UnquenchableA Discussion about Hell

An Uncomfortable TopicLet’s be honest...no one really ones to talk about this subject. It makes

most people (especially those inside the Church) uncomfortable to even think about eternal punishment. However, we must address it seriously because

Jesus did.

Question #1Can God be both Good and Just (fair)?

A Contradiction?Opponents of God (and therefore

divine justice) say that no divine being can be loving and just. A good “god”

wouldn’t really punish those who disobey. However, eternal punishment

(and eternal reward) is not inconsistent with the nature (will & wisdom) of Jehovah.

God is HolyGod is Holy (see Isa 6:3) and therefore

cannot be tempted to sin (see James 1:13). Habakkuk 1:13 says, “You are of purer

eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look upon wickedness...” It is entirely

acceptable to know that God chooses to be righteous and bestowed upon us the

same choice (see Gen 3:22).

Fair Punishment?Would anyone in this world say a rapist

or murderer should go without punishment? There isn’t a society capable

of existence in our world that would purposefully avoid punishing evildoers.

Does anyone really argue that there should be no consequence for crimes

against humanity (i.e., Nazis)?

It Would be UnfairIf punishment for crime is not just

allowed but encouraged in our society then God must be given the same

autonomy. God cannot ignore rebellion against His divine will and act as if it

never happened. We wouldn’t ask anyone to do that! We would cry out for justice

and a right judgment.

Question #2Why would God feel the need to Punish?

Romans 2:23

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

Romans 6:23

...the wages of sin is death...

Romans 2:5

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are

treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the

righteous judgment of God.

Death is SeparationPhysical death separates the soul from the body (see James 2:26) and spiritual

death is mankind’s separation from God’s will and wisdom. Isaiah 59:2, “...your

iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face

from you...”

Death is SeparationThe Bible is clear in many verses what

will happen to a person who dies spiritually separated from God.

Let me be brutally honest when I say it doesn’t paint a pleasant picture.

Daniel 12:2

And many of those who sleep in the Dust of the earth shall awake, some to

everlasting life, some to shame andeverlasting contempt.

Matthew 25:41

Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed,

into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels...

Mark 9:45,46

...It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast

into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched – where “there worm does not

die and the fire is not quenched.”

Matthew 25:46

And these (the wicked) will go away into eternal punishment, but the

righteous into eternal life.

Revelation 14:10,11

...he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength...he shall be tormented with fire...and the smoke of their torment

ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night...

Question #3So is Punishment Avoidable?

Death is ReconciliationWhen Jesus died on the cross, His death was a reconciliation for mankind and

their creator. Jesus Himself said in John 3:17, “...God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be

saved.”

Romans 3:24,25,26

...(all) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ

Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood...to

demonstrate His righteousness, because God...passed over the sins that

were previously committed...

Hebrews 5:9

...He (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him...

Death is ReconciliationWhen Jesus died on the cross, His death

wasn’t for any sin He had committed (see 1 Peter 2:22) but for our sins. Isaiah 53:5,6 says, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our

iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes

we are healed.”

Death is ReconciliationGod did not put our sins upon Christ, God put the penalty of our sins upon

Christ. Remember Rom 3:23 & 6:23, we all sin and deserve to die, however,

Jesus died on the cross to bear what we deserve and to ensure a way out of hell.

Question #4What about those who don’t Obey?

The HebrewsLook at what happened to them in the

wilderness (banished for 40 years), during their rule of Canaan (spilt kingdom with idolatry), and captivity. God stayed His hand many times when they deserved

punishment.

See Ezekiel 20:25,26.

Two ParablesIn Luke 16:27,28, the Rich man asks

Abraham to send Lazarus back to the world to teach his brothers “...lest they

also come to this place of torment.” But it wasn’t allowed because those men

had “...Moses and the prophets (God’s OT Law) to hear.”

Two ParablesIn Luke 12:47,48, Jesus speaks of the

servants who were found not doing the will of their master.

Those who knew and didn’t act are beaten with “many stripes” while those who didn’t “shall be beaten with few.”

Hell & GehennaWhen Jesus talks about hell, He uses the proper name “Gehenna.” The word is found 12 times in NT, Jesus uses it 11. It is a transliteration of the OT expression naming the Valley of Hinnom. That area was used by evil Hebrews in 2 Chronicles

28:3,33:6 to offer their children as sacrifices.

Matthew 23:33

Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

UnquenchableA Discussion about Hell