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Sunday, June 26, 2011 am                    Comfort Doctrines

“COMFORT DOCTRINES” 2
“There is no hell”

Last week we began a study of “comfort doctrines”.   A “comfort doctrine” is the way I describe a doctrine designed to give comfort to one who does not want to give up some sinful activity.  Rather than the call to repent, there are many teachers who will declare “peace and safety” when there is none.

Last week we noted that comfort is very much a Biblical doctrine and God wants us to live with comfort and assurance.  Today we will begin examining some of the false “comfort doctrines we mentioned last week.”

 I.                    “There is no hell” doctrine

a.        The subject of hell is certainly an unpleasant topic.  It is also very unpopular.  That is why it is a subject that has been dismissed or diminished by many theologians and professed believers in God.  It is such teachings and attitudes that cause me to define this as a “comfort doctrine.”
In our lesson today, we will establish the reality of hell and examine some of the arguments used to dismiss this doctrine.

b.       In 2003, the Barna group, a religious research organization release the results of a 3 year survey on the afterlife.  In this survey the follow was some of their findings.[1]

                                                   i.      81% of Americans believe in an afterlife of some sort, with another 9% unsure.

                                                  ii.      76% believe that heaven exists while 71% believed that hell exists.

                                                iii.      46% of believers in heaven thought it to be a “a state of eternal existence in God’s presence”, while 30% believed it is “an actual place of rest and reward where souls go after death.”

                                                iv.      39% believed that Hell is a “state of eternal separation from God’s presence” , while 32% believed it is, “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go after death.”  13% believed that “Hell is just a symbol of an unknown bad outcome after death.”

                                                  v.      Only 0.5% believed that they would experience hell first hand after death.  64% believed they would go to heaven, while 5% believed they would come back as another life form and 5% believed they would cease to exist.

                                                vi.      Of those who believed they would go to heaven, 43% based it upon having “confessed theirs sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior” while 15% believed that they have to obey the 10 commandments or be “basically a good person” (also 15%).  6% believed “God loves all people and will not let them perish.”

                                               vii.      It was also discovered that the more education and income one has, the less likely they are to believe that heaven and hell exists.

                                             viii.      George Barna, president of the Barna group noted that among Christians contradictions were present in this survey.  He said, “May committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry to heaven.  They were saying, in essence, ‘Personally, I am trusting Jesus Christ as my means of gaining God’s permanent favor and a place in heaven – but someone else could get to Heaven based upon living an exemplary life.’  Millions of Americans have redefined grace to mean that God is so eager to save people from Hell that He will change His nature and universal principles for their individual benefit.  It is astounding how many people develop their faith according to their feelings or cultural assumptions rather than biblical teachings.”

                                                ix.      As we can see from this survey, there are many misconceptions about the reality of hell and whether or not it applies to you or me.

c.        Various approaches to the subject of hell.

                                                   i.      Some teach that hell doesn’t exist at all.  In addition to atheists, religious bodies, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, failed date setter Harold Camping and others teach that the ungodly will simply be annihilated. 

                                                  ii.      Others teach universalism, the doctrine that God will save everyone and so there is no need for a hell (except perhaps for the devil and his angels).

                                                iii.      Still others teach either a milder form of hell (such as eternal separation from God, but not the suffering), purgatory (the Catholic teaching that you will spend time in hell as punishment for your sins, but only commensurate to your sins.  Then you will go to heaven).

                                                iv.      And, as we have already noted, far too many, regardless of their views believe it is not relevant to them or their friends.  Doctrinally they have judged they will not be eternally lost.

                                                  v.      As you examine what the Bible teaches about this subject it will become clear that all such teaching is in wrong.

d.       Reasons hell is denied

                                                   i.      How can a loving and just God condemn souls eternally to hell?

                                                  ii.      It is argued that the descriptions indicate we will be destroyed which they contend means to be annihilated.

 II.                  The reality of hell

a.        Let me begin by saying, this is a subject I do not enjoy talking about.  Nor do I profess to know all the ramifications or details about it. If I had the power to change any one subject in the Bible, it would be the existence of this place of eternal torments. But I cannot change what the Bible says, nor do I have the right to question the sovereignty of God in these matters.  So my responsibility is to declare the truth, do what I can about this place and “don’t whittle on God’s end of the stick.”

b.       The word “Hell”

                                                   i.      The KJV translates at least 4 different words as “hell.”   The differences in the meanings of these words has led to confusion about this place.  The KJV uses the word “hell” 54 times (both OT and NT).  Other versions use it much less and make a distinction.  The NKJV uses the term 32 times (including sheol in the OT and tartaroo in 2 Pet. 2:4).
NASU & ASV uses the term 13 times (only in NT including 2 Pet. 2:4).

