The Nature of Hell:

[JN Anderson]

The nature of Hell is a topic rarely discussed, however the question is often posed, “What happens when I die?”

“Every human being will have immortality, which means a future in which existence is not subject to annihilation (Rom 2:7; 1 Cor 15:53-54). Even if immortality is a future condition beyond the grave, eternal life, Christ's life in us, is a present possession of believers. Through the Holy Spirit we have the first installment of our inheritance and we are already sealed, accepted by God as His children, because of the living Christ who lives within (Gal 2:20; Eph 1:13-14).”(1)

Besides this, there is another side. My position concerning this topic, the nature of Hell, is one of eternal conscious torment for the wicked. A particular scripture for a proof text would be:

“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. . . . Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46).

This passage or parable depicts the dichotomy of consequence. Mankind has varying views or attitudes to Christ’s return, these attitudes are not without consequence. Jesus contrasts the person who diligently prepares for His coming by investing their time and talent to serve God. Jesus lets us know that these good works, beyond faith, will be rewarded. Conversely, the person who has no heart for the work of the kingdom will be punished. God rewards faithfulness, it is the object of our faithfulness whereby we are judged—God or the World.

Those who bear no fruit for God’s kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful. The faithful are rewarded with Heaven while the wicked will enter Hell. There are three things in this passage that point to Hell being an eternal conscious torment.

1. Use of “weeping and nashing of teeth”

This refrain is used often by Matthew and is another horrible description of eternal hell—not the grave (c.f. Matthew 13:42,50; Revelations 9:2). Wailing in Matthew 13:50; weeping in Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; Luke 13:28; and “gnashing of teeth” in all these passages represent bitter sorrow and pain. Logically then, this denotes a state of conscious that has some emotion in order for weeping to occur, assumedly brought about by sorrow, grief, or torment—emotional agony. The grinding of teeth can also speak of physical agony and pain in Hell. This could be the very “same frustration the isolated rich man experienced in Hades while watching Lazarus and Abraham together across a vast chasm (Luke 16:19-31).” (2) At any rate, there appears to be a conscious awareness beyond the grave.

“And thus for punishment he shall be cast into outer darkness who has of his own free will fallen into inward darkness.”(3)

2. Use of “depart from me”

This phrase, said from God to man, denotes a conscious awareness that one is indeed being cast out from God’s presence into darkness, unless we interpret this to be metaphorical or non-literal. Even if this phrase is metaphorical it still denotes that the wicked one has a conscious awareness of departing from the blessed presence of God.

3. “everlasting punishment”

Matthew uses undeniable terminology. How can punishment be eternal if those being punished are not? Are those being punished done so by succession ad infinitum? This can hardly be the case. Similarly, Marks gospel lets us know, also, that those who “blaspheme against the Holy Spirit” will suffer “eternal condemnation” (3:29 NKJV) It seems, then, that the wicked and the blasphemer will endure eternal punishments beyond the grave.

From a practical standpoint, “eternal punishment” corresponds with the often sought “eternal life” of scripture. We stand at a crossroads then; either way leads us down an eternal path. Death is for the mortal body, the soul is not dependent upon the body. God created the mortal body in Genesis and then breathed life/soul into the body. Death is for the temporal body, as opposed to the supernatural creature that Adam once was. The scriptures never suggest that the soul ceases to exist.

When we rest between death and our resurrection to immortality our bodies are in what scholars have called the intermediate state. Some teach that psychopannychy or soul sleep occurs during this time. In soul sleep the complete person dies and the soul and spirit go out of existence until called back into existence at the resurrection.

This view violates the biblical teaching of a conscious existence. In Luke’s gospel we learn that Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration after their death. Here Moses and Elijah were still themselves and they were consciously aware of what was going on (Luke 9:28-31). As mentioned prior, the actions of the rich man and Lazarus indicate consciousness for the departed (Luke 16:19-31). As the thief died upon the cross Jesus made this promise, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV). Finally, Paul in his letter to the Phillipians indicated that to die would mean being ushered at once into the presence of the Lord (Phil 1:21-24). Paul longed to be ushered into the presence of Christ but saw his need to establish the Gospel.

In conclusion, Wayne Grudem comments this about eternal conscious torment:

"It also tends to be one of the first doctrines given up by people who are moving away from a commitment to the Bible as absolutely truthful in all that it affirms. Among liberal theologians who do not accept the absolute truthfulness of the Bible, there is probably no one today who believes in the doctrine of eternal conscious punishment."(4)


NOTES:

1. Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective, by Horton, Stanley M. © 1993 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.

