Clear Choice

DEVOTION

JUDE

CLEAR CHOICE

Jude 5-7

5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home — these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

NIV

It does get any plainer then this. We are either in or out, we have eternal life or we are destroyed. Those of us who believe get to go into the Promised Land and those who refuse to believe get destroyed. Yes, everyone who is refusing to believe asks, “What kind of a loving God is that”? And of course we can answer, “The kind of loving God who sent his Son to die on the cross so you won’t have to be destroyed”. But in all reality there will be those of us who believe and there will be those who refuse to believe. But the choice is left up to us. It just seems odd that people who are supposed to be so intelligent would choice destruction over eternal life. The other thought in here is about eternal fire. It seems a bit strange people think the hell is the place of eternal fire, and they will live forever in hell, in punishment in the flames. But it is so clear that hell is going to be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. Hell is not the final end for those who die in unbelief. No, they will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur and be destroyed. They will not be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who stood unharmed in the flames, because Jesus was with them. This lake of burning sulfur will burn forever somewhere, but Jesus will not be there, and those who are thrown into the flames will perish. It is also notable the angels who followed after Lucifer and lost their place may not be who think of as the demons. It appears these angels are bound in everlasting chains in darkness, and they too will be judged. But it appears they are not roaming around the earth wreaking havoc upon unsuspecting souls. No mistake, there are demons, the scriptures verify that, but we may not be sure who exactly they are, but it sure appears they are not all the fallen angels. But back to the main point here, it serves as a warning to all unbelievers. This serves as an example of what will happen to those who refuse to believe. Again the fire is eternal, but those in Sodom and Gomorrah all perished, even Lots wife, because she could not bear to leave what she thought was her home. For any actual thinking person, the choice is clear.