"ETERNAL LIFE" YOU CAN LOSE AFTER SUPPOSEDLY RECEIVING IT, IS A FALSE TEACHING OF MEN WHO DO NOT KNOW THE PURE HOLY SCRIPTURES. OFTEN THESE MEN RELY ON THE TRADITIONS THEY HAVE BEEN "PROGRAMMED" WITH BY THE TRADITIONS OF THEIR MENTORS...AND USUALLY THIS ERROR FLOWS FROM CORRUPT MODERN "BIBLES" OR A DENIAL THAT THERE ARE PURE, PRESERVED HOLY SCRIPTURES TO BEGIN WITH...AS FOUND IN THE 1769 EDITION OF THE 1611 ENGLISH HOLY BIBLE.

REAL ETERNAL LIFE THAT THE LORD GIVES IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE! .....OR IT WOULD NOT BE VERY "ETERNAL" WOULD IT?

THIS SECTION IS DEDICATED TO TEACHING A SECURE SALVATION THAT IS TRULY ETERNAL ONCE YOU TRULY HAVE IT!

The new birth is the centerpiece of God's plan of salvation for mankind. The LORD Jesus declared: "ye must be born again". This is a spiritual birth not physical. You already exist as a fallen descendant of Adam in this present world. The LORD wants to move you from death to life by making you a new creature in Christ Jesus by the regenerating work in you of the Holy Spirit of God. You are not becoming a "new creation" as false bibles state because you already exist as an eternal soul. You become a new creature when you are born again. Your new life is His life...eternal life and it is hid with Christ Jesus until our redemption is complete with the resurrection of our new immortal earthly bodies.

As you trust the LORD Jehovah and His words, you come to Him as the only SAVIOUR to receive the gift of His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ who died in your place, taking your penalty for sin upon Himself on the cross, which is death. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost all share in the redemption of mankind. The Father sent the Son to be Saviour of the world as the Lamb of God and provide the sacrificial payment on the cross. The Holy Ghost applies the work of salvation to each of us individually as we exercise saving faith in the LORD Jesus Christ, the eternal God manifest in the flesh for us. Nothing can be added to or taken away from His work for us. Our faith must be in Him alone, not our "good" works, our giving, our ritual religious actions or any other person or religious system. He alone is the way, the truth and the life.

Death does not mean ceasing to exist, but eternal separation from God because He is holy and cannot allow sin into His presence. We have a choice in the matter...to stand face to face before God as the righteous judge of all of the universe who must execute perfect justice in His wrath against sin..consigning us to eternal separation in the Lake of Fire...or to face Him as our LORD and SAVIOUR...our KING of Kings and LORD of Lords.

We, thereby choose one of two ends... to exist forever as objects of His wrath (for our God is a consuming fire according Hebrews 12:29) or live forever in His love, mercy, grace and goodness including the creative expressions of His power for at His right hand are fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11)

Christ Jesus died for us! But we must receive this truth and believe on Him as our only hope. He is our sacrificial "Lamb of God" which taketh away the sin of the world. But this is only applied to you personally if you call upon the name of the LORD and receive this great gift of salvation, redemption, reconciliation and peace with God through His only begotten Son. The provision has been made! Will you receive it as your very own?

You must ask and invite Him to come and be your God and Saviour!

Repentance toward God and faith in our LORD Jesus Christ are what the scriptures declare unto us. This is simply turning to the LORD and His truth and placing your complete trust in the LORD Jesus Christ and His work on your behalf. The LORD is truth.

Jesus not only declared, "I am the way, the truth and the life." He also declared "No man cometh to the Father but by me". (John's Gospel account in Chapter 14).

This is an exclusive statement. Don't be deceived by those who say that there are many paths to God.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth and He guides us into all truth as we get saved, born again and grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Call upon the name of the LORD confessing your sin condition and your need to be saved...then openly confess your trust only in the LORD Jesus and His work on the cross... and He will do exactly as He has promised...to SAVE YOU right here and now.

This moment in your life is a transaction being accomplished by the LORD Himself.

It is called being BORN AGAIN of the SPIRIT OF GOD. The Holy Spirit wants to come in and cleanse you, make you whole, make you a new child of God, taking up permanent residence with you to seal you until the completion of the work - the redemption of your body...a perfect, sinless and immortal resurrected earthly body that will conjoin to your Spirit-Soul at the resurrection of all of the saints who are saved, born again and a part of the "Bride" of the LORD Jesus Christ, our "Bridegroom" . He is coming back for us to take us to the Father's house (John 14).

