One day we will all find ourselves caught up before God’s throne, surrounded by his heavenly family with the divine council in session. At that moment, Jesus will separate all humanity around a distinction that is very important to him: Did we care for the poor among us? If the answer is yes, we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, for by doing so, we not only believed the gospel, but lived the gospel out and took care of Jesus himself (Mt. 25:31-46). But if the answer is no, then a different future awaits us.
In the very Psalm that God charged the lesser gods with corruption, he prophesied this consequence: “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince” (Ps. 82:6-7). This is an unusual consequence, because gods are immortal beings. They’re not designed to die. They can’t die. But God has created a way to change that through a coming lake of fire called Hell, in which things go to perish (Jn. 3:16). This fire was designed for immortal beings like Satan and his angels (Mt. 25:41), so of course mortal beings like humans would perish there too.
Yahweh’s ultimate hope is the same that it’s always been: To bring about the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. In the resurrection age to come, Heaven and earth will intersect and intertwine into one inseparable unit. At that time, the powers of Heaven will be shaken and face judgment (Lk. 21:26). The earth will be shaken too, and only the things related to the Kingdom of Heaven will remain standing (Heb. 12:26-29). Everything connected to Babel, on the other hand, will perish in Hell.
We do not get a free pass where the gods did not. They did not image God and take care of the poor, so they were given an end date. The same can be true for us.
Many consider this a heretical works-based gospel, not a faith-based gospel. But this kind of works-based messaging is seen all throughout the Old and New Testament, perhaps most strongly in the many statements of Jesus throughout the gospels. Faith, as it turns out, cannot be described solely as belief, for belief does not naturally care for the poor.
This is an excerpt from my shortest book, Supernatural Justice.
Jamin Bradley 
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