I recall when my children were younger, the clothing store was full of skeletons on children’s clothing. I wouldn’t dare buy them such clothes to wear. Now, I visit restaurants that are decorated with skulls throughout the year, and it bothers me. Does it bother you? Why can this be allowed to happen?
Now, popular shows like Castle, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Hawaii Five-O, Law & Order, NCIS, and White Collar, penetrate our live streaming channels. I admit, I am currently binge-watching Castle and Hawaii Five-O. I enjoy the puzzle and the critical thinking that goes into these shows. However, they are much more X-rated than the original Hawaii Five-O that aired from 1968-1980 or Magnum PI that aired from 1980 to 1988. Why is our modern-day society so addicted to death and so desensitized to blood and painful trauma?
Older television shows didn’t have all of the death and pain that is showed so freely today. Although death is inevitable, it truly should not be sensationalized as it is for entertainment purposes today.
Death will happen to each and every one of us. My hope is that all of us have made the decision to follow Jesus and we are confident in knowing that once we die we will go to heaven.
There are two options for us when we die. We will either go to heaven or hell. They are both real places. Besides the Bible, my favorite books on heaven are Randy Alcorn’s adult and children versions of Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home. I read the Heaven for Kids version to my children when they were younger. It helped us all learn about what heaven will look like and what we will do there. Two more great resources include Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and 90 Minutes in Heaven: The True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper.
The reality is, that there is a real hell and there is a real heaven. When we die; and we will all die one day; we will go to one of the two places. Matthew 25:46 says there is “everlasting punishment” and there is also “eternal life.”
Hell is described in Revelation 20:10 and Revelation 21:8 as a “lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet” are at and where “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
The book of Matthew describes hell as Hades and Sheol. It is referred to as a pit of despair, a fiery furnace, and outer darkness. It is a place that will have punishment delivered with eternal fire; unsaved souls will remain there forever weeping and gnashing their teeth where they are tormented day and night.
Revelation 14:11 explains, “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshippers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
Death is not something to consider lightly. We do not know when our time will come, but we need to be prepared. The most important decision you will ever make in your life is whether you will spend eternity in heaven or in hell.
If you are not certain about your final destination, I want to invite you to say this prayer right now, right where you are.
Dear Lord,
I know I am a sinner. I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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