The bible tells us that after death comes the judgement.

Revelation 20:11-15 KJV  (11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

No one will escape this judgment.

All will be there, small and great.

The ultimate deciding factor of who goes into the lake of fire is the "book of life". The ultimate deciding factor is how a person stands with Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:16-20 KJV  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  (20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luke 16:19-31 KJV  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  (20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  (21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  (22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  (23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  (24)  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  (25)  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  (26)  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  (27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  (28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  (29)  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  (30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  (31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

When a person dies, their spirit is separated from their body. The body goes into the grave, but the spirit will depart and go to another location.

Before the resurrection of Jesus, when a person died, their spirit went into a place in the center of the earth known as "Sheol" or, "  Hades".

Sheol is a Hebrew word, meaning sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit. In the King James, the word is translated either "grave" (31 times), "hell" (31 times), or "pit" (3 times).

David talked about this –
Psalm 16:10 KJV For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

In Sheol, there were two "compartments", a place for the righteous and a place for the unrighteous.
The place for the righteous is referred to as "paradise" or "Abraham's bosom".

Jesus said to the thief on the cross,
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It was a place of comfort.
The place for the unrighteous is called "hell" or "Gehenna".

It was a place of torment.
When Jesus rose from the dead, we believe a change of destinations took place for the dead.
We believe that Jesus took all those in "paradise" with Him to heaven.

Eph 4:8-9 KJV Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

All those who have trusted in Jesus and have died since the time of the resurrection will go immediately into heaven, to be in God's presence.

Paul wrote about what he expected to happen when he died –

Phil 1:19-24 KJV For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, {20} According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. {21} For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {22} But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. {23} For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: {24} Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

He also said that to be "absent from the body" meant that a person was "present with the Lord".

2 Cor 5:8 KJV We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
While a change took place for the "righteous", the unrighteous still go to the same place, hell.

There, they are waiting for the day when they will be brought back to life and stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment, and sent forever into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20).

The Bible says,
Heb 9:27 KJV And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Once you are dead it is to late to come to the Lord.

Hell is not a pleasant place to be. It is not a big party.

Do you know it? Have you experienced it either giving or receiving? Tell us about what you think it is ... how you obtain or achieve it! Do believe it is possible?  Discuss it ~ won't you?

Have I experienced it? Yes, I have. It is the love Jesus has for me. He loved me so much that He died so that I could be saved.

John 3:16-18 KJV  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

There are several Greek words that are used at various times to express our one English word, "love".

There is a word that means physical, sexual love (eroV).
There is another word that is used for family love, as between parents and kids (sturgh).
There is another word used for affection, friendship, an emotional feeling between two people (jilew).

None of these words are used here.

The Greek word used here is agapaw, the verb form of the word agaph. It means a kind of love that rather than being centered in the hormones (eros), or being centered in the emotions (phileo), it's centered in the will. It is the choice that a person makes, out of their own free will, to place value on another person. It is an unconditional kind of love in the sense that it depends not on the object to meet certain requirements, but on the lover, who chooses to love.

Agaph is an unconditional choice.

This is the same kind of love a husband is to have toward his wife:

Ephesians 5:25 KJV  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

The kind of love a husband is commanded to have, is a love based on a personal commitment.It's a love that is based upon a husband's choice to love his wife, not because she can still fit into a certain dress size, or her abilities in the kitchen, but simply because he has chosen to love her. "I choose to love you because I choose to love you"

It's a love that you don't "fall out" of. It will only stop when the lover chooses to stop. This may all sound a bit too hard.

"Gosh, I don't think I should waste my time with learning how to love like that"

Yet agaph is what gives your life meaning, weight, and solidity.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 KJV  (1)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  (2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  (3)  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

When you're having a hard time knowing how to love someone, just come back here to old John 3:16. The best lover of all is God. God's love is not just for nice people.
It's not just for people who are going to respond by saying "I'll follow Jesus". But God loves the entire world, dirty rotten sinners included.

Romans 5:8 KJV  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God loves the unlovable. So should we. Jesus said that we were to learn to have that kind of love as well.

