The Doctrine of Hell: Under Attack

[Nehemiah6]

There is no denying that Hell is not a very pleasant subject. But since Hell (the Lake of Fire) is a biblical reality, we have a moral obligation to present the doctrine of Hell to all those without Christ, so that they may be delivered from the eternal punishment, damnation, and torment of Hell.

However, since the rise of theological liberalism (also known as Modernism) as well as the cults since about 200 years ago, the doctrine of Hell has come under severe attack. Now prominent men (as well as ordinary pastors and teachers) who are supposedly evangelical or fundamentalist either (a) refuse to preach on Hell, (b) avoid preaching on Hell, (c) attack the doctrine of Hell, (d) or promote Soul-Sleep or Annihilationism.

One of the fundamental aspects of salvation is deliverance from the wrath of God and from Hell itself (the second death). Those who have experience the New Birth do not face the second death, but those who have not been born again do face the second death. So what exactly does the Bible reveal about Hell?

1. Hell was created for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), and is a lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10,11), located in “outer darkness”, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13), and “where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-48).

2. The Devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet will be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10)

3. All those who are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). This includes all those who will take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 14:9-11).

4. Those cast into the Lake of Fire will include the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars (Revelation 21:8).

5. Those who refuse to believe the Gospel will be damned (Mark 16:15,16).

6. Those who fail to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the wrath of God in Hell (John 3:36).

Contrary to what many false teachers are promoting, the Doctrine of Hell is not in conflict with the love, grace, and mercy of God, since it is precisely because of the existence of Hell that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, to die for our sins according to the Scriptures, to be buried, and to rise again after three days according to the Scriptures (John 3:36; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3).

 

[Locutus]

You are mixing the terms hell (hades) and the lake of fire.

 

[Bogadile]

I can see the doctrine of hell being attacked for sure. It is the age-old attack of "It came from paganism, pagan roots, greek philosophy". They just copy paste this stuff and ignore the clear biblical testimony and what the Church has taught for centuries. The truth is that just because Zoroastrians believe in one God and Christians do too, does not mean it is a "pagan" idea.

What the Scriptures say is not pagan by definition, if it happens to have something to do with some other pagan false-religion it is mere coincidence.

I am glad you brought this up, I am not one to go around telling everyone they are going to hell for fun, but this is something that must be preached and taught since it is part of the 'whole council of God'.
We got to deal with the inconvenient truths and not just sweep them under the rug, honesty and integrity demands it.

In case anyone who is an annihilationist reads this message, I have a question, how does this verse make any kind of sense in the annihilation view of things:

Matthew 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."

If the soul is just a "greek pagan concept" and the body is all we are, how does that verse make any sense? Just stirring the pot here

 

[Nehemiah6]

You are mixing the terms hell (hades) and the lake of fire.

Not at all. Just because I did not mention that death and Hades will also be cast into the Lake of Fire does not mean that I mixed them up.

It is unfortunate that the KJV translators used the same English word "hell" for three different places. So just to clarify:

GEHENNA (called hell) is the eternal Lake of Fire and is the commonly accepted meaning of Hell.

HADES (called hell) is presently the abode of unsaved souls and spirits until the resurrection of damnation at the Great White Throne

TARTARUS (called hell) is presently the prison of the angels which kept not their first estate (evil angels before the Flood) who will also be cast into the Lake of Fire.

 

[trofimus]

Not at all. Just because I did not mention that death and Hades will also be cast into the Lake of Fire does not mean that I mixed them up.

It is unfortunate that the KJV translators used the same English word "hell" for three different places. So just to clarify:

GEHENNA (called hell) is the eternal Lake of Fire and is the commonly accepted meaning of Hell.

HADES (called hell) is presently the abode of unsaved souls and spirits until the resurrection of damnation at the Great White Throne

TARTARUS (called hell) is presently the prison of the angels which kept not their first estate (evil angels before the Flood) who will also be cast into the Lake of Fire.

4th is sheol.

Which is, BTW another example of how the KJV is not a good translation to use today.

 

[Nehemiah6]

4th is sheol.

Which is, BTW another example of how the KJV is not a good translation to use today.

The reason I did not mention Sheol is because what is known as Sheol in the OT (also mistranslated as "the grave" is Hades in the NT. So we call it Sheol/Hades. This is confirmed by the following Scriptures.

