Category Archives: HEAVEN & HELL

HEAVEN & HELL, Why is Hell forever if life on Earth is but decades?

Why is Hell forever if life on Earth is but decades?

WHY IS HELL FOREVER IF LIFE ON EARTH IS BUT DECADES?

by Shawn Brasseaux

A religionist and professing Christian contended that there was no way a “loving” God would send somebody to Hell forever. This sincere man even took it a step further by asserting something I had never heard before (or since). How could a life of sin lasting only 70 or 80 years result in damnation in Hell forever? Is this not an extreme or unfair penalty? Why have a sentence in Hell unequal to the time spent living on Earth? It is a rather interesting argument. We would be happy to use the Scriptures to expose it as utterly specious!

Why does punishment in Hell last forever if life on Earth is limited? That is, why are people not punished in Hell for the same amount of time they committed sins on Earth? The person confused by denominational teaching finds this incongruent. Surely, Hell could not be forever because people did not sin forever on Earth. Right? Actually, here, God’s omniscience has taken a backseat to man’s imperfect mind. Man is completely unqualified to correctly evaluate God’s thoughts or habits. Never forget, my friend, what Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Bible is quite clear that we have no capacity to think divine thoughts. Since we are creatures, and not the Creator, we are limited. We do not have all the information and all the insight that Almighty God has access to when He makes decisions and decrees. As humans, we have very limited information. We have weak minds to process what little information we do have. Therefore, we have a very shallow sense of what life is all about. We also have a very shallow awareness of what creation is all about. Every day, the human race makes new discoveries. We do not have all the answers! It is very unfair and ridiculous when we use our pea-sized brains, operating on limited information, to disparage or deny something Almighty God does or says in His omniscience. We do not sit on the judgment seat and dictate to Him what He “should” think, do, or say. He is God, we are man, and that is that!

To drive this point home, we appeal to 1 Corinthians 2:10-14: “[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The “natural” (unsaved, unredeemed, un-regenerated) man “receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.” He cannot process the things of the Spirit of God. He is unable to have the spiritual insight needed to properly evaluate the situation or teaching. He cannot understand the words that the Holy Ghost teaches. Hence, he dismisses God’s words as “foolishness.” He will thus “re-translate” verses, deny verses, remove verses, and/or add verses. Whatever he deems necessary, he will do, provided that his opinions or pet denominational beliefs are upheld. In his mind, the Bible cannot be right!

However, those willing to let the Holy Spirit teach them will be provided the ability to judge between God’s truth and Satan’s error. Someone who is steeped in a denomination, religion, or similar perverted system, is not relying on the Spirit of God for insight. He or she is depending on something other than the Holy Spirit, which is why he or she has difficulty with the teachings of the Bible. In fact, they will claim to be a “Christian,” and yet, contradict the clear teachings of the Bible (recall the man in our opening remarks). They lack the Holy Spirit, or they have quenched Him, so His teaching ministry is absent from their lives. Without Him, they cannot understand divine thoughts or teachings.

Now we move on to addressing the issue of why Hell lasts forever. A very helpful Scripture is Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The answer to this question is found in verse 10: “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” God says He “searches the heart” and “tries the reins.” To wit, He evaluates our innermost being. What He, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, has discovered in the human heart is delineated in Mark 7:20-23: “[20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Notice the issue here is not the deeds (although they are surely horrific). No, the deeds are the symptoms of an underlying condition—the heart. The heart is the most serious of matters because it is the source of those evil works. Man’s heart is the problem because it is “desperately wicked”—not just “wicked” but “desperately wicked!” The heart has intense desires to commit evil deeds. Evil actions are the outward result of evil thoughts and motives on the inside! Mark 7:21-23 again, “For from within, out of the heart of men…. all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” The actions are offensive to God, yea, but His main controversy is the heart that generates those acts. As someone once aptly stated, “We are sinners, not because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” Being a sinner comes first—sinning follows. If we get that one point straight in our thinking, the rest of this matter is ever so easy to grasp.

King David of old did not have a completed Bible like we do today, but the Holy Spirit did cause him to write in Psalm 51:5: “Behold, I was shapen in inquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Whether David in his mother’s womb, or we in our mothers’ wombs, our sin nature is conceived therein. This is long before the individual has a chance to sin. The emphasis is on the nature, the component of the person that will produce the sins in his or her post-womb life. Man in his makeup is a sinner; he behaves sinfully because he is a sinner by nature.

Consider a very plain and clear analogy (not original to me). We can pick all the oranges from an orange tree, but it remains an orange tree because it is naturally an orange tree. Furthermore, we can hang apples on the orange tree, but it, by nature, is still an orange tree. It does not transform into an apple tree! It will never produce apples! No matter how you alter its outward appearance, the orange tree will always be an orange tree on the inside and it will always produce oranges. Similarly, a person with a heart of sin can do good works, religious works (nice outward form), but his or her sinful nature remains. That sinful nature (heart) is still offensive to God. If he or she is to be accepted of God, there must be a change in nature. The sin nature must be dealt with. Where can the sin nature of man be changed? Not Hell. The sin nature of man is remedied at the cross of Christ.

In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to Colosse, he said by the Holy Spirit: “[11] In whom [Christ, verse 9] also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:11-15).

An inward circumcision occurs the moment one trusts the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. He or she is cut off from the fleshly identity in Adam (go back to Psalm 51:5). This is done “without hands,” meaning something God does rather than man. It is not a physical circumcision (done by men’s hands in religion—particularly Judaism). Rather, it is a spiritual circumcision. Colossians 2:11 speaks of the “putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” This is a sinner moving to the position of a saint, a lost person becoming a Christian, a child of Satan being placed into God’s family.

When a believing sinner recognizes and relies on by faith the death of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for his or her sins, God takes that person out of Adam and puts him or her into Jesus Christ. The person, once identified with Adam (sin and spiritual death), is now identified with Jesus Christ (righteousness and spiritual life). Please read Romans 5:12-21, which provides more detail. Our body of sin, our blood relation to Adam, was crucified with Christ on Calvary (see Romans 6:1-23). This is something religion cannot do. This is something we cannot do. It is something that only God can do in His omnipotence and omniscience. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In Genesis chapter 17, the LORD God gave Abraham and Israel the rite of physical circumcision to outwardly signify a spiritual circumcision they had on the inside because of faith rather than works (cf. Romans 4:11-13). Unfortunately, the Jews eventually became too obsessed with the religious rite. Eventually, the spiritual circumcision accomplished by faith was ignored and (outward) religious works were emphasized. Romans 2:28-29 corrects this inattentiveness: “[28] For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: [29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

God is more interested in a Jew’s spiritual circumcision than the physical circumcision. Physical circumcision means nothing if there is no inward corresponding circumcision of the heart. After all, the spiritual circumcision is the difference between spiritual life and spiritual death. Those who die with the Adamic nature, lacking the new nature in Christ, not being spiritually circumcised on the inside, automatically go to Hell. Again, their sinful nature is unchanged, so Hell is their only destiny. Although they may have “cleaned up” their lives with religious good works, religion could not furnish them with a new nature. Only faith in Calvary’s cross could give them a new nature—and they remained in unbelief, so Calvary’s merits are inapplicable to them!