2. Exegetical Commentary on Matthew, by Spiros Zodhiates, Copyright © 2006 by AMG Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

3. Catena Aurea of Thomas Aquinas, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

4. Systematic Theology, Copyright © 1994 by Wayne Grudem. All rights reserved

[Scott Hutchinson]

Where is Elias? I'm sure he'll take the bait.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Can I ask a question ,I understand there is a punishment for the wicked ,this I know.
If mankind lost immortality through original sin ,how does mankind gain immortality again?
I know that being in Christ gives one eternal life ,as long as they are abiding in Him.
Those who are in the image of the second adam how do they gain back imortality that was lost in the garden of Eden through original sin?

[Michael The Disciple]

Men by no means are immortal beings. Immortality is given to the obedient only.

6: Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Rom. 2:6-7

Immortality is the same thing as eternal life.

It is plain as day WHEN men receive immortality:

51: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54: So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:51-55

So the doctrine of an immortal soul living for trillions and trillions of years in Hell is false. The wages of sin is death.

If the punishment for sin is never ending punishment in hell when did Jesus experience that? He DIED for our sins.

9: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Heb. 2:9

What did Jesus taste for every man? Death. Not the fires of Hell for trillions upon trillions of years.

So the doctrine of endless punishment and immortality for the wicked is built on a wrong foundation. As long as one is building their case on it obviously they wont find the truth.

[JN Anderson]

It is called congruency. Annihilationism does not experience this often. I have posed some scenarios above that relate to the above posts, but they must have been overlooked.

1. Our resurrection bodies will be suitable for conditions in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:38–44) and hell. Jesus spoke of "the resurrection of life" and "the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:29). Thus, we can assume that both believers and unbelievers will receive resurrection bodies—but their eternal destiny will be different (Daniel 12:2). That said, the bible clearly indicates an eternal punishment for the resurrected wicked. If the punishment is eternal then what of the punished? It is logical here that if the punishment is eternal that those who are being punished are immortal, in this regards as well.

2. Eternal punishment, which includes immortality of the soul, corresponds with the often sought eternal life of scripture. We stand at a crossroads then; either way leads us down an eternal path. Death is for the mortal body, the soul is not dependent upon the body and cannot be proven otherwise. God created the mortal body in Genesis and then breathed life/soul into the body. Death is for the temporal body, as opposed to the supernatural creature that Adam once was. The scriptures never suggest that the soul ceases to exist.

My time is limited today, but here are two other arguments, from Augustus Strong's landmark work, for you to consider and respond to:

1. "The metaphysical argument.—The soul is simple, not compounded. Death, in matter, is the separation of parts. But in the soul there are no parts to be separated. The dissolution of the body, therefore, does not necessarily work a dissolution of the soul."*

2. "The ethical argument.—Man is not, in this world, adequately punished for his evil deeds. Our sense of justice leads us to believe that God’s moral administration will be vindicated in a life to come. Mere extinction of being would not be a sufficient penalty, nor would it permit degrees of punishment corresponding to degrees of guilt. This is therefore an argument from God’s justice to the immortality of the wicked. The guilty conscience demands a state after death for punishment."*

* - Strong, A. H. (2004). Systematic theology. "The present work is a revision and enlargement of my 'Systematic Theology,' first published in 1886."--Pref. (984). Bellingham, Wa.: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Are the wicked given a Spiritual or Glorified body ? How long can a physical body burn?

[JN Anderson]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Are the wicked given a Spiritual or Glorified body ? How long can a physical body burn?

The physical, biological body will not be immortal. Only the soul never ceases to exist.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Noeatca on NFCF 05-18-2006, 10:00 AM

IN HELL

So when the cold clammy hand of your enemy, Death
Has silenced your heart, and suspended your breath
When friends bowed in grief, your dead body surround
Oh where, careless one, your poor soul will be found?


Deep down in Hell, where all Christless ones go
Immersed in despair, and surrounded with woe
Your soul will be wailing, and joining its cry
For the bonds of the lost is that bitterest sigh.


In Hell, where the flames will forever be fierce
In Hell, where the fangs of the worm ever pierce
In Hell, where the torments have never an end
In Hell, where the wicked in anguish descend.