Matthew 5:43-48 KJV  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  (44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  (45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  (46)  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  (47)  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  (48)  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

When you are learning to love the unloveable, you're proving that God is your Father.

The Greek word (didwmi) means "to give". The grammatical construction in the Greek is such that it is meant to convey that the practical result of God's love was that He gave. Brilliant, huh?

The natural, expected, obvious result of God having agaph love for the world was that He gave His Son. Because God had agaph love, He HAD to give His Son.

Here's one of the primary qualities of agaph love. Agaph is not characterized by gushy feelings that can change with the kind of pizza you order for dinner. It is not qualified by what it gets in return. It is simply characterized by giving. Agaph HAS to give.

Why did God have to give His only begotten Son?

Because He saw the problem of our sin. He saw that we needed a permanent solution to the problem of our sin. Anything that doesn't meet up to the standards it was created for, is called sin. And none of us meet the standards we're intended for.

Romans 6:23 KJV  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The price of taking care of your sins is death.

One human death.
One human separated from God forever in spiritual death.

Because God knew that it would be too much for us to pay for our sins, God decided to pay for them Himself, by sending His own Son to die in our place. Since Jesus Himself was God, when He gave up His life to pay for our sins, He didn't just lay down the price of an ordinary human, but the eternal, immortal life of God Himself. He paid enough for all of our sins.

Hebrews 10:14 KJV  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This is why God gave us His Son.

The focus of agaph is always on the needs of the other person, and how to meet them. It's not giving just for the sake of giving. It's not like the father who has been away on too many business trips, and is always giving toys to his kids so he won't feel so guilty.

Agaph gives to others what they really, really need.

Philippians 2:3-4 KJV  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

God realized that our greatest need was for our sin to be taken care of, once and for all.And so He gave ...

Husbands, what is it that your wife really needs?

Wives, what is it that your husband really needs?

Parents, what is it that your kids really need?

The truth is ...

Every single human being will live forever. Some will live forever with Jesus in heaven. Some will live forever apart from Jesus.

What's hell like?

There's a common idea that hell is where you're going to party forever with your friends. Actor Hugh Pryor just before he shot himself in Las Vegas. The note read, "Tell my friends I'll meet them in hell."

Others just think it's a joke. Ted Turner, told the folks at a Baptist church luncheon "I'm looking forward to dying and going to hell because that's where I'm headed." If he only knew what it was like. -- Associated Press 6-14-90

On a church sign outside Atlanta: The name of the church, the name of the minister and, under that, the title of the sermon. The title of the sermon was "Do You Know What Hell Is?" Under that title, in capital letters, it read, "Come hear our organist Sunday morning."

Actually, it's far from a laughing matter.

Jesus gave a good picture of what it's like:

Luke 16:23-24 KJV  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  (24)  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

It is a place of eternal torment.

Isaiah 66:24 KJV  And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

The picture is that of a person's body being consumed by worms, but in a way that never ends. The body will somehow endure and not waste away, but be under constant decomposition.

How can a God of love send someone to hell?

You are right in calling Him a "God of love". The truth is that God has done the one and only thing to keep you from going to hell. He paid the price of your sins by sending His only Son. All you have to do is receive God's payment for you by believing and following after Jesus. The question you should be asking yourself if, "Why would I be so stupid as to refuse God's offer of salvation through Jesus?"

Eternity is a long, long time.

Heaven is not going to be boring either.

Psalms 16:11 KJV  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

We're going to be in a place that's better than you could even begin to imagine.

1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

And best yet, it doesn't just start after we die. It starts now.

Ephesians 3:20 KJV  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

What are you waiting for?

Please turn your life over to Him NOW. Time slips by so quickly, don't miss this opportunity. If you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior, you can say a prayer something like this:

"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You."

If you have prayed this, YOU ARE SAVED! You are now completely forgiven, a new creation, innocent in the eyes of God. Welcome to the family of God!

It is important for you to start to grow in your relationship with Jesus. Just like any relationship, you need to spend time with someone if you want to know them well. The way to know God is through the Bible.

You can start to study the Bible by going through the New Believers Booklet.