CONCLUSION

If we look at how soul salvation operates in the Holy Scriptures, listening to the words of the Holy Ghost, we understand how Hell can last forever despite sinful living on Earth being limited to decades.

God’s way of enforcing punishment is much different from ours. Punishment in Hell is not based on how long you committed sins on Earth. We do not go to Hell because we commit sins (deeds); we go to Hell because we are sinners (nature). Sins (plural, actions) are the result of our nature inherited from Adam; that nature is called “sin” (singular). While sinful actions are offensive to God, the origin is man’s sin nature. God will never approve of man’s fallen nature. This is why people can reform their behavior and still be unacceptable to God. God is not trying to improve the behavior of man—religion does this. Religion deals only with the symptoms. God wants the nature of man to be dealt with. Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary addresses the sinful nature, the root cause.

Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork takes care of both the nature and the actions of sinful man. Christ died so that we in our fallen nature would be put to death with Him, and resurrected with a new nature in Him to walk in righteousness (see Romans chapter 6). He also shed His blood in order for that blood to wash our sins, our sin debt, away (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). Christ Jesus offered himself as a fully satisfying payment for our sins. Religion cannot do this. We cannot do this. But, we can trust Jesus Christ to do it for us. Us relying on God’s Son is what pleases Him.

The reason why suffering in Hell lasts forever is that the sinful nature of man is never lost in Hell. Hell is not a place of reformation or rehabilitation. Neither is it a place of regeneration. Hell is a place of punishment, never-ending punishment. By nature, a person in Hell will always be evil. God’s wrath against their sin nature is never satisfied because their sin nature will always exist. He or she has never lost—and will never lose—the sinful nature inherited from Adam. No amount of suffering will change their nature. Thus, the punishment never ceases.

SUPPLEMENTAL: WHY IS HEAVEN FOREVER IF LIFE ON EARTH IS BUT DECADES?

Those who argue, “Punishment in Hell should equal the length of sinful living on Earth,” never argue the (unintentional) conclusion that must also be reached: “Life in Heaven should equal the length of righteous living on Earth.” If it were valid to contend a limited Hell because of limited earthly living, then a limited life in Heaven could be argued too. After all, just as we can do a limited number of evil works on Earth—70 or 80 years, or so—so we can do so many good works on Earth. A short “good” life on Earth would result in just a short time in Heaven, not eternity. See, again, this is all erroneous. It just accentuates what we discussed throughout the main part of the study. The issue is not good or bad works; it is about someone who has a new nature in Christ (Heaven-bound), and someone who has only the sinful nature in Adam (Hell-bound). Those in Heaven never lose their new righteous nature in Christ, so they live in Heaven forever. Those in Hell never lose their Adamic sin nature, so they live in Hell forever.

Also see:
» How can a “loving” God send people to Hell forever?
» Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?
» What is the “foolishness of God” in 1 Corinthians 1:25?

DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, HEAVEN & HELL, What is “gehenna?” Is that the same as hell?, What is “gehenna?” Is that the same as hell?

What is “gehenna?” Is that the same as hell?

WHAT IS “GEHENNA?” IS THAT THE SAME AS HELL?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Gehenna” (Strong’s G1067: γέεννα) is the Greek name for the Valley of Hinnom. The Hebrew is “Ge-Hinnom.” This ravine or valley is just outside of Jerusalem to the southwest. Today it is known as Wadi er-Rababi. It first appears in the Bible in Joshua 18:16, as a boundary of the tribe of Benjamin. Later, it became a place of despicable acts.

“And they [the Jews in Jerusalem] have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart” (Jeremiah 7:31). “Tophet” meant “place of fire.” There was a gigantic bronze idol in the Valley of Hinnom. This is where the Jews sacrificed their infants and young children alive to the pagan fire god Molech. “Hinnom” means “lamentation” (as in the cries of the children being burned alive). Jeremiah 7:32 and Jeremiah 19:6 call it “Tophet,” “Valley of the Son of Hinnom,” and “Valley of Slaughter.” Jewish Kings Ahaz and Manasseh sacrificed their children here (2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Chronicles 33:6). The Valley of Hinnom is called “Topheth” in 2 Kings 23:10—King Josiah ceremonially defiled it in order to abolish the child sacrifices there.

In New Testament times, it was a trash dump where Jerusalem’s garbage was deposited and burned. Even the bodies of dead animals and unburied criminals were brought here. One Bible dictionary states, because of the valley’s history, “After the OT period, Jewish apocalyptic writers began to call the Valley of Hinnom the entrance to hell, later hell itself.” The Greek word gehenna is found 12 times in our New Testament Scriptures—Jesus used the term 11 times, and James used it one time. It is translated “hell” every time. On three occasions, gehenna is paired with πῦρ (G4442, pyr, “fire”) to read “hell fire” (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:47).

For now, just notice the term as used in the Bible:

  • Matthew 5:22: “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell [gehenna] fire.”
  • Matthew 5:29: “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell [gehenna].”
  • Matthew 5:30: “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell [gehenna].”
  • Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [gehenna].”
  • Matthew 18:9: “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell [gehenna] fire.”
  • Matthew 23:15: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell [gehenna] than yourselves.”
  • Matthew 23:33: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell [gehenna]?”
  • Mark 9:43: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell [gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched:”
  • Mark 9:45: “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell [gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched:”
  • Mark 9:47: “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell [gehenna] fire:”
  • Luke 12:5: “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell [gehenna]; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”
  • James 3:6: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell [gehenna].”

SOME WORDS ABOUT GEHENNA AND THE CULTS

Certain cults, particularly the “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” will go to great lengths to diminish the Bible teaching of eternal judgment. “Gehenna” is a term to which they often appeal in an effort to prove their denominational tenets. They will say that these instances of “hell” are not a place of everlasting torment, but just references to the trash dump outside of Jerusalem. That is, Jesus was making reference to the fires of the Valley of Hinnom rather than literal flames of everlasting hell. As I pointed out to a Jehovah’s Witness who came to my house just recently trying to promote her church’s teachings, the “hell” (gehenna) of the above verses goes far beyond the flames of Hinnom.

Take the following two verses for example:

  • Mark 9:43: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell [gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched:”
  • Mark 9:45: “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell [gehenna], into the fire that never shall be quenched:”

The flames here “shall never be quenched.” Fires in the Valley of Hinnom have long since died out (which the Jehovah’s Witness is forced to admit). Surely, no thinking person could ever say that the gehenna of Mark 9:43 and Mark 9:45 are man’s temporary fires on Earth! This is especially accentuated by verses 44, 46, and 48: “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched….Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched…. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” By the way, verses 44 and 46 are omitted from the modern Greek text and modern English versions (including NIV, NASB, ESV, and of course, the Jehovah’s Witness New World Translation!). This way, they diminish the explicit warnings.

Now, consider the following verses:

  • Luke 12:5: “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell [gehenna]; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”
  • Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [gehenna].”

This is certainly not the Valley of Hinnom. Notice how only God has the power here to toss people into this gehenna. This gehenna involves not just the death of the physical body but also the soul. Such is hardly the language of any trash dump, no matter how intense its flames may be! If we study the way the Bible uses the term “gehenna,” provided we not want to form a denominational conclusion, we will discover that the Bible is speaking of something far more than just a trash dump.