If you have never asked the LORD Jesus to save you, don't delay. Do so right now. Just bow your head, humble your heart and have the faith of a little child to call upon the LORD Jehovah-Jesus to save you, forgive you, cleanse you and make you His child.

(LRS - 7-5-2011)

It is DONE. Finished. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.

 6/9/2016

"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Galatians 3:3

The teaching "once saved but not certain"...because you might "lose it"...is quite prevalent in certain churches...having "no assurance" is a terrible way to trust Jesus.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippians 1:6

Jehovah means SAVIOUR

What does it mean to be saved?

And what must a person do to be saved?

These are important questions, and we commend you for taking the time to seek an answer.

In the Old Testament, God says to all the earth:

Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.

(Isaiah 45:22)

"Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD (Jehovah)?

and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."

(Isaiah 45:21 22)

One can see that Jehovah is THE Saviour and the need for salvation is assumed, literally, for all the earth. Looking around us, at the many wars, diseases, poverty and miseries that afflict both man and beast, it is not hard to imagine why salvation is necessary.

The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world, and that the whole of creation groans and travails awaiting a time of redemption.

(Romans 8:22).

Since the beginning of the creation, God has promised by the mouth of all His holy prophets a time of the restoration of all things to a perfect order.

(Acts 3:21)

But the Scriptures also take on a very personal note, revealing that each individual is also in need of salvation:

"Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies sake."

(Psalm 6: 2-4)

Above all else, the Bible assures every man that those who in sincerity and truth, cry out to God, shall be heard:

"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."

(Psalm 34:6)

For whosoever shall call upon the nameof the Lord shall be saved.

(Romans 10:13)

The next logical question is:

Who is the LORD and the Lord?

There are so many religions that are taught in society today; and as America teaches tolerance for all faiths, it is commonly given out that there are many paths to God.

How can a person know which of these to trust?

Are they all trustworthy?

As one pastor stated it, if you dial any phone number will the same person answer?

In contrast to the many-paths theology, we find the words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament:

I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

(John 11:25-26)

"She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

(John 11:27)

The above passage contains, in our opinion, the most important question (vs. 26) facing any person.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

Do you have faith that He is the Son of God?

Do you believe the things the Bible says about Him?

Do you know that He died for your sins; and that God has raised Him from the dead; so that if you believe in Him you will not be condemned for your sins but are passed from death unto life?

If you do not believe these things, then you have much to be concerned about, for Jesus also said:

...he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(John 3:18)

In the earlier part of that verse, Jesus said:

"He that believeth on him is not condemned:..."

Perhaps you are full of doubts and questions.

Why Jesus?

Why not Buddha, or Mohammed?

Are not they all basically the same?

This is a popular teaching, and because of it, many people who want to know the truth, are confused.

But what does the Bible say?

Do the Scriptures teach that there are many ways to God?

On the contrary, Jesus said:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6)

Some have argued that figures such as Buddha, Krishna or Zoroaster pre-date Christ and therefore should be equally accepted.

But Jesus directly addressed the idea of other Messiahs or would-be "saviors" that had come before Him:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

(John 10:7 9)

In society today, most people seem to hold the view that there are many paths to God, and that each of the worlds religions prescribe another way to get there.

Jesus confronted this issue when He said:

"... He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."

(John 10:1)

Jesus warned that the path most people will take actually leads to destruction:

Enter ye in at the straight gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Matthew 7:13-14)

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(Matthew 7:13 15)

(Note: narrow means precise not hard or difficult)

Jesus also gave us the true definition of how to attain life eternal.

Even in the world, there is the saying, Its not what you know, but who you know that counts.

This is definitely the case when it comes to salvation.

Jesus said:

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

(John 17:3)

After He taught these things, Jesus was crucified on Calvary.

His life and death were actually the fulfillment of prophecies, which God had given long before.

As people are reminded every Christmas, the birth of Christ was foretold by the prophet Isaiah who set down this prophecy in the 8th century BC:

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

(Isaiah 7:14)

Some people wonder why Jesus wasn't named "Immanuel," but this is because the name describes His character, which is explained in the Gospel of Matthew:

"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which, being interpreted, is God with us."

(Matthew 1:22-23)

"God with us" describes exactly who Jesus is, and what He represents.

The Bible says that Jesus is God ...

"God manifest in the flesh"

(1 Timothy 3:16).

Here is the entire verse from the trustworthy text.

Many modern versions have removed "God".

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."

(1 Timothy 3:16)

The beginning of the Gospel of John tells us:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made ... And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..."

(John 1:1,3,14)

Now, some have wondered if Jesus Himself ever claimed to be the Messiah.

The answer is a resounding "YES."

