I was asked to write about suicide from a Biblical perspective because so many are asking about this online because they are so discouraged and feel hopeless, especially in our present circumstances. This is a difficult topic, and I am not an expert, nor a doctor or psychologist. I would suggest, first of all, that you go online to a Bible believing site which has experience in this and professionals who can help you and direct you on how our God can and will help you.

Here are some sites which I think are very good:
1. https.//answersingenesis.org. Look up Christian answers to suicide. This is a very good site that has many other resources.

2. gotquestions.org gives a list of people in the Bible who killed themselves:
Abimelech – Judges 9:54
Saul – I Samuel 31:4
Saul’s armor bearer – I Samuel 32:4-6
Ahithophel – 2 Samuel 17:23
Zimri – I Kings 16:18
Samson – Judges 16:26-33

3. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK

4. focusonthefamily.com

5. davidjeremiah.org (What Christians must understand about suicide and mental health)

What I do know is that God has all the answers we need in His Word, and He is always there for us to call upon Him for His help. He loves and cares for you. He wants us to experience His love, His mercy, and His peace.

His Word, the Bible, teaches us that each of us is created for a purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” It also shows us how we should live. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17) and the truth will set us free (John 8:32). It can help us with all our anxieties. 2 Peter 1:1-4 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to glory and virtue…Through these He has given us His very good and precious promises, so that through them you might be partakers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is the world through lust (evil desire).”

God is for life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they may have life and they might have it more abundantly.” Ecclesiastes 7:17 says, “Why should you die before your time?” Seek God. Go to God for help. Don’t give up.

We live in a world filled with trouble and evil behavior, not to mention bad circumstances, especially in our present time, and natural catastrophes. John 16:33 says, “I have spoken unto you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

There are people who are selfish and evil doers and even murderers. When the worlds’ troubles come and cause hopelessness, Scripture says evil and suffering are all the result of sin. Sin is the problem, but God is our hope, our answer and our Savior. We are both the cause and the victims of this. God says all bad stuff is the result of sin and that ALL of us “have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That means ALL. It is obvious that many are overwhelmed by the world around them and wish to escape due to desperation and discouragement and see no way to escape nor to change the world around them. All of us suffer the results of sin in this world, but God loves us and gives us hope. God loves us so much He has provided a way to take care of sin and to help us in this life. Read about how much God cares for us in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke chapter 10. Read also Romans 8:25-32. He cares for you. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Scripture clearly shows us that the starting point is that God had to take care of the sin problem. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to fix this problem. John 3:16 says this VERY clearly. It says, “For God so loved the world” (all of the persons in it) “that He gave His only begotten Son, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” Galatians 1:4 says, “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father.” Romans 5:8 says, “But God commends His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

One of the major causes of suicide is guilt from wrong things we have done, which, as God says, all of us have done, but God has taken care of the penalty and the guilt and forgives us for our sin, through Jesus His Son. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus paid the penalty when He died on the cross. I Peter 2:24 says, “Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed.” Read Isaiah 53 again and again. I John 3:2 & 4:16 say He is the propitiation for our sins, which means the just payment for our sins. Read also I Corinthians 15:1-4. This means He forgives our sins, all our sins, and the sins of everyone who believes. Colossians 1:13&14 says, “Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Psalm 103:3 says, “Who forgives all your iniquities.” See also Ephesians 1:7; Acts 5:31; 13:35; 26:18; Psalm 86:5 and Matthew 26:28. See John 15:5; Romans 4:7; I Corinthians 6:11; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25 and 44:22. All we need to do is to believe in and accept Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Revelation 22:17 says, “and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.” John 6:37 says, “him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out…” See John 5:24 and John 10:25. He gives us eternal life. Then we have a new life, and abundant life. He is also always with us (Matthew 28:20).

The Bible is true. It is about how we feel and who we are. It is about God’s promises of eternal life and abundant life, for whoever believes. (John 10:10; 3:16-18&36 and I John 5:13). It is about God who is faithful, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Read also Hebrews 6:18&19 and 10:23; I John 2:25 and Deuteronomy 7:9. We have passed from death to life. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” We are forgiven, if we believe.

This takes care of the sin problem, forgiveness and the condemnation and guilt. Now God wants us to live for Him (Ephesians 2:2-10). I Peter 2:24 says, “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed.”

There is a but here. Read John chapter 3 again. Verses 18 & 36 tell us that if we do not believe and accept God’s way of salvation, we will perish (suffer punishment). We are condemned and under God’s wrath because we have rejected His provision for us. Hebrews 9:26&37 says man “is destined to die once and after that to face judgment.” If we die without accepting Jesus, we don’t get a second chance. See the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:10-31. John 3:18 says, “but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son,” and verse 36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” The choice is ours. We have to believe to have life; we have to believe in Jesus and ask Him to save us before this life is over. Romans 10:13 says, “whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

This is where hope begins. God is for life. He has a purpose for you and a plan. Don’t give up! Remember Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans (thoughts) that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future.” In our world of trouble and sadness, in God we have hope and nothing can separate us from His love. Read Romans 8:35-39. Read Psalm 146:5 and Psalms 42&43. Psalm 43:5 says, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Philippians 4:13 tell us that God will give us strength to carry on and bring glory to God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Read Psalm 37:5&6 Proverbs 3:5&6 and James 4:13-17. Proverbs 16:9 says, “Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.”

Our HOPE is also our Provider, Protector, Defender and Deliverer: Check out these verses:
HOPE: Psalm 139; Psalm 33:18-32; Lamentations 3:24; Psalm 42 (“Hope thou in God.”); Jeremiah 17:7; I Timothy 1:1
HELPER: Psalm 30:10; 33:20; 94:17-19
DEFENDER: Psalm 71:4&5
DELIVERER: Colossians 1:13; Psalm 6:4; Psalm 144:2; Psalm 40:17; Psalm 31:13-15
LOVE: Romans 8:38&39
In Philippians 4:6 God tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Come to God and let Him help you with all your needs and cares because I Peter 5:6&7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” There are many reasons people contemplate suicide. In Scripture God promises to help you with each and every one of them.

Here is a list of reasons people may contemplate suicide and what God’s Word says He will do to help you:

1. Hopelessness: The world is too evil, it will never change, despair over conditions, it will never get better, overwhelmed, life is not worth it, not successful, failures.

Answer: Jeremiah 29:11, God gives hope; Ephesians 6:10, We should trust in the promise of His power and might (John 10:10). God will win. I Corinthians 15:58&59, We have victory. God is in control.Examples: Moses, Job

2. Guilt: From our own sins, wrongs we have done, shame, remorse, failures
Answer: a. For unbelievers, John 3:16; I Corinthians 15:3&4. God saves us and forgives us through Christ. God is not willing that any should perish.
b. For believers, when they confess their sin to Him, I John 1:9; Jude 24. He keeps us forever. He is merciful. He promises to forgive us.

3. Unloved: rejection, no one cares, unwanted.
Answer: Romans 8:38&39 God loves you. He cares about you: Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:7; I Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 10:29-31; Galatians 1:4; God never leaves you. Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20

4. Anxiety: Worry, cares of the world, Covid, home, what people think, money.
Answer: Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25-34; 10:29-31. He cares for you. I Peter 5:7 He is our Provider. He will supply all we need. “All these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

5. Unworthy: No value or purpose, not good enough, useless, worthless, can’t do anything, failure.
Answer: God has a purpose and plan for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11). Matthew 6:25-34 and chapter 10, We are valuable to Him. Ephesians 2:8- 10. Jesus gives us life and abundant life (John 10:10). He guides us to His plan for us (Proverbs 16:9); He wants to restore us if we fail (Psalm 51:12). In Him we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). He gives us everything we need
(2 Peter 1:1-4). Everything is new every morning, especially God’s mercy (Lamentations 3:22&23; Psalm 139:16). He is our Helper, Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 121:1&2; Psalm 20:1&2; Psalm 46:1.
Examples: Paul, David, Moses, Esther, Joseph, everyone

6. Enemies: People against us, bullies, no one likes us.
Answer: Romans 8:31&32 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” See also verses 38&39. God is our Defender, Deliverer (Romans 4:2; Galatians 1:4; Psalm 25:22; 18:2&3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-10) and He vindicates us. James 1:2-4 says we need perseverance. Read Psalm 20:1&2
Example: David, He was pursued by Saul, but God was his Defender and Deliverer (Psalm 31:15; 50:15; Psalm 4).

7. Loss: Grief, bad events, loss of home, job, etc.
Answer: Job chapter 1, “God gives and takes away.” We need to give God thanks in all things (I Thessalonians 5:18). Romans 8:28&29 says, “God works all things together for good.”
Example: Job

8. Illness and Pain: John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Answer: I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks,” Ephesians 5:20. He will sustain you. Romans 8:28, “God works all things together for good.” Job 1:21
Example: Job. God gave Job blessings in the end.

9. Mental Health: emotional pain, depression, a burden to others, sadness, people don’t understand.
Answer: God knows all our thoughts; He understands; He cares, I Peter 5:8. Seek help from Christian, Bible-believing counselors. God can meet all our needs.
Examples: He met the needs of all His children in Scripture.

10. Anger: Vengeance, getting even with those who hurt us. Sometimes people who contemplate suicide imagine that it is a way to get even with those who they think are mistreating them. But ultimately although the people mistreating you may feel guilt, the person who is most hurt is the one who commits suicide. He loses his life and God’s purpose and intended blessings.
Answer: God judges rightly. He tells us to “love our enemies…and to pray for those who despitefully use us” (Matthew chapter 5). God says in Romans 12:19, “Vengeance is mine.” God wants all to be saved.

11. Elderly: want to quit, give up
Answer: James 1:2-4 says we need to persevere. Hebrews 12:1 says we need to run with patience the race set before us. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Life And Death (God vs. Satan)

We have seen that God is all about love and life and hope. Satan is the one who wants to destroy life and God’s work. John 10:10 says Satan comes to “steal, kill and destroy,” to prevent people from receiving God’s blessing, forgiveness and love. God wants us to come to Him for life and He wants to help us. Satan wants you to quit, to give up. God wants us to serve Him. Remember Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Satan wants us to die; God wants us to live. Throughout Scripture God shows that His plan for us is to love others, to love our neighbor and help them. If a person ends his or her life, they give up their ability to fulfill God’s plan, to change the lives of others; to bless and change and love others through them, according to His plan. This is for each and every person He has created. When we fail to follow this plan or quit, others will suffer because we have not helped them. Answers in Genesis gives a list of people in the Bible who killed themselves, all of whom were people who turned away from God, sinned against Him and failed to achieve the plan God had for them. Here is the list: Judges 9:54 – Abimelech; Judges 16:30 – Samson; I Samuel 31:4 – Saul; 2 Samuel 17:23 – Ahithophel; I Kings 16:18 – Zimri; Matthew 27:5 – Judas. Guilt is one of the primary reasons people commit suicide.

Other Examples
As we have said in the Old Testament and also throughout the New Testament, God gives examples of His plans for us. Abraham was chosen as the Father of the nation of Israel through whom God would bless and provide salvation to the world. Joseph was sent to Egypt and there he saved his family. David was chosen to be king and then became the ancestor of Jesus. Moses led Israel from Egypt. Esther saves her people (Esther 4:14).

In the New Testament, Mary became Jesus’ mother. Paul spread the Gospel (Acts 26:16&17; 22:14&15). What if he had given up? Peter was chosen to preach to the Jews (Galatians 2:7). John was chosen to write Revelation, God’s message to us about the future.
This is also for all of us, for each person in their generation, each different from another’s. I Corinthians 10:11 says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Read Romans 12:1&2; Hebrews 12:1.

We all face trials (James 1:2-5) but God will be with us and enable us when we persevere. Read Romans 8:28. He will bring our purpose to pass. Read Psalm 37:5&6 and Proverbs 3:5&6 and Psalm 23. He will see us through and Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Gifts

In the New Testament God has given special spiritual gifts to each believer: an ability to be used to help and build up others and to help believers to become mature, and to fulfill God’s purpose for them. Read Romans 12; I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.
This is just one more way God demonstrates that there is a purpose and plan for each person.
Psalm 139:16 says, “the days that were fashioned for me” and Hebrews 12:1&2 tells us “to run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.” This surely means we shouldn’t quit.

Our gifts are given to us by God. There are about 18 specific gifts, differing from others, specifically chosen according to God’s will (I Corinthians 12:4-11 and 28, Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11&12). We should not quit but love God and serve Him. I Corinthians 6:19&20 says, “You are not your own, you were bought with a price” (when Christ died for you) “…therefore glorify God.” Galatians 1:15&16 and Ephesians 3:7-9 both say that Paul was chosen for a purpose from the time of his birth. Similar statements are said of many others in Scripture, such as David and Moses. When we quit, we not only hurt ourselves but others.

God Is Sovereign – It Is His Choice – He Is in ControlEcclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born; a time to die.” Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in Your hands.” Ecclesiastes 7:17b says, “Why should you die before your time?” Job 1:26 says, “God gives and God takes away.” He is our Creator and Sovereign. It is God’s choice, not ours. In Romans 8:28 He who has all knowledge wants what is good for us. He says, “all things work together for good.” Psalm 37:5&6 says, “Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.” So we should commit our ways to Him.

He will take us to be with Him at the right time and sustain us and give us grace and strength for our journey while we are here on earth. As with Job, Satan cannot touch us unless God allows it. Read I Peter 5:7-11. John 4:4 says, “Greater is He that is in you, that he that is in the world.” I John 5:4 says, “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” See also Hebrews 4:16.
Conclusion

2 Timothy 4:6&7 says we should finish the course (purpose) God has given us. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us our purpose is to love and glorify God. Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “What does the LORD require of you…but to fear the LORD your God…to love Him and to
serve the LORD your God with all your heart. Matthew 22:37-40 tells us to, “Love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself.”

If God allows suffering it is for our good (Romans 8:28; James 1:1-4). He wants us to trust in Him, to trust in His love. I Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Job is our example that shows us that when God allows troubles, He does it to test us and make us stronger and in the end, He blesses us and forgives us even when we don’t always trust Him, and we fail and question and challenge Him. He forgives us when we confess our sin to Him (I John 1:9). Remember I Corinthians 10:11 which says, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.” God allowed Job to be tested and it made him understand God more and trust God more, and God restored and blessed him.

The Psalmist said, “The dead do not praise the LORD.” Isaiah 38:18 says, “The living man, he shall praise you.” Psalm 88:10 says, “Will you work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise you?” Psalm 18:30 also says, “As for God, His way is perfect,” and Psalm 84:11 says, “He will give grace and glory.” Choose life and choose God. Give Him control. Remember, we do not understand God’s plans, but He promises to be with us, and He wants us to trust Him as Job did. So be steadfast (I Corinthians 15:58) and finish the race “marked out for you,” and let God choose the times and path of your life (Job 1; Hebrews 12:1). Don’t give up (Ephesians 3:20)!

Many people believe that if a person commits suicide that they automatically go to Hell.

This idea is usually based on the fact that killing yourself is murder, an extremely serious sin, and that when a person kills himself there obviously is not time after the event to repent and ask God to forgive him.

There are several problems with this idea. The first is that there is absolutely no indication in the Bible that if a person commits suicide that they go to Hell.

The second problem is that it makes salvation be by faith plus not doing something. Once you start down that road, what other conditions are you going to add to faith alone?

Romans 4:5 says, “However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”

The third issue is that it almost puts murder into a separate category and makes it far worse than any other sin.

Murder is extremely serious, but so are many other sins. A final problem is that it assumes that the individual did not change his mind and cry out to God after it was too late.

According to people who have survived a suicide attempt, at least some of them regretted whatever they did to take their life almost as soon as they did it.

None of what I have just said should be taken to mean that suicide is not sin, and a very serious one at that.

People who take their own life often feel their friends and family would be better off without them, but that is almost never so. Suicide is a tragedy, not only because an individual dies, but also because of the emotional pain that all who knew the individual will feel, often for an entire lifetime.

Suicide is the ultimate rejection of all the people who cared about the one who took their own life, and often leads to all sorts of emotional problems in those affected by it, including others taking their own life also.

To sum up, suicide is an extremely serious sin, but it will not automatically send someone to Hell.

Any sin is serious enough to send a person to Hell if that person does not ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Savior and forgive all his sins.

We have had another question that we feel is related: The question is, “How do I escape Hell?”  The reason the questions are related is because God has told us in the Bible that He has provided the way to escape the death penalty of our sin and that is through a Savior – Jesus Christ our Lord, because a PERFECT MAN  had to take our place.   First we must consider who deserves Hell and why we deserve it.  The answer is, as Scripture clearly teaches,  that all people are sinners.  Romans 3:23 says, “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  That means you and me  and everyone else.  Isaiah 53:6 says “all we like sheep have gone astray.”

Read Romans 1:18-31, read it carefully, to understand the sinful downfall of man and his depravity.  Many specific sins are listed here ,but these are not even all of them.  It also explains that the start of our sin is about rebellion against God, just as it was with Satan.

Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”  Verse 25 says, “They exchanged the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” and verse 26 says, “They did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God” and verse 29 says, “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.”  Verse 30 says, “They invent ways of doing evil,” and verse 32 says, “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”  Read Romans 3:10-18, parts of which I quote here, “ There is none righteous, no not one … no one seeks God …all have turned away … no one who does good … and  there is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Isaiah 64:6 says, “ all our righteous acts are as filthy rags.”  Even our good deeds are soiled with bad motives etc.  Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”  Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death.”  We deserve God’s punishment.

Revelation 20:13-15 clearly teaches us that death means Hell when it says, “Each person was judged according to what he had done…the lake of fire is the second death…if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

How do we escape?  Praise the Lord!  God loves us and made a way of escape.  John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

First we must make one thing very clear.  There is only one God.  He sent one Savior, God the Son.  In the Old Testament Scripture God shows us through His dealings with Israel that He alone is God, and that they (and us) are not to worship any other God.  Deuteronomy 32:38 says, “See now, I am He.  There is no god beside me.”  Deuteronomy 4:35 says, “The Lord is God, besides Him there is no other.”  Verse 38 says, “The Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  There is no other.”  Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:13 when He said in Matthew 4:10, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.”  Isaiah 43:10-12 says, “ ‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.  Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me.  I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no Savior…You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am God.’ “

God exists in three Persons, a concept we can neither fully understand nor explain, which we call the Trinity.  This fact is understood throughout Scripture, but not explained.  The plurality of God is understood from the very first verse of Genesis where it says God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.  Elohim is a plural noun.  Echad, a Hebrew word used to describe God, which is usually translated “one,” can also mean a single unit or more than one acting or being as one.  Thus the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God.  Genesis 1:26 makes this clearer than anything else in Scripture, and since all three persons are referred to in Scripture as God, we know that all  three persons are part of the Trinity.  In  Genesis 1:26  it says, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” showing plurality.  As clear as we can possibly understand who God is, Whom we are to worship, He is a plural unity.

So God has a Son who is equally God.  Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us He is equal to the Father, His exact image.  In  verse 8 , where God the Father is speaking, it says, “about the Son He said, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever.’ “   God here calls His Son God.  Hebrews 1:2 speaks of Him as the “acting creator” saying, “through Him He made the universe.”  This is made even stronger in John chapter 1:1-3 when John speaks of the “Word” (later identified as the man Jesus) saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. ”  This person – the Son – was the Creator (verse 3): “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”  Then in verse 29-34 (which describes Jesus’ baptism) John identifies Jesus as the Son of God.  In verse 34 he (John) says of Jesus, “I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”  The four Gospel writers all testify that Jesus is God’s Son.  Luke’s account (in Luke 3:21&22) says, “Now when all the people were being baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove, and a voice came from heaven saying, ‘You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.’ “  See also Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:10 and John 1:31-34.

Both Joseph and Mary identified Him as God.  Joseph was told to name Him Jesus “for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).  The name Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) means Savior or  ‘the Lord saves’.  In Luke 2:30-35 Mary is told to name her Son Jesus and the angel told her, “the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” In Matthew 1:21 Joseph is told, “what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”   This clearly puts the third Person of the Trinity into the picture.  Luke records that this also was told to Mary.  Thus God has a Son (Who is equally God) and thus God sent His Son (Jesus) to be a person to save us from Hell, from God’s wrath and punishment. John 3:16a says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

Galatians 4:4&5a says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.”  I John 4:14 says, “The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”  God tells us Jesus is the only way to escape eternal torment in Hell.  I Timothy 2:5 says,” For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for us all, the testimony given at the proper time.”  Acts 4:12 says, “nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other Name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.”

If you read the Gospel of John, Jesus claimed to be one with the Father, sent by the Father, to do His Father’s will and give His life for us.  He said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man comes to the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).    Romans 5:9 (NKJV) says, “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him…we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.”  Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”  John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but is passed from death to life.”

John 3:16 says, “he that believes on Him will not perish.”  John 3:17 says, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him,” but verse 36 says, “whoever rejects the Son will not see life for God’s wrath remains on him.”  I Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God has provided a way to escape His wrath in Hell, but He provided only ONE WAY and we must do it His way.  So how did this come to pass?  How does this work? To understand this we must go back to the very beginning where God promised to send us a Savior.

