The Two Destinations

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Wednesday January 16, 2008

Here is Luke's account of Jesus and the two criminals hanging on crosses:

Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
39. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40. But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41. We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42. Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43. Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

This portion of scripture tells us some very important facts, but we will concentrate on just one of them.

Jesus said, "TODAY you will be with me in paradise." He did not say that the criminal would go to some other place to wait for the resurrection and the final judgement; Jesus said that He would see the criminal TODAY in PARADISE!

The Greek word translated "today" is "semeron"; a word that clearly pertains to "this very day" or "today". There is no alternate meaning for the word. It is used in many places throughout the New Testament, including by Jesus when He was definitely referring to the current day as opposed to the following days:

Luke 13:33 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
In any case, I must keep going today (semeron) and tomorrow and the next day-- for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

This is convincing proof that as soon as the criminal died, he went immediately to a place called "paradise"!

In contrast, Jesus also told of a man who went straight to hell when he died:

Luke 16:19-26 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
19. "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21. and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
24. So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25. "But Abraham replied, `Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
26. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

The rich man went straight to a place referred to as "hell"; where he was immediately burning in flames!
On the other hand, we can also tell that Lazarus was in the same place the criminal went when he died alongside Jesus. Jesus gave no account of any third place to go! There is either paradise or hell!

The book of Revelation tells us that this "paradise" is where the "tree of life" is:

Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

There are two possible destinations for a man's eternal spirit and soul at death: paradise or hell! Those who died in the accounts Jesus gave went straight to their spiritual destination!

There is no second chance when a person dies, and there is no "waiting" for final judgement of salvation! The eternal destination of a man's eternal spirit and soul is determined, and is unchangable, once he is dead! Abraham spoke of a "great chasm" that was fixed between hell and paradise, and he made it clear that no man can cross from one side to the other!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your Word that tells me the spiritual truths that will bless my life as well as the lives of others. Help me understand Your Word so I can follow Your ways closely.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the Daily Word Archives at:
http://www.jimseekamp.com

To subscribe to the Daily Word, send an email with the subject "SUBSCRIBE" to mailto:dailyword@jimseekamp.com

If you wish to unsubscribe, please send an email with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE" to mailto:dailyword@jimseekamp.com

To have Jim Seekamp speak at your church or group meeting, email him at: jimseekamp@jimseekamp.com