In the Bible we find, in the book of Isaiah, chapter 38, verses 18 and 19, in the so-called "Song of Hezekiah", the following words: "For they that are in the grave shall not praise thee, neither shall the dead bless thee, neither shall they that are in Hades hope for thy mercy. The living shall bless thee, as I also [do] (...)".
Also in the book of Psalms, chapter 88 and verse 11, words similar to those are read: "Shall any one declare thy mercy in the tomb? and thy truth in destruction?"
And, even more clearly, in Psalm 6, verse 5: "For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades?"
Such words make us think that the praise of God is something totally absent in the realm of the dead, also known as "hell", "hades" (Greek), and "sheol" (Hebrew). It is the place where the dead go to be kept safe until the day when all human beings will appear in God's presence to be judged and sentenced to their eternal destiny, as is written in the book of Revelation, chapter 20, verses 11 and 12: "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.."
In this manner, there is no one to praise God in hell. It's something like a spiritual desert. A true believer cannot be cast there, for not even that place could quench in his spirit the feeling of praise and worship of God, which distinguishes saved disciples from those who are neither. Every true believer worships God in his heart, for "God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24); and "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Phil. 3:3).
In the gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verse 15, announcing the birth of John the Baptist, the angel who appeared to Zechariah said to him, among other things: "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb". For this reason, Jesus said of John, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist" (Matt 11:11a). The angel further said to Zechariah, "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth" (Luke 1:14). That is to say, that the man who has the spirit of God in him brings pleasure, joy and rejoicing to those who are receptive to the gospel. Later, in the same chapter, we read that Mary went to visit John's mother; then, "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb. And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." (Luke 1:41-44). The fruit of the Spirit is praise! Only believers saved or destined for salvation praise/worship God in Spirit and in truth. For those, there is no longer any condemnation.
Therefore, putting these premises together, we can build a classic syllogism, as follows:
Major premise: To hell go the unsaved, and there is nothing there that can be called "praise to God";
Minor premise: A true believer praises God in his spirit;
Conclusion: If you praise God in your spirit, you are a true believer and cannot go to hell, that is, not have salvation.
Therefore, what we must do to be sure of our salvation is to examine ourselves and simply see if we worship God in spirit and in truth, if the praise of God dwells in our hearts.
What father in this world exists unwilling to free from any condemnation the son who has committed innumerable and great mistakes, whom he recognizes that he truly loves and appreciates him? How much more will our heavenly Father be willing to forgive and rescue us from the consequences of our sins and transgressions, to us who adore and praise Him for who He is and for His great works. This is why God considered David to be a man after his own heart (1 Sam 13:14). From David the name is forever associated with the praise and adoration emanating from the Psalms, written for the most part in his own hand. Few men in the Bible have made greater mistakes than your own, while being so honored and preserved by God. This is due to the fact that, even having committed great transgressions, David's heart was always lifted up towards God to unveil him and exalt his qualities. David undoubtedly possessed a worshiper's heart. Such a man is sought by God, and it is because of these that He has sent His son into the world, to rescue them from the eternal damnation, saving them from hell and the lake of fire.
But the time comes, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; because the Father looks for such as to worship him (John 4:23).
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (Ps 150:1)
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