Bible Study Seattle

Most people have the wrong idea of judgment.  They think God or Jesus will condemn them.  Actually, the only one that can condemn us is overselves! 

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:19

Obviously, the Israelites couldn’t really choose life (eternal) at that time, but this is a prophecy that will be possible in the Millennium.  Only they can choose life (eternal), or death (eternal), the second death.  This wrong sense of judgment is why many don’t like the church – how hypocritical it is to hold people accountable without full knowledge.  Many assume that everything must be wrapped up in this first life.  They are denying the resurrection yet don’t realize it. 

We must choose life or death eternal, but the choice of heaven is not so easy.  What is easy in the second life is not easy in the first.  “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”  Matthew 7:13-14

Contrast this difficulty with that in second life:  “And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not pass over it,
    and fools shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there,
    nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
    but the redeemed shall walk there.”  Isaiah 35:8-9