart, but Jesus said from the beginning it was not so. Divorce was forbidden by Jesus and God and was very hard under the law to obtain. You as the male, had to take the bill to a Rabbi and he had to witness that it was true, she had committed adultery and he was a witness to it and then two other Rabbi had to also sign it saying they also were witnesses. The reason for this was because of the children that would be destroyed by the divorce. The same as today the children are the losers. God help us!

Gods divine idea from the beginning was man by himself is not complete, a woman alone is not complete and so the two together become one flesh. The wife is complimented by the husband, the husband is to compliment the wife and the two now are no longer two but one flesh. This is the Basic Divine Ideal established by God. But man does not want to live up to Gods Divine Ideal, they do not want to bend or give or forgive. Marriage is and has always been a giving situation and God says only from the hardness of your heart will you get a bill of divorcement.

Today we are faced with the hardness of heart. Gods Divine Law was marriage for life, still there are those who have hardened their hearts toward Gods Divine Idea. They both will not give, will not bend, and will not forgive and they then begin to set out to destroy the other mate, because of the hardness of their hearts and on this path they will get as many others as they can to harden their hearts against that mate, by their constant complaining and negative thoughts, they are saying come over to my side and see how terrible my mate is and then tell me I can leave. Dangerous grounds for all concerned here, but the truth of the Bible must be the answer, it is not feelings, this partner is one flesh with you and you cannot divide one flesh, the only grounds you have are adultery and then neither of you can remarry ever. This is a pretty tough subject and one very hard to deal with. We do not want to broaden the issue to make divorce and remarriage legal. God hates divorce, but if you get a hard hearted person, God also hates that. Our desire should be to please God, we should seek to make a good marriage, to learn to love again and to come to oneness and you can only do this thru forgiveness and looking truthfully at the situation. It is never ever all one sided, Jesus sought here to bring back the sacredness of marriage. It is an outward sign of a Spiritual work. Marriage to the right person can be heaven and marriage to the wrong person can be hell on earth. But Decisions and Covenants once made are hard if not impossible to break, I would like to be easier on this but so far I cannot be.

My advice to all is go to God and fast and pray before you ever think marriage and if you are already married go to God and fast and pray that your heart be softened toward your mate, You are one flesh. We will deal with marriage in the church of today next.

Roman 7:1-4

1. Know ye not brethren,(for I speak to them that know the law) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

2. For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Paul is saying that to the Christian that we are free from the law or that the law is dead to us, the same as a wife or husband is free from the bonds or Covenant of Marriage if their spouse be dead, they are then free to marry another. In case of death, neither is bound by the Covenant Law of Marriage, for you pledged till death us do part and now death has parted you.

Open your Bible & Read 1 Corinthians 10. Read and study this whole chapter, it all concerns the marriage .

This chapter is very personal and I will have you to read it and then come to the conclusion that the Lord would have you to come to individually as you know the terms and condition of your marriage and I do not.

I do believe that Paul here in verses 12-17, speaks for the Lord here and so ordains it in all of the churches, if the spouse of one is unbelieving and chooses to leave then the brother or sister is not in bondage in that case and can remarry as followed by the rules in verse 15. In all my advice to any would be always that God hates divorce, but God also wants you to be at peace within yourself, I would never advise someone to stay in any relationship in which they can be harmed physically or emotionally or in any way that would hinder your walk with God, but I would also say that you cannot divorce or remarry unless you do it for grounds of adultery and then only if you harden your heart. If you find yourself with an unbeliever that wants to stay with you, then you are required to stay, but if they leave you, you are no longer under bondage.

When all is said and done you must follow God in your life with the best of your ability and always remember that when you entered into the relationship, you made vows and promises and it is a Covenant Relationship. You owe your mate Absolute Faithfulness and Absolute Love and that love should be unconditional, and if it is not ,then I would ask you why? I leave you all in the hands of God and will say what would Jesus do, if he was in your place? Ask yourself that question and then answer it truthfully and not out of your wants or desires but out of the Word of God. Would Jesus break His covenant with you and can you break the covenant with your mate? May God bless all and keep you in Perfect Peace. My love and best wishes to all and I wish you blessed hope in your everyday walk with Christ. May your mate be your complimentary half and may you both walk in the perfect and fulfilling love of Christ and the same love that He gives to His church, if not I wish you still the Grace and Mercy and Peace of God and may God fulfill the bill of being your Spouse for He will surely keep His Covenant with You.

