Keeping up with thousands of “stars” is not really relevant to daily living; so, admittedly, this writer had no idea who Javier Bardem is, but there was a question about him in the January 23rd “Personality” section of Parade. After the writer’s question concerning him was answered, it was pointed out (why is anyone’s guess) that he has a peculiar take on the afterlife. His words (recorded below) were intended as a joke, but some of us are not laughing:
“I don’t know if I’ll get to heaven. I’m a bad boy,” jokes the actor, 41. “Heaven must be nice, but is it too boring? Maybe you can get an apartment there and then go to hell on the weekends” (2).
At the risk of sounding like a spoilsport, hell is not the proper subject for religious humor. Many jokes that show some of the foibles of Christians or that demonstrate a lack of understanding are appropriate, but some topics should be off-limits. Mr. Bardem is not the only one to minimize the nature of hell; many others seem to think that it is the place where all of one’s friends are—the place one would rather be. Of course, such an idea is absurd, and the Scriptures debunked that notion nearly 2,000 years ago.
Jesus characterized hell as the place where the fire shall never be quenched (Mark 9:43). Even the Hadean realm, the place where all await the Day of Judgment, contains one location where the righteous rest and another location where the lost suffer torment. The rich man went there but sought relief from the flame (Luke 16:23-24). He was not having a good time with all his friends, nor did he want his five brothers to come there for a wonderful family reunion (Luke 16:27-31).
Apparently, the idea that hell will be an exciting place where the good times will continue to roll is merely a matter of wishful thinking. Certainly, it is not couched in reality.
Those in Abraham’s bosom did not want to cross the great gulf between the two locations for weekend visits, and such was disallowed anyway (Luke 16:25-26). The same restriction will apply later, but even if it did not, who in their right mind would want to leave heaven for “the lake of fire and brimstone” (Rev. 20: 10)? The smell and the heat would be sufficient to deter anyone from desiring to have a brief vacation there.
Current Philosophy
Thinking that hell will be a giant recreational facility with only a slight downside is popular with many who cannot bring themselves to be devoted to good now but think being bad once in a while is normal and healthy. While “Santa checks for those who are naughty or nice,” these folks think it is fine to be both. If one is a good actor and makes people laugh, surely it is all right to party with a bevy of women and use cocaine. The blend of naughty and nice is fiction—not reality.
God does not view sin as something to trifle with. He did not view David’s sin with Bathsheba just as something kings do. Even though David was a man after God’s own heart, He did not conclude, “He’s been pretty nice all of his life; I’ll overlook this naughty little dalliance.” God sent Nathan the prophet to rebuke David and impose strict punishments upon him. Bad boys are not redeemed unless they are willing to give up their badness (repent).
Many believe that God will save them no matter what. Some have even been so bold as to say, “I’m not giving up an unlawful mate (or some other sin); God will just have to save me the way I am.” Hah! The rich man might have tried that one. It does not work. We have the responsibility to become conformed to the life of Jesus, Who came down to do the Father’s will. Can anyone seriously think He would have been qualified to remove our sins if He had indulged in “naughtiness”?
Will Heaven Be Boring?
Too many people have subscribed to the image of those in heaven floating around on clouds and playing harps. That image does injustice to the true atmosphere of heaven. What will be going on there?
First of all, God will be there. Yes, the One Who created us and gave us this world to live in shall also provide for us the next world, of which this one is only a pale comparison. It is called the city foursquare and is described as having streets of gold The foundations are compared to precious gems; the splendor will be greater than what we have ever imagined. Anyone who has enjoyed the earth—its lakes and rivers, its mountains and valleys, its waterfalls and placid pools, the forests and the meadows—will enjoy the next world even more. It will be akin to the original Garden of Eden on earth—only better.
