1.WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HELL? CONTENTS W hy did someone asgood and loving as What Happened To Christ spend so The Subject Of Hell? . . . 2much time warning us about What Does The Bible the fire that shall never be Say About Hell? quenched a place ofIts A Place Of Choice. . . 4weeping and gnashing ofIts A Place Of Truth . . . 7teeth? Why did He talk more about the fires of hell thanIts A Place OfFair Treatment. . . . . . . 12 about the joys of heaven?The subject of hell is soIts A Place OfLost Hope . . . . . . . . . . 15 sobering that many are more comfortable ignoring it. But Whats The Fate Of Those Whothere is no subject more Never Hear? . . . . . . . . 26deserving of our honest The Fire Of Hell . . . . . 28 concern. In the following pages, RBC senior research Trust God To Do Right. . . . . . . . . 30 editor Herb Vander Lugt leads us in a discussion that we hope Defining Our Terms. . . 31 will reawaken those of us who are living as if there is no tomorrow for the lost.Martin R. De Haan II Managing Editor: David SperCover Design: Terry Bidgood Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 1990,2002 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MichiganPrinted in USA RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

2. WHATused in an aggressive, HAPPENEDprofane way, the less threatening it seems to TO THE SUBJECTthe user. Accordingly, the OF HELL?subject of hell has become C ountless people as prevalent in street talk asamong us seemit is absent in Sundayobsessed withsermons. the subject of hell. Even irreligious individuals talk of going to hell and back The more hell for something they love. shows up in casual They speak of certainties as being sure as hell, or conversation, the impossibilities as occurringless it is actually when hell freezes over.thought about. And bad experiences are said to hurt like hell. Many otherwise polite It wasnt always that people regularly inject color,way. Historically, most emotion, and profanity into religions have held openly their conversation by to the idea of an after-death adding a casual or angryjudgment followed by reference to hell to almost punishment for evildoers. any combination of words. In the New Encyclopedia Yet ironically, the moreBritannica, we read: hell shows up in casual The view that hell is conversation, the less it isthe final dwellingplace actually thought about of the damned after a even in religious circles.last judgment is held by The more such a word is the western prophetic 2 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 3. religions: Zoroastrianism, about the subject of hell. Judaism, Christianity, Jesus, the prime example and Islam. . . . Someof Gods love, spoke of hell modern theologians haverepeatedly. He said that again questioned the some would rise from death literalistic view but stillto the resurrection of hold that hell is, at least, condemnation (Jn. 5:29). a state of separation of He declared that those who the wicked from thego to hell enter the horrible good (Vol.5, p.814). place where their worm Our present reluctance does not die and the fire to think seriously about the is not quenched (Mk. reality of future punishment 9:44,46,48). He also may stem in part from an depicted it as a place of inadequate concept ofouter darkness, where God. We have forgotten there will be weeping that He is a God to be and gnashing of teeth feared. The Russian(Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). theologian Berdyaev said,Bertrand Russell said It is remarkable how little he decided to become an people think about hell or atheist when he read the trouble about it. This is thewords of Jesus about hell. most striking evidence ofBut did he act wisely? At human frivolity (Theleast he was consistent. He Destiny Of Man, Scribner,realized that hell deserves 1937, p.33). What he wrote to be taken seriously. He more than 50 years ago isknew that it doesnt make even more true today thansense to say you believe in when he penned it. Christ while rejecting what We do not do people aHe and His book say about favor when we remain silentan eternal lake of fire.3 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 4. WHAT DOESof life rather than the path THE BIBLE SAYof death and judgment.Over and over, Jesus ABOUT HELL?Himself urged His listenersto make wise choices withquestions like:What will it profit aA Place man if he gains the whole of Choiceworld, and loses his ownsoul? Or what will a mangive in exchange for hissoul? (Mk. 8:36-37).Yet the same Biblealso reminds us that mostpeople will risk their eternal HELL IS A PLACEsouls rather than feel OF CHOICEobligated or indebted to People dont choosethe love and mercy of hell with a full God. In some cases, thisunderstanding ofstubborn independence is what they are doing. Theyeasy to see. Some will even dont have a clear picture oftell you that if there really is the eternal happiness they a heaven and a hell they will miss or the everlasting would rather go to the place separation and darknessbelow because thats where they will endure. Buttheir friends will be. Others according to the Bible,say that heaven and God hell is a place of choice. and eternal goodness sound As a result, the Bible boring. Still others are so repeatedly appeals to itsangry at God for the pain readers to choose the wayand rejection that He has 4 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 5. allowed them to experience choices for which they that they have literally will be held accountable. challenged Him to send Certainly they fail to them to the devil and hisunderstand the full weight place. of their choices. They failto realize that just as thefirst man and woman madechoices that resulted in The choices mayenormous loss, so also webe underrated,who are made in the imagebut the choices of God continue to be heldaccountable for the choices are still there. we make. With suchchoices and consequencesin