Tragic Ending or New Beginning

Mark Finley: At times this life seems unfair, but God is always fair. And in that judgment, in that thousand-year period, he will explain to us how he guided us, directed us, encouraged us during those very difficult times of our lives.
Guest (Male): This is Hope Lives 365 with Pastor Mark Finley. Today's message, tragic ending or new beginning? Enjoy and remember you can always catch up with past messages and stay up to date with Hope Lives 365 and Pastor Mark by going to hopelives365.com and stay with us for a free Bible study offer later in this program. And now, Pastor Mark Finley.
Mark Finley: Come with me to the arid lands around the southern end of the Dead Sea. It was here, working from 1965 to 1979, that the archaeologists uncovered the ruins of five ancient cities. Many people believe that these cities may have been the five cities of the plain mentioned in the book of Genesis in chapters 13 verse 12 and chapters 19 verse 25 and 29. Among them, can you believe it, were Sodom and Gomorrah. One of the most surprising finds of this research were the immense burial sites connected with these cities. The archaeologists calculate that they may have held as many as 1.5 million bodies. This makes it clear that the cities of the plain were not little villages. They were prosperous centers of art and commerce that lasted for thousands of years. But the story we read about them in the Bible is not pretty. They came to be filled with corruption and violence, robbery, rape, and gang activity were common. Even centuries after their destruction, the cities of the plain were still remembered mostly because of their great wickedness. Finally, after one more night of rioting and debauchery, fire came down from God out of heaven and destroyed them according to Genesis 19 verse 24. It seems hard to imagine, but the record also tells us that there was one righteous man living in Sodom in the midst of all that wickedness. His name was Lot, a nephew of the great patriarch at Abraham. Lot lived in Sodom, but he did not accept or approve the conduct of the people there. He did not cave in to the culture or accept their way of thinking. The Bible says the wickedness of the city, in 2 Peter chapter 2 verse 8, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds. Lot was saddened by the behavior of the Sodomites. More than that, he was tormented about it, but he stayed. He enjoyed the convenience and glamour of the city life so much that he was willing to expose himself and his family to the terrible danger and the evil influences that surrounded them on all sides. The judgments of God hung over the city like dark clouds ready to burst forth in a terrible storm. Before the judgments fell, God in his great mercy sent two angel messengers to urge Lot and his family in the plainest language to leave Sodom immediately. What's the most amazing It's really nearly incredible is that in spite of this warning that came directly from heaven, still they lingered. They continued to hold back and delay until the angel messengers literally took them by the hand and pulled them away and said, Escape for your life, said the angels. Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains lest you be destroyed. You can read about that in Genesis 19 verse 17. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John saw a powerful angel come down to earth with a similar message for us today. Once again, a great city called Babylon has been filled with violence and corruption. And again, the angel's warning resounds. This time the city is not called Sodom, it's called Babylon, a name that stands for religious confusion, spiritual Babylon with a man as its leader, spiritual Babylon that is filled with human tradition, spiritual Babylon that has idols for objects of worship, that believes in the idea of the immortal soul that can leave the body at death, that promotes Sunday worship, the worship of the sun god by bringing Sunday into the Christian church rather than the true Bible Sabbath. The prophecy about Babylon refers to religious apostasy, moral corruption, a departure from the plain teachings of scripture. It is specifically referring to religious organizations whose teachings have drifted from the word of God. And the Bible says in Revelation 18 verse 2 to 5, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, cries the angel. Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins and receive of her plagues. Many people today have a similar attitude. They do not agree with what's happening in their church. They recognize there's been a departure from the Bible teaches, but they're too comfortable to make a change. They've carved out a little comfort zone for themselves and choose to remain where they are, although they sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit to make a change. They're troubled and perplexed. Coming out of Babylon requires us to take a stand, a stand from the crowd, a stand to be different, and not everyone is willing to do that. Responding to the call of God is incredibly important. When we hear his voice appealing to our hearts, when we sense the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit gently moving upon our minds, and for the sake of convenience or the fear of change we hesitate unwilling to respond, we place ourselves in a very dangerous position spiritually. This is not a game, my friend. Eternal life is at stake. So remember, Sodom and Gomorrah were turned to what? Ashes. And they were given to us as an example who would live ungodly. The account in Genesis says that the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven. Genesis 19 verse 20. The prophecy in the book of Revelation uses precisely the same words in describing the final punishment of the wicked. It says in Revelation 20 verse 9, fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. So the fires of hell are not some hot spot in the center of the earth. When people die, they go burn eternally. One day the universe will be clean again. God will put an end to sin and sinners. Those who reject his love and despise his mercy will be destroyed. The Bible is very clear. A loving god will not torment sinners forever in hell. The fires of hell are not a hot spot in the center of the earth burning eternally. The psalmist David describes the destruction of the wicked this way, but the wicked shall get this perish and the enemies of the Lord like splendor of the meadow shall vanish into smoke. They shall vanish away. Psalm 37 verse 20. The prophet Malachi echoes David's words. He says in Malachi chapter 4 verse 1 and 2, For behold, the day is coming. Note, it's not here yet. It is not some hot spot in the center of the earth. The day is what? Coming, burning like an oven. And all the proud, yes, and all that do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts. That will leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi again, chapter 4 verse 1 and 2. You can look it up in your own Bible. And as the prophet continues, he leaves no doubt on their ultimate fate. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 4 verse 3. Their lives will end, but God will not torture and torment them through all eternity. They've rejected the claims of Christ. They've turned their backs on his grace. They would not accept the salvation he so freely offered. Their own choices and actions have made them unfit for the companionship of heaven. Our loving Lord wanted to save them, but he would not violate their power of choice. They have withdrawn from his presence and the result is eternal death. Eternal life is found in Christ. John 3 verse 16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life, everlasting life. To be without Christ is to be without life. To be without Christ is to perish. God has done everything he could to save them. In Christ, salvation was theirs, but they refused to accept it. If God allowed the unrighteous to live eternally, the whole universe would be in jeopardy of rebelling against his eternal purposes and plans again. He would see We would see the great controversy repeated in sin and death once again reigning in the universe. God does the only thing a merciful, just, loving God could do. He honors their choices, and they shall be as though they had never been. You know, Obadiah verse 16, Obadiah is only one chapter in the Bible. It says, They shall be as though they had never been. They suffer everlasting punishment according to Matthew 25 verse 26, not everlasting punishing. Everlasting punishing would be a punishment that lasted forever. Can you imagine a loving God tormenting people forever and ever and ever? Everlasting punishment is one punishment that never has to be repeated. It's not that the punishment lasts forever, it is that its effects last forever. Fire comes down from heaven according to Revelation 20 verse 9 and devours them. Eternal life is at stake, my friends. Every human being who's ever lived will either be eternally saved or eternally lost. They will either ultimately live in heaven with Christ or be consumed in the final lake of fire. When Jesus comes, there is no second chance. Why should there be? Every day we live, our loving Lord gives us a chance to accept his gracious offer of salvation. We do not need a second chance because he's already given us tens of thousands of chances in this life. The way we we respond to the promptings of the spirit, in the gracious opportunities he gives us, in the eternal salvation that he's already secured for us on Calvary's cross, that will determine our eternal destiny. The second coming of Christ is part of a chain of events that eventually culminates in a new heaven and a new earth. Let's walk through those events as they they're described in the Bible. Jesus will come back again in the clouds of heaven. The Bible says, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God. 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 17. The second coming of Christ is not going to take place quietly some corner of the universe. Everyone, absolutely everyone will know about it. The earth will tremble and shake. The heavens will be lit up with the glory of God.
Guest (Male): We'll be right back with Pastor Mark Finley. We thank you for listening and hope you're enjoying today's message. Our mission is to attractively present the Christ-centered biblical truths of scripture in a practical, relevant way to people around the world so that they may experience the abundant life that Christ offers. If you want to learn more about the Bible, check out our free Bible series at globalbibleschool.org. That's globalbibleschool.org. Discover answers to your deepest questions straight from God's word. And now, back to Pastor Mark Finley.
