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~Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

~Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

~Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

~Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

~Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

~Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

~Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

The Lord spoke on the topic of Hell often in the New Testament. He made it clear that it was a place of darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth! One ghashes his teeth when one is angry, in anguish or in pain. In these seven verses we can see that all these feelings will be evident in the one who is cast into Hell.  An endless burning of the body, yet not consumed, and in total darkness!  Not just for a minute … but for all eternity!

Even when I was not born again, I thought about the “after life” and wondered if my catholic upbringing would be enough to get me into Heaven. However, the mere fact that I had these thoughts was evidence enough that I did not have the assurance that salvation brings. No earthly father wants his child to wonder if he is part of the family or if he will be cast out of the family. All the more with the Heavenly Father. Along with salvation, our Heavenly Father gives us an assurance that we belong to Him. Praise the Lord for that blessed assurance! But to the unbeliever and to the scoffer, there will be no second chance.  It’s now or never!

Today’s devotional is not about Hell, directly. It is a reminder to the Christian to keep on pressing forward and not to be discouraged with the trials and tribulations you are experiencing. If you get up this morning and you don’t have a warm house, it could be worse … it beats Hell. If you are having health issues, it could be worse … it beats Hell. If your spouse has left you, it could be worse … it beats Hell. If your family has abandoned you because of your faith, it could be worse … it beats Hell!!

My friend, take your eyes off your circumstances and place them on eternity! Heaven awaits us and our faith will be made sight! Joy will be with us through all of eternity. God will personally comfort us for all the trials and tribulations of this lifetime.

~Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Life here is short in comparison to eternity! Be encouraged, brethren! We are almost there! Christ is ready to make His appearance in the clouds and once He does, we are Heaven bound! No more tears … no more pain … no more struggles! Praise His Holy Name!

~Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We are in those times that Christ talked about in Luke 21. Read the chapter again and be encouraged!