There exist different degrees of punishment to sin in the Bible, in the old testament and the new. How one conducts himself spiritually among others means much to God. If one receives a prophet, he becomes qualified to reap the benefit beyond what he would have obtained on his own:
“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward….” ~Matthew 10:41
The converse side of this action would be to become an obstruction for those who would believe in God, but for us getting in the way. In that case, one’s fate is bleak beyond what he would have probably received if he had minded his own business:
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ~Luke 17:2
When Jesus said this he was not speaking of children, but of those young in the faith. And the reason it would be better to have a millstone hung round your neck, and be thrown into the sea is because you would then die before causing others to fall away from God.
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore… for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth. ~Revelation 18:21, 23-24
Jesus is showing us a more graphic portrait of the theme contained in this verse:
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. ~Mark 9:43
He teaches us that one of the worst sins is to tamper or detract others’ faith in God.
~Selah
~Song of Mary~ 