mind, the apostle PaulMost people, however, wrote: are merely ignoring theThe wrath of God is long-term possibilities of revealed from heaven their own choices. They areagainst all ungodliness either counting on the hopeand unrighteousness of that God is too loving tomen, who suppress the send them to hell, or they truth in unrighteousness, are assuming that they because what may be arent bad enough to beknown of God is manifest sent there. Many are soin them, for God has preoccupied with trying to shown it to them survive day-to-day struggles (Rom. 1:18-19). that they have chosen notAs Gods creatures, to worry about the future. we owe Him glory andIn the process, suchthanksgiving. God has a people make personal right to expect that we as a5 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 6. race and as individualsEnter by the narrow gate; recognize His lordship, give for wide is the gate and Him thanks, and live inbroad is the way that grateful obedience to Him. leads to destruction, and But in our pride, we havethere are many who go in refused to glorify God asby it. Because narrow is God. Instead, we havethe gate and difficult is become preoccupied withthe way which leads to ourselves and our ownlife, and there are few happiness. We have who find it (Mt. 7:13-14). chosen to love ourselves Proportionately, this is rather than Godto glorify still true. While religion is ourselves rather than thecommon all over the world, Lord. This is why the how many people do you wrath of God (Rom. 1:18)know who actually and rests upon the human race. consistently love God and This divine wrath is a express their gratitude to terrible reality. It is GodsHim? If you think carefully revulsion against the things and honestly, you will have that contradict His holy to admit that no one does. being. It is Gods reactionBut Christians freely admit to those who choose evil this and have placed their while rejecting His love.trust for salvation in JesusSome accuse God ofChrist, believing that He vindictiveness. But we paid for their sins when He would be wise to withholddied on the cross. When our criticism and respond as people refuse to believe on quickly as we can to Gods Him, they are choosing to invitation to escape the stand on their own merits. eternal fires. It was Christ To be placed on the road to Himself who urged us:heaven, we must 6 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 7. acknowledge our sin, admit that we cant save ourselves, and place our trust in Jesus Christ. JohnA Place 3:16 states: of Truth For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. If you havent chosenHELL IS A PLACE to believe on Jesus Christ,OF TRUTH T you are choosing the path he second point to hell. Dont listen to the we need to see is behaviorists who suggest that hell is a place that you have no realof truth. Even though it is choices of your own. sometimes described as a Reject the New Age place of outer darkness, it is thinking that says you are a place of the light of truth. governed by a non-moralHell will finally expose the Force. Accept the teaching true nature of all who have of the Bible. If you rejectconsistently rejected the Christ, you will have no love and grace and mercy right to blame anyone butof God. In the meantime, yourself when you somedaythe true nature of human find yourself in hell. You hearts is often buried under will have to admit thatdeceptive appearances. you made the wrong Now, most people dont choice. You wont be think of themselves as able to blame God. deserving of everlasting7 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 8. punishment. Many whoThe Wickedness have chosen to live their Of Public Enemies. lives apart from God dontIn some respects, human look any different than wickedness is terrible to others who openly admit contemplate. Think of what their need of the forgiveness God sees as He looks down and mercy of Christ.on the world of mankind. But present appearances He watches the murders, are deceiving. While theadulteries, thefts, fights, Bible says that most people and physical and emotional are headed for the lake of fire, many of them dont look as though they deserve Think of the pain, a fire reserved for the devilthe anxiety, the and his angels. Evil men like Stalin or Hitler or serial tears, and the killers might seem to qualify, countless victims but not the rank-and-file ofthat God sees. people who seem to live basically decent lives. Yet from the Bibles pointtorment that occur day of view, such evaluations are and night in every part of extremely misleading andthe world. He sees the child even deceptive. The Bible abuserstheir lust, cruelty, shows us that the fires and and heartlessness. He sees blackness of hell will make wives crying, children eternal statements aboutabandoned, friends (1) the true wickedness and partners betrayed, of public enemies and governments oppressing, (2) the true wickedness and religious leaders of good people. fleecing their trusting flocks. 8 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 9. It is the moral andcruelty that continues to spiritual condition that Godproduce rapists, child has been patiently tolerating molesters, embezzlers, and ever since mans fall into sin. pornographers. When the Read the apostle Pauls judgment of God falls, and timeless and universalwhen such persons are description of the humansentenced to the lake of fire condition:described in RevelationThey have all turned 20:11-15, the fire will makeaside; they have togetheran eternal statement of truthbecome unprofitable; about those who have livedthere is none who does their lives at the expense ofgood, no, not one. Their others.throat is an open tomb;What we need to realize,with their tongues theyhowever, is that Romans 3have practiced deceit; the was not written merely topoison of asps is undertell the truth about thosetheir lips; whose mouthpublic enemies who will oneis full of cursing and day find their