Lakeland Seventh-day Adventist Church

Are heaven and hell just places to spend eternity? Does God plan to torture people for ever? Is it possible that anyone would freely choose hell?

Heaven: I'm forgiven for everything I've done wrong and live for ever in a perfect world. Hell: I suffer for everything I've done wrong, die, and never live again.

We cannot find a perfect world just by moving to a different place. Heaven is having the same oneness with Jesus and others that Jesus has with His Father. If you can think of anyone you would not be willing to share this oneness with, you would not want to be in heaven. No one outside the New Jerusalem will wish to be inside. Even though they know it's a better place, when they remember that the condition for being in the New Jerusalem is oneness with God and everyone there, they will choose the fight God and suffer the horrors of hell instead. Through hell, God will show that there was nothing He could do to change their minds.

So what about you? In your daily life, do you feel that the person who has wronged you is responsible for seeking reconciliation? Or do you make it your responsibility to seek reconciliation first? Do you hold on to things that keep you from putting God first at all times? Or do you say no to yourself and yes to God?

Texts this message is based on

Heaven

Isaiah 65:17–25

John 14:1–3; 17

Revelation 21–22:5

Hell

Psalm 37

The wicked will not be anywhere.

Ezekiel 28:18, 19

Satan will be turned to ashes.

Malachi 4:1–3

Nothing will be left.

II Thessalonians 1:7–9

Flaming fire

Revelation 20

Lake of fire

Conditions

Matthew 6:14, 15

In order for everyone to be forgiven, everyone must forgive.

Matthew 16:24–27

Self-denial

Luke 17:21

The kingdom of God is within you.

John 1:12; 6:37; I  John 5:11, 12

Receive Jesus

Revelation 22:17

Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.