Is Christianity inclusive?
In a way, yes. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
Yet in a way, NO! Christianity is exclusive, to those who “will NOT come!”
And today’s verse emphasizes the point.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
These people, these kinds of people DO NOT enter the New Jerusalem, the City of God!
They are excluded.
Which means (to me anyway) that when a man or woman comes to Jesus for salvation … a new person is born! “Born-again,” Jesus said to Nicodemus!
He may have once been a idolater, but now He worships only God, the Triune God in Heaven!
Here these people (listed in verse 8, our text today) are NOT “overcomers!” They are sinners, wicked, unsaved, rejecters of Christ Jesus. Remember yesterday’s verse, in conjunction with today’s especially. Like this: “… 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death …” Revelation 21: 7 and 8
Verse 7 … those saved by Grace, a gift of God offered to “the world.” John 3:16 says this.
Verse 8 … those left all alone, having refused Jesus, “dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 says this. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
There is a “penalty” for this kind of “unbelieving” lifestyle, too. Eternity in the “Lake of Fire.” That’s where the Devil will eventually be, forever more as well. And the Anti-Christ and False Prophet.
Revelation 19:20 … “And the BEAST was taken, and with him the FALSE PROPHET that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a LAKE OF FIRE burning with brimstone.”
And Revelation 20:10 adds … “And the DEVIL that deceived them was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
In our next Lesson (Monday morning) we will look at these specific categories of unbelievers. Habitual traits that will NOT consistently appear in the lives of true followers of our God.
More then, Lord willing.
If you are saved, remember, you are an “overcomer” (via the Presence and Power of God the Holy Spirit … Who lives in you right now) and you do not participate in these 8 activities.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Second Corinthians 5:17
Yes.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell