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I have said on occasion
that God is the epitome of love, but He is also the epitome of wrath,
which throws some people into a tizzy, because they just don’t get that. I say
this, because this is what God has revealed to me through His Word and I
believe the definitions of His character are very apparent. I don’t argue with
God, or His Holy Word, I just accept Him for who He is, because He is God -
period. I had a friend tell me once that there is no hell and that God would
never make such a place as hell, because He is a loving God. Of course, God is
a loving God. A neighbor also told me once that hell is an allegory in the
Bible and its description just means “separation from God.” The Word, however,
tells us, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that
which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it unto them;
for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and
Godhead, so they are without excuse” Romans 1:18-20. Jesus was very descriptive
about hell. He didn’t say it was an allegory; in fact, He wasso
descriptive that there can be no mistake as to its existence. He said, “And if
thy hand offend thee, cut it off, for it is better for thee to enter into life
maimed, than having two hands go into hell, into the fire that never shall be
quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” Mark
9:43-44. In fact, Jesus was so emphatic about this warning, He repeated Himself
three times. He went on to warn, “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it
off; it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be
cast into hell, into the fire that shall not be quenched, where their worm
dieth not and the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:45-46. And if that wasn’t
enough, Jesus continued, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out; it is
better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two
eyes to be cast into hell fire, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not
quenched” Mark 9:47-48. So, Jesus warned not once, not twice, but three times
in Mark 9 to avoid this place called hell at ALL COSTS. Was Jesus just
wasting His time here, blowing at the wind? No. He created hell and He knows
how painful and horrible it is. It is the penalty to those who disregarded His
suffering on the cross and His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Paul
wrote to the Hebrews, “He that despised Moses’s law died without mercy under
two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the
blood of the covenant, wherein he was sanctified, an unholy thing and hath done
despite to the Spirit of grace...It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God” Hebrews 10:28-29,31. Jesus further warned us, “I will
forewarn you Whom ye shall fear; Fear Him, Who, after He has killed, has the
power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, Fear Him” Luke 12:5. There
are so many more passages, but I will end that topic with this passage written
by King David, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good
understanding have all they that do His Commandments. His praise endureth
forever” Psalm 111:10. On the other spectrum of God’s divine nature, we see
unconditional love: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. Here, I have to say that if the
entire world, billions of people, were at risk of going to hell for their sins,
unless my only son died in their place, I have to admit that I would let all of
them to go right into hell before I could allow my son to suffer what Jesus
suffered for us on the cross. That may sound very selfish, but I just couldn’t
do it. Nevertheless, God loved us so much, even while we were sinners, that He
allowed Jesus to suffer the penalty for our sins on the cross, so we could
receive the redemption He provided and gain eternal life, because Jesus paid
the price. That isLOVE! Can I explain to myself, or anyone else,
the dichotomy of God’s great love, versus His great wrath? No. God is God. “For
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the
Lord” Isaiah 55:8. God bless you.