Thursday, February 24, 2011

Are you known in Hell?


As Christians we are known in Heaven. Not only did the angels rejoice (Luke 15:7) when we came to repentance and faith in Jesus, but our names were also recorded in the book of life as a result. Revelation 21:27 tells us that "nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life." It's a wonderful feeling to know that our names are in that book. So with all this talk of Heaven, lets get to why this article has the title that it does. Are you known in Hell? Sure it's a strange thing to think about. But as believers we should think about it. Do the demons have to bother with you? If we aren't reading the bible, if we aren't in prayer, if we don't share our faith then the already short handed crew of Satan's minions don't have to be wasted on us. He can send them out to trouble people who are making a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven and who are throwing a wrench in his worldly operations. Satan can't be everywhere. It is great for him when he doesn't have to waste his demon's time with lukewarm believers. Look at Acts 19. A group of men, sons of a Jewish high priest, were trying to exorcise demons from the people. They attempted to do this by invoking the names of Jesus and Paul. The demons replied, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" Of course the demons knew Jesus. He had already defeated them at the cross of Calvary, and they tremble. Paul they also knew because he was deep in the battle for the Lord with evangelism and writing 2/3 of the New Testament. Not to mention the fact that Satan had already lost his grip on Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). How would you have fared? If you were the one performing the exorcism would the demons know you? Are you making a big enough difference for Jesus for them to even take a look? It's really amazing that our names can be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The fact that all of us have either lied, stolen, lusted, hated, or blasphemed and yet we can still be forgiven by God's grace. There was nothing we could do(Ephesians 2:8-10). Our best offerings were as filthy rags(Isaiah 64:6). But God took on flesh in the form of Jesus. Fully God, fully man, born of a virgin as prophesied (Isaiah 7:14). He died on the cross for those sins. He rose again three days later defeating death so that if we repent(turn from sin) and trust in Him we can have eternal life. Truly, truly amazing that because of God's own sacrifice we can be known in Heaven. What's more amazing is that we, as believers, aren't known in Hell because we don't do enough for the Kingdom of God to even get noticed by the lowliest of demons. It's very apparent that we are living in the last days and even if we aren't, it won't be as long now as it has been. There's no better time to make sure that we have oil in our lamps and be ready for Christ's return. Paul said in Philippians that, "if I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me." Be fruitful. Labor for the Lord this day. Your name is known in Heaven. Be like Jesus and Paul. Make your name known in Hell.

Revelation 3:5 (English Standard Version)

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

3 comments:

  1. Perfect, ever notice how these three subjects seem to be the last people want to discuss or maybe even recognize (satan and demons, Revelation and sharing your faith). Beautiful just beautiful and scripture to go with it.

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  2. Powerful message. Thanks for making me think again Virg.

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  3. Well written again Virg. This was something I heard a long time ago, that if you're not being attacked and harassed by the enemy, you need to examine yourself and see if you're living a life the demons don't need to bother with. Great reminder and something I reflect on often.

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