From the time man sinned, even from creation, God planned a way and promised His salvation from sin’s consequences.  2 Timothy 1:9&10 says, “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus.  See also Revelation 13:8.  In Genesis 3:15 God promised that the “seed of the woman” would “crush Satan’s head.”  Israel was God’s instrument (vehicle) through whom God brought to all the world His eternal salvation, given in such a way everyone could recognize Him, so all people could believe and be saved.  Israel would be the keeper of God’s Covenant Promise and the heritage through whom the Messiah – Jesus – would come.

God gave this promise first to Abraham when He promised He would bless the world through Abraham (Genesis 12:23; 17:1-8) through whom He formed the nation – Israel – the Jews.  God then passed this promise down to Isaac (Genesis 21:12), then to Jacob (Genesis 28:13&14) who was renamed Israel – the father of the Jewish nation.  Paul referred to and confirmed this in Galatians 3:8 and 9 where he said: “The Scriptures forsaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham. ”   Paul recognized Jesus as the person through whom this came.

Hal Lindsey in his book, The Promise, put it this way,  “this was to be the ethnic people through which the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would be born.” Lindsey gave four reasons for God choosing Israel through whom the Messiah would come.  I have another: through this people came all the prophetic statements which describe Him and His life and death which enable us to recognize Jesus as this person, so that all nations may believe in Him, receive Him – receiving the ultimate blessing of salvation: forgiveness and rescue from God’s wrath.

God then made a covenant (treaty) with Israel which instructed them how they could approach God through priests (mediators) and sacrifices which would cover their sins.  As we have seen (Romans 3:23 & Isaiah 64:6), we all sin and those sins separate and alienate us from God.

Please read Hebrews chapters 9&10 which are important in understanding what God did in the Old Testament system of sacrifices and in the New Testaments’ fulfillment. .  The Old Testament system was only a temporary “covering” until the real redemption was accomplished – until the promised Savior would come and secure our eternal salvation.  It was also a foreshadowing (a picture or image) of the real Savior, Jesus (Matthew1:21, Romans3:24-25. and 4:25).  So in the Old Testament, everyone had to come God’s way – the way God had set up. So we must also come to God His Way, through His Son.

It is clear that God said sin must be paid for by death and that a substitute, a sacrifice (usually a lamb) was necessary so the sinner could escape the penalty, because,  ” the wages {penalty} of sin is death.” Romans 6:23).  Hebrews 9:22 says, “without shedding of blood there is no remission.”  Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”   God, through His goodness, sent us the promised fulfillment, the real thing, the Redeemer.   This is what the Old Testament is about, but God promised a New Covenant with Israel – His people – in Jeremiah 31:38, a covenant that would be fulfilled  by the Chosen One, the Savior.  This is the New Covenant – the New Testament, the promises, fulfilled in Jesus.  He would  do away with sin and death and Satan once and for all.  (As I said, you must read Hebrews chapters 9&10.)  Jesus said, (see Matthew 26:28; Luke 23:20 and Mark 12:24), “This is the New Testament (Covenant) in My blood which is shed for you for the remission of sins.”

Continuing on through history, the promised Messiah would also come through King David.  He would be David’s descendant.  Nathan the prophet said this in I Chronicles 17:11-15, declaring that the Messiah King would come through David, that He would be eternal and the King would be God, the Son of God.   (Read Hebrews chapter 1; Isaiah 9:6&7 and Jeremiah 23:5&6).  In Matthew 22:41&42 the Pharisees asked of what line of ancestry the Messiah would come, whose Son He would be, and the answer was, from David.

The Savior is identified in the New Testament by Paul. In Acts 13:22, in a sermon, Paul explains this when he speaks of David and the Messiah saying, “from this man’s descendant (David son of Jesse), according to the promise, God raised up a Savior – Jesus, as promised.”  Again, He is identified in the New Testament in Acts 13:38&39 which says, “I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,” and “through Him everyone who believes is justified.”  The Anointed One, promised and sent by God is identified as Jesus.

Hebrews 12:23&24 also tell us Who the Messiah is when it says, “You have come to God…to Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant and to sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”  Through Israel’s prophets God gave us many prophecies, promises and pictures describing the Messiah and what He would be like and what He would do so that we would recognize  Him when He came.  These were acknowledged by Jewish leaders as authentic pictures of the Anointed One ( they refer to them as Messianic prophecies }. Here are a few of them:

1).        Psalm 2 says He would be called the Anointed One, the Son of God (See Matthew 1:21-23).  He was conceived through the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 7:14 & Isaiah 9:6&7).  He is the Son of God (Hebrews 1:1&2).

2).        He would be a real man, born of a woman (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14 and Galatians 4:4).  He would be the descendant of Abraham and David and be born of a Virgin, Mary  (I Chronicles 17:13-15 and Matthew 1:23, “she will bear a son.”).  He will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

3).        Deuteronomy 18:18&19 says He would be a great prophet and do great miracles like Moses did (a real person – a prophet).  (Please compare this to the question of whether Jesus was real – an  historical figure }.  He was real, sent by God. He is God – Immanuel.   See Hebrews chapter one, and  the Gospel of John, chapter one. How could He die for us as our substitute, if He were not a real man?

4).         There are prophecies of very specific things which occurred during the crucifixion, such as the lots being cast for His garments, His pierced  hands and feet and none of His  bones being broken.  Read Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 and other Scriptures which describe very specific events in His life.