I don't use a dishwasher

Now it all looks and sounds good, doesn't it? It seems like Johanan is doing the right thing, a good leader, but there is something he says that should tip us off that not all is well. You see, he asks Jeremiah to pray to "YOUR God not OUR God."

They will follow God as long as God tells them to go the way they want to go.
What they should really be saying is, "Jeremiah, we have a plan to go to Egypt.  Ask God to bless that plan because that's what we're going to do"
But instead they ask the prayer request in a way that makes it sound as if they actually want to do whatever God says.

Sometimes our prayer requests are really all about what "we" want.
James 4:1-3 NKJV  Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? {2} You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. {3} You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

We can get to thinking that God is just some great big cosmic "genie" who grants wishes, if He can.
But He's not just some big "genie" who does whatever "we" want.  He is the Lord.
What does the word "Lord" mean?

It means that you will do whatever He says.

Luke 6:46 NKJV  "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?

That's the most amazing thing about God.  He is the Lord of the Universe, and yet He gives us the freewill to say "no" to Him.

What He's looking for is people who will say "yes".

Jeremiah 42:4 KJV  Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.

Jeremiah says ok. I will pray to God and will tell you what He says.

Jeremiah 42:5-6 KJV  Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.  (6)  Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

They say they will obey God. They know Jeremiah is a prophet. He has been 100% accurate. They promise to do what God says.

Jeremiah 42:7 KJV  And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.

10 days ---- those were 10 long days I am sure.

Waiting for God's answer
It doesn't always come as quickly as e-mail.

When Saul became king of Israel, he was given some guidelines on what to do when he needed God's direction.

1 Samuel 10:8 NKJV  "You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do."

The idea was that Saul would go to Gilgal, wait for seven days, and when Samuel showed up, he would perform the sacrifices and give a word from God to Saul.

Later on, Saul encountered a problem with the Philistines.  There was a growing threat and the Philistines looked like they were going to attack Israel.  So Saul decided it was time to take action – but first to go through that "waiting" thing.

1 Samuel 13:9 KJV  And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

Saul waited the seven days, but that's all he waited for.  He was also supposed to wait for Samuel.

Performing a sacrifice like this was not Saul's job – that was Samuel's job.

1 Samuel 13: 10-11 KJV And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. {11} And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

The circumstances looked bad.  Saul didn't think he could wait any longer.

1 Samuel 13:12-14 KJV Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. {13} And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. {14} But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

A "man after his own heart" is a man who will wait for God.

God is looking for people who will wait for Him.

Waiting doesn't just involve putting in "time".  It means waiting for God's reply as well.

Jeremiah 42:8-17 KJV  Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest,  (9)  And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your supplication before him;  (10)  If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.  (11)  Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.  (12)  And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.  (13)  But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,  (14)  Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:  (15)  And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;  (16)  Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.  (17)  So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

Jeremiah calls Johanan and all the people together and shares with them God's will in this situation. He tells them they are not to go down to Egypt, not to run away, but to remain in the land and God would provide for them.

The choice is theirs. If they remain in the land God will protect them and provide for them. If they go down to Egypt, then they will die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. All the things they feared and tried to escape from by going down to Egypt would come upon them. But it is up to them, they have a choice to make, who they are going to listen to, the voice of God or the voice of man, the voice of their flesh!

Jeremiah 42:18 KJV  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

They still don't want to listen to God's prophet. They promised to do what God says, but they still don't want to listen.

Jeremiah 42:19 KJV  The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.

Go back! Don't go to Egypt!

Jeremiah 42:20 KJV  For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.

He says you were lying when you said you would do what God says.

The church today is no different. We have people that honor God with their lips and their hearts are far from God because they refuse to do what God has said to them. Thus, their words are empty and not acceptable before God.

Jeremiah 42:21-22 KJV  And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.  (22)  Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.

Egypt = Death.

Now we are not going really to get into chapter 43 this post, but I just want to read the first few verses to show you their heart, their response to all Jeremiah said to them. Really, all God instructed them to do. We read beginning in verse 1 of Jeremiah chapter 43, "Now it happened, when Jeremiah had stopped speaking to all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, all these words, that Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, 'You speak falsely! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to dwell there.'" Jeremiah 43:1-2.

