[0:01] Good morning. Welcome to the service this morning. We are again blessed to have the freedom to gather.
[0:19] And this morning I prayed that God would bring us together safely again. And we sometimes take those things for granted, and yet it's a privilege for us to gather for worship.
[0:35] Very beautiful. For those that were at the Wednesday night course, I had informed the class that tentatively we would skip a week because I was going to be going out on a job site, burning piles and stuff.
[0:54] So the Lord has removed the snow, so I have to postpone it another week. So the class will continue. And again, if God would put it on your heart to do children's ministry during that time.
[1:09] So I think we have three weekends or Wednesdays left in the course. So we need three more commitments to do the children's ministry.
[1:20] It's a very valuable ministry to free up the parents to be at the teaching. And so if the Lord would move you there, please let us know.
[1:31] So last week we had begun the message on the end of time. And we had looked at a few aspects of that already.
[1:48] That at the end of the Kingdom Age, Satan would be released for a short season and come against the camp of God. God would destroy them.
[1:58] And we also discussed that the existing heavens and earth would flee away from God, would be destroyed forever.
[2:11] And so all of creation will be wiped out and God is starting new. Now, that was the first two points in that same sequence.
[2:27] This morning we're going to start with the great white throne judgment. And so that follows that at the end of human time, there needs to be a judgment once and for all as sin will cease to exist in the presence of God for all eternity.
[2:50] And so I've titled the message this morning, The Eternal State. And how long is eternity? Endless.
[3:03] Can you describe that word? Infinity. It's hard for us to grasp that, right?
[3:17] Eternity. Forever and ever. We are so time bound. And so in today's message, we are going to see eternity on both sides.
[3:32] For the unbelieving and the believing. Endless. Forever and ever. And my mind still struggles to wrap around that.
[3:46] Because I think in days of tomorrow and the day after, and maybe next week, and occasionally next year, but to think of forever, that kind of stops me short.
[4:05] And so as we look at the aspect of eternity, often it's said that there are two choices to make in life regarding eternity.
[4:19] Heaven or hell. Is that a true statement? It's a trick question, Gil.
[4:36] Not really. Are there two choices in life? Just one.
[4:47] We have to realize every one of us is born on the path to destruction.
[5:01] There is no one born good. Morally good. Morally good. There is one decision to make in eternity.
[5:19] That is to turn off the path of destruction and to do a 180 and turn on to the road of life through faith and repentance in God's provisions for salvation.
[5:37] And so let no one deceive you. There are not two choices. There's only one.
[5:53] That's to turn off and meet God. And so that comes out very strongly in what was read today by Eric.
[6:04] And so let's look at the first concept here, the great white throne judgment. And so John, the Apostle John, as an aged man, I believe a little bit older than Mr.
[6:21] Tychrope is from what we understand. And he, in that age, sees these things. And I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away and there was found no place for them.
[6:42] John sees a great white throne and he sees God sitting on the throne. And then, what else does he see?
[6:54] And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life.
[7:08] And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which were written in the books. So John is witnessing what is going to happen in the future.
[7:24] The sea gave up the dead who were in it and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them and they were judged, each one according to his works.
[7:41] As we look at that, we see the second resurrection.
[7:55] Earlier in chapter 20, in verse 6, it said, Blessed and holy is he who is part in the first resurrection over such the second death has no power.
[8:10] And so at the beginning of the kingdom age, there will be a resurrection of believing, of the believers. And blessed are those. But here we have a second resurrection of the dead.
[8:26] And the dead of all time, from Adam right to the end of a thousand years, the kingdom reign.
[8:39] God will wake the dead, and I mean the dead as in the spiritually dead, who have died physically as well, but they're spiritually dead and separated.
[8:51] They will be resurrected. They will be resurrected to eternity. Not eternal life, eternity.
[9:06] eternity in condemnation. And so God reveals to John, and it talks about books being opened, and another book, the book of life.
[9:28] And the dead were judged according to the works by the things which were written in the books. And so the book of life is present there, but it's not used in judging.
