An often talked about topic, and a much understood one. The fate awaiting unsaved humans after they die has been the subject of much debate and discussion. It is my wish to make use of scripture to see what the Bible says about this place. For believers, it should not be a subject of concern to us if we know Christ and walk in His ways. However, for many with unsaved loved ones, it is a subject of great concern.
On a personal note, I have lost relatives and friends that were not saved. I often wonder where they are, or what they are doing. My heart aches for them. Fortunately, the Bible does give us clarity if not great comfort as to where they might be.
I've divided up this post into various sections and questions for ease of reading.
What does the Bible say about eternity?
Matthew 25:46
"And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The word "eternal" is used for both descriptions of punishment and life. The nature of these is one and the same. Wherever we exist, we do it eternally, openly and consciously. Eternity means eternity, forever and ever. It can be hard for our human minds to understand this concept, however God is not limited by time.
Daniel 12:2
"Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake – some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence. But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever." (NET)
This scripture makes it clear that there is a division between those who are righteous and those who are unrighteous. The unrighteous will endure shame and abhorrence. Qualities of the conscious mind. It is impossible to feel shame when you no longer exist.
Revelation 20
14 "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death – the lake of fire. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire." (NET)
The next question this leaves us is why were they thrown into the lake of fire? What is the purpose of the existence of this fire? I believe the answer is found in verse 10.
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
While this specific kind of torment does refer to the beast and the false prophet, it does give us some kind of inclination as to the purpose of this fire. It is not a "corrective" punishment. There is no more or further reason to be free of sin. This is a punitive fire. Its purpose is to punish those who have rejected Christ while they were alive on earth. It's not God's desire that any human be in this fire, I believe. It was prepared for the devil and his angels (as specified in scripture). However people will go there if they do not accept the salvation that is offered to them.
Is Hell conscious? The answer is yes it is. This is supported by verses in Matthew 13:50 "weeping and gnashing of teeth", Mark 9:48 "where the worm dieth not" and Revelation 14:10 "tormented with fire and brimstone".
Erroneous views on Hell. What are some of these views?
The Second Chance view (people will still have a chance to repent after going there).
This is disproved by Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment”.
Universalism (all will be saved):
This denies the need for salvation and the finished work on the cross as spoken about in John 3:16 and John 3:36.
Annihilationism (people die like an animal and cease to exist after entering Hell):
This is a view that denies the resurrection of the unsaved (John 5:28) and also denies conscious living torment after death (as referred to earlier).
Objections to Hell
A loving God would never send people there.
Romans 2:11 says God is just.
God has provided a way of salvation to all (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5, 14-15, 1 Timothy 2:6)
There is no excuse for those who have not heard the gospel (Romans 1:20)
God seeks those who seek Him (Matthew 7:7, Luke 19:10)
Hell is too severe a punishment for humans to endure
God is Holy and perfect (1 Peter 1:14-15)
Sin is wilful opposition against an eternal being which is God (Romans 1:18-32)
Our sin does in fact merit Hell (Romans 1:32, 2:2,5 and 6)
Some key Biblical terms on Hell:
Sheol (A Hebrew term meaning the abode of the dead NOT hell itself)
Hades (A Greek term meaning "Hell" or a place of torment - Luke 10:15).
Gehenna (A literal dump that is always used in talking about Hell - Matthew 5:30)
Lake of Fire (The final abode of unbelievers after they are resurrected - note resurrection of the physical body - Rev 20:14-15)
There are many other such terms. I believe we can all understand more about the subject if we open our eyes to the truth of scripture and it is my prayer that we will pray for the loved ones we know are on the way there. This is a serious subject and deserves the utmost respect. My prayer is that none of us would take the reality of this place lightly.
On a personal note, I have lost relatives and friends that were not saved. I often wonder where they are, or what they are doing. My heart aches for them. Fortunately, the Bible does give us clarity if not great comfort as to where they might be.
I've divided up this post into various sections and questions for ease of reading.
What does the Bible say about eternity?
Matthew 25:46
"And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The word "eternal" is used for both descriptions of punishment and life. The nature of these is one and the same. Wherever we exist, we do it eternally, openly and consciously. Eternity means eternity, forever and ever. It can be hard for our human minds to understand this concept, however God is not limited by time.
Daniel 12:2
"Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake – some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence. But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever." (NET)
This scripture makes it clear that there is a division between those who are righteous and those who are unrighteous. The unrighteous will endure shame and abhorrence. Qualities of the conscious mind. It is impossible to feel shame when you no longer exist.
Revelation 20
14 "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death – the lake of fire. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire." (NET)
The next question this leaves us is why were they thrown into the lake of fire? What is the purpose of the existence of this fire? I believe the answer is found in verse 10.
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
While this specific kind of torment does refer to the beast and the false prophet, it does give us some kind of inclination as to the purpose of this fire. It is not a "corrective" punishment. There is no more or further reason to be free of sin. This is a punitive fire. Its purpose is to punish those who have rejected Christ while they were alive on earth. It's not God's desire that any human be in this fire, I believe. It was prepared for the devil and his angels (as specified in scripture). However people will go there if they do not accept the salvation that is offered to them.
Is Hell conscious? The answer is yes it is. This is supported by verses in Matthew 13:50 "weeping and gnashing of teeth", Mark 9:48 "where the worm dieth not" and Revelation 14:10 "tormented with fire and brimstone".
Erroneous views on Hell. What are some of these views?
The Second Chance view (people will still have a chance to repent after going there).
This is disproved by Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment”.
Universalism (all will be saved):
This denies the need for salvation and the finished work on the cross as spoken about in John 3:16 and John 3:36.
Annihilationism (people die like an animal and cease to exist after entering Hell):
This is a view that denies the resurrection of the unsaved (John 5:28) and also denies conscious living torment after death (as referred to earlier).
Objections to Hell
A loving God would never send people there.
Romans 2:11 says God is just.
God has provided a way of salvation to all (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5, 14-15, 1 Timothy 2:6)
There is no excuse for those who have not heard the gospel (Romans 1:20)
God seeks those who seek Him (Matthew 7:7, Luke 19:10)
Hell is too severe a punishment for humans to endure
God is Holy and perfect (1 Peter 1:14-15)
Sin is wilful opposition against an eternal being which is God (Romans 1:18-32)
Our sin does in fact merit Hell (Romans 1:32, 2:2,5 and 6)
Some key Biblical terms on Hell:
Sheol (A Hebrew term meaning the abode of the dead NOT hell itself)
Hades (A Greek term meaning "Hell" or a place of torment - Luke 10:15).
Gehenna (A literal dump that is always used in talking about Hell - Matthew 5:30)
Lake of Fire (The final abode of unbelievers after they are resurrected - note resurrection of the physical body - Rev 20:14-15)
There are many other such terms. I believe we can all understand more about the subject if we open our eyes to the truth of scripture and it is my prayer that we will pray for the loved ones we know are on the way there. This is a serious subject and deserves the utmost respect. My prayer is that none of us would take the reality of this place lightly.
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