Should the Message of Hell be preached in Churches
 

Just as the title says? Is it good to have fear of it? Would it help anything in our lives to be better or opposite? Or does it scare people away? Just asking?

Just being specific. Talking about the torments, sulfer etc, what the bible explains it to be?Weeping and knashing of teeth. I mean Jesus himself taught about hell, so what about us?

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I think there needs to be a balance. Perhaps we are hearing more about Hell than the Heaven God is preparing for us. I can't remember ever hearing a sermon on "Heaven" itself.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Preach the bible cover to cover. If some one finds they are in hell and their pastor never mentioned it, the pastor has some 'splainin to do.
I suggest a strong bible study on hell, its different meanings and how to go there.

Adam was told if they disobeyed pertaing fruit he would die.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I'm not sure that a faith grounded on a fear of Hell is a mature faith. One's relationship with God can't be entirely built on fear. One must love the LORD. Again, I think we don't talk about Heaven enough. When we do it's disembodied and "mysterious"... but the Bible isn't mysterious at all about Heaven.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Eddie's doing a series on Transformers - about reaching the lost and their lives being transformed. Last week he spoke about hell - it was very sobering, but not done in a scary way. I think it has to be preached if we believe it's real.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

We all have struggles right? No one is perfect except Jesus. So what if we are struggling with a particular sin in our lives and dont overcome it? But always repent but it comes upon us once in a while.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Jude 1:22-23

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

absolutely people need to be warned of their destiny if they choose to obey not the gospel (imo)

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Yes because Church people can still wind up going there.

Yeshua said so:

[2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
[4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
[6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev. 3:2-5

Two unpopular topics. "Works being perfect" and Hell.

Yet the Master says to Church people if their works are not perfect their name will be blotted out of the book of life.

Christians need to hear more about Hell.

Churches tend to teach nothing of substance concerning Heaven OR Hell.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I think it depends on which church you go to. I've heard hundreds of sermons about sin and hell (primarily relating to dress standards and television)... but I've never heard one sermon or lesson on Heaven itself.

When was the last time anyone here has heard a sermon or lesson specifically about "Heaven"??? When was the last time anyone here has heard a sermon specifically about "Hell" or going to Hell where Hell was described? I'm willing to wager we've heard far more about Hell.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Christians don't need to fear hell. Hell is not for Christians. It's for sinners. Preach it to the sinners. Law to the proud, grace to the humble. Tell them of their reward, be it heaven or hell

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Which hell? There are three in the NT you know.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I was thinking of the same verses -

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Jesus taught more on hell than heaven. Why? Because He wants to do all He can to get you to not go there.

This society has more evil in games, movies, etc and now I hear we "fear" talking about hell. Right! Who fears that?

Should our relationship with God be built on fear? NO!

God is love!

But you are doing a disservice to the people if you don't teach about Heaven and Hell. There are two destination for eternity, would be good to know about both.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Hell of the New Testament is contaminated with countless questions that we can't answer. That leaves people with a decision to make. Is it even real in the sense of Eternal Damnation?

Eternal torment is nowhere to be found in the Old Testament, and, a majority of the Human Race has never heard of Eternal Hell. God sending the mainstream of Humankind into a pit of unending torture makes absolutely no sense. Also, since Jesus vehemently rebuked the Religious, or those claiming “Right” according to Scripture, this can leave even the Faithful in doubt, as we have seen the clarity of Religious disorder in every known Faith on Earth.

Going to Hell becomes a maddening Witch Hunt, using this “Heavy” to deal with those who disagree with our motive towards God. If they disobey, they go to Hell. If they obey, they go to Heaven.

Since no original Texts exists, and the Catholic Church has had bizarre and unethical dealings with the past writings of Scripture (New Testament documents are in Greek), this radical idea that God is going to burn people forever reeks with Religion gone mad.

Also, with Denominal Religion on this Earth that number over 30,000, people are so flooded with ideas and interpretations about Salvation, determining who will go there is beyond anyone’s ability to accurately give people the Truth. Hell is total, “Hit and Miss”. We can hardly do what’s right with what we see, let alone with what we can’t see.

Hell in the hands of humans is a catastrophe.

http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/He...e_Forever.html

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Amen, are we not glad someone cared enough to warn us we needed to be born again !

Ezekiel 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

As far as those who say what about those who never heard the gospel, well first of all I believe that if God saw that someone was hungry to know Him in Spirit and in truth that He would make a way for them to hear, and the Bible says that mankind will be without excuse.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

God does not want any to be lost, but it is up to each individual's free will choice to decide to obey the gospel and receive the salvation that God made possible.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Hell is apparently going to suffer torment and death.....

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

This is exactly what satan wants to be taught to the Churches. Forget about Hell. Forget about "without holiness no one shall see the Lord". Be religous and "be nice".

Strong teaching in scripture is fairy tales!

satan is well please NFS.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

You neglect the fact that according to their own testimony most people that are in the Churches are still committing sin. Yeshua said to these that their names will be blotted out of the book of life.

They should be told. Not many will ever hear this preached in their Church.

Many or most sitting in pews will be destroyed in the lake of fire.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I say teach/preach things that are true and biblical. Hell is one of those things.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Interesting.

Do you see an eternal reward for the "Saved"? And what do you see for the "afterlife" of the unsaved? Nothing? Heaven? If heaven, would you be a universalist? I'm interested in your thoughts on the subject.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

:blah:blah

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Very True!

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

The wicked will be punished and they will perish,so yes we should warn sinners to flee a resurrection of condemnation.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I assume you're not one of them? lol

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Christians are sinners saved by the grace of God. We struggle with sin. Sin is like a chronic spiritual disease, a spiritual cancer. We all have it. For some, it's in remission and the symptoms aren't apparent. But there are days when this "condition" flares up and the symptoms become apparent through our actions. The Christian identifies these symptoms and then we confess, repent, and get the condition back into remission. However, if any Christian ignores the symptoms and allows them to run unchecked, eventually they will not only lead to a hastened physical death... but the condition will corrupt the spirit.... leading to spiritual death.

So far... I'm a sin survivor. I have days when I battle my condition and the symptoms get the best of me. However, through the grace of God, I can get these symptoms back in check and live an overcoming life through Christ Jesus.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

EXCELLENT and TREMENDOUS exegesis, Michael the Theologian. Everything is clear now. One person says, "I have a differing opinion." Michael the Theologian says, "You're going to burn in hell and the devil loves you."

We need more of you!!!

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

MS, I believe all Doctrines (Religious, Political, Moral, Secular Education, ect.) need the element of a defined measurement. When God created the Heavens and the Earth, we are awed by this miracle that can be “Measured”. Guess work is removed by the gauge, compass, ruler, and the many other forms of instruments that give us a defined answer. I believe even miracles can be measured.

I have come to understand things, by things, taking the guess work out of Faith. I’m tired of people saying things that lead to the dead end road or more guessing. I don’t believe God wants us to guess, He wants us to know. Jesus said that Truth will make us free, and valid Truth will, not guessed Truth. Guessed Truth leads to bondage, suffering, manipulation, murder, and Religious dogma that destroys.

In my own life, I’ve come to use 4 main principles to define Truth; Experience, History, Science, and Common Sense. I believe God has given us these to Test the validity of virtually anything, including God Himself. I don’t want to sidetrack from the concept of Eternal Damnation, so here is my opinion of Hell.

First, Experience is no longer a distant concept in my life. I’ve been married 30 years, raised 3 children, have 6 grandchildren, have pastored for 14 years, been in Apostolic Church for 32 years, and have read the Bible more times than I can count. I’ve suffered, rejoiced, fallen, risen, loved, hated, and have worked hard all of my life. God gives every man, Experience. Experience is our greatest teacher, and understanding comes to those who will endure the many years of everyday living.

