2/13/2025 Written by Steve Papale
This week a message on our sign that’s been out in front of our church for almost week suddenly caused a stir among some people in our community of Palatine, Illinois and beyond. Our church, New Hope Community Church, has a lighted sign that displays, along with the time and temperature, short spiritual messages or titles of the week’s upcoming sermon. We sometimes use metaphors or cultural references to draw attention to biblical concepts.
Last week we posted a message that said, “Heaven has strict immigration laws, Hell has open borders.” The biblical message is not everyone gets into Heaven, that there are clear and definitive decisions that must be made as laid out in God’s Word. Hell, on the other hand, accepts everyone else, no questions asked.
Several days later we noticed that it was on social media, news outlets were contacting us, and emails began coming in. Some understood and agreed with the message. Others say it is a political statement, that the community needs positivity and inclusion. A few are going to post their own signs nearby advocating love and acceptance. We received emails saying things like “FK you” and “you are a disgusting CULT!” No love and positivity there.
The message on the sign is not political but biblical. The use of the words immigration and borders does not make the statement political. It does use those words to point to a reality of Heaven and Hell.
Opponents say they don’t want their kids seeing this, that they want more positive messaging. This is frankly misplaced compassion. Why not at least try to understand what the sign is really saying? Then explain to the kids that the church is showing one of the differences between Heaven and Hell.
If you are not sure about how this works, please contact us or another biblically based church and open and read the Bible. You can start with the Gospel of Mark or John.
We are a church that talks about Heaven and Hell and sin and repentance. Why? Because Jesus does. We also talk about love and grace and forgiveness, again because the Bible does. But you cannot have one without the other. There cannot be love without truth. As long as we are still alive we can secure our place in Heaven by understanding what it means to be saved. Each one of us will eventually be forced to reconcile this truth. Anyone who says otherwise is ignorant or a liar.
Eternity is a long time to be wrong.
Update:
Two days ago the church added a line to the sign which says: “Believe. Repent. Be Saved.” This was to add even more clarity to the biblical message. That, however, was not enough for some, who say the entire message should be removed. It’s clear at this point that their problem was never with what they said was a political statement but with the biblical message itself. The world will always be offended by the things of God.
