Friday, March 5, 2021

Everlasting Punishment or Life Eternal? - Matthew 25:46

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples when they minister to people who are “hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and in prison”, they are serving Him. He said, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” Jesus continued, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse forty-six of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said the “these shall go away into everlasting punishment” where we read:

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The verse reads, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and these” which means “and the nations and people on Jesus' left side” “shall go away” or “will leave and depart” “into everlasting” which means “into without beginning and end, never to cease and to perpetuity” “punishment” or “correction, penalty, torment and penal infliction” . Matthew shared how Jesus said the ones on His “left side” who did not minister to Him will depart into “never ending torment and punishment”.

The verse continues, “but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew added Jesus' word, “but” which means “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and” “the righteous” which means “the ones observing divine laws, upright, virtuous and keep the commands of God” “into life eternal” or “to without beginning and end, that which has been and always will be, never ending or ceasing life which is real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed for those who put their trust in Christ”. Matthew shared how Jesus said those “observe divine laws and keep the commands of God” will receive “never ending, genuine, active and vigorous life which is devoted to God”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the two eternal destinations for people who live on earth. Those who refuse to receive Jesus Christ and follow His ways shall receive “everlasting punishment”, and those who receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and follow His ways shall receive “never ending life with God”. God gives people the opportunity to follow His Son Jesus and His ways, when they do, they shall receive “everlasting life”. However, if they refuse and reject His offer, they shall “go into everlasting punishment” and woe be to those who enter there.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew share how Jesus says more to his disciples, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites,
http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.







 

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