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Heaven and Hell

What are Heaven and Hell?

They are the final destination for those who have

made a covenant with either God or with Satan.

cov·e·nant

ˈkəvənənt/ - (From Latin Convenire – agree)

Noun : Covenant

An agreement Law: A contract drawn up by deedTheology: An agreement that brings about a relationship between God and his people

The Covenant of Sin…

Satan: (Genesis 3:4-5)

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

An agreement with Satan that God is not trustworthy,

and that we should break relationship with God and

disobey Him.

The Covenant of Sin…

The Problem:

Adam and Eve entered into this

covenant on behalf of all of us.

We have all continued to walk in it.

We have put ourselves under the authority of Satan

and we face his eventual fate, a punishment

designed specifically for him and for his demons.

The Deception…

Genesis 3:13:

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What

is this you have done?” The woman said, “The

serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The Deception…

Satan’s invitation: “Put yourself first. Sample and

enjoy the things the world has to offer. You need this.

Why not have it? God is just trying to control you.”

The small print: I take away your freedom,

your life, your future, your eternity. I make you serve me, without even realizing that this is what you are doing, so that you share my eternal fate.

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What is Hell?

• Prepared for Satan and his angels (Matt 25:41)

• Described by Jesus as eternal fire (Matt 18:8)

• Likened to a garbage dump (Valley of Hinnom)

• Two stages, Hades and the Lake of Fire

• A place of never ending torment and despair

The Covenant of Salvation…

Jesus: (John 6:40)

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks

to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal

life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

An agreement with Jesus that we believe Him and

choose to put our trust in Him, confessing our sins

and asking for His forgiveness.

The Obstacle…

Jesus’ Invitation: ”I have given everything up for

you. Now I want you to give everything up for me.

Give up your desires and rights and trust me.”

Jesus’ agenda: I want to restore your relationship with

God that was lost in Eden. I want you to become my

brother / sister and know true freedom. I want you to

live with me for ever.

The Covenant of Salvation…

The Solution:

Jesus joins His identity to ours and gives us His

Holy Spirit to live inside us. He then leads us

into increasing freedom as we follow Him.

Once we are in covenant with Jesus, we will

share His eternal destiny, an eternal future of

love, joy and power ruling over the universe.

What is Heaven?

• The place where God has His throne (Matt 5:34)

• Where we see Jesus face to face (1Cor 13:12)

• A place where homes are prepared for its citizens (John 14:2)

• A place of unimaginable blessing (Ephesians 3:20)

• Where suffering, sickness and sadness no longer exist

• Two stages, Heaven and the New Heaven and New Earth

(Revelation 21:1)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first

heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there

was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new

Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now

the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with

them. They will be his people, and God himself will be

with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from

their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or

crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed

away." (Revelation 21: 1-4)

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The Decision…

Have you chosen a covenant? Will you

chose Jesus or stay under the Covenant

of Sin? It is one or the other.

If you have already chosen Jesus, are

you trusting Him to rule in your life?

What do you need to give to Him today?