Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. --KJV
In the name of the One Who judges the nations, amen.
There is a place where human beings do not belong. A place of eternal torment that was not intended for them. The everlasting fire which is the reward of all who do not have faith in the Savior, was not prepared for human beings, but for Satan and his angels. Yet, it will become home for us, if we reject the salvation the Lord has given us.
The lake of fire, as Revelation refers to it, it the final dwelling of all the ungodly. It is the place where death and Hades itself will be thrown. This should make us fear. It should make us run away from all unbelief and idolatry which has no power to save us. It should cause us to throw ourselves on God's mercy in fear that we ourselves could end up in the ultimate place where we do not belong.
But the fact that we do not belong in the everlasting fire is a comfort for us. It is reassuring to know that we don't belong there. It tells us that God does not want us to be there; that He will do everything on His part to save us from it--including warn us that we could end up there. And then, the repentant sinner who turns toward God out of fear is offered the same comfort of the Gospel just as the person who turns toward God in love is offered it. The harshest preaching of the Law is intended only to make us turn from what will damn us so that faith can be created in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel. Glory be to the Lord who comforts all who flee from sin and idolatry out of fear. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for warning us about the eternal fire where we do not belong. Bless us with Your Holy Spirit Who works through the Gospel so that we will be saved from such a horrible end. Help us too, to preach Your stern Law in love for others, so that they also turn from what has no power to save. Grant them Your Holy Spirit so that they too may glorify Your holy name forever, amen.