Second, heaven will be wonderful because of who will not be there—Satan. Who has ever enjoyed being deceived, lied to, or betrayed? Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and all those who have followed in his footsteps will be absent from heaven. They have their part in “the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 21:8). How many have suffered misery at the hands of adulterers and murderers? Is it necessary to provide a list of homes that have been ruined by the former? Can we even fathom how many family members have grieved over the loss of a father, mother, daughter, son, brother, or sister because of the latter? “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie…” (Rev. 21:27). All of these who foisted such evil upon others were inspired by the devil, who rejoices in seeing others suffer. He is the friend of no one.
Third, heaven will be glorious because no one will need to endure pain there. Perhaps many young people do not think this one is important yet, but anyone who has lived very many years knows what kind of pain the body can be afflicted with. Job certainly knew it. Some have endured back pains, arthritis, blindness, deafness, diabetes, and many other ailments for years and are looking forward to a pain-free eternity. It is doubtful they would want to revisit “old times” by a weekend trip to the other realm.
Fourth, there will be no more crying or tears. In this world there is much about which to weep. When Jacob thought his favorite son Joseph had died, he mourned for him many days. In fact, he refused to be comforted and said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning” (Gen. 37:34-35). And it was all for naught, since Joseph was actually alive! Not one of his sons, despite his continual lamentation, saw fit to tell him the truth—that Joseph had not died. They could not bring themselves to admit that they had sold him into slavery. Jeremiah wept over the sins of the people because he knew the punishment that God was about to bring upon them. Numerous have been the causes of people’s sadness, but it will not be so there.
Fifth, heaven will be thoroughly enjoyable because there will be no more death. Some of the saddest moments in life are those occasions when a loved one departs from this earth. Even if we are confident that we shall be reunited later, the temporary separation remains painful. But those occasions will not exist there. Whoever is rewarded with eternal life shall remain there, and we may rejoice in their company continually.
Sixth, heaven is the genuine place of fellowship and socialization. Those in hell will be experiencing too much pain to fraternize, and none of God’s grace will be present. Imagine a place where the goodness of God is absent! How horrifying! But in heaven, the church members we know now and have known in the past will be present. Also in evidence will be those of all ages—those who have fought physical and polemic battles, those who did great deeds through the power of God—people of great faith like Abraham, Moses, Peter, and Paul—just to name a few. The social interaction will be marvelous.
Seventh, heaven will be more than a dwelling place of clouds. Consider the physical world God created. What imagination did He show in the colorful varieties of birds, fish and flowers He created! The heavens, including the various stars and constellations, declare His majesty and power. If there is one thing that God does not lack, it is imagination. It will not be a world of dreariness but of wonder, as some of the descriptions indicate. Just because our own imaginations lack depth is no reason to impose dullness upon the Deity. To miss heaven for a few paltry pleasures of the flesh is the poorest exchange one could ever make. That God even offers it to us is phenomenal; to spurn it is unthinkable. We must do everything within our power to be obedient and have that eternal home.
Eighth, Jesus will be there—the One Who redeemed us from all iniquity. Each week we are reminded that our sins put Him on the cross, but from the Day of Judgment onward we shall see the glorious Savior Who arose from the dead, making salvation possible for all. We will be able thenceforth to honor and praise Him forever. No one has ever accomplished more for humankind than Jesus. And though He knows that, we will have abundant opportunities to thank Him, to praise Him, and to express our continual love.
Ninth, we will be able to worship God face to face. We are somewhat removed from Him while on earth, although His presence fills the universe, but then the glory of God illuminates the celestial city, and the Lamb is its light (Rev. 21:23). Many have questioned Him because of His distance, but no one can entertain any doubts while living in His presence. The evil one will be in the lake of fire and not around to try to convince us that God does not love us or that He is withholding blessings from us. The peace and harmony that humankind has yearned for will have been achieved—permanently.