CONCLUSION

Jesus took the term gehenna and taught doctrine of eternal importance. In a Jew’s mind, gehenna was the worst and most unclean place to imagine. It was there that their ancestors were burned in pagan human sacrifices! Also, it was where they would take garbage for disposal—including the corpses of dead animals and criminals! Our Lord Jesus warned of something far worse than this “trash dump.” God has a trash dump as well, and it is where He disposes the souls of those who refuse to trust His Word. He has no use for them in His program for creation, they are the vilest of all living creatures, and now they will burn for their transgressions for all of eternity! Indeed, that is the worst of all. But, the Bible says it, and the only way people go hell is because they wanted to go! God has offered His Son Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross as a fully-satisfying payment for our sins, that simple faith in Him alone could get us into heaven. But, if we want to suffer the flames of hell forever and ever and ever, never satisfying the wrath of God, He will give us the eternal abode of the damned!

Also see:
» Is Luke 16:19-31 nothing but a “parable?”
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?
» Can Jews who believe in God, the Father, but who reject Jesus, be saved from eternal damnation?

DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, HEAVEN & HELL, Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?, Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?

Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?

IS LUKE 16:19-31 A PARABLE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In an attempt to sidestep the Biblical doctrine of eternal judgment in hellfire, certain groups have resorted to watering down one of the clearest and most graphic passages of hell. Such people say that Luke 16:19-31—the account of the Rich Man and Lazarus—is merely a “parable,” figurative language rather than literal truth. They believe there was no historical rich man who actually woke up tormented in hell, and no historical beggar named Lazarus who actually woke up comforted in paradise. After all, their denominational doctrine demands that the dead be unconscious, completely unaware of their surroundings. Furthermore, they protest, “A loving God would never send people to an eternal hell.” They particularly pick on a Bible term found in the passage—“Abraham’s bosom.” If “Abraham’s bosom” is not literal, they assert, then neither is the rest of the passage—especially the part about “tormented in this flame.” Friends, in this study, we will critically evaluate Luke 16:19-31. Literal? Or, figurative?

Dear readers, first things first. Before commenting, we must read Luke 16:19-31: “[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: [28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Now to our thorough analysis!

CONTEMPLATION #1

Friends, stop and think. After reading Luke 16:19-31, was there clarity or confusion in our minds? That is, were you more confused about that topic discussed in those Scriptures, or were you enlightened? If you do not mind, please answer the following questions.

What specific verses, phrases, or words, if any, would lead you to conclude that Luke 16:19-31 is figurative? What, if anything, do you think is nonliteral in the passage? Please write your answers in the blanks below. (If you are reading this online, please use a pen and paper.)

INDICATIONS THAT LUKE 16:19-31 IS FIGURATIVE (NON-LITERAL)

  1. _________________________________________
  1. _________________________________________
  1. _________________________________________

Okay, the next part. What specific verses, phrases, or words, if any, would lead you to conclude that Luke 16:19-31 is literal? What, if anything, do you think is literal in the passage? Please write your answers in the blanks below. (Again, if you are reading this online, please use a pen and paper.)

INDICATIONS THAT LUKE 16:19-31 IS LITERAL (NON-FIGURATIVE)

  1. _________________________________________
  1. _________________________________________
  1. _________________________________________

Now that you have written your answers, we move on to make some general verse comparisons and present some basic facts from Scripture. First and foremost, parables bear a certain primary characteristic in Scripture. Contrary to popular belief, parables are not teaching aids. They are meant to make the truth less clear. That is, parables are meant to hide the truth from people who have rejected the truth God had previously revealed to them. To repeat, parables are meant to confuse rather than to explain.

The Lord Jesus Christ admitted this quite plainly in Matthew 13:10-15: “[10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. [12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. [13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. [14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: [15] For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

In light of what the Lord Jesus Himself said about parables, Luke 16:19-31, if it were a parable, should have made the truth less clear. Did it? In light of what the Lord Jesus Himself said about parables, Luke 16:19-31, if it were literal, should have made the truth quite clear. Did it? Then, my dear friends, it should be very apparent to you as to whether or not Luke 16:19-31 is a parable! But, we will take it a step further.

CONTEMPLATION #2

Luke 16:19 does not begin with, “And he speak this parable unto them….” If the account of the rich man and Lazarus were a parable, the Holy Spirit should have made sure to notify the audience that this “graphic story” was merely a parable and not literal truth. Remember, this passage has been used for centuries to defend the reality of eternal hellfire. The implications are quite severe if we take Luke 16:19-31 as literal truth. Should not the Holy Spirit, having foreseen the alleged “misusage” of the passage in the coming centuries, made every attempt in the context to indicate that it was symbolic and nonliteral? You can search Luke chapter 16 for the rest of eternity, my dear readers, and never see where Jesus clearly indicated verses 19 through 31 as figurative (a parable).

Furthermore, the last parable of chapter 16 (in the context) ended with verse 8. That was over 10 verses prior to Jesus mentioning the rich man and Lazarus. Jesus began to speak literal truths from verse 9 of chapter 16 onward and into chapter 17. (We will address this quite thoroughly later, in point #7). If it were a parable, Jesus left much room for ambiguities and uncertainties; He never explained what the elements symbolized. This lack of explanation is the strongest indication that no symbolism was involved. Luke 16:19-31 was literal.

The only logical, Bible-believing view, is that Luke 16:19-31 was not a parable, but literal history. Just as we are aware of our surroundings today (we are on planet Earth), Lazarus knew he was in paradise (the heart of the Earth, the spirit world for believers of that time) and the rich man knew that he was in torments (the heart of the Earth, the spirit world for unbelievers even today). But, we will take it another step further!

CONTEMPLATION #3

Of all the parables recorded in Matthew through Luke (John does not contain parables), not one of them contains a person’s name. Check it out for yourself if you doubt me. In stark contrast, Luke 16:20 bears the name “Lazarus” (also see verses 23,24, and 25). The name was not a mistake. It is mentioned four times. Why? Lazarus was a literal, flesh-and-blood individual like us; he was not some imaginary character in a horror story. He was just as literal and physical as Abraham was, and “Abraham” was also mentioned by name in the passage (see verses 25 and 29). This great detail is never found in any of Jesus’ parables. Again, check it out for yourself if you do not believe me. Okay, we take it yet another step further!

CONTEMPLATION #4

As we mentioned in point #2, the Holy Spirit should have made it clear to identify the meaning of Luke 16:19-31. What was the purpose of telling His audience this if it were a parable without historical basis? If Jesus, when saying, “I am tormented in this flame,” meant something other than literal suffering in a literal fire, why did He not define that expression in literal terms for us? The same could be said of “Lazarus,” “rich man,” “Abraham,” “great gulf fixed,” and all the other elements in the passage. Jesus left them undefined. Why? The only logical conclusion is that those words were to be taken at face value. He gave no alternative meaning for them because there was no alternative meaning for them. Our Lord Jesus said exactly what He meant about the rich man and Lazarus, and He meant exactly what He said about the rich man and Lazarus. If we disagree with Him, we need to just come out and say that we do not believe the Bible. We should not be hiding behind some lame “figurative language” defense. (We will discuss this in our next point.) Dear friends, may we not be like all those unbelieving hearts that simply reject the simple revelations from God, just so they may keep their manmade church traditions! We take it another step….

