A man set up an inn for travelers at the foot of a high mountain. He would shelter the travelers on this road, give them a good meal and a cozy bed to sleep in and early the next morning he would give them breakfast and send them on their way. He gave them exact instructions, pointed the way to their destination, and sent them off. He knew his service and his directions were correct, for no one had ever had to turn around and come back this way. He helped many on their journey and was satisfied that his labors were good. Yet, the man himself had never traveled the path through the mountains which he confidently directed others to take.

             After many years, the man was ready to retire. He packed up his things and set out on the road to enjoy a long overdue vacation. Up the mountain he went, all day he traveled up and up until it was dark. He knew he was traveling slow due to his age, so at dark he set up camp on a beautiful high ridge overlooking a deep valley. He slept well and, in the morning, he got up, made some coffee, ate a bite, and started his journey. He was surprised to find himself at the edge of a cliff. A sheer drop-off hundreds of feet deep! He cautiously looked over the edge to the bottom of the chasm. The morning light glistened off of hundreds of tents, backpacks, camping equipment, and bones of dead travelers. All lying at the foot of the cliff. He wondered, how could all of these folks have made the same mistake? At that he turned around and went back the way he came, glad that he had been wiser than those who had perished.

               Are you really sure that there is not a place of eternal fire and judgment?

Matthew 24:1-35