God’s bookkeeping

There is one thing we will all face — the final Judgment.  It is the Great Day that will determine each person’s eternal destiny.  Jesus, the Judge, will know exactly what each person did while he/she was alive on earth.  It is not only because He is part of the Almighty, All-knowing, Ever-present Godhead, but God has a bookkeeping system.  

Moses mentions it for the first time.  When God was very angry with the Israelites who sinned with the golden calf, he pleaded on their behalf and said, 

‘But now, please forgive their sin — but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’  Exodus 32:32

In another place we read about the records,   

‘Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His Name.’  Malachi 3:16

Daniel also mentions the books, 

‘The court was seated, and the books were opened.’  Daniel 7:10d

God’s records will be perfect.  If His records of our deeds are not 100% true there can be no judgment.  Jesus will judge, because God’s bookkeeping will be perfect.  That event will be terrifying and solemn, 

‘Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them.’  Revelation 20:11b

Conclusion 

Judgment will at last be fair.  We can be sure that Jesus will not give preferential treatment to anyone. 

Why fear hell?

There are people who claim that God will not throw anybody in hell because He is a loving God.  (See ‘Did God plan hell for people’)  The fact is that this wonderful loving God made provision for an escape route from hell.  

We have a clear example in the life of Noah.  

• God told him to build the ark, since His plan was to flood the whole earth and destroy all ungodly people.  Noah and his sons took about 70 years to finish the ark.  
• It is impossible that people did not enquire why Noah built the ark.  He was probably the butt of many jokes: the old man builds a boat in the middle of nowhere because God will flood the whole earth with water.  Ha-ha!  
• Nobody believed him and asked to join him in the ark and be saved.  So when the flood came everyone except Noah and his family perished.  People had ample time to heed his warnings because 2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah a ‘preacher of righteousness.’   

Jesus is the Redeemer, the Ark of Salvation, 

‘But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.’  Ephesians 2:4-5

So true, so wonderful — by grace Jesus saves from eternal hell.  It is free for all who believe it and will call on the Lord.   Nobody is excluded.

Conclusion 

God did what He could to save sinners.  Yet there will be those who will spend eternity in hell.  

• It is not because of a lack of God’s love.
• It is because they deliberately rejected God’s grace and mercy in Jesus.  

Did God plan hell for people?

The 66 books of Scripture is the only revelation we have about an invisible, eternal, powerful God.  Some people, however, do not agree with the Bible on various aspects.  One is about hell.  The Bible reveals that God prepared hell for the devil and his rebellious angels (Matthew 25:41).  In addition those people who refuse God’s gracious invitation to become part of the Bride of Christ, will join the devil in hell for eternity.  

‘If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:15   

Bible opponents say a loving God will never throw anybody in hell.  Hell will be empty.  

If we think logically, why would we need the Bible if there is no hell and no consequences for what you did while you lived on earth?  If people can live as they like, what does it matter?  Why then take note of the following? 

‘…live a life worthy of the Lord.’ Colossians 1:10

God also tells us in Scripture about Judgment, 

‘…each person was judged according to what he [or she] had done.’  Revelation 20:13b

If there is no hell, no Judgment Day, no accountability of one’s lifestyle, you may enjoy life to the full, do whatever whenever and there are no consequences.  That is what it basically means if there is no hell.  

Then there is no need for the Bible.  The problem is we still have the Bible, churches, seminaries.  If there is no hell, the Bible would long ago have disappeared.  The fact that the Bible has survived ages of persecution, burning, banning, bashing, tells us it is the very special true Word of God.  And yes, there is a hell.  Yet we can escape it through Jesus.  That is another reason not to oppose God’s True Word.    

Conclusion 

The Bible makes no sense if there is no hell.