Being carried along on that wide-way
With no eye to take pity, and no-one to save
Fierce friends will curse as you go wailing by
And they'll laugh at your anguish, and they'll mock your sad cry


Forever and ever deep down in the fire
Walls will increase and your bones will melt in the terrible mire
But your cries will not rise from the caverns of Hell
But echo along, where the dark demons dwell


Salvation was free, but you clung to your sin
And God would have saved you, had you yielded to Him
The Spirit said come but you said I won't go
And now you're in Hell, it's the thing which you enroll


In Hell, where the flames will forever be fierce
In Hell, where the fangs of the worm ever pierce
In Hell, where the torments have never an end
In Hell, where the wicked in anguish descend.


Poem that was in J. T. Pugh's sermon, "Your first night in Hell".

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

Forever and ever deep down in the fire
Walls will increase and your bones will melt in the terrible mire
But your cries will not rise from the caverns of Hell
But echo along, where the dark demons dwell

Only a monster could create such a place, this description came from the evil heart of men. No matter how long and bold a lie is told it is a lie still. God's love and His justice are not in conflict. Jesus did not come to save us from the Father's justice, rather from death the penalty of sin. Jesus accomplished his task therefore: "O death where is thy VICTORY, O grave where is thy STING?"

Again, what is the wage of sin? And what did Jesus die for? Ever hear of double jeopardy?

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by From NFCF

Hell -- What to expect:
* A lake of Fire Rev. 20:15
* A Bottomless Pit Rev. 20:1
* A Horrible Tempest Ps. 11:6
* A Eternal Devouring Fire Is 33:14
* A Place of Great Sorrows Ps 18:5
* A Place of Everlasting Weeping Mat. 8:12
* A Furnace of Eternal Fire Mat. 13:41,42
* A Place of Horrible Torments Lu. 16:23
* A Place of Filthiness Rev. 22:10,11
* A Place of cursing God Rev. 16:11
* A Place of Everlasting Burnings Is. 33:14
* A Place of Everlasting Destruction II Thes. 1:9
* A Place of Everlasting Punishment Mat. 25:46
* A Place of Complete Darkness Mat. 25:30
* A Place of no Rest Lu 16:27
* A Place of Screams for Mercy Lu 16:24
* A Place of Gnawing the Tongue Rev. 16:10



Hell the Prison House of Despair, Here are some things that will be there:

Fire and brimstone are there, as we know
For God in His Word hath told us so;
Memory, remorse, suffering and pain,
Weeping and wailing, but all in vain;
Blasphemers, swearers, haters of God,
Gospel rejecters while here on earth trod;
Murderers, gamblers, drunkards and liars,
Will have their part in the Lake of Fire;
The filthy, the vile, the cruel and mean,
What a horrible mob in Hell will be seen;
Yes more than humans on earth can tell,
Are the torments and woes of eternal Hell

Hell, the Prison House of Despair, Here are some things that won't be there:

No flowers will bloom on the banks of hell,
No beauties of nature we love so well;
No comforts of home, music and song,
No friendship of joy will be found in that throng;
No children to brighten the long weary night;
No love nor peace, nor one ray of light;
No blood washed soul with face beaming bright,
No loving smile in that region of night;
No mercy, no pity, nor pardon or grace,
No water; Oh God, what a terrible place:
The pangs of the lost no human can tell,
Not one moment's ease - there's no rest in Hell!



Hell is a word that is often grossly misunderstood by many people. There are four different words translated "hell".


Sheol - this is the Hebrew old testament word often translated "hell".
Hades - this is the Greek Old Testament translation of 'sheol', and is a commonly used word in the New Testament for hell.
Gehenna - this is the Greek term for the garbage pyre outside of Jerusalem, translated "hell" in the New Testament, and corresponds to "Tophet" in certain old testament scriptures.
Tartarus - this is a Greek term for the place of unishment for the Titans, and is found only once in the NT used to describe the place where the angels which kept not their former estate are held.

The various terms are not synonymous, for we see that in Revelation Hades ('hell') will be cast into the lake of fire (which is the second death).

Hell hath enlarged herself, even today..... the enlargement of hell probably has nothing to do with dimensions (can't get deeper than bottomless), but rather has to do with the devices and allurements of hell, the gaping mouth of hell has widened itself in the many inventions (man's waywardness) of man's untowardness. No wonder we need true Apostolic preaching today and not watered down sweet nothings to appease those comfortable in their sins.


William Booth said, "I wish I could send you all to hell for 60 seconds"



Hell is as real and horrible as heaven is real and wonderful!



Modern thinking will not cool off Hell one degree nor shorten it's duration one millisecond.



hell seems to have disappeared -- from many a pulpit -- but not from the Word!