Through Experience, we come to know the power and love of relationship. This is the most prominent part of a person; how they deal with people. Through love, patience, and much long suffering, we reap great knowledge concerning human compassion and mercy. We learn that those that come from our loins will always be our children. Even when they fail, we still love. Even when they hurt us, we still reach for them. And, never would we send them into Eternal Flames to suffer for the wrongs they’ve done in life. In the Bible, there are countless Scriptures that refer to God as our Father, and we His sons and daughters. We are able to compare God’s feeling for us through our earthly experience of Family.

Through History, we can analyze the past to see the downfalls of Societies, Religions, and Politics. We can see how people stood up with the Truth of Measurement, and how they were cast to the dogs of execution, imprisonment, and excommunication. History can also validate what God’s Chosen were taught. Nowhere in Jewish History before the New Testament, did the mainstay of Jewish society teach of such a place as Eternal Fire, where people would live in unending torment. This alone poses a huge problem, as suddenly this “Place” appears in more modern documents. If God determined this consequence or punishment for fallen mankind, it would have been known since the beginning. History would reveal a consistent pattern of something so brutal, but it doesn’t.

Science is beyond awesome, as we’ve come to learn things by the use of microscopes, x-rays, laboratories, telescopes, space travel, and so on. This allows us to verify; is the Earth flat or round? Does life begin in the womb? How can we conquer disease? How does the human body work? Is it possible to predict the weather? By Science, we can look at Religion to validate a hoax or Truth. I started a Thread on Noah’s Ark, revealing a scientific catastrophe that many have never considered. Food, water, animal waste, the ability of the Ark being able to even float, all this and more revealed a host of problems that we mustn’t ignore. Eternal Hell, in its scientific form is beyond sick. People wailing forever in flames and darkness, when measured, leaves even the worst of humanity as saints. I’m not even sure Hitler could stand by, listening to the screams of people in agony as they begged for deliverance into the eons of nothingness.

Common Sense is nothing more than simple sense. In my line of work there is what is called the Golden Rule. As an insurance agent, I’m required to use this common sense approach when advising my clients; what would I do for myself? This works, as I look across my desk when people are asking me what they should do to protect themselves. According to Scripture, God made man in His image. I believe we have a basic format in us that relates directly to our Creator. Mercy, love, forgiveness, and many other attributes were birthed in us by the One who made us. Looking at the Christian Hell, common sense in me does not understand why God would continue to allow man to propagate the Earth so the belly of Hell can be full. If mankind is truly that bad, this whole mess should have been done away with long ago.

When Jesus walked this Earth, consider these people; The Adulterous Woman, the Sinner smiting his breast, the Prodigal Son, the Woman at the well, the Thief on the cross, those who crucified Jesus (Father forgive them, for they know not what they do), the Demoniac, the Roman Centurion, the man left dead in the ditch by thieves. Everywhere you turn, you find Jesus extending mercy to the fallen and sick. Sorry, but I can’t imagine Jesus sending people over a cliff into this extreme chasm of Torture. It just doesn’t measure up. It’s not the same Jesus that was reaching to the dead, hungry, and lonely. It’s not the same Jesus who killed the fatted calf when the son came home. It’s not the same Jesus who reached into a grave and raised a dead man.

Eternal Damnation appears to be an onslaught of Interpretation/Translation error. I’ve attached a link at the bottom that reveals a host of problems concerning our current understanding of what Hell is via the Bible we use.

What happens after we die is a mystery. I don’t have a telephone to call God on, asking Him how things are going up there. The Jews of old went around and around over this. I’m honest, my take on the afterlife is uncertain, and I leave that to God. Everyone wants to live forever in peace, joy, love, and where we cry no more. But I’m not there yet, so I can’t say what it’s like. I want to be safe, so I admit my lack of understanding to the Lord. I cry, and ask Him to help me in my limited form and frame. I beat my chest daily, and I know I’m just a man.

I see this World as God’s doing. He made everything. And, He is well able to redeem the unredeemable.

http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/He...e_Forever.html

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Very interesting and thoughtful. Many valid points that should be seriously considered.

Let me ask you this concerning heaven...the book of Revelation seems to be clear and detailed as to this subject. Where would you fit that book into this discussion?

