For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

I’m not a fan of horror films, but I’ve always been interested in the ones with religious themes. I guess it’s a study in the wrong ways this world portrays the other world – the world of angels, demons, devils, hell, and what happens after we die.

It’s easy to scoff at these movies and their villains and pronounce them garbage. But to that I say, not so fast. The Bible is very clear, especially in the New Testament, that demons exist and can possess a person. We learn from Luke 8:30 that more than one demon can possess a person. We see in Acts 19:16 that demons can use superhuman strength. Acts 16:16 tells us that demons can have fortune-telling power. In Luke 9:39 we find that demons can cause the possessed person to convulse and hurt themselves.

The Bible is also clear that Hell exists. “…God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;” (2 Peter 2:4) And speaking of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jude 1:7 says, “Those cities were destroyed by fire. They still speak to us of the fire of hell that lasts forever.” And Revelation 20:14 reveals, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.”

So, no worries, we won’t end up as zombies or vampires roaming the earth eternally. But we can end up extinguished eternally, along with Satan and the demons. Heed the warning in Matthew 10:28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” That One is God Almighty.

This would be terrifying if there were no way to be saved. Many people in our world today dread death because they see it as the end of everything – and without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, it is! But we know and need to share the Good News. As Paul says, “the love of Christ puts us into action. We are sure that Christ died for everyone. So, because of that, everyone has a part in His death. Christ died for everyone so that they would live for Him. They should not live to please themselves but for Christ Who died on a cross and was raised from the dead for them.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NLV) And even more than that, Jesus tells us in Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Christ has risen from the dead and controls death and Hell. It gets better: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) We can have eternal life if we believe in and live for Jesus Christ!

But wait, should we fear mortal death and Satan and those demons? Well, here’s one of the most reassuring verses in all of Scripture:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:38-39)

So yes, demons, Satan and hell really do exist. And sadly, people can be tormented by them, even people in our neighborhoods and families. But the love of Christ compels us to share Jesus like Halloween candy – generously and with everyone! Once we have Jesus as our Savior, NOTHING can separate us from God’s love and an eternity in Heaven. THAT is something to celebrate!

Have a Kit-Kat, Jesus loves you!

Jen

**Don’t miss our annual Trunk or Treat So Others Can Eat at Hereford Faith & Life Church on Sunday, October 27 from 2-4pm.