CONTEMPLATION #5

When the Prophet Ezekiel warned Israel about God’s coming judgment upon them, note the following in Ezekiel 20:45-49: “[45] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [46] Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field; [47] And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein. [48] And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched. [49] Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?”

Did you catch it? Unbelievers equate “fire” (judgment) in the Bible with “parables.” Bible rejecters are those who do not believe in God’s literal fire of judgment! Would a Bible believer ever conclude God’s fiery judgment a “parable?” Not according to the Bible! What does this say about people who diminish Luke 16:19-31, hellfire, to a “parable?” We can take it another step!

CONTEMPLATION #6

Those who relish in “toning down” Luke 16:19-31 especially appeal to the Bible’s term “Abraham’s bosom” (see verses 22-23). To them, this figurative expression proves the whole passage is nonliteral. Abraham’s actual breast is not involved, so the entire story is fabricated… or so they say. For example, to quote official “Jehovah’s Witnesses’” doctrine, “[The] Rich man and Lazarus account [is] no proof of eternal torment. Fire [is] no more literal than Abraham’s bosom.” Friends, these dear “Russellites” are woefully ignorant of the English language. Of course, they are not interested in using English properly anyway. They just want to defend their denomination… whatever the cost!

“Bosom,” in the English language, does not necessarily mean a literal breast, as in someone resting against your upper chest. “Bosom,” as used in John’s Gospel, is most definitely Jesus’ literal breast, His upper chest (see John 13:23,25). Yet, our English word “bosom” can also mean “a state of enclosing intimacy; warm closeness.” In a similar manner, we use our English word “heart.” In one sense, the term “heart” refers to the physical muscle that pumps literal blood throughout our literal, physical bodies. Yet, another sense of “heart” is our innermost being, our seat of emotions. For instance, think about the expression, “That person is close, or dear, to your heart.” Does that mean this person is literally resting against your chest? Of course not! Yet, this figurative phrase still communicates a literal truth. You have deep emotional connections with that individual. It has nothing to do with your heart muscle, either.

You are probably curious as to why the term “Abraham’s bosom” even appears in Luke 16:22-23. I will gladly tell you. Remember, it is the title of the place where believing Lazarus went upon death. It was also the place where Abraham’s soul resided (see verses 25,29). As you may know, Abraham is the classic believer in Scripture. He is called “the father of all them that believe” in Romans 4:11. All believers who had died up to the point of Luke chapter 16, they had died believing in the God of Abraham. They, going all the way back to Adam—the beginning of the world (Acts 3:21)—had also died with faith in the message of God’s earthly kingdom. Because Abraham is called “the father of them that believe,” his “bosom” indicates the close affinity he has with other believers from that Old Testament era, as well as their closeness with him. They are all children of God, having the righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to their account, and thus have an intimate relationship with the God of the Bible. They are (even today) still awaiting bodily resurrection to enter God’s earthly kingdom (see Job 19:25-27, for instance). This is in contrast with those unbelieving souls, such as the rich man, who are (even today) still experiencing torment in the flames of hell.

By the way, if we must nitpick at the phrase “Abraham’s bosom,” saying the passage is not literal because “bosom” is not literal, then we must also dismiss John 1:18 as nonliteral. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” “Bosom” in John 1:18 is figurative and not literal, so should John 1:18 be believed literally? As in Luke 16:22-23, “bosom” in John 1:18 carries a literal truth. The Lord Jesus is not literally leaning on God’s breast, is He? Yet, even while using a figurative term, John 1:18 is conveying a literal truth. Jesus has an intimate relationship with His Heavenly Father. (Remember our comments about “heart?”) The same sense is applied to “Abraham’s bosom.” We take it another step further!

CONTEMPLATION #7

Dear friends, to have the richest understanding of Luke 16:19-31, we would have to come to a conclusion as to what it all means. If all the elements symbolize something else (as the case in a parable), then what do they all mean as a whole (as in a parable)? Remember, even parables have real-life applications. Luke 16:19-31, even if it were a parable, would still convey literal truths. It would by no means diminish God’s revelation. But, it is not a parable. Because of its serious nature, we had better take it most seriously.

As stated earlier, the easiest way to handle Luke 16:19-31 is to simply take it at face value. When you examine its context, the natural conclusion is that it means just what it says. The context is literal; Luke 16:19-31 must also be literal. Let me tell you how we deduce that.

Luke chapter 16 opens with Jesus talking to His disciples about being faithful servants. The issue of literal wealth is mentioned. Jesus says to His disciples in verse 13: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Please note verse 14: “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” The Pharisees dislike what Jesus said, so they mock Him. So, from verse 15 onward until verse 31 (end of chapter 16), Jesus addresses the covetous Pharisees. Notice how He is rebuking them for their materialism. “Mammon” is wealth, specifically avarice or excessive greed. They serve their wealth instead of His Heavenly Father. Now you know why Jesus proceeded to mention the “rich man” and Lazarus. That “rich man” was one of those Pharisees! Instead of serving the Creator God by faith, he too had idolized his wealth. Jesus was warning the Pharisees that they, unless they converted to Him, would literally wind up in that same literal, eternally hopeless state of “torment in flames” as that literal rich man’s literal soul! Their covetousness (idolatry) was literal and their eternal doom was equally literal! We take the argument one step further!

CONTEMPLATION #8

At this point, perhaps, the critics of Luke 16:19-31 have seen their error in dismissing it as a parable, a nonliteral portion of Scripture. We hope and pray that they have, for it is a very serious matter. However, even if one were to recognize the merits in this study’s foregoing statements, there always lingers that last-ditch effort to dismiss eternal judgment. I can just hear it being asked: “Oh, but, Brother Shawn, how can a loving God send people to eternal hellfire?” What a great question, my friend! I am so glad you asked. I am so glad to answer it as well!

“How can a loving God send people to eternal hellfire?” The Bible believer, stumped, is perhaps convinced that the “eternal-judgment critic” has made a valid point. Has he or she? Why, of course not! That “loving God,” according to Romans 5:8, did everything to keep everyone out of hell. He sent Jesus Christ His Son to experience His wrath on our behalf, to die for our sins, that we not have to go to eternal hellfire. We just need to trust alone what He did for us at Calvary. But, if someone wants to ignore that sacrifice of Christ, that person is “unloving” because he or she has rejected God’s love. God is still loving. If they reject God’s love, they wind up in hell because of their own fault. They sent themselves to hell. God did not send anyone anywhere. He let them go where they wanted! If I, out of love, offered a million dollars to a loved one who was a million dollars in debt, and that loved one refuses the money I offer, that in no way canceled my love for him or her. My love was independent of what her or she did with my offer. If he or she wants to stay in debt, that is his or her problem—not my fault! Likewise, if someone wants to stay in spiritual debt, do not blame God! (For more information, please see our related study linked at the end of this article. There, you will find a fuller treatment of that topic.)

CONCLUSION

There are at least seven reasons why Bible believers understand Luke 16:19-31 to be literal truth, not a parable.

