Eternity is eternal and anything that is eternal is endless and indispensable. And whatever occurs there cannot be altered whether good or evil, whether praise or punishment. It looks to me like that’s where all the living are heading to; either by life or by death. And I’m quite convinced there is an awareness in everyone’s sub-consciousness that there is a life beyond this present life even though many in their lustful passions would have labored very hard to have it removed from their consciences. But praise GOD, the truth abides forever; eternity is indispensable! And nobody is exempted irrespective of your reputation, locality or size.
Let us see what facing eternity looks like from the word of God:
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 halt 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: 9v43-48
THE GRAVITY OF ETERNITY
Let me first establish with all fairness that “eternity is certain”. The bible teaches that one’s existence does not end at death but continues on forever, either in the presence of God or in the place of eternal condemnation; thus enlightening us of two different indisputable destinies existing there:
1). Hell fire(also known as the place of eternal condemnation or torment).
2). Life/The kingdom of God(also known as the presence of GOD or Heaven).
Hell fire
Hell fire is a place of eternal torment or punishment, originally prepared for the devil and his followers. But it is also reserved for those who reject Christ’s forgiveness. Hell fire as we see Jesus relating it to us from the scriptures emphasized that it is a place of “unquenchable fire.” His repeated stress of the unquenchability of the fire I perceive is simply an illustration of the effect of eternity (endlessness) on the fire. Apostle Peter in his second epistle described the heat of the fire to be fervent and will consume the sky and every element in it, and the entire earth and the works in it.
Jesus also repeated the same emphasis about the worms that they die not which is simply because they are in eternity; if something as fragile as worm which could be of no significance in eternity does not die, therefore destiny there for any human being will mean something intolerable and extremely terrifying. In fact, the scriptures describe it as the lake of fire; lake of burning sulphur associated with tribulation and anguish, agony, wailing, weeping, and gnashing of teeth, everlasting destruction; lake of fire burning with brimstone and Rev: 14v11 says; and the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night…
Also, through the pages of scriptures, I realized that God, in His perfect justice is firm in His resolve to punish in hell fire all that defy Him and despise His forgiveness through Jesus Christ. I’m afraid “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God’’; indeed “it had been good for that man if he had not been born”.
The kingdom of God
The kingdom of God or God’s presence as it is also known is the place of eternal life. It is just the perfect definition of what “Life” is, of which there are no accurate words that sufficiently describe it. It has the attribute of perpetual peace, joy, righteousness, worship. It’s just “Heaven.” It is the dwelling place of the saints, the city and its streets are pure gold like clear/transparent glass; the sun, moon or candle light is not needed there; the glory of God and the Lamb are the light in it; a pure river of water of life crystal clear flows in it; the tree of life which bear twelve manner of fruits and yielded its fruits every month are located along its streets and river banks. Nothing abominable or cursed or night, nor death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor sickness is found there. There every saint meets and discuss face to face with God, The Father, God, The Son and God, The Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ the son of God, the prince of peace, the Lord of lords, the King of glory, the Lamb of God, our companion and friend; Emmanuel: GOD with us; He is the ruler there. HE shall console and wipe the tears from every eye. HE shall praise and reward everyone for their perseverance and labours. HE shall clothe every saint with white robes and wear them the crown of life. HE shall feed every saint and lead them into living fountains of water. The Lord God Himself And The Lamb Are The Temple There In. Maranatha.
FACING ETERNITY
…it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment: Heb: 3v2
But the day of the LORD shall come like a thief in the night…2Pet: 3v10
The scriptures analyses two inevitable events that delivers a person into eternity: physical death and the rapture. These two events are similar in the following sense; the first is often sudden and the other will certainly be sudden, once any of these two occur in a person’s life, it leaves him with no chance for repentance. And there in eternity each and every individual answers for himself in whatever outcome of his eternal destination; parents answer for themselves, children answer for themselves, leaders answer for themselves, followers answer for themselves etc.
Also as we can remember from the story of the rich man and Lazarus, you see that there is a great gulf (chasm) demarcating paradise and hell fire such that it is not possible to interrelate in anyway and the rich man in hell when he saw that his fate was irreversible tried to solicit for his brethren who were still alive but they told him “his brethren have Moses and other prophets here with them; let them hear them.”
Thus, Jesus started preaching with all urgency saying “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” And He continued in like manner with all seriousness even by the Holy Spirit charging; “Be ye ready: for in such an hour as ye think not cometh the son of man.” Selah.
Again from our text in Mark 9; we hear Him figuratively mention three specific and important parts of our structural being which to me does not look like He was actually being literal for the understanding we should have. He said it with utmost seriousness giving cutting edge injunctions: “cut it off: and pluck it out” as the only remedy if you must escape hell fire.
