I was listening to a lecture series by a man who believes in predestination. Incidentally, this doctrine—which teaches that God preordained some people for heaven and some for hell—grieves my soul. I was listening to this series at the request of a friend and I was praying for God to give me wisdom. I truly want to know the meaning of the hard things in God’s Word. As I was listening, and heard him say God preordained some people to hell, God brought to my mind what Jesus said about hell:
“Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Matthew 25:41
I was struck by the thought that Jesus clearly states that hell was originally created as a place of judgment for Satan and those angels who followed him in their rebellion against God. He did NOT say it was originally created for humans. So, if God had predestined certain people to go to hell, don’t you think Jesus would have made it clear that hell was originally created for humans as well? The Bible leaves no doubt that the devil and his angels will eventually be eternally consigned to hell:
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10
“…God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…”
II Peter 2:4
But humans were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) to spend eternity in His presence. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for those who receive the gift of salvation:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:2-3
Presumably, long before man was created, Hell was created for Satan who rose up in pride against God in an attempt to dethrone Him:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.”
Isaiah 14:12-15
We know Satan’s fall happened BEFORE God created man because Satan was present in Eden to tempt Eve to disobey God. When Adam and Eve, in pride, succumbed to Satan’s temptation to “be like God” (Genesis 3:4) they died spiritually and were banished from the Garden of Eden. The human race chose to follow Satan to his ultimate destination—hell.
But God already had a plan to rescue mankind. His Son would suffer the hell of separation from the Father in order to pay for the sin of mankind so that ANYONE who believes in Him could escape hell. Jesus would satisfy God’s righteous judgment and pay the penalty. Jesus said:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
God made a plan for ALL of humanity to avoid the hell He had originally created for Satan and his fallen angels.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.”
II Peter 3:9
It is pride that caused Satan to fall. It is pride that caused Eve to fall. It was Christ’s humility that provided a way for us to reconcile to Him. The Gospel is the “power of God unto salvation to EVERYONE who believes.” (Romans 1:16) When we are drawn by the Gospel, God gives us the gift of faith which enables us to see the truth: We are desperate sinners and only Jesus can save us! Faith frees us from our blinding pride and HUMBLES our heart to receive God’s precious gift of salvation.
ANYONE who believes upon Jesus as Lord and Savior can have the gift of everlasting life!!!
Do you have it?
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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14 Responses
Thank you for a very good explanation of Heaven and Hell and predestination. It answered many of my questions.
To God be the glory for His precious Word!
Read some of your articles. Most will disagree with me but I never believed a merciful god would send someone to hell for eternity. Thats not merciful, thats about as cruel as it gets.
What’s amazing about God is that He gives us a choice about whether to believe His Word or not. Just like we have the choice about whether to believe the speed limit applies to us. If you want to know what the Bible says about this issue, I tried to explain it (according to God’s own Word) in the Bible Concepts study, the law of sin and death. https://gofaithstrong.com/topical-studies/.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Thank you for showing me that I can be saved 😊 God bless you!!
To God be the glory for the great things He has shown us in His Word!!!
that my Jewish family and my son who commit suicide will never make it to heaven. This weighs heavy on my heart! What are your thoughts on this?
It is only through Jesus that we avoid hell. We must receive His gift of salvation. It is for anyone! https://gofaithstrong.com/how-to-be-saved/
yes very inspirational, I would like some guidance on thoughts of past sins that seem to haunt me everyday. I realize that it is the devils way of tormenting me and my thoughts and would like to have them removed. thank you for caring and praying for me. Alan cowart is my name
Hi Alan. You can search our website for articles written on overcoming in your thought life. For example, I went to the bottom of the page where it says “search” and typed in “renewing your mind” and several devotionals came up. I’ve included the link for this one. Blessings! https://gofaithstrong.com/this-powerful-tool-will-change-your-brain-dna/
You are such a great writer and thank you for all pints you made in your devotional.
Praise be to God!
that was so powerful how God saved the human race by giving his only son tears formed in my eyes of how he loves us so much even though we are sinners
God loves us more than we can comprehend!