5).         The reason for His death is clearly described and explained in Scripture in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 . (a)  As a Substitute :  Isaiah 53:5 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions…the punishment for our peace was upon Him.”  Verse 6 continues, (b)  He took our sin : “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all  “ and (c) He died :  Verse 8 says, “He was cut off from the land of the living.  For the transgression of My people was He stricken.”  Verse 10 says, “The Lord makes His life a guilt offering.”  Verse12 says,”He poured out His life unto death … He bore the sins of many.” (d) And finally He rose again : Verse 11 describes the resurrection when it says, “after the suffering of His soul He will see the light of life.”  See I Corinthians 15: 1- 4, this is the GOSPEL.

Isaiah 53 is a passage that is never read in the synagogues.  Once Jews read it they often

admit that this refers to Jesus , although Jews in general have rejected Jesus as their Messiah.  Isaiah 53: 3 says, “He was despised and rejected by mankind “.   See Zechariah 12:10.  Someday they will recognize Him.  Isaiah 60:16 says, “then you will know that I the Lord am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob”.   In John 4:2 Jesus told the woman at the well, “Salvation is of the Jews.”

As we have seen, it was through Israel that He brought the promises, the prophecies, which identify Jesus as the Savior and the heritage through which He would appear (be born).  See Matthew chapter 1 and Luke chapter 3.

In John 4:42 it says the woman at the well, after hearing Jesus, ran to her friends saying “Could this be the Christ?”  After this they came to Him and then they said, “We no longer believe just because of what you said: now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this MAN really is the Savior of the world.”

Jesus is the Chosen One, the son of Abraham, Son of  David, the Savior and King forever, Who reconciled and redeemed us by His death, giving us forgiveness, sent by God to  rescue us from Hell and give us life forever (John 3:16; I John 4:14; John 5:9&24 and 2 Thessalonians 5:9).  This is how it came to be, how God  made a Way so we can be free of judgment and wrath. Now let us see more closely  How Jesus fulfilled  this promise.

There are some things that the Bible teaches that I absolutely love, such as how much God loves us.  There are other things that I actually wish were not there, but my study of Scripture has convinced me that, If I am going to be completely honest in how I handle Scripture, I have to believe it teaches that the lost will suffer eternal torment in Hell.

Those who would question the idea of eternal torment in Hell will often say that the words used to describe the duration of the torment do not exactly mean eternal.  And while this is true, that the Greek of New Testament times did not have and use a word exactly equivalent to our word eternal, the writers of the New Testament used the words available to them to describe both how long we will live with God and how long the ungodly will suffer in Hell.  Matthew 25:46 says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  The same words translated eternal are used to describe God in Romans 16:26 and the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 9:14.  2 Corinthians 4:17&18 helps us understand what the Greek words translated “eternal” really mean.  It says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Mark 9:48b “It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.”  Jude 13c “For whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.”  Revelation 14:10b&11 “They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.  There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”  All these passages indicate something that does not end.

Perhaps the strongest indication that punishment in Hell is eternal is found in Revelation chapters 19&20.  In Revelation 19:20 we read that the beast and the false prophet (both human beings) “were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”  After that it says in Revelation 20:1-6 that Christ reigns for a thousand years.  During those thousand years Satan is locked up in the Abyss but Revelation 20:7 says, “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison.”  After he makes a final attempt to defeat God we read in Revelation 20:10, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown.  They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  The word “they” includes the beast and the false prophet who have already been there for a thousand years.

To really understand what the Great White Throne Judgment is and when it occurs one has to know a little history.  I love the Bible and history because the Bible is history.  The Bible is also about the future, God telling us the future of the world through prophecy.  It is real.  It is true.  One only has to see the prophecies already fulfilled to see that it is true.  There were prophecies concerning what was then Israel's soon to be future, their distant future, and prophecies about Jesus the Messiah which were very specific.  There were prophecies about events which have already occurred, and events which have happened since Jesus ascended into heaven, and even events which have occurred during our lifetimes.

Scripture, in many places, also predicts events which will occur in the future, some of which are expanded upon in the Book of Revelation, or lead up to the events prophesied by John in Revelation, some of which have already happened.  Here are some Scriptures to read which are about both already fulfilled prophecies and yet future events: Ezekiel chapters 38&39; Daniel chapters 2, 7 & 9; Zechariah chapters 12&14 and Romans 11:26-32, to mention only a few.  Here are a few historical events prophesied in the Old or New Testament which have already occurred.  For example, there are prophecies about Israel's dispersion into Babylon, and the later world-wide dispersion.  Israel being re-gathered to the Holy Land and Israel once again becoming a nation are also foretold.  The destruction of the Second Temple is predicted in Daniel chapter 9.  Daniel also describes the Neo-Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Greek (under Alexander the Great) and the Roman empires and talks of a confederacy made up of nations which will come out of the old Roman Empire.  Out of this will come the Anti-Christ (the Beast of Revelation), who through the power of Satan (the dragon) will rule this confederacy and rise up against God Himself and His Son and Israel and those who follow Jesus.  This leads us to the Book of Revelation which describes and expands upon these events and says that God will ultimately destroy His enemies and create "the new heavens and earth" where Jesus will reign forever with those who love Him.

Let's start with a chart: A Brief Chronological Outline of the Book of Revelation:

1).           The Tribulation

2).           The Second Coming of Christ which leads to the Battle of Armageddon

3).           Millenium (the 1,000 year reign of Christ)

4).           Satan loosed from the Abyss and the last battle where Satan is defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire.

5).           Unrighteous raised.

6).           Great White Throne Judgment

7).           New Heavens and New Earth

Read 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 which describes the Anti-Christ who will rise and gain control of the world until the Lord "brings (him) to an end by the appearance of His coming" (verse 8).  Verse 4 says the Anti-Christ will claim to be God.  Revelation chapters 13 and 17 tell us more about the Anti-Christ (the Beast).  2 Thessalonians says God gives people up to a great delusion "that they may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."  The Anti-Christ signs a treaty with Israel which marks the beginning of the seven years of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27).

Here are the major events of the Book of Revelation with some explanations:

1).           The seven year Tribulation: (Revelation 6:1-19:10).  God pours out His wrath on the wicked who have rebelled against Him.  The armies of the earth gather to destroy God's city and His people.

2).           The Second Coming of Christ:

1. Jesus comes from heaven with His armies to defeat the Beast (empowered by Satan) at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21).
2. Jesus' feet stand on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).
3. The Beast (Anti-Christ) and False Prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20).
4. Then Satan is thrown into the Abyss for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3).

3).           Millenium:

1. Jesus raises the dead who were martyred during the Tribulation (Revelation 20:4). This is part of the first resurrection of which Revelation 20:4&5 says, "the second death has no power over them."
2. They reign with Christ in His kingdom on the earth for 1,000 years.

4).           Satan is released from the Abyss for a short time for a final battle.

1. He deceives people and gathers them from all over the earth in a final rebellion and battle against Christ (Revelation 20:7&8) but
2. "fire will come down from heaven and destroy them" (Revelation 20:9).
3. Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire to be tormented for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

5).           The Unrighteous Dead are raised

6).           The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)

1. After Satan is thrown into the Lake of Fire the rest of the dead are raised (the unrighteous who do not believe in Jesus) (See 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and Revelation 20:5 again).
2. They stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment.
3. They are judged for what they did in their lives.
4. Everyone not found written in the Book of Life is thrown into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:15).
5. Hades is thrown into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14).

7).           Eternity: The New Heaven and New Earth: Those who believe in Jesus will be with the Lord forever.

Many debate exactly when the Rapture of the Church (also called the Bride of Christ) occurs, but if Revelation chapters 19&20 is chronological, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and His bride occurs at least before Armageddon where His followers appear to be with Him.  Those who had been raised in that "first resurrection" are called "blessed" because they have no part in the wrath of God's judgment which follows (the lake of fire – which is also called the second death).  See Revelation 20:11-15, especially verse 14.

To understand these events we must connect a few dots, so to speak, and look at a few related Scriptures.  Turn to Luke 16:19-31.  This is the story of the "rich man" and Lazarus.  After they died they went to Sheol (Hades).  Both these words, Sheol and Hades, mean the same thing, Sheol in the Hebrew language and Hades in the Greek language.  The meaning of these words is literally "the place of the dead" which is composed of two parts.  One, also and always referred to as Hades, is a place of punishment.  The other, called Abraham's side (bosom) is also called Paradise.    They are only the temporary place of the dead. Hades lasts only until the Great White Throne Judgment and Paradise or Abraham's side lasted only until the resurrection of Christ, when apparently those in Paradise went to Heaven to be with Jesus.  In Luke 23:43, Jesus told the thief on the cross, who believed on Him, that he would be with Him in Paradise. The connection to Revelation 20 is that, at the judgment, Hades is thrown into the "lake of fire."

Scripture teaches that all believers who die since the resurrection of Christ will be with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:6 says when we are "absent from the body"…we will be "present with the Lord."

According to the story in Luke 16 there is a separation between the parts of Hades and there are two distinct groups of people.  1) The rich man is with the unrighteous, those who will endure God's wrath and 2) Lazarus is with the righteous, those who will be with Jesus forever.  This actual story of two real people teaches us that after we die there is no way to change our eternal destination; no going back; and two eternal destinations.  We will either be destined for heaven or hell.  We will either be with Jesus as the thief on the cross was or separated from God forever (Luke 16:26).  I Thessalonians 4:16&17 assures us that believers will be with the Lord forever.  It says, "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever."  The unjust (unrighteous) will face the judgment.  Hebrews 9:27 says, "people are destined to die once and after that face judgment."  So that brings us back to Revelation chapter 20 where the unjust are raised from the dead and it describes this judgment as the "great white throne judgment."

There is good news however, because Hebrews 9:28 says that Jesus, "will come to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him."  The bad news is that Revelation 20:15 also states that after this judgment those who are not written in the "book of life" will be cast into the "lake of fire" while Revelation 21:27 says that those written in the "book of life" are the only ones who may enter the "New Jerusalem."  These people will have eternal life and will never perish (John 3:16).

So, the important question is which group are you in and how do you escape the judgment and be a part of the righteous whose names are written in the book of life. Scripture clearly teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Revelation 20 clearly says those at that judgment will be judged by the deeds done in this life.  Scripture clearly says that even our so-called "good deeds" are ruined by wrong motives and desires.  Isaiah 64:6 says, "all our righteousnesses (good deeds or righteous acts) are as filthy rags" (in His sight).  So how can we possibly be saved from God's judgment?

Revelation 21:8, along with other verses which list particular sins, shows how impossible it is to earn salvation by our deeds.  Revelation 21:22 says, "nothing impure will ever enter into it (The New Jerusalem), nor does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."

