Courts or Prison

 There are two opposing forces at work in this world. The King Yahweh who rules over the affairs of men. There is also Satan who tried to usurp God and was cast down to earth. He rules as the prince of darkness. These two are in constant opposition. God is more powerful and knows the Devil's days are numbered. He is allowed to go about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. [I Pet 5:8] He is powerful, but he is not all powerful. He is a liar. He is a deceiver. 

God offers us an invitation to come into His courts. We don't deserve it. We, who are flawed and unfaithful, never deserve entrance into His courts. We are extended an invitation to come into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. [Ps 100:4] In His courts, we find joy forever in God's presence and pleasures forever. [Ps 16:11] In His courts, we are offered refuge, strength, and help. {Ps 46:1]

What does Satan offer? Those who follow him will only get an eternal prison sentence. Oh, some may enjoy passing pleasures that sin provides. They will be short lived and cannot compare to the misery of the prison of hell that awaits those who reject God's love and forgiveness. This prison is called hell. It is described as a place of outer darkness. There is no light to comfort and illumine the way. It is more than just physical darkness. It is also spiritual darkness. Hell is also described as a bottomless pit. Imagine the sensation of falling and never having your feet planted on solid ground. It is described as a lake of fire. Fire may be the most common description of hell prison. Imagine the sensation of burning and the intense heat, but never getting a moment of relief. It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is a place of torment and agony. 

According to [Matt 7:13-14], there are more people headed for the prison of hell than the courts of God in heaven. That is a sobering thought. People live out their lives. They choose their own morality never knowing they are storing up wrath for themselves in the day of judgment. They do what they want. They refuse to have anything to do with Jesus, God, the church or religion. They think by not believing God is real that it will all work out in the end. One second after those people take their last breath they will see how Satan lied to them. Billions will perish into everlasting condemnation with no hope of escape. 

Even though a loving God sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment for people's sin, rejecting that love to the end will result in the full wrath of God being poured out on those who refused to believe. Unrepentant people will be sentenced to the prison of hell because they believed it was not real. Satan will smirk because he stole, killed, and destroyed another soul. [John 10:10]

On the other hand, many do believe in Jesus. These are the saved who come into the courts of God. These are the ones snatched from sinister Satan's grip. These are the ones who get eternal life and will escape the prison of hell. You have a choice. Courts or prison.