HELL
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The doctrine of hell is not a popular doctrine – it is not a doctrine that is much spoken about – it is considered in some circles to be a negative message, yet we are warned:
Joh 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
The main question asked is how can a loving God send people to hell. I think this question is best answered by another question-how can God not send wicked people to hell-look at the slave trade today; the child sexual abuse by many nations; murder; cannibalism; robbery; unspeakable violence. In fact God was so shocked by mens violence and wickedness that God at one stage was sorry he made man:
Gen 6:5 and God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 and it repented the lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Gods Judgement then:
Gen 6:7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.
And God had no other option but to destroy the human race, death penalty judgement on the entire human race except for one family–only one man, Noah found grace before the Lord and was found worthy to start again.
The preachers of old often preached about Hell hence the term – ‘hellfire and brimstone’ preachers.
Cults attack the doctrine and now there are even ‘Christian’ groups attacking the doctrine of hell. Everyone is hoping that it’s not true.
The real truth is that Jesus spoke more about hell than anybody else in the bible. He spoke about it and warned us of the place.
Many men since Christ’s death have had visions of hell and have been given a virtual tour - often by Jesus himself.
Men of impeccable character such as John Bunyan [who wrote Pilgrims progress] and many others.
God wants to warn every generation – God never intended hell to be created for the human race – he created it for the devil and his angels
Mat 25:41 then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
– but when one day God judges the demons and the human race – he will have to judge righteously and cast the devil and his angels and whoever belongs to him into the lake of fire.
Where is hell? In the lower parts of the earth – when Jesus died he descended into the lower parts of the earth – into hell or hades.
Acts 2:27 – Matthew 12:40 [Mat 12:40 for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.]
Hell consists of different departments or sections.
[1] Tartarus
1Pe 3:19 by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
2Pe 2:4 for if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
This prison is an angelic prison for fallen angels who survived before and after the flood.
[2] Paradise
Luk 16:22 and it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
Luk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
Old testament saints could not arise because their sins were covered – not yet paid for.
When Jesus died he emptied paradise – and there was a resurrection
Mat 27:51 and, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Mat 27:52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
[3] Place of torment
This is a holding place for the souls of the lost – a demonic jail for holding the souls of men and where they are tormented day and night – an awaiting trial prison that will last until judgment day. This is a devilish place where Satan holds prisoner the souls of lost men.
Luk 16:28 for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
[4] Bottomless pit – or abyss
This is the abode of certain demons and angelic beings [rev.9]
Rev 9:1 and the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
– remember the lord of the rings – where they spoke about fouler things in the depths of the earth – they were correct – in the new testament the greek word is ‘abussos’
And means abyss – an immeasurable depth – a deep chasm in the lower part of the earth. These creatures will be released again during the tribulation.
[5]
Lake of fire
This is the eternal and final destination of the devil, his angels, and every unsaved human and rebellious creature.
Rev. 20:15 – no-one is there now – it is reserved for judgment day.
Rev 20:14 and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
When we die, our bodies die, we are no more three in one in the image of God – we are soul and spirit – in other words we will not be human anymore – so we cannot be saved after we die – repeat!!
Heb 9:27 and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
We have to be saved – body, soul and spirit [1 thes.5:23]
1th 5:23 and the very god of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our lord Jesus Christ.
After we die, we are either collected by God’s angels [new Jerusalem] or by the angels of the damned to take us to the place of torment.
If we are saved we go to be with Jesus in the new Jerusalem – if we are lost we are carried by the dark beings to the place of torment – unspeakable horrors await those that enter this demonic playground.
Several years ago a book was published, entitled Beyond Death's Door by Dr. Maurice Rawlings. Dr. Rawlings, a specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, resuscitated many people who had been clinically dead. Dr. Rawlings, a devout atheist, "considered all religion "hocus-pocus" and death nothing more than a painless extinction". But something happened in 1977 that brought a dramatic change in the life of Dr. Rawlings! He was resuscitating a man, terrified and screaming — descending down into the flames of hell:
"Each time he regained heartbeat and respiration, the patient screamed, "I am in hell!" He was terrified and pleaded with me to help him. I was scared to death. . . Then I noticed a genuinely alarmed look on his face. He had a terrified look worse than the expression seen in death! This patient had a grotesque grimace expressing sheer horror! His pupils were dilated, and he was perspiring and trembling — he looked as if his hair was "on end."
Then still another strange thing happened. He said,"Don't you understand? I am in hell. . . Don't let me go back to hell!" . . .the man was serious, and it finally occurred to me that he was indeed in trouble. He was in a panic like I had never seen before."
(Maurice Rawlings, Beyond Death's Door,(Thomas Nelson Inc., 1979) p. 3).
In Numbers 16, the Bible gives the account of people falling into hell alive!