rightful placebitterness. Their feet are in hell. It also describes:swift to shed blood; The Wickednessdestruction and misery Of Good People. Aare in their ways; and the closer look shows thatway of peace they have Romans 3:10-18 doesntnot known. There is no just describe the judgment-fear of God before their deserving character of thoseeyes (Rom. 3:12-18). we call public enemies.This is a striking Verse 10 expresses the picture of the dishonesty,inclusive argument of the the greed, the profanity, the first three chapters of deceitfulness, and theRomans, when it says of9 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 10. mankind, religious and made just to abide by the non-religious alike: external requirements of civil There is none righteous, and religious law. We were no, not one; there is none made to worship God from who understands; there our hearts and to love one is none who seeks afteranother as He has loved us. God. They have all When we measure turned aside; they ourselves by that evaluation, have together become the threat of hell becomes unprofitable; there is more of an issue. The none who does good,irresistible fire of judgment no, not one (3:10-12). will expose the enormous We dont like to think deception that now hides that good people deserve behind social and religious to go to hell. But our goodcourtesies and proprieties. impression of decent law-We have good reason to abiding neighbors is not a shudder at the thought of real reflection of the truth.standing in Gods presence We think naturally in very on our own merits. If were man-centered ways rather honest, we must admit that than in the God-centered apart from Christ we deserve measurement described in to hear Him sentence us to Romans 3. Man wasnt madehell. In Gods sight, no one to be a decent public servant. is really a good person. He was made to glorify his As many as have sinned Maker and to enjoy Him without law will also forever. We werent made toperish without law, and live decent, self-serving lives. as many as have sinned We were made to depend in the law will be judged gratefully on the love and by the law (for not the goodness of God. We werenthearers of the law are just 10 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 11. in the sight of God, but by saying that what we call the doers of the law willsins are merely weaknesses. be justified; for when Others affirm that God is so Gentiles, who do not loving that He will never have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although notAll people, at one having the law, are atime or another, law to themselves, who show the work of the law sense that there written in their hearts, is a God to their conscience alsowhom they bearing witness, and between themselves their are morally thoughts accusing or else accountable. excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesuspunish anyone on the other Christ, according to myside of death. They dont gospel (Rom. 2:12-16). want to acknowledge their All people, at one timesin and believe on Jesus or another, sense that there Christ. But the day is coming is a God to whom they arewhen they will stand before morally accountable, thatGod for final judgment. There they have sinned, and that they will see themselves as they need divine forgiveness.they really are. Stripped of all But most men and women their self-righteousness, they stifle these disquieting will recognize their guilt thoughts. Some do so bybefore God. And nothing denying the existence of a less than the lake of fire will personal God. Some do so ultimately tell the truth. 11 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 12. the exact degree of punishment he will receive. God will be perfectly fair. A Place The final judgment isof Fairdepicted graphically inTreatmentRevelation 20:11-15. This is the great white throne judgment. The Judge is none other than Jesus Christ (Jn. 5:24-30). All the unsaved will receive new bodies and HELL IS A PLACE OFwill stand to be judged. Then FAIR TREATMENTthe books containing the life We have seen that record of every person and hell is the place the one special book of life people choose,will be opened. The opening even if unknowingly, when of these books shows that they go their own way those who rejected Gods instead of listening to God.gift of salvation will receive We have also noted that hellperfect justice. is a place that will foreverIn Romans 2:1-16, Paul tell the truth about the real pointed out that God will character of those who have look at what people have rejected and resisted Gods done with their privileges provision for their salvation.and opportunities, and that We are now ready to He will be completely consider a third factthatimpartial and fair (vv.5-11). hell will be a place of fairThose who possessed His treatment. Before anyoneWord, the law of verses 12- goes there, he will stand at a14, will be held accountable final judgment to determine for their response to it. 12 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 13. Those who never received beyond our control. Yet we special revelation will be make choices after weighing held accountable only foroptions. Therefore, we are what they knew (vv.14-16). all accountableat least toJesus taught this samesome degree. And God principle when He said thatunderstands to what extent. the servant who knew his He also knows how much masters will and disobeyedwe need His mercy. would be beaten with When the young man many stripes, but that who died in a gang warstands before Jesus Christ,he will find that the Lord Gods love willunderstands all thebe just, andcircumstances of his short,violent, and troubled life His justice will his absent father, his be loving. immoral mother, hisdisadvantaged peers, hiscomplete ignorance of the the servant who had less gospel message, and his knowledge would be beatendespair. The Lord Jesus will with few (Lk. 12:47-48). take all these factors into No judge