If a sinner is convicted by the message given, PRAISE GOD! For God did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance! Only the person who is converted at the time of their salvation knows how the process went. My conversion was not one of fear. My conversion was one of UNSPEAKABLE JOY! God had finally loosed the chains of bondage, drug abuse, from my life! When I least expected, I was elected! Elected to receive all things in the life to come because I humbly answered the call to salvation! No fear was involved in the process. So to try to paint the picture that all people are converted because of fear of punishment, is ridiculous. It's a hasty generalization.
But now that I reflect back on my life, I see how lost I truly was! I was on the front seat with a first class ticket to the pit! A place where if I died in my sins, I would have been lost forever! I was totally OBLIVIOUS to this fact! If I would have died 5 years ago, I would be in the pit right now begging for mercy! But I would have received none!
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." 2 Corinthians 5:11
Now that I know the truth, I tell the world about the LORD JESUS CHRIST! Why? Because I understand the truths about what God has said in His word! Yes, there is a judgment to come. Yes, the dead will rise again. Yes, the wicked will be cast alive into the lake of fire FOREVER!
BUT
Those who accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR will receive forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and peace with God. That is why it is crucial to fulfill the great commission. Go and tell the world the good things the Lord has done and will do for all who come to Him by faith!
Now i'm not going to argue the reality of the lake of fire here. If you don't believe it, ok. My purpose is to tell people about Jesus Christ and give out the signs of the times! The signs of the times are ringing out loud. And for those who have an ear to hear, the Lord has prepared a highway so that the redeemed may pass over! HALLELUJAH!
So if you want to discuss the signs of the times I will be more than happy 2. If not may the seeds that were planted in your spirit and/or the water that was given to those already present give rise to fruit at the appointed time. Amen.