Our paragraph topic is: (Confidence in divine protection) Part 5.
Christ has told his disciples not to be afraid in several ways. He does not want them to have fear. He does not want them to open the door to fear and thereby allow the minnions of the evil one to enter into their hearts and minds to destroy their defenses. They are the warriors. They are the victors. They are the conquerers. The Spirit of the Father is with them and will arm them with words of wisdom. Have confidence in heavenly protection. So Christ has given them the pep rally and boosted their spirits in preparation for battle.
He has told them not to fear those that can destroy the body. Though they may cause pain in the physical realm, there is no harm in the spiritual realm. The soul will remain and will rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Christ tells them however, to be afraid of Satan. He says, be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. So he wants us to know that there is destruction in hell. He wants us to know that there is a physical place called hell where Satan reigns. And in this place Satan can destroy the body and the soul. He can cause pain. He can cause suffering. He can cause disease. He can cause all manner of physical and spiritual destruction. This is what we should fear. We should fear going to hell. We should fear being in a place where there is no hope. We should fear being in a place where we will live in eternity in pain and suffering.
Christ has told his disciples not to be afraid in several ways. He does not want them to have fear. He does not want them to open the door to fear and thereby allow the minnions of the evil one to enter into their hearts and minds to destroy their defenses. They are the warriors. They are the victors. They are the conquerers. The Spirit of the Father is with them and will arm them with words of wisdom. Have confidence in heavenly protection. So Christ has given them the pep rally and boosted their spirits in preparation for battle.
He has told them not to fear those that can destroy the body. Though they may cause pain in the physical realm, there is no harm in the spiritual realm. The soul will remain and will rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Christ tells them however, to be afraid of Satan. He says, be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. So he wants us to know that there is destruction in hell. He wants us to know that there is a physical place called hell where Satan reigns. And in this place Satan can destroy the body and the soul. He can cause pain. He can cause suffering. He can cause disease. He can cause all manner of physical and spiritual destruction. This is what we should fear. We should fear going to hell. We should fear being in a place where there is no hope. We should fear being in a place where we will live in eternity in pain and suffering.
So Christ is instructing his disciples about this place called hell and what will happen in this place. This is not the place where his disciples will go. But he gives them a picture of this place so that they will know where those who do not accept the message, will go. Christ wants his disciples to understand the immense pain and suffering that the unbeliever will undergo when they leave the physical realm. He wants them to have complete knowledge so that they can speak to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and convey to them the choice that they will make. For they are the first to hear the message of the kingdom of heaven. They are the first to see the disciples of Christ. They are the first to have the opportunity to repent and turn back to the Lord. After these, then the rest of the Gentiles will hear the message of the kingdom of heaven.
So we have our warning. Just as Christ told his disciples back then, he is telling us today. Fear the one who can destroy the body and the soul in hell. Fear the place called hell, where one will live in eternal damnation. Fear Satan.
Will you hear the message? Can you understand the meaning of the message or are you deaf to it? The evil one will use all his tricks and traps to prevent you from hearing it. He will attempt in every way to keep you from the kingdom of heaven so that he can get you in hell to destroy what God has created. Are you afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell? You should be!!
Will you hear the message? Can you understand the meaning of the message or are you deaf to it? The evil one will use all his tricks and traps to prevent you from hearing it. He will attempt in every way to keep you from the kingdom of heaven so that he can get you in hell to destroy what God has created. Are you afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell? You should be!!