or jury fully consideration. He knows understands the person onexactly the degree of trial. No human being canresponsibility of this young evaluate the exact degreeman and will give him a of accountability in himself sentence that perfectly suits or anyone else. We are his offense. all profoundly influencedThe rich, respectable by hereditary andlandlord who died without environmental factorsChrist may receive a far13 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 14. more severe sentence thanuniverse. No one will be most of his tenants, evenable to appeal His decisions. those who had many In fact, no one will feel the brushes with the law. Theneed to do so. Every person Lord Jesus will take intowill acknowledge Him as account their respective Lord and admit that His privileges. He will seeverdict has been absolutely perfectly the underlying greed, selfishness, and pride of this man. He will God, the holy understand the sense ofmoral Governor of despair that was a factor in the universe, will some of the wrongs done by the tenants. All will receive dispense perfect fair treatment. God, thejustice to all holy moral Governor ofwrongdoers. the universe, will dispense perfect justice to all wrongdoers.fair and right. It is at this The awesome picture of time that everyone will final judgment in Revelation recognize Him to be all He 20:11-15 led Thomas Carlyleclaimed to be, fulfilling the to exclaim: What awords of Philippians 2:9-11. magnificent conception isTherefore God also has that of a final judgment! Ahighly exalted Him and righting of all the wrongs ofgiven Him the name the ages. The Lord Jesuswhich is above every Christ will take into accountname, that at the name of every circumstance,Jesus every knee should overlooking nothing. He will bow, of those in heaven, be the Supreme Court of theand of those on earth, 14 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 15. and of those under the and will sentence him/her toearth, and that everyreceive exactly what he/shetongue should confess that deserves. Now we are readyJesus Christ is Lord, to the to develop the solemn factglory of God the Father. that hell is a place of lost hope. We must take the love-filled, tear-marked Jesus seriously when He warned:A PlaceDo not fear those who killof Lostthe body but cannot kill Hopethe soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Mt. 10:28). We will consider the final and irreversible nature HELL IS A PLACE of this loss in three steps: OF LOST HOPEFirst, we will examine the We have seen that so-called universalist or people choose second chance passages hell by rejecting in the Bible. Second, we the light they have receivedwill consider the passages from God. We have seenthat speak of hell as a place that everyone is a sinner of destruction. Third, we whose selfishness and pride will study the implications call for divine punishment of the fact that the terms even the nice non-Christian everlasting or eternal often who has so many fineappear in reference to hell. qualities. We have seen thatThe Second Jesus Christ is going to judgeChance Passages. We every person individually who believe on Jesus Christ15 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 16. and therefore are confident 2:5-6 imply the hope that we will go to heaven of another chance after would like to see everyonedeath. They view Acts 3:21, get there eventually. We1 Corinthians 15:22, would very much like to Philippians 2:9-1l, and find evidence in the BibleColossians 1:20 as verses that the lost will get anotherwhich imply that almost all chance to be saved afterwill eventually be among the death. And there always redeemed. Lets take a look have been teachers whoat these passages. First Peter 3:18-20. These verses declare that It is extremely Jesus preached to the dangerous to usespirits in prison, specifically to contemporaries of Noah. a few difficult Some Bible interpreterspassages to trybelieve that Peter was to override manyreferring to the preaching done by Noah while he was clear ones. building the ark. Others teach that between His have held the viewpoint death and resurrection of another opportunityJesus went to the realm after death. Some Bible of the unsaved dead and students refer to themselvesannounced what He had as universalists becausedone. Still others believe He they believe that eventuallywent to the prison house for everyone or almost everyone fallen angels and announced will end up in heaven. They His redeeming work to them. believe that 1 Peter 3:18-20We may choose any of these and 4:6, and 1 Timothyinterpretations. It is a 16 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 17. difficult passage, to be sure.off than those who gained Just as certain, however, isthe praise of the world but that we should not take a must face Gods judgment difficult passage like this after death. and use it to overrule otherFirst Timothy 2:5-6. passages like Hebrews 9:27, This passage is also quoted which states, . . . it isas a proof of a second appointed for men to diechance after death. It tells us: once, but after this theThere is one God and one judgment.Mediator between God First Peter 4:6. This and men, the Man Christ is another verse often used Jesus, who gave Himself a to prove that people will ransom for all, to be receive another chance. testified in due time. Peter wrote:Those who view this For this reason the gospelpassage as offering another was preached to those chance for salvation after who are dead, thatdeath point out that the they might be judgedransom price was paid according to men in the for all, and that it will be flesh, but live according testified to all in due to God in the spirit. time. Some people in This verse refers to thethis world never receive proclamation of the gospelan opportunity to hear to living people who laterthe gospel, and many died. The preaching was who do, hear it under very done while these individualsunfavorable