My Love always

Zelma

Cell phone vs. Bible

Cell phone vs. Bible

Ever wonder

what would
happen if we treated our

Bible like we treat our
cell phone?

What if we
carried it around in our
purses or pockets?

What if we
flipped through it several
times a day?

What if we
turned back to go get it if
we forgot it?

What if we
used it to receive messages
from the text?

What if we
treated it like we couldn't
live without it?

What if we
gave it to Kids as
gifts?

What if we
used it when we
traveled?

What if we
used it in case of
emergency?

This is
something to make you
go...hmm....where is my Bible?

Oh, and
one more thing. Unlike
our cell phone, we don't have to worry
about our Bible being disconnected
because Jesus already paid the bill..

Makes you
stop and think, where are my
priorities? And no dropped calls!

P.S. DO WHAT
YOU THINK GOD WOULD WANT
YOU TO DO WITH THIS EMAIL

Trust in the
Lord and *ASAP (Always
Say A Prayer)

Have a
blessed and wonderful
day


Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you
meet is
fighting some kind of
battle. '


When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking
of
you!

Our Peace is complete

As Christians we either have the peace of God flowing through our souls or we have some sort of anxiety. God's peace comes in different variations just like our anxiety can range from something small to stark raging fear. To give you an example on how God's peace residing in us can be different, imagine a child of God having a full measure of the Holy Spirit's joy. Do you have some kind of picture in your mind? Would you not agree that this individual not only has God's joy but also God's peace?

Now imagine an individual (a child of God) going through something in life and he or she faintly rests upon God and finds him or herself experiencing a small comfort in their soul. Just like there are different degrees of anxiety there are also different degrees of God's peace. For the most part (not in all cases) we as God's children have a conscious choice in the midst of our troubles as to whether we will have earthy anxiety or God's peace.

As children of God we are destined to experience His peace. The question really comes down to "How soon do we want it?" I think another question should come to our minds and our hearts. How consistently do we desire it? The constant comforting peace of God might even be more important than the first (how soon do we want it) because the second question will stand the test of time and eternity. Who would want God's peace once in a while when we could have it all the time?

You will start to hear a holiday saying- peace and goodwill towards all men. I think that is a very admirable saying but what people have to realize is there is peace with God and there is the peace of God. They are two different things. True peace and goodwill toward all men will never happen. It would be nice but Romans 5:1 says "Therefore being justified by faith,we have the peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This verse was written to the person that accepted Jesus Christ into their heart as their personal Savior; therefore, they obtained "Peace with God."

If an individual has not made this decision they have no peace with God. According to the Bible although God loves unbelievers in Jesus Christ very much they are enemies of God. There are several verses in Scripture for this but just nine verses down in Romans 5:10 the Bible says "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." It is very interesting to me that one of the basic themes of the Bible is that the Righteous will have peace. That will be their end. The unrighteous will have no peace. That will be their end.

There is a misconception among Christians regarding God's peace. I will often hear "If I can just get a little bit more of God's peace." When an individual accepts Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Savior He comes in to live inside of that person. This person has the full measure of God's love,joy,and peace and other fruits of the Spirit that I did not even mention inside of them. The real question is "How does a child of God experience the Holy Spirit's peace on a moment by moment basis?" I'm going to answer that question but I want to touch on another issue.

Sometimes at the very least subconsciously a true Believer in Jesus Christ will say "I'm going through such a horrible trial so this is obviously my cross and there is no room for God's peace to be flowing through my heart" or "I just can't see that for me right now." Let me ask what I believe to be an intelligent question. Is there ever a time when a true child of God that sincerely accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts should live without experiencing God's comforting peace? I believe my answer may surprise some people but I would say "No way."

We were called to endure trials,a Damascus road experience which is the highest hardship a Christian could ever endure but we were never called to carry our own burdens at any time. The primary reason why God even allows us to go through these things is so we will learn to let go and let the Holy Spirit work through us.

Paul also said in Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want : for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." When we yield to God in this world it is like He is giving us a new beginning in the midst of all our stress. 11 Cor.4:8-9. When we allow God to do this we will bear fruit in our trails. In Phil. 4:11 Paul was testifying that in this World of confusion he found the secret to obtaining God's peace inside of him. I am going to get more specific on how we can tap into God's peace on a moment to moment basis.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful." Col 3:15. There is one word for me that just stands out and that would be "let." It is a small word but is very powerful. All we have to do is "Let" the peace of God "rule" in our hearts. God's peace covers our anxiety.