  1. Firstly, according to the Lord Jesus Himself, parables are meant to confuse, to hide the truth from people who previously rejected it. There is nothing difficult to understand in Luke 16:19-31 unless we refuse to understand it. Luke 16:19-31 is a very graphic picture of eternal hellfire, which is why people attempt to dismiss it as “figurative.”
  2. Secondly, Luke 16:19-31 addresses a major doctrine. For it to be a parable and for Jesus never to make it clear to His audience that is a parable, is to force it to be literal. There are no ambiguities or uncertainties. Jesus expected His audience to take what He said at face value, and He expects us to do the same.
  3. Thirdly, parables do not contain names of people, and yet Luke 16:19-31 mentions “Lazarus” and “Abraham” by name several times.
  4. Fourthly, no additional explanation follows Luke 16:19-31. Jesus moved on to other topics in chapter 17. Since no other similar discourse is given in the context, Luke 16:19-31 must be self-explanatory and self-interpreting. Again, there is no mysterious language, confusion, or hidden truths—there are no characteristics of parables in Luke 16:19-31.
  5. Fifthly, unbelievers in Ezekiel’s day referred to God’s literally fiery judgment as nothing but “parables,” nonliteral statements. To say Luke 16:19-31, another passage about God’s fiery judgment, is a “parable,” is to echo the complaints of lost people, those who do not serve JEHOVAH God. Do you want to sound like a Bible rejecter? Then, my friend, you just keep on calling Luke 16:19-31 a “parable!”
  6. Sixthly, Luke 16:19-31 contains a nonliteral phrase—“Abraham’s bosom”—and yet the whole passage still contains literal truth. The same could be said of John 1:18, which uses the term “bosom” similarly.
  7. Lastly, the context of Luke 16:19-31 is literal covetousness. It is a passage spoken to literal idolaters, and serves as a clear warning of the eternal wrath coming on wealth-worshippers (idolaters). It is not some fairy tale meant to pass the time and take up space in God’s Word.

The God of the Bible is so loving that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. If we go to hell, we do so by rejecting that love God commended to us! To reject God’s love is for us—not Him—to be “unloving.”

In short, my friends, either (1) we believe Luke 16:19-31 says exactly what it means and means exactly what it says, or (2) we just stay loyal to our manmade denomination. Those are the only two options.

SUPPLEMENTAL: BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE STILL PERSISTS LUKE 16:19-31 IS A PARABLE?

Suppose, for argument’s sake, Luke 16:19-31 is a parable. Does that help us any if we deny the existence of eternal hellfire? Certainly not! Actually, relegating Luke 16:19-31 to the status of parable only proves the extreme measures people will take when twisting the Bible to fit their theology. Notice the following:

  1. Read Matthew 13:3-8. Do you notice how mysterious this passage is? It has hidden truths, symbolic language. This was Jesus’ first parable, commonly called the Parable of the Sower. Who is the sower? What are the seeds? What is the stony place? What about the thorns? The fowls? Now, read verses 18-23. In these statements, Jesus defines the terms of the parable. His next words will provide additional explanation.
  2. In verses 24-30 of Matthew chapter 13, the Lord Jesus gives a second parable, known as the Parable of the Tares—clearly called a “parable” in Matthew 13:24 and 36. Here again, Jesus utilizes various symbols. He talks about a man sowing wheat, an enemy sowing tares (weeds) among the wheat, reapers gathering the wheat and the tares, the tares are tossed into a burning fire, and the wheat is gathered into a barn. The disciples come to Jesus, asking Him to explain Himself to them (verse 36). Verses 37-43 are the Lord Jesus defining each of the various elements of the parable. He claims to be the sower of the good seed (verse 37). The field is the world (verse 38). The good seed (wheat) are the children of the kingdom (verse 38). The tares are the children of Satan, or unbelieving Jews (verse 38). The enemy who sowed the tares is the Devil (verse 39). The harvest is the end of the world (verse 39). The reapers are the angels (verse 39). The burning fire is the eternal judgment of God in hell (verse 42). The barn is the earthly kingdom of God, reserved only for Israel’s believing remnant the children of the kingdom (verse 43; cf. verse 38). Please note the fire that burns in the parable (verse 30), is, interpreted by Jesus, to be a literal fire (verse 42). The Lord Jesus thought that the fire—even in the context of a parable—was still a fire, nothing diminished. The fire did not mean something else; it meant fire. Unless of course, we reject the Lord Jesus’ interpretation so we can hold on to our church traditions? So, even if Luke 16:19-31 were a parable, the word fire means just what it says. It is a fire.
  3. It should be pointed out that, in the context of a parable (Matthew 13:30), “reapers” symbolize angels (verse 39). In Luke 16:19-31, the word “angels” appears (verse 22). So, the passage is not a parable; it is already reduced to a literal meaning. Unless, we are going to wrest the Scriptures even further and say that “angels” are not literal beings but rather symbols of some other things.

Also see:
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?
» Why does God let Satan exist?
» In heaven, will we be aware of our loved ones in hell?

Are 2 Thessalonians 1:9 and Revelation 14:10 contradictory?, Are 2 Thessalonians 1:9 and Revelation 14:10 contradictory?, BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, HEAVEN & HELL

Are 2 Thessalonians 1:9 and Revelation 14:10 contradictory?

ARE 2 THESSALONIANS 1:9 AND REVELATION 14:10 CONTRADICTORY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10).

Paul writes in Thessalonians about unsaved people being punished “from the presence of the Lord.” In stark contrast, John writes in Revelation about unsaved people being punished “in the presence of the Lamb.” One punishment is apart from the Lord’s presence; the other punishment is in His presence. Contradiction? Not at all, provided that you respect the dispensational contexts!

2 THESSALONIANS 1:9

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1: “[6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to Earth at His Second Coming, a flaming fire will precede Him. John the Baptist warned in Matthew chapter 3: “[10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Jesus also made reference to this fire in Matthew 13:30-42.

Psalm 50:3-4 had said centuries earlier: “[3] Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. [4] He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.” And, Psalm 68:1-2: “[1] Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. [2] As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.”

We can also read in Psalm 97:1-5: “[1] The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. [2] Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. [3] A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. [4] His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. [5] The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth.”

And, Isaiah 29:6: “Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.”

Also, Isaiah 30:27-33: “[27] Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: [28] And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. [29] Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. [30] And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. [31] For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. [32] And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.[33] For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.”

Finally, Isaiah 66:14-16: “[14] And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. [15] For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. [16] For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.”

You may also refer to Ezekiel 36:5, the first two chapters of Amos, Micah 1:3-7, Habakkuk 3:3-5, Zephaniah 1:18, Zechariah 13:9, and Malachi 4:1 for other descriptions of the fire of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. For brevity’s sake, we will not quote or expound them here.

REVELATION 14:10

Now, we analyze Revelation chapter 14: “[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, [10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Moses said Jesus Christ’s Second Coming fire will burn to the lowest hell. Deuteronomy 32:22: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” And, Isaiah 34:2,8-10: “[2] For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter…. [8] For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. [9] And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. [10] It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.”

That fire will burn a shaft on Earth’s surface, in the Middle East and south of the Dead Sea, so as to expose the heart of the Earth. Jesus Christ will then establish His earthly kingdom. Via open pits, hell will be manifested throughout the duration of His earthly kingdom. Isaiah 66:22-24 explains: “[22] For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. [23] And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. [24] And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.”

Jesus quoted Isaiah 66:24 in Mark chapter 9, referring to hell: “[42] And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. [43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: [44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [45] And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: [46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: [48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

In other words, those who are dwelling on the Earth during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, they will literally be able to peer into hell and see the souls of the people who transgressed against the Lord. They had transgressed against the Lord in that they followed the Antichrist during the (previous) seven-year Tribulation.

CONCLUSION

Revelation 14:10 is describing when Jesus Christ returns (Second Coming) to end the seven-year Tribulation, He will establish His literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom. He will literally be present on the Earth. The souls in hell—in the heart of the Earth—will be tormented in His presence. Revelation 14:10 describes their punishment only during the Millennial Reign of Christ.

Second Thessalonians 1:9 is their punishment with respect to eternity. They are suffering the eternal judgment of God, being punished from the presence of the Lord—this is the Lake of Fire. After Jesus Christ reigns for 1000 years, Revelation 20:11-15 says those in Hell will be brought to and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. Then, God will place these unbelievers in the Lake of Fire. The Lake of Fire is the permanent address of all who have died apart from faith in God’s Word to them. Hell is the temporary holding jail-cell and the Lake of Fire is the maximum-security prison. The exact location of the Lake of Fire is unknown, but it stands to reason that if God lives above our universe (third heaven), the Lake of Fire would be at the bottom of our universe (the farthest point from God’s throne).

Just as there is Hell today but the Lake of Fire in the future, so there will be punishment in the presence of the Lord (Millennium) and punishment from the presence of the Lord (after the Millennium and onward into eternity future). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Unless you “rightly divide the word of truth,” you will never be able to understand why the Bible says one thing in one place but says the total opposite in another place. Once more, we see the necessity to study the Bible dispensationally!

Also see:
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?
» Why do the wicked prosper?
» Can Jews who believe in God, the Father, but who reject Jesus, be saved from eternal damnation?

HEAVEN & HELL, If God knows who will serve Him and who won’t then why witness?

If God knows who will serve Him and who won’t, why witness?

IF GOD KNOWS WHO WILL SERVE HIM AND WHO WON’T, WHY WITNESS?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“If God already knows who will serve Him and who won’t, why then do we continue to share this Grace message?”

Hello, my friend. What a question! Yes, God already knows who will serve Him and who will not serve Him, but it is still our duty—yea, our honor—to reach those who will listen. (I know how some Christians like to use your question as an argument/excuse so they do not have to witness. They are robbing themselves of one of the greatest joys of Christian living!) The only way we can reach those who will ultimately believe is to share the Gospel of God’s Grace with everyone. That includes sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who will receive those precious words, and preaching them to those who will reject those words. That means preaching to those who will be saved, and preaching to those who will never be saved. Ultimately, it is their choice—accept God’s offer or reject it. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is never forced on anyone. It is “unto all” (Romans 3:22). God offers it to all the nations of the world (2 Corinthians 5:19), and the only way all the peoples of the world can hear about it if we (the Church the Body of Christ) preach it to them.

Let us look at three Biblical examples of how God’s people—including His Son Jesus Christ—preached to the masses, despite the widespread rejection of the Gospel message they preached.

Noah. Only seven people believed Noah’s message. Yet, he still preached to the millions of the world that a global flood was coming. Genesis 7:13 says that his wife, their three sons, and their three wives, entered the ark with him. The rest of the people of the world perished in the Flood. As 2 Peter 2:5 says, “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;” Over 99.9 percent of Noah’s audience mocked and laughed, and died. God knew only eight people would be saved from that Great Flood, and yet He still directed Noah to preach! By sending Noah to preach, the people who rejected God’s Word would be without excuse. They heard how to escape that wrath, and yet they deliberately refused it. When they are resurrected in the future, that rejected message will be brought to their minds. Before they are consigned to an everlasting fire and brimstone, they will be confronted with all those “lost opportunities for salvation.” (More on this shortly.)

Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. The Lord Jesus said, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him” (John 6:64). Surely, Jesus knew that only a few Jews would trust in Him as their Messiah-King. He knew that “from the beginning [of His ministry],” the Bible says, that Judas would betray Him. Moments after Jesus uttered those offensive words, verse 66 says what happened next: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Talk about a waning crowd, beloved! That day, Jesus Christ probably lost His greatest amount of “listeners.” They loved to hear Him speak “beautiful words,” they loved His “free lunches” and His free healing miracles, but they did not have one bit of interest in having their sins forgiven through Him. When He exposed their unbelief, they left quick and never followed Him again!

Jesus Christ began His ministry with Matthew chapter 7, “[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Certainly, Jesus knew the majority of people would prefer to stay lost, dead in their trespasses and sins, thoroughly content (prideful) to stay heading toward “destruction.” Just a few would want eternal “life.” We would be fools to disagree with Jesus Christ and say those words of His are not equally true of our audiences today.

Later, Acts 1:15 says there were only 120 believers in Jerusalem after Christ’s earthly ministry was over!! Yet, Jesus still preached, so the people who refused Him would be condemned by those words He preached. The Lord Jesus later said in John 12:48: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” This a reference to the lost world being judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. That verse is the key to understanding how all lost people of all time will be judged before they are tossed into the lake of fire.

The Holy Spirit led the Apostle John to write in Revelation 20:11-15: “[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

According to the Lord Jesus (John 12:48), in the distant future, the Holy Bible will be used to condemn unsaved people, to sentence them to the lake of fire to burn alive forever. (What a strong case for Bible preservation this is!!!!!!!!) They all had at least one opportunity to hear the life-giving words of the God of the Bible. In fact, Romans 1:20 says they are “without excuse.” Whatever dispensation was operating during their day in human history, they will be fully accountable for rejecting it, and the Lord Jesus Christ will bring it before these people as they stand before Him. They rejected it, and He now formally rejects them before all. What He is doing with these lost people is demonstrably 100 percent righteous, totally fair.

The Apostle Paul. Paul knew he would never convert many or most. In fact, he confessed that his preaching would only save “some” Jews from their national apostasy (Romans 11:14; 1 Corinthians 9:22). Father God will use us, the Body of Christ, to reach everyone with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. This way, no one can say, “I did not know” or “I did not have chance.” But, only a few will choose to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Even though God knew just a few people would believe His written Word, He still preserved it for the benefit of those who would believe it. Yes, God’s preserved Word and our preaching it will be used against the lost when they are ultimately judged. Paul wrote, “In that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Romans 2:16).

CONCLUSION

Brethren, let us warn everyone we can of their need of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins! The rich man in hell wanted his loved ones on Earth to hear God’s Word, that they not come to the same place of torment he was now suffering (Luke 16:28). Let us remember all of these peoples’ relatives who are in hell today. Those people would want us to tell their family and friends on Earth about the reality of everlasting hellfire and God’s solution for it. They must be told about God’s righteous wrath against their sin, and we Christians need to tell them! They need to hear about the shed blood of Jesus Christ to pay for their sins! If they do not believe the Message of God’s Grace that we preach, they will be haunted forever in hell about why they did not have to go there. Let us reach them in love and for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ… before it is too late!

Colossians 1: “[28] [Jesus Christ] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [29] Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

2 Timothy 2:24-26: “[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

2 Corinthians 5:11: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”

Also see:
» What about those “strange distractions” when we witness to others?
» Is there a simple way to present the Grace Message to children and teens?
» Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?