Westminster Leningrad Codex
כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־תַעֲזֹ֣ב נַפְשִׁ֣י לִשְׁאֹ֑ול לֹֽא־תִתֵּ֥ן חֲ֝סִידְךָ֗ לִרְאֹ֥ות שָֽׁחַת

New American Standard Bible (Ps 16:10)
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

Scrivener's Textus Receptus 1894
ὅτι οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψεις τὴν ψυχήν μου εἰς ᾅδου, οὐδὲ δώσεις τὸν ὅσιόν σου ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν.

New American Standard Bible (Acts 2:27)
BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.

 

[p_rehbein]

If anyone really............REALLY wants to know if hell is a REAL place........well, there is one SURE FIRE way to find out!

 

[valiant]

There is no denying that Hell is not a very pleasant subject. But since Hell (the Lake of Fire) is a biblical reality, we have a moral obligation to present the doctrine of Hell to all those without Christ, so that they may be delivered from the eternal punishment, damnation, and torment of Hell.

Bu where in Scripture is such a doctrine taught plainly, ?? Eternal destruction, yes. Eternal torture no.

However, since the rise of theological liberalism (also known as Modernism) as well as the cults since about 200 years ago, the doctrine of Hell has come under severe attack.

It is not found in the early fathers. It grew up under the influence of pagan philosophy, and was magnified by the RC church..

 

[mj007]

[video=youtube;zgvUaOuEdwA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgvUaOuEdwA[/video]

 

[trofimus]

The reason I did not mention Sheol is because what is known as Sheol in the OT (also mistranslated as "the grave" is Hades in the NT. So we call it Sheol/Hades. This is confirmed by the following Scriptures.

Westminster Leningrad Codex
כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־תַעֲזֹ֣ב נַפְשִׁ֣י לִשְׁאֹ֑ול לֹֽא־תִתֵּ֥ן חֲ֝סִידְךָ֗ לִרְאֹ֥ות שָֽׁחַת

New American Standard Bible (Ps 16:10)
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

Scrivener's Textus Receptus 1894
ὅτι οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψεις τὴν ψυχήν μου εἰς ᾅδου, οὐδὲ δώσεις τὸν ὅσιόν σου ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν.

New American Standard Bible (Acts 2:27)
BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.

I see.

Sheol in the OT is more about not being conscious. While hades in Greek mind is about conscious existence in the underworld. I am not sure whether we can say its the same, even though hades is freqently used for the translation of sheol...

Sheol is also more general, I would say. It can mean also "grave", which is not hades.

This could be a good topic though.

 

[Meggido]

You are mixing the terms hell (hades) and the lake of fire.

now, now, don't let facts get in the way of a good theology....

 

[PrynceNY]

Yea i am aware of the many popular preachers tend to tickle peoples ears and don't preach on it. As well as those who believe in the false annihilation theory. I tend to listen to a select group of preachers who boldly preach on it. One of the preachers i regularly listen to named charles lawson said his sermon on hell brought people to the lord so it is effective.

 

[Nehemiah6]

But where in Scripture is such a doctrine taught plainly, ?? Eternal destruction, yes. Eternal torture no.

Matthew 18:6-11 teaches the doctrine of Hell plainly. And what is called "eternal destruction" includes eternal torment. Why would the fire be "everlasting" if the torment were not also "everlasting"? Please go through every Scripture which I have already referenced. But here is the plain teaching.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

 

[Meggido]

Yea i am aware of the many popular preachers tend to tickle peoples ears and don't preach on it. As well as those who believe in the false annihilation theory. I tend to listen to a select group of preachers who boldly preach on it. One of the preachers i regularly listen to named charles lawson said his sermon on hell brought people to the lord so it is effective.

How does a message on hell edify and grow the spiritually mature? This mindset reminds me of the scare tactics of the mid and late 70's with movies like the Burning hell....all it did was cause a bunch of fear induced false salvations


Besides hell fire and damnation is not how the holy Spirit brings men into repentance...

 

[PrynceNY]

How does a message on hell edify and grow the spiritually mature? This mindset reminds me of the scare tactics of the mid and late 70's with movies like the Burning hell....all it did was cause a bunch of fear induced false salvations Besides hell fire and damnation is not how the holy Spirit brings men into repentance...

