Hell: Hell: A Motivation for Missions?A Motivation for Missions?

What happens to people when What happens to people when they die? What should happen to they die? What should happen to

people before they die? people before they die?

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Biblical concept: 54 versesBiblical concept: 54 verses NETNET Hebrews 9:27 Hebrews 9:27 And just as people are appointed And just as people are appointed

to die once, and then to face judgmentto die once, and then to face judgment,, NET NET Matthew 10:28 Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who Do not be afraid of those who

kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hellin hell..

NET NET Revelation 20:13 Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds.according to his deeds.14 14 Then Death and Hades Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death– the lake of fire.second death– the lake of fire.

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What about people who have never heard? What about people who have never heard? Only time people are concerned about lostOnly time people are concerned about lost Some arguments are Some arguments are emotionalemotional: :

sympathetic, sympathetic, ““It just doesnIt just doesn’’t seem fair.t seem fair.”” Some arguments are Some arguments are deductivedeductive: depends : depends

on your perspective of Godon your perspective of God’’s character– s character– ““a a loving God would not send anyone to hellloving God would not send anyone to hell””

Some arguments are Some arguments are exegeticalexegetical: : ““all will all will be reconciled to God in accordance with 1 be reconciled to God in accordance with 1 Cor 15:22Cor 15:22”” – Yes, – Yes, ““Every knee shall bow…Every knee shall bow…””• ““For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall

be made alive.be made alive.”” Some arguments are Some arguments are theologicaltheological: God : God

arbitrarily regenerates some from every arbitrarily regenerates some from every tribe – It is not our primary concern.tribe – It is not our primary concern.

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Eleven Positions of the Eleven Positions of the ““uninformeduninformed””1.1. UniversalismUniversalism: All mankind will be saved. : All mankind will be saved. 2.2. QualifiedQualified universalismuniversalism: Salvation : Salvation

pertains to those who do not refuse itpertains to those who do not refuse it3.3. Inclusivism -Inclusivism - Anyone who is sincere and Anyone who is sincere and

follows goodwill in their faith is saved by follows goodwill in their faith is saved by Jesus. One set of beliefs is absolutely Jesus. One set of beliefs is absolutely true, other sets of beliefs are at least true, other sets of beliefs are at least partially true. (Mr 9:40; 2 Pet 3:9) partially true. (Mr 9:40; 2 Pet 3:9)

• ““All truth is GodAll truth is God’’s truths truth””• John Wesley, C.S. Lewis, Clark Pinnock, John Wesley, C.S. Lewis, Clark Pinnock,

& Billie Graham& Billie Graham

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Eleven Positions of the Eleven Positions of the ““uninformeduninformed””

4.4. Extended probationExtended probation: For a limited : For a limited time after death a person is given a time after death a person is given a 22ndnd chance to repent chance to repent

5.5. General revelation as a door to General revelation as a door to saving faithsaving faith even without special even without special revelation (a trust in mercy)revelation (a trust in mercy)

6.6. Extraordinary applications of Extraordinary applications of the atonement: the atonement: if grace applies to babies-insane then applies to unevangelized by election.

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Eleven Positions of the Eleven Positions of the ““uninformeduninformed””

7.7. ““Faith that would have beenFaith that would have been”” [if a [if a person would have heard the gospel]person would have heard the gospel]

8.8. AgnosticismAgnosticism: no one can know so we : no one can know so we should not be dogmatic (John Stott, should not be dogmatic (John Stott, James Orr)James Orr)

9.9. TraditionalismTraditionalism [ [restrictivismrestrictivism: grace to : grace to babies and mentally incapacitated]babies and mentally incapacitated]

10.10. Annihilationism and conditional Annihilationism and conditional mortality (mortality (the wicked become as if they the wicked become as if they had never existed)had never existed)

11.11. Degrees of punishmentDegrees of punishment in hell (same in hell (same duration, but not the same intensity)duration, but not the same intensity)

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Wider Hope CategoriesWider Hope Categories Three Views of Wider Hope TheoriesThree Views of Wider Hope Theories1.1. RestrictivismRestrictivism—the unevangelized in this life are —the unevangelized in this life are

lost.lost.• Some soften this by the Some soften this by the ““degree of punishmentdegree of punishment”” will will

reflect what they knew and responded toreflect what they knew and responded to• Pinnock says that many unevangelized (in this life) will Pinnock says that many unevangelized (in this life) will

have a have a ““grace-filled postmortem encountergrace-filled postmortem encounter”” with Christ with Christ and go to heaven if they choose then.and go to heaven if they choose then.

2.2. InclusivismInclusivism– salvation is accessible apart from – salvation is accessible apart from special evangelization (as long as they recognize special evangelization (as long as they recognize their spiritual need and throw themselves on the their spiritual need and throw themselves on the mercy of God – whether they hear and believe mercy of God – whether they hear and believe the gospel or not)the gospel or not)

3.3. UniversalismUniversalism: all will be saved. : all will be saved. • C.H. Dodd, A.T. Robinson, Paul KnitterC.H. Dodd, A.T. Robinson, Paul Knitter• Not a real option for Bible-believing Christians.Not a real option for Bible-believing Christians.

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Variations of Key ViewsVariations of Key Views

1.1. Extrabiblical modes of special Extrabiblical modes of special revelation revelation (Little)- Visions, dreams, (Little)- Visions, dreams, mystical experiences, etc.mystical experiences, etc.

2.2. The The ““acceptabilityacceptability”” of God-fearers of God-fearers (Anderson), however this is defined(Anderson), however this is defined

3.3. A A ““grace-filled postmortem grace-filled postmortem encounterencounter”” with God (Pinnock)with God (Pinnock)

4.4. Acceptance of a sincere call to Acceptance of a sincere call to whatever godswhatever gods are known as a are known as a reaching out to the true God (Knitter)reaching out to the true God (Knitter)

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Variety of Key ViewsVariety of Key Views5.5. The The ““Melchizedek factorMelchizedek factor”” (Don (Don

Richardson)—assumes he knew God Richardson)—assumes he knew God through general revelation through general revelation

• It is the same in other religions It is the same in other religions • Makes it easier for them to come to ChristMakes it easier for them to come to Christ

6.6. Implicit Christians or implicit-faithImplicit Christians or implicit-faith (Erickson) – (Erickson) –

• Can be saved if they have responded to God Can be saved if they have responded to God in the sense of seeking in the sense of seeking ““glory and honor and glory and honor and immortalityimmortality”” (Rom 2:7) – (Rom 2:7) –

• God will save them, because God will save them, because if they would if they would have heard the gospelhave heard the gospel, God knows they , God knows they would have accepted itwould have accepted it..

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Variety of Key ViewsVariety of Key Views

7.7. Annihilationism/conditionalismAnnihilationism/conditionalism (John Stott) – (John Stott) –

• No person is actually immortal until an No person is actually immortal until an immortal soul is given at conversion. immortal soul is given at conversion.

• The unsaved do not survive death in The unsaved do not survive death in any form.any form.

8.8. AgnosticismAgnosticism (C.S. Lewis): (C.S. Lewis): • No one knows what God will do with No one knows what God will do with

those who have never heardthose who have never heard

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Different views Different views

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Catholic Hell

PurgatoryLife

New Age Endless cycles of reincarnations

Cycles of life

Life

Protestant Escape mechanism: hopeful graceLife

Bible Just condemnation for sin(s)Life

Cults AnnihilationLife Hell

Five Clear TeachingsFive Clear Teachings1.1. True Light Enlightens EveryoneTrue Light Enlightens Everyone: everyone has : everyone has

heard or understands … enough to be responsible.heard or understands … enough to be responsible.• ““In him was life, and the life, was the light of men…The In him was life, and the life, was the light of men…The

true light, which true light, which enlightens everyoneenlightens everyone, was coming into , was coming into the worldthe world”” Jn 1:4,9 Jn 1:4,9

• ““for what for what can be known can be known about God is,about God is, plain to them plain to them because because God has shown it to themGod has shown it to them. For his invisible . For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been have been clearly perceivedclearly perceived, ever since the creation of , ever since the creation of the world, the world, in the things that have been madein the things that have been made. So that . So that they are without excusethey are without excuse (Rom 1:19-20)(Rom 1:19-20)

• ““Their Their voice has gone out voice has gone out to all the earth, and their to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the worldwords to the ends of the world”” (Rom 10:18) (Rom 10:18)

• Though this usually refers to indirect revelation through Though this usually refers to indirect revelation through creation, conscience, history and reason, it also refers to creation, conscience, history and reason, it also refers to His incarnation, Scriptures and different modes of special His incarnation, Scriptures and different modes of special revelationrevelation

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Five Clear TeachingsFive Clear Teachings2.2. People love darkness more than GodPeople love darkness more than God’’s light s light

and turn a deaf ear to Godand turn a deaf ear to God’’s voices voice• ““And this is the And this is the judgmentjudgment: the light has come into the : the light has come into the

world and people world and people lovedloved the darkness the darkness rather than the rather than the light because their deeds were evillight because their deeds were evil..”” (Jn 3:19) (Jn 3:19)

• ““God gave them a God gave them a spirit of stuporspirit of stupor, eyes that would not , eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very daysee and ears that would not hear, down to this very day”” (Rom 11:18)(Rom 11:18)

• ““None is righteousNone is righteous, no not one; no one understands, no , no not one; no one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”” (Rom 3:10-12)(Rom 3:10-12)

• PaulPaul’’s task was s task was ““to to open their eyes open their eyes so that they may turn so that they may turn from from darkness to light darkness to light and from the and from the dominion of dominion of Satan to God Satan to God in order that they may receive forgiveness in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins…of sins…””(Acts 26:18) – (Acts 26:18) – Confrontation vital in Confrontation vital in conversionconversion

• Not only have men and women NOT been passed by in the Not only have men and women NOT been passed by in the giving of revelation, their lifestyle reflects their giving of revelation, their lifestyle reflects their REFUSALREFUSAL of itof it

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Five Clear TeachingsFive Clear Teachings3.3. The degree of judgment is proportionate to The degree of judgment is proportionate to

the intensity of the light seen and clarity of the intensity of the light seen and clarity of the Word that is heardthe Word that is heard..

• ““While you have the light, believe in the light, that you While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of lightmay become sons of light”” (Jn 12:36) (Jn 12:36)

• ““For For allall have sinned without the law will also perish have sinned without the law will also perish without the lawwithout the law, and all who have sinned under the law , and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the lawwill be judged by the law”” (Rom 2:12) (Rom 2:12)

• Is God Is God justjust in judging the unevangelized? in judging the unevangelized?1.1. Remember God is always just (Ps 89:14)Remember God is always just (Ps 89:14)2.2. Additional revelation is always given on the basis of what we Additional revelation is always given on the basis of what we

do with the revelation already given (General to Special)do with the revelation already given (General to Special)3.3. People will be judged on the basis of what they have done People will be judged on the basis of what they have done

with divine revelation. with divine revelation. 4.4. Jesus condemned the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Jesus condemned the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and

Capernaum because they were unrepentant in spite of great Capernaum because they were unrepentant in spite of great miracles and teachings done in their midst (Matt 11:20-24)miracles and teachings done in their midst (Matt 11:20-24)

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Five Clear TeachingsFive Clear Teachings4.4. The missionary calling to proclaim the gospel The missionary calling to proclaim the gospel

is vital to the plan of God– Someone must is vital to the plan of God– Someone must take responsibility for the unreached!take responsibility for the unreached!

• ““He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the lightbut came to bear witness about the light..”” (Jn 1:7-8) (Jn 1:7-8)

• ““And thus I make it And thus I make it my ambitionmy ambition to preach the gospel, to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been namednot where Christ has already been named, lest I , lest I build on someone elsebuild on someone else’’s foundation, but as it is written, s foundation, but as it is written, ““Those Those who have never been told of him who have never been told of him will see, and will see, and those who have never heard will understandthose who have never heard will understand..”” (Rom (Rom 15:20-21)15:20-21)

• Paul gave a series of rhetorical questions to establish the Paul gave a series of rhetorical questions to establish the imperative of imperative of ““going with the gospelgoing with the gospel””

1.1. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.2.2. How will they call on one in whom they have not believed?How will they call on one in whom they have not believed?3.3. How can they believe in one of whom they have not heard?How can they believe in one of whom they have not heard?4.4. How can they hear with out someone preaching to them?How can they hear with out someone preaching to them?5.5. How can anyone preach to them unless someone is sent? How can anyone preach to them unless someone is sent?

(Rom 10:13-16)(Rom 10:13-16)1515

Five Clear TeachingsFive Clear Teachings5.5. Only by hearing and believing in Christ Only by hearing and believing in Christ

during this life can men and women be during this life can men and women be saved.saved.

• ““I am the light I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of lifenot walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”” (Jn (Jn 8:12)8:12)

• ““As long as As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the I am in the world, I am the light of the world world (Jn 9:5)(Jn 9:5)

• ““For this is what the Lord has commanded us: For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘‘I have I have made you a light for the Gentilesmade you a light for the Gentiles, that you may , that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”’” (Acts 13:47) (Acts 13:47)

• ““I am under obligation both to Greeks and to I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish…For I barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish…For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of power of God for salvation God for salvation to everyone who believesto everyone who believes”” (Rom (Rom 1:14, 16)1:14, 16)

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Final Word on HellFinal Word on Hell

We have to leave the final word on We have to leave the final word on the fate of men in the hands of our the fate of men in the hands of our God:God:• ““Will not the Judge of all the earth do Will not the Judge of all the earth do

right?right?”” (Gen 18:25) (Gen 18:25)• He makes no mistakesHe makes no mistakes• Whatever He says in His revealed Word Whatever He says in His revealed Word

is final– We must act on what we knowis final– We must act on what we know His final words were, His final words were, ““Go and make Go and make

disciples of all nationsdisciples of all nations……”” Matt 28:19 Matt 28:191717