                                                  ii.      Geenna, gee#nna – this is the term translated universally as “hell” in the above versions.  It was a reference to the Valley of Hinnom (Trophet).   During the time of Jesus it was a valley just south of Jerusalem approached through “the Valley gate”.  Its history included idolatrous worship and even human sacrifices by the children of Israel.  It was a place so detestable that Josiah defiled it so that it would become unclean (and unprofitable for worship of any sort – see 2 Kings 23:10).  During the time of Christ it was the garbage pit of Jerusalem.  It was the nastiest place around the city which prompted Jesus to use it as a description of the place of eternal punishment that awaits the wicked. 
Of the 13 times the Greek word is used in the New Testament, 12 of them were by Jesus (also found in James 3:6).  WE will see some of these passages in our next section.

                                                iii.      Sheol - OT, Hades – NT a#des - It is actually a word that refers to the waiting place of souls (Note: the grave is not an accurate translation of this word).
The word is used 10 times in the NT.  It is found in Matt. 16:18, “Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Luke 10:15, “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.”
NOTE: It was to this region that Jesus went when He died.  Many teach that when Jesus died He went to hell, but that is not taught in scripture.  Where He went was Hades, which according to Luke 16:23 included a region called “torments”.  Hades actually consisted of 2 different sections – “torments and Abraham’s bosom” - which were divided by a great gulf.  Recall what Jesus told the thief on the cross WHERE he would meet Jesus “today” according to Luke 23:43.  Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” That would equate to “Abraham’s bosom” and not the place of torments. 
In Acts 2:27, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter spoke of Jesus being raised as He quoted Psalm 16:10.  He said, “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”  
This word should NOT be translated Hell because hell is an everlasting place whereas Hades is temporary - Rev. 20:14, “And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.”

                                                iv.      Tartarus – 2 Peter 2:4, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…”  Found only here, the only thing we can say is that it is the waiting place of fallen angels.   HOWEVER, according to Matt. 25:41 it is a place that will be merged with “torments” and cast into geenna at the end (Rev. 20:10, 13,14, etc.).

c.        If the Bible is true (and it is), then hell is a real place.  It is not some place that Jesus (and preachers) made up to scare people into obedience.  If the Bible is accurate (and it is), there are far too many passages to dismiss the reality of this place. Consider the following texts:

                                                   i.      Matt. 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

                                                  ii.      Matthew 5:29-30, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Also Matt. 18:8-9)

                                                iii.      Matt 23:33-34, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

                                                iv.      2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, “since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…”

                                                  v.      2 Peter 2:20-22, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

                                                vi.      When you add to these, passages that describe what will happen in hell, it becomes clear it is a REAL place.

d.       It is eternal –

                                                   i.      Matt. 25:41, 46 – everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels; “these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  NOTE how the same concept of eternity is attributed to both heaven and hell in this text.  Why do we accept one without the other?

                                                  ii.      Luke 3:17, “…But the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

                                                iii.      Rev. 20:10, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” AND

                                                iv.      Mark .9:44-48 speaks of the worm not dying and the fire not being quenched.

                                                  v.      Rev. 14:11, “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

                                                vi.      2 Thess. 1:9. “Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.”

e.       It is described as a place of unimaginable torments

                                                   i.      Outer darkness – Matt. 8:12, 22:13, Jude 13 – “For whom are reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”  IN scripture God is described as light (1 John 1:5).  In torments there will be everlasting darkness because God is NOT there!

                                                  ii.      Where the fire is not quenched – Mark 9:43-48, Lk. 3:17, Rev. 14:10-11 – the idea is intense burning.

                                                iii.      Worm doesn’t die – Mark 9:43-48 -  eternal decay

                                                iv.      Weeping and gnashing of teeth – Mat. 13:42, 25:30, etc.  The idea of intense pain.  In the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was in a place described as “torments.”

                                                  v.      These descriptions are designed to help you image the worst possible place and suffering that you can comprehend.  In the spiritual realm of eternal destruction I suspect it will be much worse.  The POINT of such warnings is YOU DON’T WANT TO GO THERE!

f.         What about the goodness of God?

