FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

“When the invitation arrived, I was busy,” she answered. “I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP.” Ruthanna started to weep—not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she’d ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste of what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find their names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. 1 That “someday” will come at the great white throne judgment. But instead of returning to a normal life by way of a service elevator, those present will experience the second death by being thrown into the lake of fire. Since I dealt with this issue in the chapter on hell, I won’t spend much time with it here. And though I believe the rich man/Lazarus parable deals specifically with Hades , Gehenna is certainly described as being fiery too. Jesus said in a verse I touched on earlier, “ It is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell (Gehenna), into the unquenchable fire ” (Mark 9:43,44). The issue is eternal affliction versus annihilation. What lost person wouldn’t welcome the idea of a quick torching at the judgment, with no accountability to follow? Yet the Bible teaches that the pain and agony doesn’t end at the great white throne, but goes on forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). See finally, this judgment provides the backdrop for a complete destruction of the heavens and the earth . As creation was included in the fall, so it will be included in the judgment as well. The pounding the earth endures during the great tribulation, after which Jesus comes to provide restoration, is but a foretaste of the greater destruction that comes during this final judgment. This time, it takes more than a beating. The Bible says, “ The day of the Lord will come like a A CONSUMING FIRE

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