So let's look at what Scripture reveals about those whose names are written in the "book of life" (those who will be in heaven) and see what God says we must do in order to have our name written in the "book of life" and have eternal life.  The existence of the "book of life" was understood by those who believed in God in every dispensation (age or period of time) in Scripture.  In the Old Testament, Moses spoke of it as recorded in Exodus 32:32, as did David (Psalm 69:28), Isaiah (Isaiah 4:3) and Daniel (Daniel 12:1).  In the New Testament Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 10:20, 'rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Paul speaks of the book in Philippians 4:3 when he speaks of believers he knows who are his fellow workers "whose names are written in the book of life."  Hebrews also refers to "believers whose names are written in heaven" (Hebrews 12:22&23).  So we see that the Scriptures speak of believers being in the book of life, and in the Old Testament those who followed God knew they were in the book of life.  The New Testament speaks of the disciples and those who believed in Jesus as being in the book of life.  The conclusion we must come to is that those who believe in the one true God and in His Son, Jesus, are in the "book of life."  Here is a list of verses on the "book of life:" Exodus 32:32; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; 17:8; 20:15&20; 21:27 and Revelation 22:19.

So Who can help us?  Who can rescue us from the judgment?  Scripture asks this same question for us in Matthew23:33, "How will you escape being condemned to hell?"  Romans 2:2&3 says, "Now we know that judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.  So when you a mere human being pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?"

Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way."  It is about believing.  John 3:16 says we must believe in Jesus.  John 6:29 says, "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent."  Titus 3:4&5 says, "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."

So how did God, through His Son Jesus, accomplish our redemption?  John 3:16&17 says, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved by Him."  See also John 3:14.

Romans 5:8&9 states, "God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," and then goes on to say, "since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him."  Hebrews 9:26&27 (read the whole passage) says, "He appeared at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself...so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many…"

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."  Read Hebrews 10:1-14 to see how God declares us righteous, because He paid for our sins.

Jesus took our sin upon Himself and paid our penalty.  Read Isaiah chapter 53.  Verse 3 says, "The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all," and verse 8 says, "for the transgression of my people was He punished."  Verse 10 says,  "The Lord makes His life an offering for sin."  Verse 11 says, "He will bear their iniquities."  Verse 12 says, "He poured out His life unto death."  This was God's plan for verse 10 says, "It was the Lord's will to crush Him."

When Jesus was on the cross He said, "It is finished."  The words literally mean "paid in full."  This was a legal term which means the penalty, the required punishment for a crime or transgression was fully paid, the sentence was complete and the criminal was set free.  This is what Jesus did for us when He died.  Our penalty is the death sentence and He paid it in full; He took our place. He took our sin and He paid the sin penalty in full.  Colossians 2:13&14 says, "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us.  He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."  I Peter 1:1-11 says the end of this is the "salvation of our souls."  John 3:16 tells us that to be saved, we need to believe He did this.  Read John 3:14-17 again.  It's all about believing.  Remember that John 6:29 says, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent."

Romans 4:1-8 says, "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about – but not before God.  What does the Scripture say?  'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose transgressions are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.' "

I Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "…do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God."  It continues by saying, "…and such were some of you; but you were washed, you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God."  This occurs when we believe.  Scripture says in various verses that our sin is covered.  We are washed and made clean, we are seen in Christ and His righteousness and are accepted in the beloved (Jesus).  We are made white as snow.  Our sins are taken away, forgiven and cast into the sea (Micah 7:19) and He "remembers them no more" (Hebrews 10:17).  All because we believe that He took our place in His death for us on the cross.

I Peter 2:24 says, "Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes we are healed."  John 3:36 says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on Him."  I Thessalonians 5:9-11 says, "We are not appointed unto wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…that we may live together with Him."  I Thessalonians 1:10 also says that  "Jesus…rescues us from the wrath to come."  Notice the contrast in outcomes for the believer.  John 5:24 says, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."

So to avoid this judgment (God's eternal wrath) all He requires is that we believe in and receive His Son Jesus.  John 1:12 says, "As many as received Him to them He gives the right to be the children of God; to them that believe on His Name."  We will live forever with Him.  John 10:28 says, "I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish;" Read John 14:2-6 which says Jesus is preparing a home for us in heaven and we will be with Him forever in heaven. So you need to come to Him and believe in Him as Revelation 22:17 says, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that hears say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

We have the promise of the immutable (unchanging) God Who cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) that if we believe in His Son that we will escape His wrath, have eternal life and never perish, and live with Him forever.  Not only this, but we have the promise in the Word of God that He is our keeper.  2 Timothy 1:12 says, "I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."  Jude 24 says He is able to "keep you from falling and to present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy."  Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

In answer to the question of remembering “past” life, it depends on what you mean by the question.

1).        If you are referring to re-incarnation the Bible does not teach it.  There is no mention of coming back in another form or as another person in Scripture.  Hebrews 9:27 says that, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment.”

2).        If you are asking whether we will remember our lives after we die, we will be reminded of all our deeds when we are judged for what we did during our lives.

God knows all – past, present and future and God will judge unbelievers for their sinful deeds and they will receive everlasting punishment and believers will be rewarded for their works done for the kingdom of God.  (Read John chapter 3 and Matthew 12:36&37.)  God remembers everything.

Considering that every sound wave is out there somewhere and considering that we now have “clouds” to store our memories, science is barely starting to catch up to what God can do.  No word or deed is undetectable to God.