Righteousness produces peace and as a result there is a quietness resting in our souls for all eternity. The signature of our victory through Jesus Christ will be God's peace resting in our souls. Jesus Christ said in Luke 7:50 "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Notice faith in God and peace are in the same sentence. When we have faith in God He gives us His perfect peace and sets us free.

God is love so it would be the most natural thing in the universe for Him to give us His peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. Jesus was actually saying "Let not your heart be troubled." He made a distinction between His peace and the World's peace. If I were to rely on the World's peace I might only have it for only a short time but God's peace is different. It comforts and transcends all understanding.

Once again faith in God and His peace are tied together. We have the good news of Jesus Christ and it has been resurrected or divinely completed in us. All we have to do is keep our minds on Him, trust God and His "Perfect" peace will be granted to us. In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus Christ is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In Romans 16:20 Jesus Christ is referred to as " the God of peace."

The peace of God was already ordained for us as Believers in Jesus Christ. Let me go over just one more verse because this is amazing. "The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11.

If you are an Unbeliever in Jesus Christ you would have to experience this peace that guards our hearts and minds to understand it. If you accept Jesus Christ into your heart you will have peace with God (Romans 5:1) but hopefully you will pursue the peace of God by earnestly reading the Bible and seeing for yourself that we truly serve the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Love and Peace in Jesus Christ,

Bob D

FOR EVERY MAN

For Every Man



“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9. No one is excluded from receiving the free gift of salvation. God died on that cross so every human being on this planet could obtain salvation and continue on to a new and awesome Heavenly home. Jesus suffered and died for all humanity.



What stops man from wanting such a home? Pride. That’s it, it’s prideful to reject God’s free gift of salvation. Only by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of His only begotten Son can we obtain that free gift. Many might disagree with me and say it’s a hardened heart, or ignorance, even self-reliance that keeps man from believing the truth. Pride is what got in Lucifer’s way and it’s been the one thing that has been so prevalent in so many lost souls since the beginning of time. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4. Using God’s name as profanity doesn’t count as keeping God in all our thoughts.



To humble one’s self before God requires an abandonment of pride and there are so many who won’t allow that to ever occur in their meager and short existence. So many people actually believe that this world holds the answer to everything–every question, every thought, every experience and there is nothing at the end of one’s life but a cold dark grave. When some folks hear the question, “Are you a believer?” or “Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?” their pride is activated and they reject such nonsensical questioning with a prideful “I don’t believe in God” or “I don’t need your God”. This one really saddens me, “I don’t fear your God”. Pride is the culprit and many a lost soul will find this out the hard way. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.



We read in the book of Hebrews that Jesus tasted death for every man. That means everybody that ever lived or ever will live has been covered by the blood of Christ. In the past, before Jesus’ First Advent, if folks believed in the coming Messiah and were faithful to God, when they died their souls were sent to Abraham’s bosom. After Jesus died all who profess their faith in Him go directly to Heaven. But the one thing they all have in common is that they all, at some point, dropped that prideful attitude and humbled themselves before God. Alas, Jesus tells us many will never lose that prideful attitude. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14. They not only can’t find it but pride keeps them from seeking the truth.



Many will hold to the two big lies of Satan, “Yea, hath God said”, and “Ye shall not surely die” Genesis 3:1, 4. And they will remain in that state of condemnation. They will never give up the pride that holds them captive like zoo animals in cages. Jesus died for the express purpose of saving all the lost from an eternity in Hell. All are given the same opportunity to believe and repent. “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain,” Psalm 73:6a.



Have you ever wondered how God could possibly love a person whose whole life is or has been devoted to sin? He can, and He does. A person who has never acknowledged God’s grace or His love but who has taken advantage of every good gift which can only come from God is still loved by God. God knows how the evil one works and He knows the influence Satan has on you and me. That’s why He made the following promise “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b. God does not love you and me more than He loves the lost. The lost have access to that same promise and can, with a little faith and a changed attitude toward submission, obtain that same promise immediately.



God loved us from before the creation of the earth, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 1:4. Until we breathe our last breath God will remain true to His word. He will love us and He will continue steadfast in His attempt to convince every unbelieving person on earth of the truth of who He is. And His free gift of salvation is continually offered to everyone.



When the end comes, as we know it will very soon now, all who believe death is the end of all things will be greatly surprised; death is in no way the end. Death is just an excursion into a whole new realm. It’s the end of life on earth yes, but not the end of our existence. It is the end of all earthly problems, worries, materialism, bank accounts, favorite cars, love affairs, and everything else worldly. All earthly treasures which we built up over a lifetime are instantaneously someone else’s at death. As followers of Jesus Christ we know our earthly gains won’t come close to our heavenly rewards. But for the lost, they not only lose everything they had acquired while alive, but they lose their souls to an eternity in Hell. A double whammy you might say. But the latter is so much worse than the first.



