137th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Matthew 11: 23- 24.

Matthew 11: 23 - 24.
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Capernaum was the city Jesus used as His base while He was preaching around the Sea of Galilee. Read the above passage carefully, it says that just being where God is working is not enough to save you. Capernaum had seen first hand many of His miracles, heard His teachings; and still did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus said it will be more bearable for Sodom of (Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis Chapter 19); than for Capernaum on the day of judgment. This is very strong language used by Jesus here; and the message is just as clear for us today as it was for the people that hear it 3,00 years ago. It is not enough for us to be just in the crowd, or attending the Church where God is working; we have to be actively involved in the work of the Lord. A mistake a lot of Christians make is thinking that John 3: 16 is all they need. That is the minimum needed to have eternal life. It should be the start of your journey, not the goal. James said that a faith without works is a dead faith (James 2: 17 - 18). John 3:16 is the beginning of faith, we are required to bear fruit that is works that confirm our faith. Good works without faith won't accomplish the goal of eternal life either. It has to be Faith first, then works. Jesus did not say anything more about Sodom, then just its name. Many people believe that since He (Jesus) did that, the sin that caused the destruction of those cities is not important. This is not the case, Josephus a Jewish historian said in his writings that he had seen the salt pillar, that God had made out of Lot's wife. Josephus lived after the time of Christ, so if he could see it and recognise it, so could the people that Jesus was talking to. It was not necessary for Jesus to tell them why Sodom was destroyed. The reason it will be easier for the people of Sodom than for Capernaum, is because God did not try to save the people of Sodom, they were judged for their unbelief and for their many sinful acts. This does not seem fair to us, but God is God and it was His decision! As creator, He has the authority to rule His creation however He sees fit.