Nebuzaradan had all the people of Jerusalem put into chains when they captured the city, including Jeremiah.  The people were then taken to Ramah where they were screened before being taken to Babylon.
Back in 39:12; Nebuchadnezzar had declared that Jeremiah should be freed.  This is the actual process of how that happened.

Jeremiah 40:2 KJV  And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

The pagan's understood his message. The Jews didn't want to listen but the pagan's got it.

Jeremiah 40:3 KJV  Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

What a shame when people who don't know God listen to Him more then the people of God. They wouldn't listen to the Word of the Lord. We need to listen to the Word of God. The Lord is coming back for a chaste bride. The day of redemption draws neigh. Stand up for God.

Jeremiah 40:4 KJV  And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

The Babylonians have heard about Jeremiah and the things he had been saying to the people. Jeremiah is given his choice of what to do.

Jeremiah could go to Babylon and be cared for, or he could remain in Jerusalem. He was free! I believe Jeremiah recognized that God had prophets in Babylon already, Daniel and Ezekiel, and thus, he was going to remain with those that were going to be left in the land so he could minister to them.

Jeremiah 40:5 KJV  Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

He's given some provisions and allowed to leave.

Jeremiah 40:6 KJV  Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

About 4 miles North West of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 40:7-16 KJV  Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;  (8)  Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.  (9)  And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.  (10)  As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.  (11)  Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;  (12)  Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.  (13)  Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,  (14)  And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.  (15)  Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?  (16)  But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.

Johanan was convinced that this assassination plot was going to happen and he wants to go and kill Ishmael before Ishmael kills Gedaliah. But the governor won't allow it, he doesn't believe it is going to happen. For Gedaliah, his unbelief would bring him death!

Perhaps Gedaliah thinks that Johanan was just jealous for some reason.  Perhaps he thought it was just a vicious rumor.  Perhaps he thinks that Johanan has some old long-standing grudge against Ishmael.

There's actually a lot of political intrigue going on in the background here:
Why would the king of Ammon conspire with Ishmael to kill Gedaliah? The answer lies in understanding the relationship between Judah and Ammon. Both nations were vassals to Babylon and had participated in a secret meeting of nations in 593 b.c. to evaluate their prospects of uniting in rebellion against Babylon. That meeting did not produce any definite action; but in 588 b.c. Egypt's new Pharaoh (Hophra) persuaded Judah, Ammon, and Tyre to revolt against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had to decide which nation to attack first, and God directed him to Judah instead of to Ammon. Judah and Ammon were still allies when Jerusalem fell, and Zedekiah was probably heading for Ammon when he was captured. But in spite of their union as allies, Judah and Ammon did not care for each other. Their union was a "marriage of convenience." Ammon rejoiced over Jerusalem's fall because she knew that if Nebuchadnezzar committed his army against Jerusalem he would not be able to attack Ammon. Gedaliah's commitment to Babylon was unsettling to Ammon. If Judah did submit to Babylon, then after Nebuchadnezzar finished his siege of Tyre he would probably attack Ammon next. But a destabilized Judah could force Nebuchadnezzar to commit large numbers of troops there to maintain order, which would improve Ammon's chances for survival. So it was to Ammon's advantage to replace pro-Babylonian Gedaliah with an anti-Babylonian leader like Ishmael.

This all sounds so much like all the political intrigue that happens today between nations.  Nothing is new.

May God give us discernment to pay attention to the warnings we're supposed to and ignore the one's that aren't for us.

Wall breached.

The siege took about 30 months, from Jan. 15, 588, to July 18, 586 B.C.
This is such a hugely traumatic date in the nation's life that it is recorded in three other places as well: 2 Kings 25:1; Jer. 52:4; Ezek. 24:1-2

Jeremiah warned them for 41 years.  It finally happens.

Jesus is coming back

2 Peter 3:1-12 NKJV  Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), {2} that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, {3} knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, {4} and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." {5} For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. {7} But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. {8} But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. {9} The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. {11} Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, {12} looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

People may mock us and say that we've been claiming for years that Jesus would be coming back and yet things go on just like they always have been.

Peter says that this is what people said before the flood of Noah.

I'm sure this is the kind of thing that people thought in Jeremiah's day, "Hey old man, you've been saying that for years …"

And then it happened.