[9:46] The judging is by the books, plural, and these books will then contain the deeds of the ungodly, of the faithless.
[10:00] And those deeds will reveal who those people have been, who they are, what their life has been like.
[10:13] The book of life will verify with the absence of their name in the book of life. But it's by the books, by our works, and so that the ungodly will be judged.
[10:34] And so that's what John sees here. And so there is a universal judgment here of sin as God makes an end of what we call time.
[10:49] And from this time forward, we will be timeless eternity. And so the judgment. it says the sea gave up the dead.
[11:04] Those have been buried at sea, what's left of them. Death and Hades delivered up the dead. The temporal places where the dead go upon physical death, awaiting for this day, they will give up the dead.
[11:28] In other words, our God is all powerful even over death and all the abodes of the death, of the dead.
[11:41] And everybody has to release. They will all be gathered to be judged, to appear before God and allow the books, their deeds, their own deeds, to judge them.
[12:04] It's a very somber, sobering thought. I have heard often unbelievers who are cocky and defiant and even such loose comments as I'm waiting to join my buddies in hell.
[12:34] Those kind of remarks that totally reveal they have zero reverence for their creator.
[12:47] but did you know that on this day there will be no one defiant?
[13:01] Every knee will bow and they will realize I was wrong and they will realize God is real.
[13:14] and the terribleness of the situation is that it's too late.
[13:28] It's too late. At this point there is no repenting. And so God has given us our lifetime here to repent and prepare.
[13:46] These books will be opened. It's coming and it's not a judgment for believers but for the unbelievers.
[14:03] And it follows through that death and haze were cast into the lake of fire the second death. Eternal separation from God.
[14:16] And a few thoughts I'd share on this. Let's turn to John 5. The Gospel of John chapter 5.
[14:29] Let's read a couple verses here. 26 to 29. Let's back up to verse 24.
[14:44] John 5. 24. 24. 24. 24. 24. 24. Most assuredly I say to you he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life.
[15:03] Most assuredly I say to you the hour is coming and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. That's the first resurrection for as the Father has life in himself so he has granted the Son to have life in himself and has given him authority to exercise or execute judgment also because he is the Son of Man.
[15:33] Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth those who've done good to the resurrection of life and those who've done evil to the resurrection of condemnation.
[15:52] Jesus has been authorized as judge and here he says there is a day coming the great white throne judgment where those in the grave will hear and they will come out of the graves to be judged.
[16:09] And so that last judgment of the dead there will also be those believers who died during the kingdom age who will be resurrected at that time for eternal life.
[16:27] The Bible is quite silent in detail on that and yet even here some will go this way but the majority from all ages not only the kingdom age but all ages will be at the great white throne judgment.
[16:46] So we have John saying that in chapter 5 already preparing us for that time. And so currently as believers die as Paul has taught us to die is to be with Christ to die is gain to die is to be in paradise but for the believer but for the unbeliever in the New Testament era to die is to be in Hades a temporal place of suffering and at the end even the physical place of Hades will be cast into the lake of fire and this is the second death anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire so as we ponder that we need to leave here this morning being confident that my name is written in the book of life if you are not sure don't leave the building today today is the day of salvation as God speaks to us don't resist but make sure that you know your destiny the lake of fire it's an interesting thought the permanent place of hell is described as a lake of fire what does a lake contain water it's liquid and so we're seeing that the permanent place of destruction of punishment of separation will be likely in a liquid form have you ever thought of that a lake of fire
[19:26] I used to picture a physical lake that had flames coming out of it and that's likely not very accurate but as we look at this couple scripture verses that we should turn to Matthew 25 41 Matthew 25 41 this this is in regard to the sheep and goat judgment at the beginning of the kingdom age but verse 41os and knew it the thing this permanent state exists already today has
[20:35] God already prepared it it sounds that way this lake of fire already is out there as God has prepared it and these non-believers are destined for that as well Mark chapter 9 Mark chapter 9 verses 43 to 44 and it's talking about lack of faith or in unbelief offending believers or preventing others from entering the kingdom verse 43 says if your hand causes you to sin cut it off it's better for you to enter into life maimed or without your hand rather than having two hands to go to hell into the fire that shall never be quenched where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched now that that is repeated three times in Mark three times in a row
[22:05] Jesus repeats that where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched it's a permanent fire it will never ever let up and their worm will not die means that that those condemned will not burn up they will they will never cease to exist but will always be in a state of torment and that's another comment that I often hear well if I do go to hell it'll just be a split second I'll be burned up and it'll be done that is that is from Satan deceptiveness it's not going to be like that this concept of a lake of fire I I thought I would share a an article by the author is
[23:12] Dwight Pentecost he's a very well respected theologian on eschatology he's he's in glory already and you may have heard the name but he he presents from the scientific world a some some thoughts on does the lake of fire already potentially exist and and bear with me it's a full page but I want to read it for us and there's some some fairly big words in here as well so he says it is the thesis of C.T.