I’m afraid, this life we are living now is too temporary and is only but a trust given to us to decide our eternal destiny. To choose to live carelessly is to succeed to deceive one’s self that there is no eternity which is to risk a precious destiny. God forbid.
THE HAND THAT MUST BE CUT:
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… (Mark: 9v43
Our hands are used to work all manner of work. Thus, our hand here is symbolic of “our deeds or works,”i.e. the things you do or cause to happen. And I realized through the pages of the scriptures that all the things we do here on earth has eternal consequence whether good or bad even our idleness. They go before us to eternity and are waiting for us there before we arrive. Certainly, only the things we are doing for Christ sake will grant us express access into Heaven (Life) and all other works no matter how beaming purchases for you an eternity in Hell fire. However the works that appears to be good works by our human judgments, know that God has His standards and has reserved clear instructions in His word for us on how to labour to please Him. Thus, God’s one and only, final and finished standard is “JESUS CHRIST.” Therefore, whatever be the measure, motive or even impact of your work, whether secular, social or religious, if it’s not in Jesus Christ and by Jesus Christ, then it’s not eternally justified for Heaven’s reward. “Cut it off” is the only remedy. It may cause you poverty, frustration, shame, sickness, disappointment etc, but none of these sufferings can be compared to the torments of hell fire.
THE FOOT THAT MUST BE CUT:
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell…(Mark: 9v45)
Our feet are usually in contact with the earth/ground and often cannot be prevented from carrying dirt. This relates to our conversations with the world. The bible tells us that although we are in the world but we are not of the world and 1John 2:15-16 says;
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Here I see the LORD pointing us to our “vile affections” (the love of the world) which often capture our whole heart and make us lose sight of the weight of eternal glory and make us exert all our energies and ambitiously pursue them with endless passions. Actually, the beauty, glories of the world are very enticing and attempting to share affections for them usually result in strongholds/strong ties (heart resistance to change) between you and them.
Also, 2Cor: 6v14-18(TLB) says;
“Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.”
Again I see the Lord speaking here strongly about our “affiliations.”i.e., our associations, friendships, connections, and even sources/channels of livelihood, that they all bear eternal influence.
Actually, there are two categories of people existing on the surface of the earth; those that are in Christ and those who do not love the Lord. Partnership or any form of intimacy between the two whether for business, marriage, secret orders, friendship etc, usually breeds corruption and pollutes the Christian’s relationship with Christ.
Thus far, you can see with me that the word of God is quite stern about how we relate with things and the people of the world, hence Christ unreserved injunction; “if thy foot causes you to offend God, cut it off” I perceive it is because of the eternal weight it bears in regards to our eternal destiny; give it your unreserved attention. Note however that, the Christian’s relationship with those who are not in Christ should center on what is necessary and appropriate for the social and economic wellbeing of the society, and to show people the way to spiritual salvation and a personal relationship with Christ. But the Christian’s closest and deepest relationship should be with a fellow believer whom they can relate on a spiritual level.
THE EYE THAT MUST BE PLUCKED
If thine eye offends 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:…Mark: 9v46
The eyes of our body is what we use to see things, and how clear you are able to see any object determines how you interpret it and the identity you will give it. For instance, there was a blind man that was brought to Jesus in Mark 8:22-25 to cure, and after Jesus had laid His hand on the man the first time, the man said; “I see men like trees walking.” After that, Jesus laid His hand again upon his eyes and made him look up: then he was restored and saw every man clearly.
Now, imagine giving a sawing engine or a sharp cutlass to that man to go saw or cut wood at the time he was seeing men like trees walking, what do you think would have been the outcome? This tells us that our views and understanding of life and it situations has eternal impact, hence it’s usually the cause behind the actions and reactions we usually put up in life.
Thus on this premise Jesus said;
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luke: 1v:34-35
I’m realizing from this scripture that the eye is actually a person’s gateway to light and images both in physical and spiritual. That is, what we see with our physical eyes can provoke ungodly images and ideas that will cloud and corrupt our minds spiritually and keep us from following God and His plans.
No wonder Christ in His sermon on the mount said;
But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matt: 5v28
And Job responding to this said in Job: 31v1Msg;
I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.
Beloved, do not think you’ve preserved your virtue by simply staying out of evil actions, the corruption of your heart is very devastating before God hence He focuses on our hearts.
… “Therefore when thine eye is single” thine whole body also is full of light….
The singleness of your eye here I perceive is referring to the singleness of your desires and motives which should be on God and His purpose. But you may think, how possible can that be? Our brother Paul said;
… For I determine not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And Hebrew said; “we don’t see everything under human jurisdiction, but we see JESUS”…
Therefore, any labours, associations, affections and even visions and judgment in you that are not clearly Christ centered is a threat to your eternal destiny and the only remedy is; “cut it off.” Maranatha.
