Hell: It Isn't a Joke
or Party
Commentary by Jan Markell
Publisher’s
Note...
Although
this commentary may seem a bit outdated since it was written during the first
week of June of this year, I thought it had an outstanding message which I
believe readers need to hear and pass along.
It has been interesting watching the world
speculate, pontificate, and get it all wrong; that is, the issue with this
week's date of 666 - June 6, 2006. I have tuned into secular talk radio and
some television 
intentionally
to hear what both credible Bible scholars and also fools have been saying about it. I was on
two secular talk shows briefly to give the truth and the hosts received my
words with interest.
The good news is that the secular world is
curious. Many are open to hearing the truth and what they will do with it is up
to them. The sad news is that at church services this week, very few will offer
a sermon of prime importance: Jesus is coming again, likely sooner rather than
later. Are you ready? And while the "feel good gospel" is so popular
today, the greatest "feel good" message is that God has prepared a
Home for us if we claim Him as Savior and Lord; nonetheless, you won't hear
this in 95% of today's church.
But this week, and particularly on June 6,
parties were thrown, even in Hell, Michigan. The occult made a big deal out of
it, but they know it isn't a joke. But the number 666 has nothing to do with a
date - rather, with a man. It has to do the number of the Antichrist, and since
six is the number of man in the Bible,
Mr. 666 is the personification of man and all of man's sin nature. "Here
is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it
is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six"
(Rev. 13:18).
I was on air briefly with Dr. Mark Hitchcock
today (June 6) and asked him a favorite question of mine. I believe the devil
has always had an Antichrist waiting in the wings as the devil doesn't know the
date of the end of the age. That person undoubtedly is walking the earth today,
but won't be empowered by the evil one until the Tribulation. He likely hasn't
a clue who he is. Dr. Hitchcock concurred with me.
Hell is no joke. Consider II Thessalonians 1:8-9, "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."
That's why it's no laughing matter. It's not
party time. It's time for believers to get out the "good news" of the
gospel and it's time for our pastors to tell their congregations that the hour
is late.
I don't like secular talk show hosts
focusing more on prophecy-related issues than today's preachers and teachers
because the secular hosts will never get the facts straight.
"For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life" (John
3:16). The King is coming. Tell someone today, and ask them if they're ready.
Tell them hell is not a party just because all their friends will be there.
Jan Markell is the
founder and Director of Olive Tree Ministries, Inc. which produces a newsletter
internationally titled Understanding the Times. She became a Christian as a young girl under
the ministry of Jewish evangelist Dr. Hyman Appelman.
She has been in Messianic, prophecy, or Israel-related ministry since 1975
when Jan began in ministry with Jews For Jesus. Jan
has also served on the staff of the International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem,
is a prolific writer and conference speaker.
For more information visit her web site at www.olivetreeviews.org.
