Of Course, Cats go to Heaven

My oldest cat, Sammy, was put to sleep tonight. He was calm and happy to sit in my lap. I asked God to send Little One and Tabitha, who he'd grown up with and had already passed, to meet him. Not only did He send them, but also Dids, who was my cat from years ago and had never met Sammy.

They waited patiently for the formalities to be over and comforted me while I waited. Jesus showed up too, kissing my forehead. When it was over and Sammy had exited his body, the girls greeted him. Christ then took them all with him to heaven.

While I will mourn Sammy's loss, I know he and my other cats are reunited. They'll be playing at Jesus feet until one day, I join them.

The Second Death

Rev 20: 12-15 KJV

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (the grave) delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (A final spiritual and physical death.)

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21: 8 JKV

But the fearful, the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcereres, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (A final spiritual and physical death.)

There are several interesting things being said in these verses.

First off, where to the dead come from who are to be judged?

According to the God's Word, death, hell or correctly translated the grave, and the sea.

What happens to death and hell?

They're cast into the lake of fire, along with everyone whose name is not found in the book of life after they've been judged.

What is the second death?

It is a final spiritual and physical death.

2 Thessalonians 1: 8 -9 KJV

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Can you imagine anything more horrible than to wake up from death. Be judged by God. See His glory and Jesus, Know that the choices they made in life lead them here. Then to be sentenced to the lake of fire and suffer a final physical and spiritual death? No wonder there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Whoa! Wait a minute...we're taught that they suffer all eternity. Do they?

Rev. 20: 10 JKV

And the devil that decieved them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and forever.

Notice who WILL be suffering day and night for all eternity. The devil. The beast and the false prophet. Nothing is said about anyone else.

Yes, very aware of what tradition teaches. But the Bible does exhort us to study the word of God ourselves, not just absorb what is taught or been passed down via theology.

Study these verses yourselves. Do word studies on them. Find out what they really say. And don't be afraid if they rock your theology. God wants us informed what He really means. Not tradition. 








 

At the Cross, the dutiful son

As Westerners, we miss a very important event at the cross. Mary, Jesus mother, was there. The Bible never says what happened to Joseph, but we can assume he was dead. As the first born son, it was Jesus responsibility to care for his aging mother. Everyone in the Eastern cultures know this.

So, here he is, dying, and Jesus makes sure his mother is taken of by one of his disciples. What a beautiful and touching image of him making sure she would be loved and cared for, and not tossed out in the streets penniless.

A very significant event. An important one. Don't over look it!