THE TWIN HARPIES OF REMORSE AND REGRET

Isaiah said, “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” Isa. 66:22-24

JESUS said, “And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:43-48

So JESUS uses the words of the Prophet Isaiah’s history to describe the horrors awaiting those of us who stumble and rebel against God. I take it that those of us who are thrown into hell will have a worm that continually eats them and fire that continually burns them. Horrifying! Terrifying! Appalling! So, good reason for JESUS to warn us against stumbling through lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life; and choosing to rebel against God!!!

And for those of us that are tempted to dismiss these warnings of eternal physical punishment as too horrifying to consider as true; or that the language being used is just metaphorical or symbolic and exaggerated for dramatic effect, ask yourself, “Why would JESUS choose to use these particular words of Isaiah to describe hell? Or why did JESUS recommend the discipline of physical dismemberment 3 times as a deterrent to rebellion that leads to being cast into hell unless the suffering in hell was at least, or more abhorrent, than any physical pain or loss suffered in this life?” Remember, the REALITY is ALWAYS GREATER than the metaphor, simile or symbol!

“But, maybe the suffering is not physical, but only psychological, mental anguish,” some might conjecture.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 cor. 7:10

“And their worm dies not.”

At least two of the elements of “worldly sorrow” are the Twin Harpies of Remorse and Regret that rip and tear at the soul of the guilty, like a consuming worm turning continually in the soul, but never producing peace of mind.

REMORSE is the keen pain or anguish excited by a sense of guilt; compunction of conscience for a crime committed.

CAN YOU HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SOUL REPEATING, “GUILTY, STUPID; GUILTY, STUPID; GUILTY, STUPID!” And “WHY DID I DO IT; WHY DID I DO IT, WHY DID I DO IT?” – FOREVER AND EVER

REGRET is grief; sorrow and pain of mind. We feel regret at the loss of friends, regret for our own misfortunes, or for the misfortunes of others. We feel pain of conscience; as a passionate regret at sin. It is to grieve at; to lament over; and to be sorry for.

CAN YOU HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SOUL REPEATING, “SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA; WOULDA, COULDA SHOULDA; COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA!” – FOREVER AND EVER

“And the fire is not quenched.” 

JESUS said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

THOSE REBELS WHO REJECT MOSES AND THE PROPHETS WILL NOT BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND TRUST HIM FOR THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT HE FREELY OFFERS. THEY WILL DIE IN THEIR REBELLION AND THEN HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE WITHOUT HOPE OF RELIEF, EVER.