Yes, Heaven Exists – but so does Hell

I attended a Christian school that was operated by a Fundamentalist Baptist church. So, when I began kindergarten, one of the first things they taught in our daily Bible class was that all sinners go to this terrifying place called Hell. Of course, being fearful of going there, I asked Jesus to save me.

Some would look down on this as “fearmongering.”

For a long time, I did as well. When I nearly died from a heart attack (specifically called the Widowmaker), my view on everything changed.

Having come face to face with my own mortality, the presence of God became palpable — especially after I prayed for His forgiveness.

Peace, overwhelmingly, incomprehensible, filled me.

Something within me stirred. With this came the awareness of an undercurrent that is everywhere. A building rage. A darkness billowing underneath the surface.

An unseen war is taking place — all around us. A passage in Ephesians became quite clear:

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. — Ephesians 6:12

This war has spilled over into the physical world. You can see it in the way people treat one another. In the violence taking place across the globe.

Where there’s darkness, there’s light. Where there’s evil, there’s good.

Sun. Moon.

Day. Night.

Life. Death.

Heaven, and yes, Hell.

Heaven is reserved for those who have repented and accepted Jesus as their savior while Hell is for those who have rejected Him.

When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord — 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9

For the unrepentant sinner, the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Because of God’s love for mankind, He provided a way to escape this death, this ‘punishment of eternal destruction’ — through His son, Jesus Christ.

We have an adversary, though, that seeks to prevent many from seeing the Truth.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. — 2 Corinthians 4:4

As we near His return, this adversary as the deceiver will strive to lead many astray with false gospels and false truths. This is what I’m seeing in many churches.

Jesus warned His disciples that this would occur during the waning days of the current age:

Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.” — Matthew 24:4

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” — Matthew 24:24

Another sign that we could be approaching the end of the age is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 –

Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false

Why would God do this instead of opening peoples’ eyes to what’s really going on?

Jesus continued to share with His disciples of what must occur during the final days of the age:

“For just as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. And they did not understand until the flood came and swept them all away.” — Matthew 24:37–40 TLV

In the days of Noah, the world was full of violence and corruption. Men did whatever pleased them. When Noah tried to warn them about the coming Flood, they refused to listen and continued to live their lives. The day the flood came crashing upon the world, it was too late. Noah and his family were in the ark and God had closed its door.

God will only seek after the lost for so long until He gives them over to their own depravity. It’s then they become spiritually blind to the Truth and the signs of Jesus’ return and their imminent eternal destruction.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. — Romans 1:28–32

The war for man’s souls is growing more intense. Violence will continue to worsen. Those who stand apart from the world will be singled out and persecuted. The age of God’s grace for mankind is nearing the end.

Don’t be deceived by the lies of the enemy. Stay grounded in the Word of God and stand firm.

PRAYER

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life — the only Truth and the only Way. I thank You that You desire that I have truth in my inward parts and that I walk in the freedom that comes only from walking in the light of Your truth.

Father, today I take a stand against any deception trying to take root in my life. I bind deception and lies right now in the Name of Jesus. I curse every attempt of the devil to get me to buy a lie.

I refuse to be tempted to believe lies wrapped in truth and things that sound good or sound right but do not line up with Your Word.

I declare that I walk in love toward all people, which is a defense against deception. I ask, Lord, that when people — even proclaiming Christians — exalt new ideas over the Word of God, that I will be quick to recognize it — that I will look to Your Word for guidance and confirmation, not to man.

I ask that every veil be removed from my eyes, that I will not be blinded by the opinions of others, by the thoughts and ideas of the world, but I will know the true voice of my Shepherd.

Lord, I ask that You bring conviction upon me for any areas where I have fallen into believing a lie. Show me these areas, and bring them to my mind. I ask that You cause me to humble myself, repent, and get back on the road of truth.

Your Word says You set the captives free, and I declare today that I am free of deception.

I praise You and thank You that You keep me safe in Your truth and that I will always have the desire to abide in You, no matter what persecution I may face.

In Your Name, I pray. Amen.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries