A christian blog with a decidedly biblical perspective on the world and events around us. Look around, read, enjoy and feel free to comment. Interesting story, send us the info via our contact page. Subscribe by clicking here.
Subscribe to RSS
IS HELL A REAL PLACE?
Nobody likes to talk about Hell. It’s an uncomfortable subject; the prospect of unsaved people tormented in outer darkness forever. It’s much more pleasant to imagine that Hell is simply a metaphor, or that unsaved souls simply cease to exist after death.
According to the Barna Research Institute, just over 80 percent of Americans believe in some form of afterlife, and 71 percent believed in Hell. However, how those 71 percent defined “Hell” varied from person to person. According to Barna, only one-third of Americans believe that Hell is an actual place of punishment:
“While there is no dominant view of Hell, two particular perspectives are popular. Four out of ten adults believe that Hell is “a state of eternal separation from God’s presence” (39%) and one-third (32%) says it is “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go after death.” A third perspective that one in eight adults believe is that “Hell is just a symbol of an unknown bad outcome after death” (13%).”
What does the Bible say about Hell? The Bible, however, describes a place of punishment for those who die in their sins. Three different words are translated “Hell” in the King James:
Hades - the home of disembodied spirits. Hades refers to the abode of the unsaved dead prior to the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). It is a prison (1 Pet 3:19) with gates and bars and locks (Matt 16:18Rev 1:18) and it is downward (Matt 11:23Luke 10:15).
Gehenna - the trash heap outside Jerusalem in the time of Christ: Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds of filth, were cast and consumed by fire, always kept burning. It thus, in process of time, became the idiom of the place of everlasting destruction. Jesus uses it in this sense 11 times (Matt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5).
The Rich Man and Lazarus:
The most poignant description of Hell is Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), in which the wicked rich man ended up in torment in the flames of Hades, while Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man was quite conscious of his predicament and longed for just a drop of water to soothe his tongue, “for I am tormented in this flame.” Jesus frames this as a true story and not as a parable.
Why Would God Create Hell?
Hell was not created for humans, but for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41). God gave His Son to die for mankind so that all who believe in him can have eternal life (John 3:16), and He does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). But, those who reject the sacrifice of the Lamb of God will be subject to the punishment their sins deserve (Rev. 21:8). God is merciful and patient and full of love, but He is also perfectly holy and perfectly just, and nothing that defiles will be allowed into Heaven (Rev. 21:27).
While many Christians will say, “Yes, I believe in Hell,” we often do not act like it. If we truly recognized that the unsaved people in our lives might die tomorrow and end up in eternal punishment, we might appreciate the urgency of telling them about the good news of the Gospel. Hell is not a scare tactic. It is a real danger that every one of us faces. The great gift of our loving God is freedom from that punishment, and eternity with Him in Paradise.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: - 1 Peter 3:15
Related Links:
• Traditional Beliefs Still Intact - Christian Post
• Heaven and Hell - MP3 Download - Koinonia House
• Heaven and Hell - DVD - Koinonia House
- From: Koinonia House News Letter
Psalm 9:17, 18
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.
The 5th prophecy in Psalms. [Ps. 9:17-18 , partially fulfilled and will be completed when the last of the wicked are in hell and the righteous are vindicated and safe with God forever].
Where are the dead? That hell is the grave is one of the most popular themes of all false cults. They, without exception, change the Bible to suit themselves and gain converts who are always glad to accept any method of escape from the reality of hell.
Their tactics remind one of the free translation of the new electronic brain designed to translate English into Russian. It was fed the words, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” The machine answered with a sentence in Russian, “The whiskey is agreeable but the meat has gone bad.”
Where is the harmony between the two statements?
To make hell the grave and the grave hell is just as ridiculous, for different Hebrew and Greek words are used for hell and the grave. These are two distinct subjects and as foreign to each other as heaven is to hell.
There is no possible harmony of scriptures when we FORCE the same meaning for hell and the grave.
The following study is the truth of the Bible on all phases of the subject of the dead and their destiny:
DEATH DEFINED:
The word death as applied to man in Scripture means SEPARATION or a cutting off from realizing God’s purpose for which he was created.
One can logically substitute the word separation for death in every scripture where it is used. It will clarify many passages to do so, as we shall see below.
PHYSICAL DEATH:
Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the outer man: the soul and spirit from the body [note I, Jas. 2:26; 3 kinds of death, p. 213 of N.T. as follows:
3 Kinds of death in Scripture: Eph. 2:5
1. Physical death – the separation of the inner man from the body [Jas. 2:26]
2. Spiritual death – separation from God because of sin [Eph. 2:1, 5; Isa. 59:2; Mat. 8:22; Col. 2:13; 1 Tim. 5:6]
3. Eternal death – eternal separation from God because man chooses to remain separated from God in sin [Mat. 10:28; Mat. 25:41, 46; Rev. 2:11; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15; Rev. 21:8; Rev. 22:15; Isa. 66:22-24]. This is called the second death or second separation from God [Rev. 2:11; Rev. 20:14; Rev. 21:8].
Death in all scripture means separation from the purpose for which one was created, never annihilation or extinction of being. PHYSICAL DEATH is separation of the inner man from the body. The body only dies at this time and goes back to dust [Gen. 3:19; Js. 2:26].
The spirit and soul are immortal and are either dead in sins or in possession of eternal life in Christ at the time of physical death. In either case, they continue in consciousness whether in heaven or hell [notes on 1 Pet. 3;4; Lk. 12:5; Lk. 16:23; 270, 421-424 notes].
SPIRITUAL DEATH:
Spiritual death is separation of man from God because of sin [as above notes on Pg 213 : 3 kinds of death].
One spiritually dead can be alive physically [Mat. 8:22; Col. 2:14; 1 Tim. 5:6], or he can be dead physically and alive in hell, conscious in the soul and spirit or the inner man [point 14, The Doctrine of Man, p. 618 [previous on this web site], and the facts about hell, page 620-622 Dake’s A.R.B.
SECOND DEATH : ETERNAL DEATH:
The second death means the second and eternal separation from God in the lake of fire [Rev. 2:11; Rev. 20:6, 14; Rev. 21:8].
Job 21:25-27, 30-32
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them
Behold I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
They all die in like manner by giving up the ghost, and the worms feed on their bodies in the grave [v26]. The mention of worms after death here is further proof that Job 19:26 also refers to the time of Job’s death, and if so, it proves that the whole of Job 19:25-27 refers to the future latter days of the resurrection and actual seeing of the Messiah with the eyes.
I know your arguments regarding the punishment of all the wicked in this life [v27]. You seek to prove that I am wicked because of my calamities; and you know full well that there are many dwelling places of the wicked that are not destroyed. The wicked are reserved to the day of destruction. They are brought down to the grave like the righteous, so your arguments do not prove anything as far as my wickedness is concerned.
Ask the travelers that go into other countries whether all the wicked are brought to calamity in this life [v29]. They will confirm the truth of what I have said, that the wicked are often prosperous and happy, and that they are not punished if this life as you maintain, and that their judgment will be after this life [v29-30].
This definitely teaches a future day of judgment for the wicked [v30].
A clear reference to the faith of Job in the final resurrection, even that of the wicked. If they are to be brought forth to the judgment in the days of destruction of the wicked, and to the day of wrath from God, they will need to be resurrected from the grave [Hebrew: geber], and their souls will need to be out of hell [Hebrew: sheol]. Thus, they shall be brought forth [v30].
Job reasoned: Who will dare accuse the wicked to his face, and who shall repay him for what he has done in this life?
The answer that no man will do it indicates Job’s faith in a future retribution in the day of resurrection and wrath from God [v31].
Job 21:25-27, 30-32
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them
Behold I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
They all die in like manner by giving up the ghost, and the worms feed on their bodies in the grave [v26]. The mention of worms after death here is further proof that Job 19:26 also refers to the time of Job’s death, and if so, it proves that the whole of Job 19:25-27 refers to the future latter days of the resurrection and actual seeing of the Messiah with the eyes.
I know your arguments regarding the punishment of all the wicked in this life [v27]. You seek to prove that I am wicked because of my calamities; and you know full well that there are many dwelling places of the wicked that are not destroyed. The wicked are reserved to the day of destruction. They are brought down to the grave like the righteous, so your arguments do not prove anything as far as my wickedness is concerned.
Ask the travelers that go into other countries whether all the wicked are brought to calamity in this life [v29]. They will confirm the truth of what I have said, that the wicked are often prosperous and happy, and that they are not punished if this life as you maintain, and that their judgment will be after this life [v29-30].
This definitely teaches a future day of judgment for the wicked [v30].
A clear reference to the faith of Job in the final resurrection, even that of the wicked. If they are to be brought forth to the judgment in the days of destruction of the wicked, and to the day of wrath from God, they will need to be resurrected from the grave [Hebrew: geber], and their souls will need to be out of hell [Hebrew: sheol]. Thus, they shall be brought forth [v30].
Job reasoned: Who will dare accuse the wicked to his face, and who shall repay him for what he has done in this life?
The answer that no man will do it indicates Job’s faith in a future retribution in the day of resurrection and wrath from God [v31].
Psalm 68:18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. [Dake].
This was fulfilled when Christ descended into hell and captured all the righteous souls held captive by the devil against their will [Ps. 16:10; Mt. 12:40; Heb. 2:14-15].
When He ascended on high He led these captives captive [v18: Eph. 4:8-10].
Now, when a Christian dies he no longer goes into the paradise compartment of sheol or hades [Lk. 16:19-31; 23:43] but immediately to Heaven to await the resurrection of the body [2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11].
The gifts received for men by Christ are the different ministries for the saints [Eph. 4:8-11].
He received these gifts for the rebellious also, that any who will, might be saved; and that God might dwell with them eternally after they are redeemed [v18; Rev. 21:3-7]. - Dake A.R.B.
Numbers 23:10
Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! [Dake A.R.B.]
Balaam’s request was never granted, and he, himself determined this by loving the wages of unrighteousness and by selling out his relationship with God for riches and honor.
He had the wonderful opportunity of proving true to God and of dying the death of the righteous; but instead, he went headlong and headstrong into seeking the reward he came for, even to the extent of teaching men to sin. He thereby caused thousands to be destroyed.
Balaam well knew of the life and death of some of the righteous men – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and others who died in faith, LOOKING FOR A CITY TO COME. [Hebrews 11:4-22].
TO DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS one must be righteous, and to be resurrected as the righteous, ONE MUST HAVE THE HOPE OF THE RIGHTEOUS. [Rev. 22: 11]. [Dake A.R.B.].
[Let the reader note, perhaps from the personal experience of funerals attended, the priest and family members and friends would laud and praise the departed one, even when they were perfectly aware that the departed person lived an unrighteous life of sin and recklessness, God being far from their heart and thoughts. How can such a one hope to have access to the Courts of Holiness and even remotely hope to tread the floors of the Throne Room to the King of Kings?].
1 Kings 17:21
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. [Dake A.R. Bible].
Without the scores of simple passages we now have in the Bible, Elijah knew more about the body, soul, and spirit than many today.
To teach that the soul is not immortal or that the soul and body are the same and both go to the tomb at death is to reject many scriptures.
The soul is immortal and fully conscious after leaving the body; it can go out and return to the body, as clearly demonstrated here.
When Elijah prayed, the soul came back and the body revived and lived again [v21-22], which proves that the soul is the life part of the body. The soul and spirit must be in the body in order for it to live [Jas 2:26].
At physical death the soul goes to one place and the body to another. [Further notes, see Hell, page 620; also immortality in Index: Dake Annotated Reference Bible]
Genesis 25:8
Then Abraham’s spirit was released, and he died a good [ample, full] old age, and old man, satisfied and satiated, and was gathered to his people [Gen. 15:15]. The Amplified Bible.
This often repeated expression forms a remarkable testimony to the Old Testament belief in a life beyond the grave and to our recognition and fellowship with our loved ones there.
Isaac was 75 and Ishmael nearly 90 years of age when their father died. Jacob and Esau were 15, and may have been present.
Heaven & Hell – Part 4 Luke 16:31
He [Abraham] said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe if some one should rise from the dead.
Abraham reminds the wicked rich man of Lazarus’s present bliss – “now he is comforted and you are tormented”.
Heaven is comfort, and hell is torment; heaven is joy, and hell is weeping, gnashing of teeth, and wailing.
Those who have fallen asleep in Christ, though subject to the many calamities in this world, will now be comforted and all their tears will be wiped away – IN HEAVEN THERE IS EVERLASTING CONSOLATION.
And, on the other hand, hell will be hell indeed to those that go thither from the midst of the enjoyment of all the delights and pleasures of sense.
Abraham assures him that it was to no purpose to think of having any relief from Lazarus, “For besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, a great chasm, in order that those who want to pass from [this] place to you, may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us”.
The saints in heaven cannot pass to the congregation of the dead and damned, to comfort or relieve any there who once were friends.
Those incarcerated in hell cannot force their way out of their eternal prison.
In this world, there is no gulf fixed between a state of nature and grace – but we may pass from one to another – FROM SIN TO GOD.
We are afforded the opportunity here and it might have been prevented in time, BUT IT CANNOT BE REMEDIED TO ETERNITY.
The further request he makes to Abraham is to improve the situation for his relatives he left behind and begs that Lazarus be sent to his father’s house.
He knows well enough where the house is and that he had five brethren, and they will know him and regard what he says – let Lazarus tell them what condition he is in – let him warn them not to tread in his steps, lest they come into the place of torment.
The testimony of Lazarus would be sufficient to frighten them out of their sins.
He does not ask leave to go himself, but begs for Lazarus to go – the poor godly man, who was slighted and suffered their contempt and cruel conduct towards him now became an acceptable messenger for the rich wicked man.
This family, in their entirety, and indeed their many acquaintances, denied Lazarus an extended hand of kindness or even one word of comfort or even a crust of bread, except the crumbs he shared with the dogs.
Abraham denies him this favour too – THERE IS NO REQUEST GRANTED IN HELL.
They have Moses and the prophets – let them hear them – and that will be sufficient to keep them from this place of torment.
He urges his request further – if one went to them from the dead, they would repent – that would be a realistic conviction for THEY WERE USED TO MOSES AND THE PROPHETS!
God’s method of conviction, by his word, is the chosen and appointed way and cannot be superceded by another.
Abraham insists upon the denial – for indeed a witness from the dead cannot triumph over the written word of God – which is the ordinary way of God’s making known his mind to us, and it is sufficient. - Matthew Henry Commentary
Heaven & Hell – Part 3 Luke 16:24
And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.
The preceding two parts reveal the different condition of the godly poor man and the wicked rich man in this world, at and after death.
The day will come when those who make light of God’s divine mercy will beg hard for it.
In his misery he cries to Abraham for mercy; He that had no mercy on Lazarus, yet expects Lazarus should have mercy on him.
Lazarus was better nurtured than he ever was and he begs Abraham to allow him to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue.
Here he complains of the torment of his tongue in particular, and rightly so, as explained by James in Chapter 3: 6 – 9: The Tongue is a fire – a world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth – the cycle of man’s nature – BEING ITSELF IGNITED BY HELL – Every kind of beast or bird, reptile and sea animal, can be tamed by human genius – But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is [an undisciplined, irreconcilable] restless evil, full of death bringing poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness!
By the torment of his tongue he is put in mind of all the wicked words that he has spoken against God and man, all his hard and filthy speeches; BY HIS WORDS HE IS CONDEMNED and therefore IN HIS TONGUE HE IS TORMENTED.
He desires a drop of water to cool his tongue, suffering further torment in remembrance of his inordinate relish of the delights of tasting.
He asks for a drop of water and he names Lazarus, because he knows and recognizes him and thinks that he will not be unwilling to do him this favour, after all, did not Lazarus share the crumbs from his table with the dog? HE THAT DESPISED LAZARUS NOW SEEKS GLADLY TO RECEIVE A KINDNESS FROM HIM.
Abraham did not grant his request – how justly the rich man is paid in his own coin!
HE THAT DENIED A CRUMB IS DENIED A DROP!
Abraham addresses him as son, in a civil manner, albeit, he had been a son, but a rebellious one, NOW AN ABANDONED DISINHERITED ONE.
Abraham continues by saying: SON REMEMBER – remember thy creator, thy redeemer, remember thy latter end, the offers of eternal life and glory, which he would not accept – NOW SINNERS ARE CALLED UPON TO REMEMBER, BUT THEY DO NOT, THEY WILL NOT.
He reminds him of his condition and the condition of Lazarus in their life-time; he had received all the good things, God had been a bountiful benefactor – therefore he could not say that God owed him anything, NO, NOT A DROP OF WATER.
What God gave he received, and that was all – he received his good things – HE CHOSE THE GOOD AND BEST THINGS IN HIS LIFE-TIME and had no thought of better things in another life.
The day of good things is past and gone.
In contrast what evil things Lazarus had received in his life-time, the godly good man had received as much evil as the wicked good man received good.
Abraham reminds him of his behaviour towards Lazarus – he cannot forget that he would not help him, and how then could he expect that Lazarus should now help him?
Heaven is comfort and hell is torment – to continue Part Four
viagra and hearing loss Ed Treatment Natural Female use of viagra female version of viagra 761.
erectile dysfunction vacuums Cialis Dysfunction Erectile Levitra how to get viagra
herbal remedy for erectile dysfunction; Erectile Dysfunction Psychological Zocor erectile dysfunction zoloft erectile dysfunction 147.
robin williams viagra Viagra Spray "explore advances in male impotence treatments"
viagra perscription online Natural Remedy Erectile Dysfunction male hormone dhea impotence levels
will ferrell erectile dysfunction Viagra Perscription Online ed treatment with ginko
erectile dysfunction pills evaluated; On Viagra "non prescription viagra"
cialis viagra How To Buy Viagramale impotence age
Cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction cigarette smoking causing male impotence 395. Impotence Viagra The latest treatment for ed topical ed treatment 237.
most effective ed treatment! Viagra 50 Mg actos erectile dysfunction
l dopa for male impotence! Buy Cheap Viagra erectile dysfunction and pravastatin;
male impotence pumps vacu Holistic Ed Treatment cost of viagra
female forcing male sexual impotence; Male Impotence Brochure actos erectile dysfunction
accounting treatment for sr ed Water Ed Treatment Male impotence due to surgery male impotence enema 629.
lamictal erectile dysfunction! Accounting Treatment Sr Ed Ias "buy viagra online"
problems with viagra, Viagra Cheap erectile dysfunction link suggest
"non prescription viagra" Viagra Uk viagra times;
viagra soft tabs? Ed Treatments erectile dysfunction ed treatment
u 3312 viagra cialis Male Impotence Advice yohimbie bark and male impotence
facts male impotence psychological effects
lexapro erectile dysfunction,
erectile dysfunction paypal, Zetia And Erectile Dysfunction straighttalk net erectile dysfunction review
male impotence and solutions? Make Your Own Viagra newest transdermal treatment for ed
tricor erectile dysfunction Hebal Ed Treatmenterectile dysfunction exercise
Viagra and alternatives viagra and blood pressure 767. How To Make Viagra how to take viagra
cialis medication erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Pills accupril and erectile dysfunction
Subscribe to RSS