GOD, HEAVEN & HELL, How can a loving God send people to hell forever?, How can a loving God send people to hell forever?

How can a loving God send people to hell forever?

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HOW CAN A LOVING GOD SEND PEOPLE TO HELL FOREVER?

by Shawn Brasseaux

How can a loving God send people to hell to be tormented forever and ever? There is a plain and simple answer to this question that is repeatedly asked. Usually, this question is not asked in faith. It is often asked by people who just want to ridicule and scorn, or people who want to deceive themselves into thinking they are not going to such an awful place. How would God want us to answer those who challenge the reality of hell and the lake of fire? Should we just be silent, or should we tell them something? How do we go about explaining it to them? Dear friend, all we have to do is look in the Bible to see what it says, believe what we find it says, and then tell others what it says. “For what saith the Scriptures?”

THE GOODNESS OF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE

The God of the Bible has often been portrayed as a bloodthirsty, grouchy old man sitting in a rocking chair in heaven. He is depicted as a monster that is insensitive, distant, and cruel. Religion does not help in dispelling these myths, for religion is just that—insensitive, distant, and cruel. We want to demonstrate that the God of the Bible is a wonderful Person, a God who is kind beyond our wildest dreams.

We read why the God of the Bible is delaying His wrath in 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Why has God’s wrath not yet come upon this Christ-rejecting world? Is it because that wrath was not real? Was God was just “bluffing?” Sending out a false alarm? No, not at all! He is giving people ample time to be saved from that righteous wrath! How’s that for a loving God?

Just before the Babylonians came and deported Judah into captivity, the Lord GOD asked these rhetorical questions in Ezekiel chapter 18: “[23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? … [30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. … [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” The God of the Bible pled with Judah to straighten up, that His wrath not come upon them, and yet He knew they would not listen to Him. How’s that for a loving God?

Or, let us try Ezekiel 33:10-11: “[10] Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? [11] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Again, JEHOVAH God the Father wanted Israel to turn around, do right, that they not die because of their sins. How’s that for a loving God?

And Lamentations 3:22-23, when the Babylonians finally came and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple: “[22] It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Are you not glad that God deals with you on the basis of your faithfulness but rather on the basis of His faithfulness? If it were your faithfulness, you would have been consumed a long time ago! How’s that for a loving God?

The Apostle John wrote, “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16). Surely, the God of the Bible is not simply loving, but rather He is love. His very nature is love; to wit, He lives without any selfishness. God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Ghost all live for each other’s benefit. Actually, the very first time the word “love” appears in Scripture is in Genesis 22:2: Abraham loved his only begotten son, Isaac, which represented God the Father’s love for His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. How’s that for a loving God?

Another glimpse of the loving unity among the three Persons of the Godhead/Trinity is Jesus’ prayer to His heavenly Father: “for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). God the Father called Jesus Christ “my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). The three Persons of Godhead do not simply love one another, but they also love undeserving mankind. Again, how’s that for a loving God?

The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4:19, “We love him [God], because he first loved us.” The Apostle Paul confirmed, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Paul also affirmed, “…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Why God loves such wicked creatures as us is still difficult to grasp. How’s that for a loving God?

And we see in Micah 7:18-20: “[18] Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. [19] He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. [20] Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.” Someone who cleanses the sins of those who will never deserve that forgiveness? Someone who delights in mercy? Someone who is not angry forever? Someone who has compassion on the unloving and unlovely? How’s that for a loving God?

We read in Joel 2:12-13: “[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: [13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” JEHOVAH God declared that He did not want to judge wicked Israel. He wanted them to reform, that they not experience His wrath. Again, how’s that for a loving God?

And the Bible says in Jonah 4:1-2: “[1] But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. [2] And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.” Jonah said the reason why he refused to go to Nineveh and preach to them was because he knew God would be merciful if they repented. After the encounter with the whale, Jonah went to Nineveh and preached to them. When the city reformed, Jonah was greatly disappointed and very angry. He wanted God to destroy them, but God was merciful in not punishing Nineveh! How’s that for a loving God?

Psalm 145:8-9 is a wonderful set of verses: “[8] The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. [9] The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” Again, how’s that for a loving God? The God of the Bible is very gracious, loving, and compassionate, but we should not overlook that He is also a God of justice and righteousness. Recall Exodus 34:6-7: “[6] And the LORD passed by before him [Moses], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, [7] Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” How’s that for a loving God, that He would be forgiving and longsuffering and gracious and abundant in goodness and truth?

Again, there is no question about the fact that the God of the Bible is love: the Bible clearly teaches, “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16). However, the sinner had better not assume that the God of the Bible is nothing but love, for he or she will have quite the shock when he or she faces an angry God in judgment!

After discussing man’s specific sins in Romans 1:18-32, Paul begins Romans chapter 2: “[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [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: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; [10] But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: [11] For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Paul was the greatest servant the Lord Jesus Christ ever commissioned to teach and preach God’s grace and love to us in Christ. Yet, even Paul was honest about God’s wrath and justice when he preached God’s grace and love. Romans chapter 2 is one such clear instance. The Holy Spirit through Paul had religious people in mind when He wrote, “[5] God… [6] Who will render every man according to his deeds… [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also the Gentile” (Romans 2:5-6,8-9). Man’s pathetic efforts to appease a holy God will have one result—”indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish,” forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. Sinners can merit nothing but God’s wrath. They cannot merit God’s grace or God’s blessings.

We can conclude this section by looking at Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:3-6: “[3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; [4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. [5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

GOD’S JUSTICE DEMANDS HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BE DEFENDED

The idea of a “loving Jesus” is discussed ad nauseam among “feel-good” circles in Christendom. Many decades ago, a Bible commentator wrote about how liberalism and modernism had crept into Christianity, and how “God’s love” and “God’s Fatherhood of all” and “God’s goodness” were constantly being stressed, at the expense of God’s holiness, righteousness, and justice. The writer talked about how there was too much preaching about “God’s love” and nothing about “God’s wrath!” How much more today!

Friends, to emphasize God’s love to such an extent that His justice and utter hatred for sin are ignored, is a grave error. It actually harms people rather than helping them. It not only involves being dishonest with people, but it entails being deceitful using God’s Word. To make the Bible popular with man, the average local church is pressured (and sadly often acquiesces) into presenting Bible reading as a “get happy quick” scheme. The Scriptures are appealed to only when someone needs money, encouragement, physical healing, et cetera. There is no sincere desire to learn the timeless truths of the Bible for the sake of trying to better understand His will for us. God is not merely a God of love. He is also a God of righteousness and justice. Anytime an action does not measure up to God’s standard of rightness, His justice requires a punishment. We can look at four brief, simple examples in Scripture.

IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

Genesis chapter 6 opens up with the world totally corrupt. Man’s thoughts are nothing but evil and his actions are nothing but violent: “[5] And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”

It is here in human history that God finds Noah, one man in the world who has not abandoned His Word. Of all the millions—if not billions—of people in the world at that time, God can only find one man of faith! Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9) because he believed what God said to him. God instructed him to build an ark of wood to save his house, as well as save the animal species of the world. Hebrews 11:7 says that Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” For over 100 years (Genesis 6:3), Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) as he prepared that ark of gopher wood (1 Peter 3:20).