Our part is to be "looking for and hastening" the return of Jesus to the earth.

Each year we see that a few more pieces have fallen into place.  It will happen.

What kind of condition do you want Jesus to find you in when He comes back?

Matthew 24:45-51 NKJV  "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? {46} "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. {47} "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. {48} "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' {49} "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, {50} "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, {51} "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jeremiah 39:3 KJV  And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

Nergal-Sharezer – Nergal Shar'etser = "prince of fire".  This fellow was also known as Neriglissar, son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar; he would be one of the rulers in Babylon from 560-556 B.C.

Jeremiah 39:4-6 KJV  And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.  (5)  But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.  (6)  Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

As king Zedekiah sees all that has happened, he knows he is in trouble, so he exists stage left! He is fleeing for his life. Remember, Jeremiah warned him that if he tired to fight against Babylon, it would only bring about trouble, but if he surrendered to Babylon, his life would be spared. He chose to fight and thus he is terrified of what is going to happen to him.

His sons were killed before his eyes. He had a lot of sons. We aren't talking about 1 or 2. We are talking about a lot of sons.

Jeremiah 39:7 KJV  Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

He dug out Zedekiah's eyes. (ewwww) The last thing he saw was his sons being killed.

Jeremiah 39:8-10 KJV  And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.  (9)  Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.  (10)  But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

The poor people got to stay. They got vineyards and  fields given to them.

Jeremiah 39:11-15 KJV  Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,  (12)  Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.  (13)  So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;  (14)  Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.  (15)  Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

Just before the city was breached God spoke to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 39:16-18 KJV  Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.  (17)  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.  (18)  For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah was told about judgement coming and tried to warn the people.

What are we told about? There is a judgement coming.

2 Timothy 3:1-8 KJV  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

The day is coming. Judgement is coming. Look at the signs.

Luke 12:35 KJV  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

People wore long robes with a belt or rope around the waist.  When you need to get moving, you would gather up the bottom of your robe and tuck it into your belt, this was called "girding the loins", and it speaks about getting ready for action.

Lights burning - oil lamps

Matthew 25:1-13 KJV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  (2)  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  (5)  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  (6)  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  (8)  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  (9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  (10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  (11)  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Luke 12:36 KJV  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Jewish weddings were often at night.
The groom would go to get the bride.
Start in the evening ... come home late at night.

Luke 12:37 KJV  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

watching – gregoreuo – to watch; metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active; to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one

Having found them ready, He rewards them.

Luke 12:38-40 KJV  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.  (39)  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.  (40)  Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Be ready! Pay attention!

What if you were to find out that Jesus is coming in forty-five minutes?  Would you like to be excused to take care of some unfinished business?
If you're not ready for Jesus to return, what needs to happen for you to get ready?

Luke 12:41-43 KJV  Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  (42)  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  (43)  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

What makes a steward wise? He understands what the master wants done. He is faithful to the master.

Luke 12:44 KJV  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

God rewards faithfulness

He is looking for people whom He can count on.

The servant moves from feeding the other servants to being a "ruler" over all that the Master has because he has been faithful.

For some of you, you have had a call of God on your life.  God is watching your faithfulness.  He sees.

Don't quit and give in to feeling like it's not worth it.  It will be worth it.

Luke 12:45 KJV  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Don't procrastinate

I heard Pastor Chuck Smith say on the radio the other day that He believes it is God's will for every generation of Christians to believe that Jesus could be coming back at any time.  I completely agree.
It's not that we are to think we are deceived in Jesus doesn't come back tomorrow by noon, but the idea is that having the idea that Jesus is about to come back has an effect on the way we live our lives.

A person is always just a heartbeat away from meeting Jesus face to face if they should suddenly die.  It is always a good thing to be "ready".

Our hope should change our lives.
1 John 3:2-3 KJV  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Our hope in the Lord's return ought to make us want to be ready to meet Him.

When I become aware of the fact that God is watching me and He could come back at any time, I want to be in tip-top shape, ready for anything.