circumstances. were alive. They were judgedTherefore, in due time, harshly by the world, but under conditions more they now enjoy the bliss of favorable after death, the heaven. They are far better gospel of salvation will be17 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 18. offered to all. The context, restoration of the theocracy however, eliminates such anunder Davids Son, but they interpretation. Paul madenever predicted a day when this statement in connection the unsaved dead would be with his injunction that converted and translated to Gods people pray for allheaven. men (not just for a smallFirst Corinthians 15:22. select company), and withPauls words For as in his declaration that God Adam all die, even so in desires all people to be Christ all shall be made saved (not just Israelites). alive are sometimes taken He asserted that Christsto mean that all will ransom was universal ineventually be saved. But availability and that thethat isnt what Paul said. gospel testimony is to goHe declared the simple truth out everywhere. There is nothat just as every person indication here of another dies because he is united gospel offer after death.with Adam as a member of Acts 3:21. Peter spoke ofthe sinful human race by the times of restoration of natural birth, so every all things, and this to someperson who is united with Bible scholars implies the Christ shall experience a idea that in the end all willglorious resurrection. We be saved. But a careful studydid nothing to become a of this verse makes it clear member of the human that Peter was speakingrace, but we must believe about the restoration of on Christ and be born again Israel as predicted by the to enter Christs family. We Old Testament prophets.who have done this are now They spoke of Israels returnin Christ and therefore to the land and therecipients of eternal life. 18 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 19. Colossians 1:20. Paul distinguish between declared that Gods purpose a resurrection to is to reconcile all things tocondemnation and a Himself . . . through the resurrection to blessedness, blood of His cross. Standing we see Colossians 1:20 as by itself, this seems to teachteaching that through the that eventually every blood of the cross God creature will be brought into provided for the restoration of the whole universe to the harmony He intended forAs much as weitthe harmony that was would like to think broken through sin. The that ultimately all day is coming when all creatures will be brought into will be saved, we subjection to God. They willcannot honestlyacknowledge the authority ofuse the Bible to the triune God and submit to Him. They will confess the build a case for it.lordship of Christ to the glory of the Father (Phil. 2:10-11). a saving relationship withIn the case of the evil spirits God. William Hendriksen and unredeemed human quotes a minister who usedbeings, this subjection will this verse as the basis for the be imposed, not welcomed. following statement: In theOn the other hand, the good end everybody is going to beangels and redeemed people saved. I have hope even for will submit joyfully and the devil. rejoice in the fact that But when we interpret rebellion has ceased and this verse in the light of thea new harmony exists in many passages that clearlyGods universe. 19 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 20. No, as much as we declaration, And do not would like to think thatfear those who kill the body ultimately all will be saved, but cannot kill the soul. But we cannot honestly use therather fear Him who is able Scriptures to build a caseto destroy both soul and for it. body in hell (Mt. 10:28). The Destruction The Greek word here for Passages. Having pointeddestroy is apollumi. It out the solemn fact thatoccurs scores of times in the the Bible does not give usNew Testament. Jesus used reason to look for a second this term when He said that chance for salvation afternew wine would ruin an death, we are now ready toold wineskin (Lk. 5:37) and consider the implications ofwhen He referred to the the word destruction when food we eat as the food used to describe thewhich perishes (Jn. 6:27). destiny of the wickedThe fact that the Greek and unbelieving. In terms sometimes rendered 2 Thessalonians 1:9, fordestroy or perish can example, we are told that mean to bring to an end those who refuse to knowor cease to exist has led God and to obey the gospelsome Bible students to say shall be punished with that the unsaved will everlasting destruction be resurrected, judged, from the presence of thepunished according to their Lord. The word here is works, and then annihilated. olethros, the same word They point out that the used in 1 Corinthians 5:5,doctrine of human 1 Thessalonians 5:3, andimmortality comes from 1 Timothy 6:9.Greek thought rather thanJesus made the solemnthe Hebrew or Greek 20 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 21. Scriptures. Paul declared not be quenched until God that God alone has has vindicated His holiness immortality, dwelling inin the punishment of all sin. unapproachable light, whomHowever, they look forward no man has seen or can see to a point in eternity after (1 Tim. 6:16). These Biblewhich nothing sinful or scholars are well aware ofpainful will exist in the our Lords statement that entire universe. the unredeemed go intoMost orthodox Bible everlasting punishmentscholars have not accepted (Mt. 25:46). But they see this teaching. They have eternal extinction as eternal difficulty equating eternal punishment, pointing outpunishment with eternal that Jesus didnt say eternal nonexistence. They also conscious punishment. think of mankind in Gods These teachers, image as created for an however, are not simple eternal conscious destiny in annihilationists. Theyeither heaven or hell. take seriously the BibleThe Forever and verses that speak of theEver Passages. We resurrection, judgment, and have shown that