"And THE EARTH OPENED HER MOUTH, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive INTO THE PIT, and the EARTH CLOSED UPON THEM:" Numbers 16:32-33
Num 16:31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
Num 16:32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Caspar Peucer, a famous fourteenth century astronomer and physician, who also researched and documented the volcano eruptions at Heklafell wrote some very frightening information in his research findings. Peucer, claims (as others) that "fearful howlings, weeping and gnashing of teeth" could be heard "for many miles. . ." as these volcanoes erupted:
"Out of the bottomless abyss of Heklafell, or rather out of Hell itself, rise melancholy cries and loud wailings, so that these can be heard for many miles around. . . there may be heard in the mountain fearful howlings, weeping and gnashing of teeth."
(Haraldur Sigurdsson, Melting the Earth, The History of Ideas on Volcanic Eruptions, p. 73)
And Caspar Peucer is not alone. There are others who believe they have heard "cries and screaming" coming from volcanoes. Most have tried to ignore the obvious. Some simply explain the "sounds of hell" to some rational meaning. But they are there. . .
"The fearsome noises that issued from some of their volcanoes were certainly thought to be the screams of tormented souls in the fires of hell below".
(Haraldur Sigurdsson, Melting the Earth, The History of Ideas on Volcanic Eruptions, p. 73)
In Mark 9:46, Jesus Christ says about hell: "Where THEIR WORM dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Jesus said explicitly — THEIR worm — not a worm, or the worm — but THEIR worm. The Bible teaches that Christians will one day have a body like the Lord Jesus Christ. Could it be, as some Bible students teach — that men and women in hell take on the form of their father, Satan (John 8:44)? In Revelation 12:3, Satan is described as a red dragon. Could Jesus Christ be referring to the body lost men and women will have for eternity?
The earth’s crust on land is normally 50 miles thick. You’d have to go down 50 miles before the edge of the fire. But in parts of the ocean floor, the earth’s crust is less than a mile thick.
Scientists recently discovered cracks on the ocean floor where fire was leaking out. Do you know what they found around these fire-breathing vents in the crust? Eight-foot long worms, found no other place in the world! The book, The Deep Sea, by Joseph Wallace (p.39), reads, "Perhaps the strangest of ocean creatures recently discovered are Riftia, the giant tube WORMS. Measuring up to 8 feet in length, the worms are ONLY FOUND NEAR DEEP SEA VENTS."
And Jesus Christ said, "Where THEIR WORM dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Revelation 14:10 says, " . . . and he shall be tormented with fire and BRIMSTONE . . ." And Job 18 describes the " . . . PLACE of him that knoweth not God" (vs 21), in verse 15 as, " . . . BRIMSTONE shall be scattered upon his habitation." Do you know what brimstone is? It's sulfur. And do you know where sulfur or brimstone is found? INSIDE THIS EARTH! According to the book Volcanoes by Pierre Kohler (p. 43), when Mt. St Helens erupted in 1980 — 150,000 tons of sulfurous gas was ejected! Job is the oldest book in the Bible, written over 3,000 years ago, and yet Job knew what science wouldn't know for years — inside this earth is BRIMSTONE!
Nature magazine recently discovered (July 2002) what the Bible knew over 3,000 years ago. Inside this earth is "fire and brimstone":
"Volcanoes may be more like hell than anyone realized. Eruptions disgorge streams of molten sulphur, the brimstone of evangelical preachers, which burns up before it can be preserved for posterity, new research in the journal Geology shows".
(Nature, Science Update, July 22, 2002)
Just look how the Bible warns of the eternity and permanence of hell!
everlasting fire — Matthew18:8, 25:41
everlasting punishment — Matthew 25:46
everlasting chains — Jude 1:6
eternal damnation — Mark 3:29
eternal judgment — Hebrews 6:2
eternal fire — Jude 1:7
unquenchable fire — Matthew 3:12
the fire that never shall be quenched — Mark 9:43, 44, 45, 46, 48
fire unquenchable — Luke 3:17
mist of darkness is reserved for ever — 2 Peter 2:17
the blackness of darkness for ever — Jude 1:13
WHAT JESUS CHRIST SAYS ABOUT HELL!
"fire" Matt 7:19, 13:40, 25:41
"everlasting fire" Matt 18:8, 25:41
"eternal damnation" Mark 3:29
"hell fire" Matt 5:22, 18:9, Mark 9:47
"damnation" Matt 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47
"damnation of hell" Matt 23:33
"resurrection of damnation" John 5:29
"furnace of fire" Matt 13:42, 50
"the fire that never shall be quenched" Mark 9:43, 45
"the fire is not quenched" Mark 9:44, 46, 48
"Where their worm dieth not" Mark 9:44, 46, 48
"wailing and gnashing of teeth" Matt 13:42, 50
"weeping and gnashing of teeth" Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30
"torments" Luke 16:23
"tormented in this flame" Luke 16:24
"place of torment" Luke 16:28
"outer darkness" Matt 8:12, 22:13
"everlasting punishment" Matt 25:46
This is very serious stuff –
If we truly believe in the future of an unbeliever we would weep and pray for the lost – we would do everything in our power to reach the lost. Many people think that they can quickly make it right with God before they die.
