Open Heaven 9 October
MEMORISE: ”He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” – (Mark 16:16)
BIBLE READING: Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
Some Bible scholars have classified damnation into three major categories – temporary, long-term and eternal. Temporary damnation may come as a result of an error in judgment after which the victim is vindicated. Long-term damnation could be for life here on earth, whereas eternal damnation – which is the worst, is forever.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Luke 12:4-5: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Many people choose eternal damnation indirectly by escaping the temporary one that godly living may pose to them. In the midst of trials and tribulations, some children of God deny their Lord. We should never bow to the enticement of the devil. Rather, we should heed the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, although this may expose us to some temporary challenges. This is the reason Jesus said to His disciples:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. – (John 16:33)
In order to escape eternal damnation, we must accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is unfortunate that there are many churchgoers today who do not really believe the gospel. Some think the gospel is no longer relevant. They believe that Christ came to redeem man from eternal damnation, yet refuse to live by His standards, according to our Scripture reading of today. Accepting the gospel requires our submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives.
A true believer cannot do anything merely because he or she feels like. Everything a believer does must be in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17). We cannot afford to follow the world; rather, we must learn and follow God’s will at all times (1 John 2:15-17). May the Lord give us hearing ears and obedient hearts to live according to His perfect will, in the mighty name of Jesus.
KEY POINT: Father, help me to follow and walk before You with a perfect heart, that I may escape eternal damnation, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 10-14
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Eternal Damnation – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 9 October 2021
