Heaven or Hell: Where Will You Spend Eternity?
By Curt Stowell
Published by Curt Stowell at Smashwords
Copyright © 2011, by Curt Stowell
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-4658-3485-0
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introductory
Chapter 2: Believing
Chapter 3: Faith
Chapter 4: Jesus is God
Chapter 5: Salvation
Chapter 6: The Way of the World
A. Drugs and Alcohol
B. Astrology
C. Sorcery, Witchcraft, Etc.
D. Fornication and Adultery
E. Homosexuality
F. Idolatry
Chapter 7: Satan’s Fall
Chapter 8: Salvation Lost
Chapter 9: Judgment Day
A. Punishments
B. Rewards
C. Crown of Life
D. Incorruptible Crown
E. Crown of Rejoicing
F. Crown of Righteousness
G. Crown of Glory
Chapter 10: A Personal Relationship
1978
1992
2007
1984 and 1989
2010
1983
Chapter 11: Christianity/Religion
1986
Chapter 12: The Parable Son
2006
Chapter 13: The Holy Ghost
2007
Chapter 14: Conclusion
Chapter 15: Jerry: A Gracious Gift from God – My Testimony
Contact with me online
Chapter 1: Introductory
I think there’s a misunderstanding of what believing in Jesus, having faith in Jesus, and having a personal relationship with Jesus actually means. I have that relationship, which I’ll explain further on down.
Many churches don’t explain this anymore due to fear they’ll lose members, i.e., money in the basket. These pastors are in for a rude awakening in the end when they stand before Jesus.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). I will speak more on this scripture later because it appears that many do not exactly understand it.
These pastors are not supposed to worry about their pocket book, but about the souls of those that are lost. Jesus was very clear on that:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:19-20).
Therefore, if people end up going to Hell because they hadn’t been told the entire truth who do you think will pay the most?
“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth, I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much of him they will ask the more” (Lk 12:42-48).
“Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matt 10:15).
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (Jas 4:17).
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb 10:26-27).
“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Pet 2:19-21).
Chapter 2: Believing
Many people think that as long as they’re good to others and believe God exists they’re going to heaven. This isn't true.
Let’s say you know John and Sally. They’re very friendly people, always offering a helping hand to the needy, and never miss church. They often invite you to come over to their house because they think you’re intelligent and a lot of fun. Yet, they could care less about your child. Would you be friends with John and Sally? Would you go to their house or invite them to yours?
If all you have is kindness to others and/or belief that a god created heaven and earth, you’re no better off than the atheist, the Muslim, the Christian Scientist, the Mormon, followers of Judaism, Buddhism, or Gnosticism, Jehovah’s Witness, the Catholic, the pretend Christian, or anyone that believes in a different God or believes that anyone could be even half equal to Jesus. You will join them and the devil in Hell for eternity.
Being kind to others is what God expects, but that’s not the key to Heaven.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt 22:39).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn 14:6).
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Chapter 3: Faith
To spend eternity in Heaven with God you must have faith in Jesus. You must believe that He was born of a virgin (Jesus was not born of the flesh, but of the Holy Ghost), that He died for you, and that He was resurrected for you.
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on the wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privy. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:18-21). The people Jesus is talking about are not the Jews, but everyone. He’s the creator of all.
You must believe that Jesus died for you and was resurrected for you.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also, as of one born out of due time” (1 Cor 3:3-8).
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:8-10).
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 Jn 2:2).
“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom 3:25).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16).
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Cor 15:45-47).
Some people think the Bible pertains only to that time, but it’s for everyone. One of Jesus’ disciples wouldn’t believe that He had been resurrected until he saw and felt him. Not seeing Jesus but believing is what faith is all about.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn 20:24-29).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:1 & 6).
In other words, you must be born again. Nicodemus asked Jesus how a person could be born again.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (Jn 3:5-6).
I have a personal relationship with Jesus, and I’ll explain this later. King David, who took King Saul’s place (you will hear about him later on), had a personal relationship with Jesus. Some question this because Jesus wasn’t even born yet. Jesus has always been.
Here is one of King David’s many psalms expressing his trust and love in God.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Chapter 4: Jesus is God
For those that don’t understand, let me explain who Jesus is. “Jesus the man” is the Son of God, but “Jesus the Spirit” is God. This doesn’t make sense to us, our feeble little minds can’t comprehend it, but we don’t have to, all we have to know is that He, and only He, is our salvation, as the below scriptures clarify.
“For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9). This pertains to Jesus when He was on earth.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 Jn 5:7). This is the Godhead.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:1-3 & 14).
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”
(1 Tim 3:16).
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15). “Jesus the man” was the first and only righteous person ever born.
“In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor 4:4).
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power; when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3).
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17).
“By faith, he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb 11:27).
Chapter 5: Salvation
Salvation is not a product you can purchase or earn; it’s a gift from God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8-9).
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23).
Many people don’t believe you can lose your salvation, but you can. God doesn’t want you to, but He gives us free will and if you don’t want to keep what He gives you that’s your choice.
God will not be played.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal 6:7-8).
God doesn’t want to destroy anyone, but as the above scripture says, He won’t be used.
“Say unto them, As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ” (Ez 33:11).