Tenth, we will serve Him in whatever capacity He sees fit. Although heaven is a place of rest (compared to earth), it is not a place of inactivity. Even Adam was given a job in the Garden of Eden. Whatever we require (such as labor or energy), God will provide it. He will see to our every need and longing. We shall be satisfied! The state of perfection that we could not achieve on earth will be realized in heaven.
And no one will ask for a weekend pass.
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THE PERFECT ROLE MODEL
Dub McClish
Either consciously or unconsciously, everyone has one or more role models whom he seeks to imitate. Jesus Christ alone has the right to be such because He lived a flawless life (John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). He therefore rightly challenges all to adopt Him as their “role model” (Luke 9:23). The apostle Paul urges us to think as the Savior thought (Phi. 2:5–9). Consider some of Jesus’ character traits:
• Unselfishness: He “emptied himself” and completely subjected His own will to that of His Father (Phi. 2:7; John 6:38; Mat. 26:36).
• Love: It was not nails, but supreme love for the souls of sinners that kept Jesus on the cross (1 John 3:16; Eph. 3:19, 25).
• Hatred of sin: He was the “Lamb of God” offered for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 2:2). This hatred of sin also kept Him on the cross.
• Concern for souls: This concern grew out of His love for sinners and hatred of sin. Thus He came “to seek and to save” (Luke 19:10; John 12:47; 1 Tim. 1:15; 2:6).
• Compassionate: This trait flowed from His unselfishness and love. He was “moved with compassion”—and acted—on numerous occasions (Mat. 9:36; 14: 14; 15:32; et al.).
• Prayerful: He prayed privately, in the presence of His disciples, and publicly (Mat. 26:39–44; Mark 8:6; Luke 9:28; 11:1; et al.). He taught His disciples to pray (Mat. 6:9–15).
• Hard worker: He “had no leisure” even to eat (Mark 6:31). He once worked all day and prayed all night (Luke 6:1–12). He forgot hunger for food because of His work (John 4:34).
• Servant: He came down to serve His Father (as noted), but also to serve men and their needs. He came not to be served (as an earthly king), but to serve (Mat. 20:28; Phi. 2:7).
• Revered Scripture: Every comment He made regarding it reflected reverence for it (Mat. 5:17–19; 22: 29; Luke 24:27, 44; John 10:35; et al.). He called it “truth” (John 17:17).
• Opposed false teachers: Moved by reverence for Truth, He warned of and refuted them (Mat. 7:15–20; 15:6, 9; 16:6– 2; 22:15–46). He revealed their sad end (Mat. 15:13–14).
• Was willing to suffer: He was the constant subject of persecution (Mat. 16:1; 22:35; Mark 2:7–8; John 5:16; 11:47– 53). He willingly suffered betrayal, denial, and crucifixion, not for sins or crimes He committed, but for those of others.
• Obedient: He obeyed His Father perfectly and was thereby sinless and qualified to be our sin offering (Mat. 26:39; John 15:10; Phi. 2:8; Heb. 5:8).
He is man’s perfect role model.
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I WILL:
Like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press onward to those things that are ahead (Phil. 3:13).
Like David, be a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).
Like Abraham, trust implicitly in my God (James 2:23).
Like Enoch, walk daily in fellowship with my heavenly Father (Gen. 5:22).
Like Ezra, prepare my heart to seek the Law of the Lord (Ezra 7:10).
Like Moses, choose to suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11:24-25).
Like Daniel, pray to God at all times and in all situations (Dan. 6:10).
Like Job, be patient in all circumstances (James 5:11).
Like Joshua and Caleb, refuse to be discouraged because the majority is in opposition (Num. 13:30; 14:6-9).
Like Aaron and Hur, uphold the hands of righteous leaders with support (Ex. 17:12).
Like Andrew, strive to bring a fleshly brother to Jesus (John 1:40-42).
Like Gideon, dare to fight the Lord’s battles with only a few good men (Judges 7:7).
Like the woman who anointed Jesus’ body for burial, do what you are capable of doing (Mark 14:8).
—Anonymous