the Bible appropriate punishment of does not promise or even the lost. But they believeimply that the lost will have that the eventual destiny another chance for salvation of the unsaved will beafter death. We have also extinction. They view hell as observed that the Greek a grim reality. They recognizewords translated perish or that the terms destroy anddestroy in relation to hell destruction can mean more can either denote eternal than annihilation. They conscious ruin or eventual declare that the fire will extinction of being. So its 21 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 22. important for us to consider forever (Dt. 15:17). Paul the Greek terms that are counseled Philemon to usually translated receive Onesimus back as everlasting, eternal,his slave forever (Phile. or forever and ever in the 15). In all of these cases, Bible. In relation to hell, do they really denote endlessness? And do In relation to they indicate that the hell, do the lost will endure consciousterms translated punishment throughout all eternity? everlasting, In view is the Greeketernal, or word aion (usually renderedforever and ever forever or eternal) and the Greek expression tous really indicate an aionas ton aionon (normally endless conscious rendered forever andpunishment ever). In and by themselves, they do notthroughout necessarily denote eternity. all eternity? When Jewish scholars translated the Old Testament the word aion relates to this from Hebrew to Greek, they world only, not to eternity. used the term aion to denote But the same term was also the everlasting hills of used to depict God as the Genesis 49:26 and to depicteternal One, from ever- the servant who voluntarilylasting to everlasting (Ps. had his ear pierced to 41:13; 90:2; 106:48). It is indicate that he wishedobvious that the context to remain with his mastermust determine when this 22 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 23. term denotes a span of or rebellion. Jesus declared time and when it denotes that after His judgment of absolute endlessness.the nations the lost will Kittels Theological go away into everlasting Dictionary Of The Newpunishment, but the Testament tells us that when righteous into eternal life aion is used in any of its (Mt. 25:46). Of the people forms in relation to thiswho will worship the world, it denotes the timeAntichrist and his image, or duration of the world. we read, And the smoke But when used of God orof their torment ascends the world entered at death,forever and ever; and they it denotes timeless have no rest day or night eternity. The Greek mind(Rev. 14:11). In addition, basically thought in terms the beast, the false prophet, of two agesthe present ageand Satan will be cast into that will end and the future the lake of fire, where they age that is timeless. Thewill be tormented day and New Testament writersnight forever and ever borrowed this usage. (Rev. 20:10). Whenever they used the The Greek word word aion in relation to God,translated tormented spiritual realities, or life after in these last two verses is death, they had absolute basanizo which, according timelessness or never-ending to the lexicons, denotes eternity in mind (see Vol.1, physical or mental distress, pp.197-209). torture, or harassment. Only The words aion and conscious beings can suffer aionion are used several this way. Therefore, we must times in relation to the fateconclude that eternal of those who die in unbelief conscious suffering is23 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 24. denoted in these passages.punishment. Jesus pointed In summary, the futureout that on the day of of those who die as judgment the inhabitants unbelievers or rebels is notof ancient Sodom would be pleasant to contemplate.treated with more mercy When Jesus talked about than the people in Judea hell, He spoke of weepingwho had deliberately and gnashing of teeth (Mt. rejected Him and His 8:12), of the fire that shallapostles (Mt. 10:15). He never be quenched (Mk. also spoke of the servant 9:43,45), and of a placewho would be punished where their worm does not die (Mk. 9:44,46,48). Even if many verses areWe are wise to inconclusive regarding the assume no more eternal conscious sufferingand no lessthan of the lost, Revelation 14:11 and 20:10 indicate that at the Bible says the very least, some of the about hell. lost will suffer conscious torment for all eternity. lightly because he had little We must be careful that knowledge of Gods will (Lk. we do not go beyond the 12:48). Scriptures and portray hellC. S. Lewis, in his book as a place where all the lost The Great Divorce, pictures will scream in pain forever the lost as having to live and ever. This picture giveswith themselves and one a wrong impression of God.another unchanged from He is not only perfectlywhat they were on earth. holy and just, but He He portrays them as moving will be absolutely fair inslowly and inexorably 24 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 25. farther and farther fromsuffering of hell. We cant reality through eternity. Heunderstand the concept of admitted that his work waseternity. And we dont know not a theological treatisejust what the bodies of the and didnt want it to beunredeemed in hell will be interpreted as such. But he like. The biblical doctrine wanted to make us realize of hell is designed to warn that even if there were nosinners. It is designed to extreme physical pain, hell motivate believers to do all would be a terrible place. It they can to reach people is a fact that actions form with the gospel. It is habits and habits develop designed to show us how character. Unless a personterrible sin is in the sight of has been born again through an awesomely holy God. faith in Christ, he will go Therefore, although we into eternity with a nature cannot visualize either the that has been fixed in this timelessness of eternity or life. He dies a sinner andthe exact nature of hells