Don’t be deceived – God is not mocked. Today, is the day of salvation not tomorrow!
If you loved unrighteousness here – why would you want to spend eternity with a righteous God?
God is an awesome God – he spoke the universe into existence and he rules it. We cannot mess with God.
Jesus said the path is narrow and few there be that find it
Mat 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Jesus is not crawling about on his knees begging us to be saved. God has presented us with an open window – a period of grace – an absolutely incredible opportunity.
We ought to be the ones crawling on our knees begging God for forgiveness .
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
BACKSLIDDEN CHRISTIANS AND THE LOST ARE IN GREAT DANGER
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
DON’T BE DECEIVED – CHRISTIANS WHO CONSTANTLY BACKSLIDE BE WARNED.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
We are also warned:
Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Pro 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Pro 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Pro 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Pro 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Pro 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Pro 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Pro 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Pro 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
LAST HOURS ON EARTH OF THE NOTED FRENCH INFIDEL, VOLTAIRE
When Voltaire felt the stroke that he realized must terminate in death, he was overpowered with remorse. He at once sent for the priest, and wanted to be "reconciled with the church." His infidel flatterers hastened to his chamber to prevent his recantation; but it was only to witness his ignominy and their own. He cursed them to their faces; and, as his distress was increased by their presence, he repeatedly and loudly exclaimed:
"Begone! It is you that have brought me to my present condition. Leave me, I say; begone! What a wretched glory is this which you have produced to me!"
Hoping to allay his anguish by a written recantation, he had it prepared, signed it, and saw it witnessed. But it was all unavailing. For two months he was tortured with such an agony as led him at times to gnash his teeth in impotent rage against God and man. At other times, in plaintive accents, he would plead, "O Christ! O Lord Jesus!" Then, turning his face, he would cry out, "I must die abandoned of God and of men!"
As his end drew near, his condition became so frightful that his infidel associates were afraid to approach his bedside. Still they guarded the door, that others may not know how awfully an infidel was compelled to die. Even his nurse repeatedly said, "For all the wealth of Europe she would never see another infidel die." It was a scene of horror that lies beyond all exaggeration
THE AWFUL DEATH OF SIR FRANCIS NEWPORT
Sir Francis Newport was trained in early life to understand the great truths of the gospel; and while in early manhood it was hoped that he would become an ornament and a blessing to his family and the nation, the result was far otherwise. He fell into company that corrupted his principles and his morals. He became an avowed infidel, and a life of dissipation soon brought on a disease that was incurable. When he felt that he must die, he threw himself on the bed, and after a brief pause, be exclaimed as follows: "Whence this war in my heart? What argument is there now to assist me against matters of fact? Do I assert that there is no hell, while I feel one in my own bosom? Am I certain there is no after retribution, when I feel present judgment? Do I affirm my soul to be as mortal as my body, when this languishes, and that is vigorous as ever? O that any one would restore unto me that ancient gourd of piety and innocence! Wretch that I am, whither shall I flee from this breast? What will become of me?"
As his mental distress and bodily disease were hurrying him into eternity, he was asked if he would have prayer offered in his behalf; he turned his face, and exclaimed, "Tigers and monsters! are ye also become devils to torment me? Would ye give me prospect of heaven to make my hell more intolerable?"
Soon after, his voice failing, and uttering a groan of inexpressible horror, he cried out, "OH, THE INSUFFERABLE PANGS OF HELL!" and died at once, dropping into the very hell of which God gave him such an awful earnest, to be a constant warning to multitudes of careless sinners.
How should we not witness to a lost and broken world with all our hearts. What will your unsaved friends say one day when they are in hell and they know you could have spoken to them?
My Friend My friend I stand in judgment now
And feel that you’re to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you day by day, And never did you point the way. You knew the Lord in truth and glory But never did you tell me the story.
My knowledge then was very dim You could have led me straight to Him. Though we lived together on earth You never told me of the second birth. And now I stand this day condemned Because you failed to mention Him.
You taught me many things, that’s true I called you friend and trusted you. But I learned now that it’s too late You could have saved me from this fate.
We walked by day and talked by night And yet you showed me not the light. You let me live and love and die, You knew I’d never live on high.
Yes, I called you “friend” in life And laughed with you through joy and strife And yet on coming to the end - - I cannot now call you my friend!!
Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Heb 3:15 while it is said: "TODAY, IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS IN THE REBELLION."
Heb 3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
Heb 3:17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Live for Christ, no turning back, the Cross before me the world behind me- witness to everyone, warn everyone, strongly warn backsliders, be a watchman on the walls and a light in the darkness to a broken and dark world and Love and fear God!
Amen.
