Bible Reading: Joshua 6:6-27; Psalm 135-136; Isaiah 66; Matthew 14
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 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. (Isaiah 66:23-24)
The ending of the prophecy of Isaiah tells of a future day when humanity will be separated into two groups. There will be the worshippers of God. They will live in a time of new heavens and a new earth.
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)
Those who are worshippers of God will regularly come before King Jesus to worship him.
The other group of people will be seen by the worshippers as they go forth from worshipping the King. These are those who have transgressed against the Lord. The Bible says the worshippers will look upon their carcasses because they are in a place where their worm shall not die. They are in a place where their fire will not be quenched. To look upon them will be abhorrent to the worshippers. These people are in a place called hell. Jesus describes this place in Mark:
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-44)
It is hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. These people who have transgressed against the Lord have an eternal existence. Their misery will never end. The fire has continual fuel. The worms have continual food.
What was the transgression of the wicked in hell?
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
They did not know God nor would they obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They refused to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ when he says:
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29)
Hell is a reality. The only way out is to trust in Jesus Christ now. Which group will you be in?
In Christ,
Rody
