A Beach Chair In Glory
Most of the time when I write bulletin articles, I want them to reflect a positive beginning to our Sunday mornings. We are not strangers to the devil’s tricks as he often tempts us to stay away from church with faux illnesses, or short of keeping us home, will do everything he can to ruin our mood and the joy of worshipping Christ with other believers. If you experience the hardships of getting mentally and spiritually prepared for Sunday mornings, you hardly enjoy reading unpleasant subjects.
With this much said, the theme that draws my attention today is Hell. For the past several weeks, perched on a table next to my desk, has been W.G.T Shedd’s book, The Doctrine of Endless Punishment. Since I cannot say very much in a short article, I commend this book to your reading for your further education. This topic piqued my interest because of a visit a few nights ago by three Mormons who came knocking on my door. I opened the door and at once recognized who they were. Without hesitation, I laid into them, and I confess I am not nice or in any way appreciative of their zeal in helping to send people to this awful place called Hell. Although Mormons believe in Hell, they are not at all versed in their part in sending people there or the hopelessness of this awful place. Mormons believe that nearly everyone will have a second chance to believe and will eventually escape their sentence to its torments.
With this thought in mind, neither they nor I said anything except their “hello” and my opening comment: “I see you are Mormons. You are liars and you are going to hell.” I segued from hell to express my disgust at their foolish assertion that one day they will live on their own planet. The youngest of the three said, “What? That is crazy!” To which I replied, “It sure is!” Our conversation ended at this point because neither of us were in the mood for a brawl on the front porch. I passionately believe in the apostle John’s advice, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed…” I gladly shooed them away from the door and warned them to be careful out there in the dark. You never know if there is another Baptist out there angrier with false prophets than me.
I mentioned that Mormons believe those who die and go to hell will have a second chance to escape what God says is an eternal lake of fire. I failed to mention I told them they did not believe in the Jesus of the Bible since much of what we know of the eternal nature of hell comes from the loving, compassionate, eternal Son of God. Since thoughts of Hell are so unpleasant, it is difficult for the cultists to accept that Jesus’ teachings on Hell amount to anything other than sullying His reputation. For this reason, they believe they must vindicate God’s cruelty by softening the blow of Hell’s consequences. Unfortunately, Mormons are not the only confused heretics in a nice building near you. Others whom some believe are orthodox Christians believe annihilation is the final sentence of Hell.
Shedd’s book helps set the record straight on the factual judgment of Hell. He does not deviate from the explicit biblical teachings of the curator’s manuscripts of punishment. The strongest support pillar for the doctrine of Hell is the Christ whose eyes penetrate the soul as a flame of fire. We must be careful how lenient we are with these charlatans. Their doctrine makes repentance and faith unnecessary. The only difference between the hardest working self-righteous law keepers and the worst immoral reprobates is not sorrow for rejecting Christ but a little less beach time on their personal planet.
Pastor V. Mark Smith