While many Scriptures could be referenced, the clearest comes from the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus was on trial before His death:

"... the high priest asked him and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am ..." and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

(Mark 14:61 - 62)

Meanwhile, the prophet Daniel (Old Testament, 6^thcentury B.C.) had before written about the death of the Messiah, saying:

And after shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself...

(Daniel 9:26)

The phrase cut off in the Old Testament was used to indicate capital punishment, or a death sentence of some sort.

Daniel writes that Messiah would be cut off but not for himself.

In fact, He died for the sins of the world.

He took the punishment that we deserve for our sins upon Himself.

The prophet Isaiah (8^th century B.C.) also wrote of the sufferings of Christ, saying:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

(Isaiah 53:4-6)

In another passage, God foretells (through Isaiah) of how the Messiah would be crucified among thieves:

...He hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

(Isaiah 53:12)

In the Psalms, King David prophesied of the Messiah and how men would pierce His hands and feet, and part His garments by lots:

...the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

(Psalm 22:16,18)

The full passage speaks of witnesses at the cross staring at him and all his bones are highly visible because of the awful effects of the crucifixion torture:

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

(Psalm 22: 16 18)

And when Jesus cried out from the cross, He was actually quoting from Psalm 22:

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou who inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee; they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

(Psalm 22:1-5)

Reading the above Psalm, one might wonder why Jesus suffered so much, and how He could have felt so far removed from God the Father.

There are a number of clues as to why.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the great High Priest of our faith as believers

(Hebrews 5:10),

and that He suffered so that he might help us in our trials:

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:18)

For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points, tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

(Hebrews 4:15)

The concept of the suffering Messiah was known centuries before among the Jews, because He is so clearly defined in the writings of the prophets.

Consider these other Scriptures that foretell, centuries beforehand, what Jesus would endure for your sake and mine:

He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

(Isaiah 53:3)

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

(Isaiah 53:7-8)

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

(Isaiah 53:10,11)

The full passage has embedded a rather interesting and mysterious statement referring to the Lord Jesus Christ having offspring (seed) which becomes, through salvation and the new birth, His very body and Bride.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

(Isaiah 53:10 -11)

The fact that these scriptures were written centuries before the birth of Christ, is God's assurance to mankind that the Gospel comes from Him.

This is why in the New Testament, we read that:

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

(Acts 3:18)

And again we read that, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...

(1Corinthians 15:3).

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

(1 Corinthians 15:3)

Three days after He was crucified, Jesus was raised up from the dead to demonstrate the promise of God toward those who put faith in His Son.

This is why the scripture says that God

"has given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him [Jesus] from the dead."

(Acts 17:31)

Once He was raised, Jesus appeared to His disciples and said to them:

"These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me ...And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:46 47)

Jesus commanded His disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

(Matthew 28:19 20)

As such, the apostles were careful to teach not only the forgiveness of God, but also that salvation comes through Jesus alone.

When the apostles were questioned about healing a certain lame man, the Jewish leaders asked them, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

The apostle Peter answered them, saying:

Be it known unto you all that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(Acts 4:7-8,10,12)

Like Jesus and Peter, the apostle Paul taught that the only communication men can have with God comes through His Son, Jesus Christ:

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:5)

Paul also confirmed the severe consequences of rejecting Jesus and the message of the Gospel.

He writes about the second coming of the Lord:

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

(2 Thessalonians 1:7 9)

Now, Paul did not preach this of his own wisdom, but was only teaching what he learned from Jesus Himself.

(Galatians 1:11-12).

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11 12)

While the compassionate, loving side of Christ is often portrayed in movies and on TV, Hollywood has a strange habit of omitting the Lords severe warnings.

Jesus began His earthly ministry preaching repentance from sin...

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Matthew 4:17)

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

(Luke 13:5)

Many people do not realize that Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in the Bible, about 16 times. And those are just the warnings that specifically use the word "hell." There are other passages that speak of being "thrust out" of God's Kingdom.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

(Luke 13:28)

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 24:51)

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

(Luke 19:27)

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 22:13)

To ancient Capernaum, Jesus spoke of the entire city being "thrust down to hell".

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

(Luke 10:15)

When the Lord returns, He divides the nations, "as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."

The sheep on His right hand are blessed and enter into God's Kingdom; but Jesus says to the goats on His left hand: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels ..."

(Matthew 25:32,41)

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

(Matthew 25:32 41)

There is also the Lord's warning about the final judgment of the wicked in the lake of fire:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:8)

Jesus warned that whatever might cause a man to sin, he should put away from himself to avoid going to hell.

