Mercy vs Judgment

Paradox

Is God merciful or is He just?

Judgment

Who is God in this picture?

“to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be justjust and the justifierjustifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Rom 3:26)

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27)

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:15)

Judgment

First, hell is a real place“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hellcast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him.” (Luke 12:4,5)

Second, hell is a horrible place. It is described as "everlasting firefire” (Matthew 25:41); "the fire that shall never be quenched” (Mark 9:43); "a lake of fire” (Revelation

20:15); a place of "everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46).

“will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be Weeping Weeping and Gnashing of Teethand Gnashing of Teeth."  (Mt 8:12)

Third, hell is a place where anyone can go. “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans

11:22)

Facts about Hell

Fifth, great classes of people, even angels, abide in hell. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second

death." (Revelation 21:8)

Sixth, hell is a place from which one cannot escape. "the great fixed gulf."gulf." (Luke 16:26)

Fourth, hell is a place that will last forever. suffering the vengeance of eternal fireeternal fire.” (Jude 7)

Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched (Mk 9:44)

Why was hell created?

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the prepared for the

devil and his angelsdevil and his angels:” (Mt 25:41)

Hell Heaven

Not A Pretty Place

Touch: Pain from burning fire

Taste: Dry mouth, extreme thirst, blood from gnashing teeth

Smell: Rotting garbage-Gehenna; rotten eggs-brimstone

Sight: smoke-fire; corruption-gehenna or black darkness

Sound: Moaning, weeping, crying, screaming

Better than Dreams

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”: Rev 21:4

beyond all we could ask for or even think of: Eph 3:20

present suffering not worthy to be compared with future glory: Rom 8:18

eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison: 2 Cor 4:17,18

surpassing riches of His grace towards us: Eph 2:7

A 5 Sense Experience

Quick facts about HeavenLiteral place – prepare a place for you.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev 21:1-2)

Partying in Paradise – Worst day in Heaven > Best day on earth. God is electrifying, exciting, exhilarating, thrilling, dynamic, lively, active, vigorous and vibrant – NOT BORING

Family Reunion

Body Make Over

Awards ceremony – not judgment

Keep learning and growing – New and fresh

What to do to be saved?

1) Cry out for God’s mercy“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those

who hope in His mercy”(Ps 33:18)

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Ps 86:15)

“For as the heavens are high above the earth,         So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west,         So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children,         So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame;         He remembers that we are dust.” (Ps 103:11-14)

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Ps 118:1)

Ps 136 (For His mercy endures forever)7,500,000,000,000,000,000, or seven quintillion five quadrillion

grains of sand.

1) Cry out for God’s mercy

Your mercies O my God

Are countless

And exceedingly plenteous

Are your compassions

All the raindrops

Are counted by You

And the sand of the sea

Is before your eyes

1) Cry out for God’s mercy

Lord Have Mercy in:

Agpeya

Liturgy

Vespers

Tasbeha

Good Friday

Way of the Pilgrim

2) Show mercy“For judgment is without mercy to the one who

has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt. 5:7)

As long as we deny reality of our sin, "righteousness" demands our punishment.

As long as we deny reality of our sin, "peace" will be an elusive thing.

As long as we deny reality of our sin, "mercy" cannot come to our aid.

3) Believe Acts 16:30,31 "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

"BelieveBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, ...

Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the namecalls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:9 That if you confessconfess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believebelieve in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

John 3:36 He who believesbelieves in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Spurgeon - to disobey the gospel is far worse than to break the law. For disobedience to the law there is remedy in the gospel, but For disobedience to the gospel no remedy can be found.

There remains no more sacrifice for sin.

What to do to be saved?

In love you created man,

in justice you condemned him,

but in mercy you redeemed him

“Mercy and truth have met together;         Righteousness and peace have kissed.”(Ps 85:10)

Prayer – Before sleep

“Father into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46)

(Agpeya – 11th hour : 3rd litany - Asking St. Mary)

… and when my soul departs from my body … please be present and attend to me … shut the gates of Hades, lest they might swallow my soul, …