It is very alarming that most churches being visited hardly talk about Heaven or Hell.(I don't believe about the existence of purgatory, so wont go into that). I know its not Sunday, but I decided to post this topic for many to ponder upon.

Hell was mentioned 54 times in the bible, correct me if I am wrong, now the trend of most churches is tithing and prosperity preaching. It is very alarming, and Christians were commissioned to spread the good news in order to avoid damnation. Should the reason for believing in God be for prosperity and earthly well being? Our bodies will return back to dust, and if possible be feasted upon by maggots, how are going to give account when all you will be hearing is 'The Lord will get you a car, house or multiply your bank account'.

Nowadays many Christians change churches for lack of fortune and luck forgetting about where they will spend eternity. Big ups to Atheists reading this thread, but hey respect those who chose to believe in God. Those that are yet to believe God's existence are those that haven't witnessed him, I have witnessed the goodness of God's blessings in my life, so I can't deny him this moment. No need finding God,he will find you when he wants to show his glory, remember Saul to Paul? Enough of the digression, Christians should start being conscious of the doctrines they listen to. I went to a church one day, and they were discussing sex styles because it was a marriage class, imagine hearing about 'backdoor' sex. As in Christianity is losing it fast.

A true follower of Christ should have eternity at the back of his/her mind 24/7.

Let me bring out verses that should make Christians sit up:

HELL

1. Matthew 5:22-30 'But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.'

2. Acts 2:27-31 ' because you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor permit your Holy One to experience decay. 31 David by foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his body experience decay'

3. James 3:6 ' And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.'

4. Psalm 6:5 'For no one remembers you in the realm of death, In Sheol who gives you thanks'

5. Luke 16:19-31 'There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell[a] from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”

You can add yours, but there are numerous to mention.

Now for heaven:

HEAVEN

1. Mathew 6:33 'Seek ye the kingdom of God and its righteousness and everything shall be added unto you'

2. 1 Corinthians 2:9 'But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.'

3. Acts 7:49 '‘Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is my resting place?'

4. Ephesians 5:5 'For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God'

5.Revelations 14:13 'Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[a] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them'

Please if you have your verses, please add.

I apologize for the lengthy post, our relationship with God is to focus on spending eternity with him. People should genuinely seek the kingdom of God and everything shall be added, nowadays we are seeking mansions, flashy cars, husbands, wives, etc as in things that won't follow you to the grave.

In conclusion, let all that we do focus on eternity. Heaven or hell, its a choice. I wrote this post because of current observations in society.

PS. I am no saint at all, I am just doing the little I can.


Cc: Seun; Ishilove, Mynd44 abeg help me evangelize small.

Nigeria is hell already so which mythical hell are you talking about again? Most churches don't preach about heaven and hell anymore but about prosperity because that is what appeals to most people. The here and now is what appeals to most people not some after life .

this is one of many reasons I love the Catholic Church...
no time for prosperity teaching....
Yahoo Yahoo pastors every where

torres89:
this is one of many reasons I love the Catholic Church...

no time for prosperity teaching....

Yahoo Yahoo pastors every where

Yes, I love their uniqueness, but not all their teachings are correct, no disrespect bro.

dalaman:
Nigeria is hell already so which mythical hell are you talking about again? Most churches don't preach about heaven and hell anymore but about prosperity because that is what appeals to most people. The here and now is what appeals to most people not some after life .

They fear if they give them the preaching of eternity, they would stop coming to church. Hence, less tithes.

Sacluxpaint:


Yes, I love their uniqueness, but not all their teachings are correct, no disrespect bro.

your opinion

u can ask the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world about their teachings, then u will get a clearer view.

Sir, God's interested in His Children prospering in all ways... ... . Spiritually, physically and materially.

Yesterday, my pastor preached about spiritual prosperity and it was an eye opener. And today physical prosperity. Wednesday material prosperity.


But to answer your question, the first week of May and the topic was simply 'Obedience'

torres89:
this is one of many reasons I love the Catholic Church...

no time for prosperity teaching....