Furthermore, He reveals that hell is an eternal punishment:

"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off:it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

"And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter lame into life than, having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out; it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

(Mark 9:43-48)

Jesus warned those who outwardly appeared to be righteous, but inwardly were full of hypocrisy and wickedness. He said to them:

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

(Matthew 23:33)

Jesus was speaking to the fact that while men judge by the outward appearance, God looks upon the heart.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

(1 Samuel 16:7)

The Bible also warns that...

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

(Jeremiah 17:9)

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

(Matthew 15: 19 20)

Along these same lines, Jesus said that

"...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

(Matthew 5:28)

If God were to judge you according to the thoughts of your heart, how would you be judged?

Would you be found guilty of "evil thoughts" in the sight of God?

Jesus said,

..."nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither is any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad"

(Luke 8:17).

The scripture says about the Day of Judgment,

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

(Romans 2:16)

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

(1 Corinthians 4:5)

If you were judged tomorrow, would the thoughts of your heart send you to heaven or to hell?

Now, there are people who believe that hell is something a person experiences on earth; a consequence for sin that only lasts for this lifetime.

But, according to Jesus, hell is a place that sinners are sent to after they die.

He made this very clear when he told the story of Lazarus (a beggar) and a certain rich man:

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

(Luke 16:22 23)

This contrast between those who are saved and those who are damned is one found throughout the Bible. Heaven and hell are the only options. There is no Switzerland in heaven; no neutral ground.

Jesus said,

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(Matthew 12:30)

A person either serves the Lord, or is counted as an enemy.

In the very last book of the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi wrote:

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

(Malachi 3:18)

Along these same lines, the apostle Paul wrote:

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

(Romans 2:5 9)

To obey the truth as Paul tells us, is to recieve Jesus' statement without any doubt:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6)

Furthermore, Jesus said:

The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

(Luke 5:25)

"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

(John 5:25-29)

A few verses later, Jesus says,

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

(John 5:34)

The purpose for the Lords warnings about hell is so that a person might be warned of the danger, repent of (or turn from) their sin, and look to the Son of God in faith for salvation, cleansing and forgiveness.

Gods purpose in sending His Son was not to condemn men, but lead them to salvation.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:17)

Right now, you might be saying to yourself:

But don't the other religions make similar claims?

If men make good, moral choices, isnt that enough?

Won't God allow all the "good" people to get into heaven, even if they don't necessarily believe in Jesus?

This is a fair question. But then we have to ask:

What does it mean to be "good"?

Just how good does a person have to be in order to get into heaven?

The Bible gives us an insight with this warning:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(Proverbs 14:12)

According to the Bible, there is no such thing as a good person apart from God.

The reason for this is because the heart of man is corrupt and full of evil.

While the evil in men's hearts might be worse for some and better for others, God's standard is perfection.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

(Matthew 5:48)

Man, by his very nature is imperfect.

This is why Jesus Himself taught clearly:

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

(Matthew 19:17)

Therefore, God requires that mankind submit to His idea of goodness, not their own.

The apostle Paul confirmed this teaching and explains why (from Gods perspective) there is no such thing as a good person.

He begins by referring to Psalm 14:1-3:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

(Psalm 14:1 3)

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

(Romans 3:10-12)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(Romans 3:23)

The presence of sin in a persons life negates the possibility of them being good in God's sight. Paul later explains that, because of sin, all men eventually die:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

(Romans 5:12)

God warns not only of a physical judgment for sin (i.e. the death of the body) but also the "second death" which is spiritual... of the soul.

He makes it clear that ultimately all souls belong to Him and that He will judge them:

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

(Ezekiel 18:4)

The Bible teaches that the ultimate death of the soul takes place on the Day of Judgment, where all the dead, small and great, will stand before God.

This is after the famous battle of Armageddon, and the Lord Jesus Christ returns to establish his Kingdom on the Earth.

The scripture says that Jesus "shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom ..."

(2 Timothy 4:1).

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

(2 Timothy 4:1)

In the Book of Revelation, we read about the fate of those who refused to receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved:

"And 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.

"And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of lifewas cast into the lake of fire."

(Revelation 20:12-15)

The "second death" mentioned above is the death of the soul. This is the fate of those who reject the Gospel. Notice that the reason men are cast into the lake of fire in that final verse:

"... whosoever was not found written in the book of life ..." This same book is called "the book of life of the Lamb,"

(Revelation 13:8)

and refers to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

(Revelation 13:8)

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

(John 1:36)

While the dead are judged according to their works (i.e. deeds), ultimately what matters is whether or not a person's name is found written in the Lamb's book of life.

Having your name written in heaven keeps you from the lake of fire.

This is the deciding factor, and the difference between heaven and hell.