                                                   i.      What about His love.  Doesn’t eternal punishment seem cruel, especially when we consider we are here not by our choice?

                                                  ii.      There are many observations about God to consider in this.

1.       While He loves, He is also just and holy – Deut. 32:4, Rev. 4:8, 2 Thess. 1:8-9.  Heb. 10:31, 12:29 – a consuming fire.  Justice DEMANDS punishment for lawbreakers.

As sinners we have broken God’s moral laws and offended Him.  Who are we to tell Him what a just punishment is?  We may not like it, but that doesn’t change what it is.

2.       God paid the price for our sins.  Also consider what God did to atone for our sins.  AN example of how God views sin is seen in the sending of His Son.  He demanded the death of Jesus to appease our sins.  You can’t deny that.

3.       Another truth we must consider is that God doesn’t send anyone to hell.  We CHOOSE to go there.  By refusing to obey Him we are making the choice to be lost eternally.   Jesus paid the price for our sins, will we CHOOSE to reject the gift?

4.       Consider what He offers you if you do obey Him.  Eternity in heaven!

5.       Who are we to determine the severity of our penalty?  Imagine if a criminal could set his own sentence.    When we consider what sin means to God – 1 John 1:5-6, Ex. 34:6-7, etc. we realize the seriousness of the punishment that awaits the one whose sins are not taken care of.

                                                iii.      As to our not being here by our choice.  Whether we like it or not, it is what it is.  We are here and we HAVE TO CHOOSE whether to obey Him or not.  As I have already stated – “Don’t whittle on God’s end of the stick.”  What will it accomplish?

 

 III.                Is hell real to you?

a.        As the survey statistics above state, far too many are indifferent toward who will be in hell.

b.       Hell is not just a place for those WE judge the wickedest (i.e. the Hitlers, Mansons, Domitians and others whose life was their cruelty to others).  
It is a place where many who do not think they will be there will end up.

                                                   i.      Matt. 7:13-14 tells us that few will enter the gates of heaven, while many will enter into eternal destruction

                                                  ii.      2 Thess. 1:7-9 – those who persecute Christians and “those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

                                                iii.      Matt. 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” 

                                                iv.      Matt. 23:29-33, to the scribes and Pharisees and hypocrites our Lord said, “How shall you escape the condemnation of hell?” 

                                                  v.      Matt. 24:24-30 – the wicked and unprofitable, lazy servant.

                                                vi.      Matt. 25:41-46 - those who fail to do good works toward others (i.e. living the Christian life).

                                               vii.      1 Cor 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

                                             viii.      Gal. 6:7-8 says you reap what you sow.  He who sows to the flesh will reap corruption.

                                                ix.       Rev. 21:8, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

c.        You BETTER comes to grips with the reality of hell now before it is too late!

d.       The ultimate truth is that if you are condemned to eternity in hell, it will have been by your choice.  Not that you said you wanted to go there, but by your refusal to submit to the will of God. 
Rom. 6:23 – the wages of sin is death.
Isa. 59:2 says, “You iniquities have separated you from your God.”

 

 IV.                True Comfort when we think about the reality of hell

a.        While hell is a very real place and there is nothing comforting about it, we don’t need to despair.  Because we don’t have to go there!  Therein lies our comfort.

b.       God doesn’t want you to perish.  2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11 says that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  That ought to be comforting. 

c.        God has done what is necessary to keep us out of hell.  He sent Jesus to die for our sins.  John 3:16 summarizes that.  Also consider Ephesians 2:8-9 in light of this.
Realize that no matter how you have lived, you CAN receive forgiveness.  This applies both to the “alien sinner” who has never obeyed the gospel and to His fallen saints. 
It is up to us to CHOOSE the right path – Matt. 7:13-14.

d.       He has revealed to us what He expects of us as well.  2 Pet. 1:3 – He has given to us, “all things that pertain to life and godliness.”  Rom. 1:16-17, the gospel is God’s power unto salvation. In it the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith.”

e.       One final thought. What are we doing to keep people from going there?

Friends.  Hell is a very real place and that we want to avoid at all costs.  Has this lesson frightened you?  Good!  Until we get a good grasp of this horrible place we will not take the necessary steps to avoid going there.  Don’t let anyone rob you of your salvation by offering you false comfort and saying, “Peace, peace’ when there is no peace.”  You don’t have to be afraid of hell.  Obey the gospel today.