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life eternal Once a baby is born, it is born with a soul that never dies; it is eternal. Since this is the case everyone shall have “life eternal”! The question that must concern everyone who has reached the age of accountability is “Where will that soul spend eternity?” If you search throughout the Bible you will find only two places where the soul shall be in all eternity; either hell or heaven. One source of information on the subject can be found in the revelation that the apostle John received: (Rev. 20:11 – 15) “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Here John received a vision of the Judgment scene. Through this vision John is informed that everyone will be judged out of a book which is called the “book of life.” He is also informed that our works will be recorded in the “book of life” [Vs. 12]. In verses 13 and 14 John sees what will happen to the wicked; they will be “cast into the lake of fire.” The “lake of fire” is explained to be “the second death”; which is eternal separation from God. As John was receiving this vision he also saw heaven: (Rev 4:1) “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” Since there was a door and the door was “opened” can’t we safely assume that passage will be allowed to some? Passage will not be allowed to everyone; in fact it will be hard to pass through that door: (Matt 7:13 – 14) “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Jesus tells us it is a narrow gate or door that we must pass through if we are allowed into heaven; furthermore, He said “few there be that find it.” I do not feel that this point can be overstressed! Therefore I exhort you to be very careful and diligent in the manner of life you live while here upon God’s created earth. Since it is so difficult to enter life eternal into heaven it makes us wonder if it is indeed possible for us to accomplish our desired destination. According to the apostle Peter there is a way: (John 6:68) “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” The eternal life that Peter makes reference to is “eternal life” in heaven with God, His blessed Son, the angels and all of the saints. We cannot overlook the fact that Jesus is the only way to inherit “eternal life!” But what are the “words” that Peter is making reference to? Paul explains this very well while writing to the young preacher Timothy: (2 Tim 1:10) “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” Paul tells Timothy that Jesus Christ has brought life “through the gospel.” If you desire life “eternal” in heaven the first thing you must do is to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. How do we do that? First you must hear the gospel and obtain faith: (Rom 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Once you have faith you need to repent: (Acts 2:38) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent,” After you have come to believe and repent of your sins you need to confess the name of Jesus: (Rom 10:9 – 10) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And of course you must be baptized: (Mark 16:16) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Friends, these are the words of Jesus Himself; the one who has the “words of eternal life” [Jn. 6:69]. If you remain faithful eternity in heaven can be yours [Rev. 2:10].
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