Mark Finley: Every eye will see him when he comes. Revelation 1 7. The eyes of the blind will be open. They'll see it. The ears of the deaf will be unstopped. They'll hear the event. Isaiah 35 verse 5. The dead in Christ will rise. The righteous dead will come out of their graves not with some the same corrupt mortal bodies we have now, but with glorious immortal bodies. For this corruptible must put on incorruption. This mortal put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 53 and 54. Then we who are alive will be caught up together with them. That is those who die will be caught up together with the righteous who now are resurrected to meet him in the air according to the apostle Paul. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be raised incorruptible. Can you imagine the shouting? Think of the glad reunions when families are reunited. Husbands and wives, parents and children long separated by death embrace one another. The resurrection will bring incredible joy. But some will be thinking, What if I'm saved? My husband's lost. Will I be alone in eternity? Or or another person? After my mother died, my father married again, may be thinking, Who will his wife be in heaven? Someone asked Jesus about this, and he said, Those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven. Mark 12 verse 25. There's an element of mystery here. We need not worry about it. Jesus has it all figured out. We do not know exactly what it means to be like the angels. What we know for sure is that we can trust Jesus. There'll be a new order of things and everything will be better. Our hearts will be filled with love. We will have fellowship in heaven that will fill that love need in our hearts. We also know for sure that heaven will be a place of of joy and happiness that love will fill every heart and that all our love needs will be met. Here's the promise. Revela- Revelation 20 verse 4. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There'll be no more death nor sorrow nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away. We must cling to that promise while we wait, trusting God to make everything right. And we'll always be with the Lord. This is the best, happiest point of all. Can you think of anything better than that? Our life is but a brief moment. We all face death, and the longer we live, the more we become aware of this. But the God of heaven will set up a kingdom according to Daniel 2 verse 44 that will never be destroyed. Satan will be bound for a thousand years. In the book of Revelation, John shows us the second coming of Christ in and it's a in a symbol of a victorious general. He's riding a white horse. He leads the armies of heaven in Revelation 19. But then as he comes, as he comes, Satan is indeed bound. What happens at the second coming of Christ to those who are alive and they are unloved? They are what the Bible calls the wicked. According to the Bible in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 7 to 9, they're destroyed with the brightness of Christ coming. So the devil is bound on earth for a thousand years. There's nobody that remains on earth just Satan and his evil angels. According to Jeremiah chapter 4 verse 23 to 29, there's no man. God's people at this time are in heaven. They are occupied with the work of judgment. Revelation 20 verse 4 says, I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. In 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 2 and 3 it says, Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? Do you not know that we'll judge angels? At times this life seems unfair, but God is always fair. And in that judgment, in that thousand-year period, he will explain to us how he guided us, directed us, encouraged us during the very difficult times of our lives. We'll understand too why some people are saved and once the people are lost during that period of time. That we may have a father, mother, son, daughter, somebody that's lost. We don't understand it. And God will explain that to us of why he couldn't bring them into heaven because they would rebuild again. At the end of the thousand years, the Bible says, The rest of the dead, that's the unsaved. The unsaved, it says, they did not live again till the thousand years were finished. Revelation 20 verse 5. That it in Christ were raised to life at the beginning of the thousand years. And together with the living saints, they were taken to heaven. The rest of the dead mentioned in this verse are the unsaved. They'll be brought back to life at the end of the thousand years. Jesus spoke of of two resurrections, the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation. The resurrection of life is the one that takes place at the beginning of the thousand years when the dead in Christ rise first. The Bible calls this the first resurrection. And it says in Revelation 20 verse 5, Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second resurrection takes place at the end of the thousand years. It's the one Jesus called the resurrection of condemnation. At that point, the holy city descends with God's people. This is the end of the thousand years. Revelation 21 2 verse 2 and 3 says, Then I, John, saw the holy city New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. He will dwell with them. They shall be his people. Satan makes one last, one final attempt to overtake that city by the act of Satan's followers being raised to life. He's released from prison, and he goes out to deceive the nations. They're in the four corners of the earth according to Revelation chapter 20 verse 7 and 8. On his side are millions and millions. And he says to them, We can still win. We can take over. Let's go. And the Bible says, They went up on the breadth of the earth, surrounded the camp of the saints, the beloved city. Verse 10. Contin- Verse 9 rather of Revelation 20 says, And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. This is the fire prepared for the devil and the evil angels. Matthew 26 verse 41. This is the fire that will cleanse the earth. Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up, the Bible says in 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 1. And what happens? God will make all things new. In Revelation 21 verse 5, John writes, I saw John saw it a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away. This is an echo of the prophecy given through the prophet Isaiah. For behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth. The former shall not be remembered nor come to mind. Isaiah 65 verse 17. And the prophecy of Daniel, And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people. It shall stand forever. Daniel 2 verse 44. Sickness and suffering and death are no more. War and worry are gone. Violence and greed are a thing of the past. The entire universe will be a symphony of praise. All created things declare, Just and true are your ways, oh king of the saints. Revelation 15 verse 3. One pulse of harmony and gladness will beat through the vast creation and all things animate and inanimate will declare that God is love. When Jesus comes back, there will only be two groups. A lot of people today try to straddle the fence. They are somewhat attracted to the things of God, but they're not willing to let go of their favorite sins. They appear as good and respectable, but they're living self-centered lives. They're holding back from making a full surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a fatal mistake. To be saved is to be totally and completely committed to Christ. To be almost saved is to be 100% totally and commit completely lost. Millions of are deceiving themselves thinking that at some future date they can turn back and be saved. Of Among the vast multitudes of the lost, there'll be many who knew and believed the truth. The Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts, but like King Agrippa in the Bible, they were almost persuaded, but they still hesitated and held back. During When Jesus comes the second time, there're only two classes, the saved and the lost. Those who are resurrected and receive immortal bodies and are caught up to meet Christ in the air with their loved ones who've been living and have been transformed and receive immortal bodies at the coming of Christ. There's that class, the saved. Then there are the lost, those who've died in ages past that remain in their graves and those who are destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming. At the second coming of Christ, there are only two classes. Which class, my friend, will you be in? During the thousand years, there're only two classes. Those who are in heaven with Jesus rejoicing with him, those who sit on thrones with him as sons and daughters of God, the royal family of God, and those who've been destroyed by Christ's coming, bodies strewn the earth and those that are dead in their graves. Only two classes. At the second come at when the when the holy city descends at the end of the millennium, when the holy city comes down, the righteous are in that city with the angels.
Guest (Male): You've been listening to Pastor Mark Finley. We hope you enjoyed today's message and that it increased your faith in God and his word. If you'd like to learn more, Pastor Mark invites you to visit globalbibleschool.org for an inspiring, interactive Bible study experience. That's globalbibleschool.org. And now, a final thought from Pastor Mark.
Mark Finley: At when the when the holy city descends at the end of the millennium, when the holy city comes down, the righteous are in that city with the angels, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the wicked who now are resurrected in the second resurrection with Satan as their leader rush up to take the city. Only two classes. And then they are destroyed. Fire comes down from God out of heaven and destroys them. And as it does, God recreates this earth in Edenic splendor. And once again, the earth is carpeted with living green. Once again, fruit trees give forth the amazing fruits. Once again, flowers bloom, birds sing, streams flow through the earth with their and as as the earth is watered and refreshed with their beauty. Once again, peace and joy and love walk together through the land. Once again, joy fills our hearts. Once again, there's no emptiness in the soul. Once again, there's no sickness or suffering or heartache or death. Right now, at this very moment, as you're listening to my words, will you make a full surrender to Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit is pleading with you to do so. There's never a better time than now. There's never a better place than where you are. You can come to Jesus with all your sins, all your weakness, all your guilt. His arms are wide open for you. He'll forgive you and strengthen you and change you. Will you come to him right now? Will you make a decision to follow his truth if you're already a committed Christian? Will you rededicate your life to him? He's waiting with arms wide open to receive you.