By Sheila L Jackson
The Matrix, one of my favorite science fiction trilogies, where Morpheus opens
his hands for Neo to choose between the red or blue pill matrix. For those who
have watched it, know that the blue pill will keep Neo oblivious to the truth
and returns to a life that is not real. The red pill reveals to him the
darkness of the real world as he learns the truth about the Matrix. One pill
represents truth while the other means living a life of comfort and a lie.
One writer coined, "The blue pill as blissful ignorance. Where you
choose to sleep and never know your life is an illusion. The red pill
signifies the painful truth. You choose to wake up and see life for what it
really is, full of destruction and darkness."
Likewise, Jesus is giving us a choice to choose between heaven or hell (eternal life or eternal death). God gave the world His only begotten son as a sacrificial lamb, so we could have that choice.
Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV, says, " I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." Ask yourself this question, would Satan give you the correct answer? No. He wants you and future generations to follow him into the lake of fire, mentioned in Revelation 20:1-15, which foretells the judgement of Satan and the judgement of the dead who rejected God’s son.
Before Jesus gave his life for sinners, we were lost in our sins with the
law magnifying and exposing our imperfections. Thank God for sending His son to
fulfill the law, because of his blood covering our sins, we have new mercies every
day. If I mess up today, I can ask for forgiveness and not be penalized to
death as those who were under the law. The law was a death sentence.
We are faced with this question each day, heaven or hell? And many
don't even realize it because they choose to stay spiritually blind, enjoying
the falsity of this world. Sadly, they choose hell, believing that they have
time and will accept Jesus in their old age. But little do they know that
tomorrow, the next second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year is not
promised to any of us. All we have is right now. We only get one life and once
we leave this earth, we are going to one of these two places, heaven or
hell. No second chances, but on this side of life, we get to choose our
eternal destination. God doesn't force us against our will to accept His son.
No one will be able to stand before God and say, He was unfair or showed
favoritism. He continues to send preachers, missionaries, teachers, coworkers,
family and friends to spread the gospel to the lost. Many refuse to believe,
stating that men wrote the bible for control. Others deny Christ because it
gives a sense of false hope in someone they cannot see. 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
In John 14:6 NIV, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." For those who do
not believe or accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, cannot bypass Him to
get to God. Jesus is the middle man. You cannot accept one without the other.
God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one.
Luke 16:19-31, KJV, says, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then
he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
The Rich man learned a little too late when it came to eternal
consequences of earthly choices. Our riches cannot get
us into heaven. The bible says the rich man lived, feasted with great
extravagance, while the poor man laid at his gate/doorstep begging for the bare
necessity to satisfy his hunger. Let's stop here for a moment, being
poor doesn't solidify you a spot in heaven. All must confess and believe that
Jesus is Lord. Now, the rich man finds himself in want as Lazarus lie
in comfort with all his needs met in Abraham bosom. The rich man chose his
destination, Hell. Once we die, we cannot come back from the dead and warn
those who are alive that heaven and hell are real. Everyone left on earth
will have the opportunity to hear, read, accept or reject the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Jesus rose from the dead, yet many do not believe in Him. We all choose
our fate. There is no getting out of hell once you are there. Don’t allow the
movies to fool you concerning hell. You will not be hanging out or partying
with those who have gone on before you. You will be in want and tormented
forever just as the rich man in this parable.
When we surrender our will for God’s will, our spiritual eyes
are opened to Satan’s tricks and lies. When they are closed and blinded by the
pleasures of the world, many will travel down the wrong path and die in their
sins. When they reach their final destination, it will be too late. Like
Morpheus gave Neo the choice in the Matrix between the red or blue pill? Jesus
Christ is allowing us to choose Heaven or Hell, our final destinations. No
return.