2 Peter 3:9-12 KJV  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. {11} Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, {12} Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Luke 12:46-47 KJV  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  (47)  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

The servant that should have known the master's will back then were the religious leaders. But they were not being faithful. They were supposed to know the Messiah was coming but they weren't being faithful.

1 Corinthians 3:6-17 KJV  (6)  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  (8)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  (9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  (10)  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  (11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  (13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  (14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  (15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  (16)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  (17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Christian's we are saved. Should we live in sin though? Heaven forbid.

Non-christian's will be judged by their sins because they are not in the book of life. They will be thrown in the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:11-15 KJV  (11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

There is a judgement.

The religious leadership was not ready for Jesus. They were caught up in hypocrisy. Sadly the same will be true for some with the second coming.

The more you know the more you are accountable for.

Luke 12:48 KJV  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Tell people! Time is running out!

Luke 12:49-50 KJV  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  (50)  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

He told us there is a second coming.

Luke 12:51 KJV  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

Division? Why? Salvation is only through Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. It is the live in the sand. It causes division.

Jesus is the only way.

Luke 12:52-53 KJV  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  (53)  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Following Jesus can create problems

Sometimes we can have the idea that if we follow Jesus, life will be better.  When we honestly look at what it means to follow Jesus, we come to the conclusion that it is good and right to follow Jesus, and it is.  But don't expect everyone to applaud you.

When we choose to follow Jesus, there comes a point where you are consciously deciding that Jesus is more important to you than any other relationship in the world.

Luke 14:25-33 KJV  And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, {26} If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. {27} And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. {28} For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? {29} Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, {30} Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. {31} Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? {32} Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. {33} So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

There will come times when people close to you will not understand why you are choosing to follow Jesus.  If Jesus is not the most important person in the world to you, then it will be hard to stand for Him when you're with these other people.

I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.
I have decided to follow Jesus.  No turning back.  No turning back.

Though none go with me I still will follow.
Though none go with me I still will follow.
Though none go with me I still will follow.   No turning back.  No turning back.

Luke 12:54-56 KJV  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.  (55)  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.  (56)  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

They could figure out the weather but they couldn't figure out that the messiah was there. They knew all the signs but they just didn't get it.

Look now...Look at the signs of the times. We are closer then ever before to the return of Christ.
How soon? We don't know but look at the signs.

Michael W. Smith wrote a song about Cassie Bernall, the teenager that was killed for not denying her faith in the Columbine high school massacre:

This is Your Time
by Michael W. Smith and Wes King

It was a test we could all hope to pass
But none of us would want to take
Faced with the choice to deny God and live
For her there was one choice to make …

This was her time
This was her dance
She lived every moment
Left nothing to chance
She swam in the sea
Drank of the deep
Embraced the mystery
of all she could be
What if tomorrow
What it today
Faced with the question
Oh, what would you say …
From Michael W. Smith's album, This is your time, c. 1999 Milene Music, Deer Valley Music

In reality, if you look at Cassie's life, she took a stand for Jesus, and she died.  Was that supposed to happen?  You might ask, isn't that a waste?  Wouldn't it be better if she kept silent about her faith and was still alive.  Perhaps.  But perhaps not.  Many, many people have come to trust in Jesus because of the courage that Cassie showed to stand up for her faith in the face of a gun.

Luke 12:57 KJV  Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

Can't you see it is time to repent!

Luke 12:58-59 KJV  When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.  (59)  I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

NOW is the time to do something about it.  Now is the time to make things right.

It is now the time to repent. Before God brings His judgement. Before it is too late.
You are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Jesus died for you. You can be saved by asking Him for forgiveness from your sins. If you are willing to repent of your sin, He is waiting to forgive you. It doesn't matter what you have done in the past, if you cry out to Jesus for forgiveness, He will not reject you. The word "repent" literally means "to turn away from." You need to look at your life, admit that you are a sinner, genuinely desire to turn your back on that sin, and ask Him to forgive you. If you do this, He promises to forgive you.

Please turn your life over to Him NOW. Time slips by so quickly, don't miss this opportunity. If you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior, you can say a prayer something like this:

"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You."

If you have prayed this, YOU ARE SAVED! You are now completely forgiven, a new creation, innocent in the eyes of God. Welcome to the family of God!

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