Yahoo Yahoo pastors every where

Same here too. I love the Catholic Church so very much, the blessed sacrament, the daily mass, brotherly love, the wonderful preachings of the priest, in fact I love everything about my church

Sacluxpaint:


Yes, I love their uniqueness, but not all their teachings are correct, no disrespect bro.

True. No church is perfect..

godsluvee:
Same here too. I love the Catholic Church so very much, the blessed sacrament, the daily mass, brotherly love, the wonderful preachings of the priest, in fact I love everything about my church

the Catholic Church teaches us and shows us the way of life, just as Jesus Christ did...

keep up the faith....

torres89:


the Catholic Church teaches us and shows us the way of life, just as Jesus Christ did...

keep up the faith....

I sure will...

torres89:


your opinion

u can ask the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world about their teachings, then u will get a clearer view.

We can further degenerate into arguments, but my point is that some doctrines like purgatory is not biblical. You can reply my mention and I am ready to go all day with you but na you go tire.

Anyway, I am a Christian with no affiliation.

It seems most General Overseers deeply don't believe in afterlife.

It's now all about the money, fame, Power, health, fire to kill enemies, tithes, breakthroughs, anointing and good life.

But God is same. Hell and Heavens are Real

..

many pastors don't preach about hell/heaven cuz it doesn't attract people.. people are tired of hearing the whole heaven hell story over and over again... do this and live... don't do this and burn... a doctrine with no solid base.. although its a hint to the bigger picture, its not the bigger picture

many pastors are afraid to loose their crowd,that is why the matter of heaven & hell is already a forgotten matter. Jesus is watching you pastors! get ready to answer him on that day. Shalom

An2elect2:
Just for the record, the gospel is not hell or heaven but Christ and him crucified.

Yes I concur, but the afterlife must be discussed.

Sacluxpaint:


Yes I concur, but the afterlife must be discussed.

Yes sure. It must. But it's sad that the centre of that message isn't always Christ but keeping "rules"

nature is always in progression.so churches most also progress to keep up with and as so their teachings most reflect recent trend.

torres89:
this is one of many reasons I love the Catholic Church...

no time for prosperity teaching....

Yahoo Yahoo pastors every where

Yet they worship idol. SMH

Wilgrea7:
many pastors don't preach about hell/heaven cuz it doesn't attract people.. people are tired of hearing the whole heaven hell story over and over again... do this and live... don't do this and burn... a doctrine with no solid base.. although its a hint to the bigger picture, its not the bigger picture

But it's important they hear it because on judgement day no excuse .Every man for himself

There are churches that concentrate more on hell and heaven messages leaving other aspects while other churches concentrate more on prosperity. The issue is how do we balance the whole thing together? If a church always preach on hell and heaven messages what of earth messages. How would a believer grow in the faith? .Even the hell messages preached are based on perceptions from most preachers. Although modernization had find it's way to the Church that many believers are too relaxed. The hell messages had instill fear instead of love for God. If you love God you wouldn't do things that would hurt him. Instead of hell messages, preachers should preach messages that man must do to please his creator.

The subject might sound not appealing but it must be preached.

Today

It has been so long!

Every Sunday

Thanks for this question op...

I stop going to church because of this...my pastor never preach about eternity or salvation what he preaches is Miracle and prosperity.

Many souls have lost !!!!

Religion is a scam

My pastor doesn't miss

Infact one I went to church with my bae mehn my pastor that day hammered mostly on fornication it was as if he knew what I was going to do after service

How fornicators will end up in hell he really spoil show that day but all the same I thank God

Today!

me wey never go church for close to 2 years now no go fit answer this kind question be that o.

When you have overspread the bad news of hell fire(the gospel) and you discover that it is only the very poor people that are coming to your church, hence poor tithing and offerings, you gat change a little, or else you will end up chasing all the rich people away.
Prosperity is what everybody wants. Even the rich wants more prosperity here on earth. Heaven can wait.

OP, if a thief points a gun at you and tell you if you want him to send you to eternity by killing you or he should give you some stolen money to enjoy yourself here on earth, which one will you choose?

On a more serious note, the time for religion to pack up starts from now. Gradually it shall fade off for brain users to take over the whole world.