Remember the story of Lazarus and the "rich man" we discussed earlier?

Review the story, and notice how Jesus recalls the name of Lazarus (who went to heaven), but the name of the rich man (who went to hell) is not mentioned.

(Luke 16:19-31).

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

(Luke 16:19 31)

The only way a person's name will be found in the Lamb's book of life is by trusting in Jesus Himself.

Later, the Book of Revelation tells us:

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

(Revelation 21:27)

Notice how it does not say that people who "did good deeds" enter, or those who gave money to charity and committed no major crimes against humanity.

While those who are trusting Jesus will certainly walk in love and faithfulness, they get into heaven because of the finished work of Christ upon the cross -- not because of their good works.

They are welcomed into God's Kingdom because they "know" the only true God, and His Son Jesus Christ.

Those who enter into God's Kingdom "follow the Lamb."

(Rev. 7:17, 14:4)

and "their works do follow them"

(Rev. 14:13).

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

(Revelation 7:17)

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

(Revelation 14:4)

Notice that their works do not precede them.

Their works are not as a trumpet that goes before them, opening the gates of heaven.

The Lamb of God is before them, not the good things they have done.

This is an important principle because the scripture says we are saved by God's grace (free gift), through faith (believing Jesus), not of works (good deeds, religious behavior), lest any man should boast.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(Ephesians 2:8 9)

As the apostle Paul wrote:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)

No man will be able to stand before the throne of heaven and tell God about his good deeds, expecting to be "justified" because of them.

God will not excuse the evil men who are guilty of sinjust because they have done some good.

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

(James 2:10)

And so, a person's good works or behavior cannot pay the debt for their sins.

The only payment God will receive is the atonement of His Son upon the cross at Calvary; the death of the Just for the unjust.

But the Bible says...

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:8)

The Bible also says that beyond the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is no other forgiveness available for the sins of mankind.

(Hebrews 10:10-18).

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

(Hebrews 10:10 18)

This is why the apostles taught...

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(Acts 4:12)

Jesus is the only way, and nobody gets to heaven or avoids hell, but through Him.

Right now, you might be thinking,

What should I do?

If so, please know that you are not alone.

Let's look at some scriptures where others have asked exactly that question in times past.

In the book of Acts, we read about the Philippian jailer who was convicted by the power of God, and asked the most basic and important question in the following text:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

(Acts 16:30 33)

This is, perhaps, the most straight-forward explanation of salvation.

We get some further insight when we read,

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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

(Romans 10:9 13)

When the Gospel was first preached by the apostle Peter, we read:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(Acts 2:37 38)

Notice, the first thing Peter tells them they must do is "repent" of their sins.

Repentance from sin is an important part of believing Jesus.

This word from Peter is identical to the witness of Jesus Who began by preaching repentance.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Matthew 4:17)

The word "repent" means to turn, and signifies a change of mind, a change of heart.

It does not mean you will obey God perfectly, but it does mean you will turn away from sin and seek to obey the commandments of Christ.

The second thing Peter told them was to be "baptized" in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus told the apostles,

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(Matthew 28:19)

It is important to consider that baptisms usually take place in public, and result in an open confession of Christ.

This is important because Jesus said,

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

(Matthew 10:32)

Nevertheless, please know that you can recieve Jesus into your heart, even in private.

The Lord says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

(Revelation 3:20)

While most teachers agree that "water" baptism is NOT necessary for salvation, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit certainly is.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

...while Paul wrote...

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

(1 Corinthians 15:50)

In other words, a person must be reborn of God's Holy Spirit. The scriptures tell us that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

(Romans 8:9)

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(Romans 8:9)

When Jesus spoke about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, one of the disciples asked Him: "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

(John 14:23)

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

(John 14:23)

And so the apostles taught that "God hath given [the Holy Spirit] to them that obey him."

(Acts 5:32)

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

(Acts 5:32)

Our hearts desire for all that we communicate the truth of God's words to...is best defined by the LORD through the Apostle Paul:

"Wherefore, also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

(2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

May the Lord Jesus grant you wisdom and guidance, as we close this STUDY with the following scripture:

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

(John 6:28-29)

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

(John 6:28 29)

The following teaching commentary was so close to mine(with key Holy Scriptures offered as irrefutable evidence) and was first composed (and verses compiled) by Christian Pinto and his team that I used it so as not to reinvent a good wheel well crafted. He is the documentary filmmaker from Adullam Films. His Video works are linked on this site under "Must See Videos -The Real History of America" and the "Vote for a Mormon?" pages.

I made minor edits to his commentary (not the Holy Scriptures of course) for even more clarity.