Did you know that at the exact moment that death grabs the unbeliever he/she suddenly believes in Jesus? It’s no joke; they are believers at the nanosecond they die. They instantly become keenly aware that Jesus the Christ is God Almighty even though they wouldn’t believe it while they were alive. But it’s too late for the unbeliever. They had their chance to accept the free gift of salvation while they were alive. But all their thoughts went to accumulating a house and garage full of material wealth, never a thought to their eternal destination.



Imagine the hopeless feeling of those who remain in rebellion to God ‘til death as their eyes close for the last time. Everything they did and everything they possessed will come into view and they will scream with all their spirit “Lord, Lord”. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord... ‘And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22a, 23. As we can plainly see their screams will be to no avail.



As Solomon aptly penned after a lifetime of acquiring a world of wealth, and trying just about every perversion known to man, he came to the conclusion “Vanity, all is vanity”. Those who die without Christ will come to the same conclusion as Solomon. They’ll utter the following sorrowful words “I chose poorly” because they will quickly realize they can never return from their now eternal hellish home. Even the nicest, kindest person we know is destined for Hell if they haven’t believed in the “One” God sent, Jesus the Christ.



Facing an eternity in Hell is a horrible thought. It’s nothing to make light of. I can’t imagine any of my brethren wishing anyone that type of eternal existence. If they do they don’t understand the full concept of Hell. All of the brethren have a great opportunity to share Jesus with the lost, to explain the difference between an eternity in Heaven and an eternity in Hell. Death isn’t on the minds of most folks; most give no thought whatsoever to where they will remain for eternity. The Great Commission given to all the saints is that we deliver the truth of the Gospel of Christ to the lost. Basically, as we go about informing them of their choices, we enlighten them as to the specific differences between Heaven and Hell. This may motivate them to have a change of mind, and hopefully they will make the smart decision.



As believers we see the end approaching more and more rapidly with every passing day. But the lost don’t see anything different from day to day except maybe their retirement portfolios declining. Is there a believer who hasn’t thought about Hell? Probably not. No matter how much we think about it we never see it as a huge kegger in the park, but that’s how so many of the lost souls of this world see Hell. “Well, I’ll be with friends” goes the old joke. “No, you won’t” should be our response and we should never laugh at that sorry quip. We should be as serious as the grave when we proclaim the truth about Hell. It’s terrible, painful, sorrowful, extremely hot, and completely void of the existence of God. No one will want to stay there after they realize where they are. But they will have no choice, once there Hell will be their domain for eternity.



Atheists and the rest of the unbelievers don’t understand that they are never out of the presence of God while they are alive on this earth. God is everywhere and He sees everything we do. Every believer rejoices in the fact that God is always with us, but unbelievers want nothing to do with God. At their death they will get their wish, but not while they are alive. Whether they like it or not God is ever present in all our lives. But God will not be in Hell; that’s what makes it Hell, it is void of God. All God’s grace, and His mercy, and of course His awesome love is present with us. In Hell there will be none of His attributes present. That, my friends, is the indisputable truth.



Salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ is all we need to avoid that horrible place called Hell or Hades. And it’s available to every atheist, agnostic, secular humanist, and all the other nonbelievers out there. It’s even available to all those who are wrapped up in Christian cults such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all the rest of the false religions floating around these days.



Islam, the fastest growing religion today, has 1.5 billion followers, and yet they are all perishing if they continue in their unbelief. Jesus wants to be their Savior the same as He wants to be yours and mine. All can come to Jesus for salvation while they are still alive, because He died for everybody. But God will not accept any excuses and there will no doubt be many. Let me put it another way, the fact that you were sold a bill of goods by some false teacher or a lying prophet is no excuse for rejecting the truth of the Gospel. The lie you were fed will most certainly affect your final eternal destination. And once you’re there, you’re there for good. The foolish people who have been captivated and sucked into these false religions and cults have had every opportunity to seek and find the truth. They can reject the falsehoods that they’ve been taught and embrace the truth of the scriptures. But they better do it soon.



Have you been deceived? Will you believe the truth? Only you can answer those questions. Salvation is personal and it’s for everyone, but it only comes from the one true God. Lord Jesus the Christ.



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV