The four last things are, therefore:
- Death,
- Judgment,
- Heaven, and
- Hell.
The first class of Christians are those who have completely deleted the idea of hell. To them, it is almost an impossibility. They realize that there is going to be death and judgment. However, the natural progression in their heads is that the judgment must end with them in heaven.
This is a horrible way of thinking. It's good to be hopeful of heaven. If, however, you never bring into consciousness the fact that a hell exists, you're likely to find yourself justifying even the wrong things you do (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). The ability to rightly categorize your words and actions as good or bad largely depends on whether you are consciously or subconsciously aware of both heaven and hell. Even St. Paul was conscious of this fact when he said, "No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:27. If a man like Apostle Paul put in mind that he could go to hell, it's that serious!
The second - and my favourite, Lolx :) - class of Christians are those who only have heaven in mind. The idea of death is too gruesome to consider; judgment, too scary to imagine; and hell, horror! Somehow, these people have created a perfect picture in their heads that the world will end, Jesus will come down for them, and they'll be taken into heaven and live happily ever after. Hehe. :D
There's no problem with this type of thinking AS LONG AS you can still integrate the possibility of hell into your ideology and live accordingly. When Jesus comes, whether you die or the world ends, what you've been so terrified to see will be shown to you. If you're so scared about death, judgment and hell, then you need to recheck what kind of life you're living.
The third class are those whose long-term goals end in death. They have occupied themselves so much with this world that all they plan towards is a beautiful retirement and peaceful death. They live right according to their own standards and don't care whether God or other Christians agree with them.
This is a serious problem! If you're this person, STOP IT! There's no "what will be will be" when it comes to heaven and hell. If you don't work for heaven, by default you qualify for hell.
I know you'll be waiting for me to cover your own classification of Christians - if I haven't already done it. Lolx. I won't do every category! I don't know them all! You know yourself better. :)
Just bear in mind that whether you believe it or not, there is death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Your belief or thoughts are not powerful enough to delete hell. So while you still can, repent, believe, and practice the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:48).
There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.
- Romans 8:1-2; 8:12-14.