Jesus taught on Hell alot more than Heaven which should say alot. Are you accusing the Lord of "scare tactics" then? When proclaiming the gospel of salvation, grace etc, the punishment of Hell should be part of it. Unless you also enjoy having your ears tickled as well

 

[valiant]

One of the fundamental aspects of salvation is deliverance from the wrath of God and from Hell itself (the second death).

That's your problem, You keep changing the meaning of Hell.

Those who have experience the New Birth do not face the second death, but those who have not been born again do face the second death.

Yes the second DEATH.

So what exactly does the Bible reveal about Hell?

Precisely

1. Hell was created for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

That is true.

, and is a lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10,11),

But Satan was not cast into the Lake of fire until long after Jesus spoke these words,

located in “outer darkness”, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13),

you are assuming that those places are the same as the lake of fire. But the Lake of fire was actually not utilised until long after Jesus spoke these words. So they are different,

The weeping and gnashing of teeth was at the judgment.

and “where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-48).

yes quoted from Isaiah 66.24 where it clearly refers to the physical events that happened to dead bodies. Their maggots that consumed their bodies did not die, the fire that destroyed them burnt 'forever' (a long period of time)

2. The Devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet will be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to be tormented day and night for ever and eve

r (Revelation 20:10)

quite correct. They were thrown in ALIVE/,

3. All those who are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). This includes all those who will take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 14:9-11).

But they are thrown in DEAD, and no torment is mentioned.

4. Those cast into the Lake of Fire will include the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars (Revelation 21:8).

quite correct. Death and Hades will also be destroyed in the Lake of fire. Or are they tortured too?
?

5. Those who refuse to believe the Gospel will be damned (Mark 16:15,16).

Yes they will be condemned, but to what?

6. Those who fail to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the wrath of God in Hell (John 3:36).

But it DOESN'T SAY 'in Hell'. They will experience the wrath of God.

All I ask is ONE Scripture that clearly says that ordinary people will be tortured in Hell/the lake of fire for ever.

 

[Meggido]

Jesus taught on Hell alot more than Heaven which should say alot. Are you accusing the Lord of "scare tactics" then? When proclaiming the gospel of salvation, grace etc, the punishment of Hell should be part of it. Unless you also enjoy having your ears tickled as well

No, I am accusing men who take the easy road and preach against something all the time Vs the hard way of preaching for something....going overboard on a topic that only results in false fear induced salvation.....you also missed my first part...why does a message of hell need to be taught over and over again to spiritually mature saints?

The Holy Spirit does not use fear of hell to lead men into repentance....

I do not disagree there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain....

 

[valiant]

Matthew 18:6-11 teaches the doctrine of Hell plainly. And what is called "eternal destruction" includes eternal torment.

destruction and torment are two very different things. How could eternal torment possibly be described as being punished with 'few stripes' (Luke 12)

Why would the fire be "everlasting" if the torment were not also "everlasting"?

Because it is stressing the eternal nature of it. See Isaiah 66.24.

Please go through every Scripture which I have already referenced.

already done.

But here is the plain teaching.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Where is eternal conscious torment mentioned? They are punished with many stripes, as opposed to those punished with few stripes. But it does not say eternally.

 

[PrynceNY]

No, I am accusing men who take the easy road and preach against something all the time Vs the hard way of preaching for something....going overboard on a topic that only results in false fear induced salvation.....you also missed my first part...why does a message of hell need to be taught over and over again to spiritually mature saints? The Holy Spirit does not use fear of hell to lead men into repentance.... I do not disagree there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain....

Whoever said it needs to be taught over and over? The message of hell should be boldly preached as the rest of the gospel. The problem is scared preachers worried about offending people and their members leaving since it may make people uncomfortable so they don't preach it. Who said anything about using hell to lead people to repentance? Salvation through christ should always be the core message however hell shouldn't be excluded in any way.

 

[Willie-T]

Jesus taught on Hell alot more than Heaven which should say alot. Are you accusing the Lord of "scare tactics" then? When proclaiming the gospel of salvation, grace etc, the punishment of Hell should be part of it. Unless you also enjoy having your ears tickled as well

You might want to check the truth of that out before you keep repeating it. (I did, years ago, and now I know better.)