[24:06] Schwarzer then of the New York University that such a place as a lake of fire is known to signs today he writes the word lake must connotate a body of matter having liquid form therefore if scripture is true this eternal fire must be in liquid form the very simple proof of the portion of scripture we have been discussing lies in the existence of the singular phenomenons of the skies known as midget or dwarf white dwarf stars so he says that that today existing in the heavens there are stars that are called dwarf stars or midget stars a midget star is one which because of some things which have happened to it not quite clear at this time should be roughly five thousand or more times as big as it really is so for some reason these stars are much smaller than they should be applying this idea for illustration to such a planet as the earth you must conceive the earth as having shrunk to such an extent that its diameter would be about four hundred miles instead of eight thousand miles as it really is this enormous density has a great deal to do with our subject most people know the sun our nearest star is rather hot there is a general agreement that the temperature near the center of the stars is between twenty five and thirty million degrees fahrenheit that's what the science world would put out today and we think that eighty degrees fahrenheit is quite warm ready twenty five to thirty million at such temperatures much can happen like the bursting of atoms which helps to explain the phenomenon of the white dwarf a temperature of thirty thousand degrees fahrenheit would explode atoms it would cause the atoms to lose their electrons even though the attraction between nucleus and electrons is an octillion times the attraction of gravity the separated parts could then be better packed in particularly under such great pressure with the constant activity of x-rays atom walls could not be reformed therefore enormous densities such as are found in the midgets can be attained now please note at such high temperatures all matter would be in the form of gas in a white dwarf the pressure is so great that gases become compressed to the consistency of a liquid although they may still respond to the characteristic of a gas stars and so they're saying because of the extreme heat and the change to the structure of atoms these actual stars have shrunk under extreme extreme pressure that's beyond our comprehension that's there's before such a star could cool off and gradually become dark it would have to expand to normal proportions that is it would have to get to be more than 5000 times its present size
[27:52] Here is the difficulty. Such expansion would cause enormous heat, which in turn would absolutely keep the star compressed. So that in as far as astronomers and physicists know, the midget stars can never cool off.
[28:15] The white dwarf, to all intents, can never burn out. And so he summarizes to show that the Bible, God's Word, is scientifically accurate.
[28:30] We find first an eternal fire which cannot burn out. Being of a liquid consistency, it is secondly a lake of fire, and in third place it cannot never be quenched.
[28:46] I found it interesting. I know there's a lot of details that you might not be able to follow that quickly. But to think that even in the Christian science world, they are in agreement that that kind of pressures are out there.
[29:06] We have entities, stars, that can never burn out. And by God's design. So then is it possible and probable that the lake of fire exists in liquid form under this extreme pressure?
[29:25] It gave me something to think about. And so, but as we ponder that, it brings about the seriousness of this reality that God has prepared this place.
[29:44] And it's prepared primarily for the devil and his followers. It gives us something to think about.
[30:10] John doesn't stop there. Even though there's a chapter break in our Bibles, I think in John's writing there wasn't. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no more sea.
[30:37] John is privileged to see the new creation. This is not a recreation. This is brand new.
