Introduction
“Thou shalt not commit adultery”, says one of the Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites through Moses. It also says, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife”. King David of the ancient Jewish kingdom of Israel coveted his neighbour’s wife and committed adultery. He followed it up with murder. According to the Mosaic Law, King David should have received the death penalty. But none pulled up the king for his crimes. David thought that he had had his way and escaped without a scratch. But the universal law of Karma would catch up with him.
Religions mostly hold the view that the wages of man’s sins would be settled in the life after death. For instance, the Bible says, “…people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. Most Indian religious philosophies are of the view that the souls would transmigrate to be reborn based on their ‘karma’ of current lives. But the story of the life of King David seems to suggest that heaven and hell are right here on this earth. Here is his story in brief and you be the judge…
A Great King Caught in the Web of His ‘Karma’
David was also a talented songwriter and musician. Many of the Psalms in the Bible are attributed to David. Most of them reveal the poet’s great commitment to the divine. The Bible describes David as a man ‘after God’s own heart’. Christians believe that Jesus was born in the clan of King David in fulfillment of an Old Testament prophesy.
It doesn't mean that the wages of sin are settled right here in this life for everybody. For those who are loved by God and for whom eternity is deserving ,all wages are settled here. But for those for whom hell is deserving as perceived by God, will not be punished in this world. That is what I understand sir.
Dear Anonymous,
I thank you for your comment.
I am inclined to believe that God is a loving and compassionate being. I believe that is the fundamental difference between the Old Testament God and the God that Jesus preached in the Gospel. Why would Jesus let off a woman caught in evil when the Mosaic Law prescribed that she had to be stoned to death? I do not believe in a hell of burning fire and brimstone. I simply cannot imagine such a brutal God when we are taught that 'God is Love'. We ourselves are capable of creating heaven and hell right here in this life by our own thoughts and actions.
Regards,
Georgekutty
Sir, but it is written in New Teastament in 2Corinthians 5:10 " For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad".
Sir/Madam,
I am happy to see your interest in the topic.
It is not just Apostle Paul but even Jesus himself had spoken more or less implying the same. One such instance appears in Mathew 25:31-46.
Jesus says,"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Mathew 25:31).
Honestly, I find it difficult to go by the literary sense of the words.
The universal law of cause and effect ensures that everyone is rewarded based on his or her actions. But why should we wait until we are dead to be rewarded? Why can't we receive these while we are still living?
Let us leave aside for a moment the literal concept of heaven somewhere up in the sky and hell somewhere deep down under the earth. (By this time, we all know that there is nothing above and below when the earth is just a minuscule part of the universe suspended in space and staying in its place because of gravitational forces.) I believe that heaven is a place where I would enjoy peace and happiness and hell is where I suffer. I believe that when I love and be kind and compassionate to others, I have heaven right here in my personal and family life. When I hate and do evil I suffer hell right here in this life.
I have little concern for what happens after death. My interest is in living with peace and joy in this life. I know from my own experience, that I have he freedom to choose either. Love, you choose heaven. Hate, you choose hell. For me it is as simple as that. Remember the words of Jesus, "The Kingdom of Heaven is within you" (Luke 17:21).
Regards,
Georgekutty