will be a sinner forever, but suffering, we can be moved he will be unable to carryto godly fear and proper out his evil thoughts oraction. And we can inclinations. He will be in ultimately trust God to do torment, but his nature willwhat is right by friends and be so twisted by his evil relatives who for one reason desires that he will prefer or another refuse the gospel. the misery of hell to the kindWith Abraham of old we of activities that occupy the can ask the rhetorical saints in heaven. question, Shall not the It is perhaps wise forJudge of all the earth do us to avoid excessive right? (Gen. 18:25), and speculation about the leave the matter to Him. 25 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 26. WHATS THE But the Scriptures make it FATE OF THOSEclear that those who haventheard the gospel are lost just WHO NEVERas surely as those who refuse HEAR?to believe on Christ. Jesus M any people havedeclared that He Himself isgone through this the only way to God (Jn.life without even 14:6). Peter boldly told the once hearing about Jesus Jewish rulers who had Christ. Even among those arrested him, Nor is there who live in cultures where salvation in any other, for Christian holidays likethere is no other name under Christmas and Easter are observed, there areCan we assume multitudes who never really hear the gospel. And some that God will find who have had contact witha way to open the professing Christians neverdoors of heaven give Jesus Christ serious consideration because of to those who have what they see in the lives never heard of people who claim to be the gospel of His followers.What about suchJesus Christ? people who will die without ever having heard a clearheaven given among men presentation of the gospel?by which we must be saved Can we assume that God will(Acts 4:12). Paul referred to find some way to open theall who dont know Jesus as doors of heaven to them? Wethose who are perishing would like to believe that.(2 Cor. 4:3) and described 26 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 27. the Gentile world before thesituation as most of the Old time of Christ as having noTestament believers who hope and without God in the were saved by Gods grace world (Eph. 2:12). The through faith even though heartbreaking fact is thatthey had only a vague people who have never heard concept of Christ. He writes, the gospel are on their way toThe believing Jew was a Christless eternity.accepted and blessed not God will hold those because of the prescribed who never heard the gospelanimal sacrifices he offered, responsible for what they nor even his repentance did with the light that theyand abandonment to Gods had in this world. Paul saidmercy, but because of of the pagans that God hadwhat God Himself was revealed Himself to them in going to do in His only nature (Rom. 1:18-21) and Son at the cross of Calvary in conscience (Rom. 2:12- (Christianity And World 16). They must give anReligions: The Challenge account of what they didOf Pluralism, 1984, p.153). with this light and will be Its not imperative that punished accordingly. we accept Andersons Sir Norman Anderson,suggestion, because the a respected evangelical, hasBible doesnt tell us about pointed out that some who the fate of these noble never hear the gospel pagans. But we can be become conscious of their certain about one thing: We sinfulness, abandon all can trust God to do right by efforts to earn Gods favor,all those who die without and cry out for forgiveness.having heard the saving He contends that they are togospel of Jesus Christ. And be viewed in the same that is all we need to know!27 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 28. THE FIRE called Tophet (literally fire OF HELLplace). There is a strongtradition that the valley The term fire is often became a city dump where used in connection refuse and the bodies of with the punishmentcriminals were burned. The of the lost. In Revelation terrible reputation of this 20, the expression lake ofvalley plus its association fire occurs three times towith fire and judgment denote the final destiny ofmade it an apt symbol Gods enemies. for the place of final Fire is also associatedpunishment for the wicked. with hell because of the So should we portray Greek word gehenna, thehell as a literal furnace of term most often employed fire where all the lost will to denote the place wherescream in pain throughout the lost will go after death all eternity? The Church and judgment. It occursFathers, Luther, Calvin, 11 times in the gospels andall the classical theologians, once in the rest of the Newand present-day evangelical Testament (Jas. 3:6). Theleaders like Francis word itself referred to the Schaeffer and J. I. Packer valley of Hinnom, justsay an emphatic no. south of Jerusalem. It was They point out that God there that the Israeliteswill lightly punish those under Ahaz and Manassehwho did not know much (2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6) placed about His expectations children on a fiery altar(Lk. 12:48). A hell in which dedicated to the god all burn in a literal fire does Molech. The specific place not allow for significant where this was done wasdegrees of punishment. 