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Glad to be appreciated friend!

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Well man, I was just in awe at how you took scripture, tied it together, were exegetically and hermeneutically thorough and...........wait. You didn't use any scripture. Sorry, I must have you confused with someone who actually uses the bible.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

God's love was shown by the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary to make it POSSIBLE for any to be saved, but God has given mankind a free will to choose, and those who reject God are making their choice and will suffer the consequences of their choice.

IF everyone was going to end up being saved reguardless of their choice to not obey the truth, then why would there even be any need to preach the gospel ? (but we know everyone is not going to be saved reguardless)

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

(ignorance will not be a valid excuse, see Romans 1:20)

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This is VERY serious business folks, PLEASE do not give people a false hope that they will end up being saved reguardless of their choices, they must obey the gospel and endure faithful to the end !

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

So, Gary, why does Eternal Hell appear in the New Testament and not the Old? The Jews did not teach nor believe in such a place, and still don’t.

Since you are so sure about Hell, who will go there and who won't? Remember, we can't guess. There is no room for guessing. You’re either in or out. We can’t be in error, as the consequence is too great. You talk about rejecting or choosing God; what do you mean by this? When does a person fully choose or reject God? Is there an in-between or any wiggle room?

Do people have to speak in tongues to be saved? What about sin? What if I die with strife against my brother? What if I gossiped the day of my death? What if I lied moments before my last breath? What about children who die young? What about people who are retarded or mentally handicapped?

What about a majority of the Human Race who have never heard the Gospel or of Eternal Damnation? Modern forms of the Bible were not available to the common people until the 16th and 17th Centuries, as printing presses were unavailable.

What about backsliders? Was the Prodigal Son ever truly lost? Would the Adulterous Woman who was pardoned in this life by Jesus, be pardoned in the next life by Jesus? Guilt is guilt.

Why did Jesus constantly forgive people whom the Religious wouldn't? About the only place Jesus didn't have mercy was upon the Church or those who thought they were "Saved".

You fail to address the hard questions, putting yourself above others by thinking you won’t go to Hell and they will. This is the darkest form of Faith on Earth, and the exact reasoning that the Righteous Pharisee used when standing next to the publican who admitted his fault and need for mercy.

Gary, this World is a mess. Choosing a Religion is beyond hard. Understanding the Bible is a maze of opinions and voices. Every Denomination thinks they are right. I’m so glad God sees our unending fallacy of failure and inability to save ourselves, even with Religion.

Our only hope is His Grace, not our ability to do things right.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Anyone who has strayed from their walk with God can repent and be restored.

It is obvious that the those who have not the sense of being able to tell right from wrong (the very young, ect) can't be held accountable, that is why Acts 2:38 says "repent" and be baptized, if you are too young to yet understand right from wrong you can't be expected to be able to repent and that is why we do not believe in infant baptism, because infants can't repent because they have not yet reached the point of being able to understand right from wrong.

It will be the lake of fire that is forever as the scriptures says, and if the OT doesn't mention the lake of fire it does not make it any less Bible truth.

What I already said, as well as the scriptures mentioned, should answer several of your questions also.

No offense, I mean this sincerely, do you want to risk your, or anyone else's eternity by hoping that everyone will end up saved reguardless of their choices ? Given what the Bible says I sincerely hope not.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I agree!

Don't have to dwell on it. Don't have to be manipulative about it. Do have to be sober about it.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I have heard a sermon (1) about heaven.

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

I certainly believe in hell, and believe it should be preached.

I am also in favor of taking a hard look at the doctrine of hell as a whole. I still believe it exists, I think that is clear to anyone who believes the scriptures to be the Word of God. (N4s doesn't affirm the inerrancy/inspiration of the Bible)

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Just curious NFS do you believe everything must be in the OT and the NT?

and as to all your other questions, the Bible says Broad is the way to destruction. (paraphased)

Re: Should the Message of Hell be preached in Chur
 

Define destruction.
Was Sodom destroyed?