Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 13:32-37, and Luke 21:34-38
Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. … Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Mt. 25:34b, 41b) What a dramatic contrast in destinations Jesus has for those on His right compared to those on His left. For those on His right He has a kingdom that was part of the creation of the world back in Genesis 1. That’s a kingdom we can all look forward to! For those on His left, eternal fire – also prepared long ago, but prepared specifically for Satan and the angels who rebelled against God even before the creation of the world. Two destinations, two outcomes. Fear alone should prompt us to follow Jesus. Fortunately for us His love is stronger than any fear we might have of the possibility of that horrible second outcome. That is, I feel that we do not serve Him so as to escape Hell; rather, I feel that we serve Him out of the love that He has shown to us. If our service is based on fear, we are in serious need of a personal Pentecost!!
See also: October 9 / Matt. 25:31-46; October 10 / Mark 13:32-37; October 11 / Luke 21:34-38