28 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 29. Then too, its important gospel. Such excesses to remember that the Bible have also caused some often uses fire as a symbol. true believers to ignore the In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15,biblical teaching about hell our works (or doctrines) or to develop false doctrines are portrayed as wood, hay, straw that will be consumed by the fire of judgment or as gold,Should we portray silver, precious stoneshell as a literal that will endure the fire. furnace of fire In James 3:5-6 the tongue is a fire, causes fire,where all the lost and is itself set on fire will scream in by hell. Hebrews 12:29 pain throughout declares that our God is a consuming fire. Jude 23all eternity? speaks of people who have been doctrinally misled and are in need of being like universalism. But snatched out of the fire.a sensitive and accurate In all of these references,treatment of this truth the fire is symbolic.can be used by God to The Bible presents a strengthen Christians literal hell as the place of and to awaken sinners eternal punishment for all to their need of Christ. who die in unbelief or rebellion. Unscriptural and repulsive overstatements about hell have turned some people away from the 29 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 30. TRUST GODbe sure of one thing TO DO RIGHTGod will do right by them.Trust Him and do what He The woman wassays. Receive Jesus as your convinced that she Savior. She did, and today was a sinner who she is a strong Christian needed Gods forgiveness.woman. She also believed the good We dont like the idea news that Jesus died onof eternal punishment. We the cross for her sins may even find ourselves and destroyed the powerrepulsed by the concept. of death through His But we need to be careful. resurrection. But she balked God sees and understands when I suggested that sheinfinitely more than we do. receive Jesus as her Savior. He has proven His love She said she wasnt sure in so many ways, especially she wanted to go toproviding salvation through heaven if her parentsJesus Christ (Jn. 3:16; Rom. were in hell. They had been5:8). He wants you to place churchgoing, loving, honestyour trust in His Son. people. But she didnt think Listen to Him, accept His they had ever heard thesalvation, and trust Him to gospel clearly presented.do what is right to you and Sensing her resistance,to all mankind. Accept His I said, Neither you nor I warning to escape the know for sure where your fire that shall never be parents will spend eternity. quenchedwhere their Its possible that theyworm does not die, and believed Jesus died forthe fire is not quenched their sins and trusted Him (Mk. 9:44,46,48). to save them. But we can 30 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 31. DEFININGfallen angels and humans OUR TERMS to rebellion and a destiny of eternal punishment. Annihilationismthe ideaEvangelicalsa label that people will not suffer describing those who accept eternal conscious torment inthe good news that Jesus is hell but will eventually be the Christ, the only Son of consumed or obliterated inGod, who lived a perfect life, judgment, ceasing to exist. died for our sins, was buried, Beastthe violent and and rose again on the third aggressive endtime person,day to offer eternal life to all also known as the Antichrist, who would believe in Him. who will deceive the nationsEvilthe absence or opposite before being sentenced by of good, love, and godliness; God to everlasting torment. a condition of spiritual Damned, condemnedindependence that resists the terrible state of those Gods plan for us. sentenced to eternalFalse Prophetthe separation from God.endtime person who will use Destructionto be ruinedsupernatural power to bring or consumed. The word ishonor to the Antichrist before used repeatedly in the Bible to joining him in a place of describe Gods plan to bringeverlasting torment. His enemies first to the graveFear Of Goda healthy and then ultimately to thedread of resisting or rebelling fires and darkness of hell. against God, with the result of Devil/Satanthe powerfulmoving toward God rather personal spirit being who than away from Him. Properly through pride and hatred hasunderstood, it is reverential become the chief adversary of awe that results in trust and God and will lead countless love for God.31 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 32. Gospelthe good news that Salvationthe rescue God Christ died for our sins, thatoffers us. It may refer to He was buried, and that Hedeliverance from temporary rose from the grave to save all physical harm, but in the who will trust Him. highest sense it speaks of Hellthe place of final Gods loving offer to save us judgment created for the devil, from the past, present, and his angels, and all who die future effects of sin. It is without making peace with available only in the name of God. Described as the lake of Christ, who gave His life to fire and a place of outer save all who trust Him to darkness where the torment is deliver them from eternal characterized by weeping andseparation from God. gnashing of teeth.Self-righteousa term that New Agea current world-describes one who thinks he is view that sees man as being good enough to merit heaven one with the spiritual life-force by personal effort rather than of the universe, capable of by believing that goodness is a shaping his own destiny gift of God received through through the development offaith in Christ. mind and potential. Universalistone who Soulthe immaterial partbelieves that everyone will of man that includes theeventually be saved and intellect, emotion, and will. brought into a right It exists with or without relationship with God. the body. Wrath Of Godthe Pagan, Sinner, Wicked,perfect and patient anger of Lostterms describing those God that will consume all who, for lack of faith in Christ, who persistently and finally are outside the circle of His refuse to acknowledge His forgiveness and life. rightful place in their lives. 32 RBC Ministries. All rights reserved. 33. Get your free Bible Resources catalog! Discovery Series booklets can be valuable guides to help you learn what the Bible says about a broad range of topics. Each 32-page booklet can be used in your personal Bible study or in a small-group setting.Your free Bible Resources catalog includes a brief description of each Discovery Series booklet. To get your copy, write to us at the address below and ask for a catalog. Or follow the link below to request your copy today.www.discoveryseries.org/catalog USA: PO Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-2222 Canada: Box 1622, Windsor, ON N9A 6Z7