[30:53] Far more glorious than what we live in today. And I didn't want to leave on a, end on a negative note, so I want to just touch into this and we'll keep going next time.
[31:10] But let's turn to John 14. So again, the same author whom God revealed this to, as Jesus is preparing to go to the cross and then to heaven.
[31:25] And as his disciples are troubled about the concept of death, Jesus dying.
[31:42] And then leaving them as well. Jesus gives them these words. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God.
[31:53] Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.
[32:04] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself. That where I am, there you may be also.
[32:15] And where I go you know. And the way you know. And so we're introduced here.
[32:28] And John has written it in his gospel. The words of Jesus spoken to the disciples. I am going to heaven to prepare a place for you.
[32:42] And if I go, prepare a place, I will surely come back and take you up there as well. And then in Revelations, John sees that mansion coming down.
[32:59] God gives them a glimpse of the future. Of the eternal state. Dwelling place.
[33:12] For all believers. And the rest of chapter 21 in Revelation is given to describe the splendor of this city.
[33:23] Of this habitation that God has for us. Forever and ever and ever. Just like the lake of fire will be forever and ever and ever.
[33:37] This will be the opposite. Of bliss. Of torment. In the God's presence.
[33:48] Without God's presence. In light. In darkness. The comparisons are there, right?
[34:02] They're polar opposites. But John sees this. And so going back to 21 in Revelations. He sees a new heavens.
[34:13] A new earth. And as in chapter 20. The first ones had fled away. Also there was no more sea. So to all you fishermen out there.
[34:25] You are out of luck. God's new creation. Like I said. Will be so much more glorious. He will have provisions for all our desires.
[34:40] For all eternity. And so. Let go of that thought. No more sea. He saw no sea.
[34:51] And there was obviously no need of it. And then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[35:06] And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and he shall be, they shall be his people.
[35:18] God himself will be with them and be their God. So what has, what will be reversed? The curse is wiped out once and for all.
[35:36] The old creation that lived and struggled under the curse has burnt up, according to 2 Peter 3. Revelation said it fled from God's presence.
[35:49] It's gone. This new, perfect creation, without sin in it, will have the presence of God.
[36:00] Will be restored to how God created in the first place. His intention to dwell with mankind. Jesus came to us, to earth, to give us a picture of the Father.
[36:19] But here, for all eternity, the Father himself will be amongst us. And that in itself will be most glorious.
[36:32] Beyond words. And he will wipe away every tear. No more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.
[36:43] Why? The curse is gone. The sin is gone. And so, old things, former things have passed away.
[36:57] They're wiped out. So, it's not going to be a continual wiping of tears. But it's, I think, when it says God will wipe away every tear, we will be changed forever.
[37:12] Former things will be gone and gone. Not be remembered. And that sense, God will wipe away every memory of it.
[37:23] And we will have an eternal state free of all that. One commentator that I read, speaking of this city, He put out the thought, Is it possible that when we go to be with Jesus, that we will be there in that heavenly city already?
[38:01] And He furthermore put out the thought, During the kingdom age, Those saints that have been resurrected and perfected, Will they have free course between earth and that heavenly city?
[38:22] The mansion? And at the end, it will come and dwell on the new earth for everyone. Those are thoughts that made me think.
[38:37] And it's something we look forward to seeing, how God is going to work all that out. So, it will be, indeed, a glorious, glorious time. Let us close with that.
[38:51] As we end here, and the concept of the eternal state in destruction, if there is someone here this morning that is unsure or knows that you're unsaved, I would invite you to either raise your hand or come forward even now so that we can pray with you.
[39:51] Amen. Like I said, today is the day of salvation.
[40:04] And if it's something you've been putting off, let's meet Jesus head on today.
[40:21] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[40:32] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[40:43] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Look, you saw your顔, me, do you saw your cross, your friend口, you saw your character, us 16 days, what phi haiyak, a journey, I'm going to go back down as well.
[41:11] But again, I encourage, don't go home today without. Let's be sure.