Through Noah’s words, God warned the millions upon millions—if not billions—of people of the impending global flood. As the ark was under construction, God patiently waited for over one century for mankind to get right with Him. Alas, they refused to listen to Noah’s message, and not one showed up on the ark. It is important to note that after the ark was finished, God gave mankind another seven days before the floodwaters came from above and from beneath (Genesis 7:4,10). Still, no one came to the ark for salvation, and they all drowned. How’s that for a loving God, that He gave them a century to reform to not avail? Again, lost mankind had ignored God’s warnings of impending wrath, and mankind alone was to blame. There were eight believers in the entire world at the time of the Great Flood (2 Peter 2:5)!

IN THE DAYS OF ABRAHAM

We can see how JEHOVAH, Israel’s God, the God of the Bible, is very patient. It takes very much to anger Him and cause Him to retaliate in righteous indignation and wrath. When His patience is finally exhausted, one does not want to be in the path of what is coming! God is “slow to anger,” but He is “great in power,” and He will never let sinners off. This is the justice that we need in this world, if things are ever to be made right. Beloved, we all know how things have to be set right in the end, and God Himself will see to it. Hell and the lake of fire are part of God’s plan to make things right.

Sodom and Gomorrah were in Palestine (their ruins may be near the Dead Sea’s southern shore). These two wicked cities were engaged in homosexual activity (“going after strange flesh;” Jude 7). Abraham, Israel’s greatest patriarch, negotiated with God regarding His wrath on those two ungodly cities. In Genesis chapter 18, two angels and the LORD (in a theophany, pre-incarnate human form) visit Abraham. Abraham, knowing the wrath is soon coming upon Sodom and Gomorrah, asks the LORD in verse 23, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?”

Abraham reasons with the LORD: if there are 50 righteous people in the city of Sodom, will God destroy them all with the wicked? The LORD agrees not to destroy Sodom if there are 50 righteous people living in it (verse 26). Abraham decreases the number from 45 (verse 28), to 40 (verse 29), to 30 (verse 30), to 20 (verse 31), and finally, to 10 (verse 32). The LORD agrees, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (verse 32). How’s that for a loving God?

Again, we see God’s great mercy. He is not a ruthless monster, but He is quite willing to spare Sodom if there are just 10 believers there. We all know what happened, however. Genesis chapter 19 continues: “[24] Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; [25] And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” Imagine that—there were not even 10 believers in the LORD, dwelling in the city of Sodom!

IN THE DAYS OF THE PROPHET NAHUM

The Prophet Nahum wrote about the divine judgment coming upon apostate Nineveh. It was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire that the Prophet Jonah had visited and in which he preached God’s Word centuries before. Nahum predicted: “[2] God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. [3] The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:2-3).

In 612 B.C., God meted out His wrath on Nineveh as other Gentile armies came in and defeated it (just as Nahum predicted). The Ninevites had abandoned Israel’s God and the message that the Prophet Jonah preached to them nearly two centuries earlier, and Nineveh had reached the point that it was beyond saving. God’s love did not do away with His wrath. His justice had to be satisfied, and it was when other Gentiles punished wicked Nineveh.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

Dear friends, there is coming a day when this dispensation will end, and Israel’s program will resume. God’s people, the Church the Body of Christ, will be taken into heaven at the Rapture, and the unbelievers will remain behind on Earth. Once the Antichrist appears, the seven-year Tribulation will run its course.

We read from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2: “[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

We want to pay close attention to verse 10. The unbelievers “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The lost experiencing the seven-year Tribulation period, Daniel’s 70th week, did they want God’s love in our Dispensation of Grace? Did they want a God of love, a God who died for them at Calvary? No. Did those in hell want a God of love? No. Will a God of love force Himself on those who reject Him? No! Will God force people to accept His love and force them into heaven? No! The God of the Bible values free will—He did not create us as robots. A loving God will let people go to hell because they do not want a loving God and they do not want His heaven that is filled with His love. They prefer to hate the living and loving God of the Bible. They prefer to hate Jesus Christ, who loved them so much that He died for them.

1 John 3:16: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” How’s that for a loving God?

Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” How’s that for a loving God?

1 John 4:10: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” How’s that for a loving God?

If people reject the love of God that He demonstrated to us at Calvary’s cross, the love He displayed by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place, if they scoff and reject His sacrifice, then the plain and simple truth is that those people are the ones who are “unloving!”

CONCLUSION

How could a loving police officer arrest law-breakers? The police officer believes in justice, so he or she will enforce it. How can a loving parent discipline his or her unruly child? The parent believes in justice, so he or she will enforce it. How can a loving judge sentence a proven murderer to life in prison? The judge believes in justice, so he or she will enforce it. How can a loving jury find the defendant “guilty” in light of the incriminating evidence. The jury believes in justice, so they will enforce it. How can a loving teacher send a disobedient student to the principal’s office for corporal punishment, suspension, or expulsion? The teacher believes in justice, so he or she will enforce it. If we would not criticize these people, perhaps we had better use our tongues more wisely than to blame God for the eternal destiny sinners choose for themselves.

Suppose you had two grown sons, and one murdered the other in secret. “Oh, son, I love you so much I will overlook what happened. You killed your brother, but I will not turn you over to the authorities! You can hideout in my house from those unloving officers!” What about this? “Officer, why have you arrested me for driving while intoxicated? Why are you so unloving?! You need to be more lenient!” What about that? While everyone will agree I am being silly, some blame God for the poor decisions of sinners. Is that not sillier? Yea, it is insanity, pure insanity! When someone asks, “How can a loving God send people to hell?,” it is a flawed question. It is question of unbelief, for the Bible declares that He will not let sinners escape. The question should be, “How could a just God not create a place called hell?” Would He really be God if He were loving and not just/fair? Think of all the people who would then say, “Oh, how unfair God is! He always lets the evil person get away with wickedness!” Instead of nitpicking and putting God on trial, we should say: “How God is ever so loving! He sent His only begotten Son to an awful Roman cross, to shed His sinless blood for us, that we not go to the awful hellfire we merited as sinners!”

Someone once appropriately said, “God’s love will never let you go, God’s love will never let you down, and God’s love will never let you off.” Contrary to popular belief, God does not send people to hell; they choose to go there. Jesus Christ died for man’s sins, His innocent blood was shed, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day. That is the Gospel of Grace of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Faith in this Gospel of the Grace of God is man’s only way to escape the righteous wrath of God. God has done everything to keep man from going to hell, but if man refuses to accept God’s solution for sin by faith, God will let man reap the eternal penalty of sin. That penalty is to eternally exist in a place where God’s wrath is meted out and His justice against sin is the punishment of unredeemed sinners. His wrath is never appeased so hellfire must last forever. Remember, one must cross many barriers to wind up in eternal hellfire. One has to ignore the Gospel, ignore the Christians, ignore the Bible, ignore Jesus Christ. No one ever “accidentally” went (or goes) to hell!

If there were no place such as eternal hellfire, there would never be any true justice in creation. Sin would have no penalty, and creatures (angels and humans) could do whatever they wanted without fear of punishment. Matthew 25:41 says that “everlasting fire” was originally “prepared for the devil and his angels.” God never intended man to go to everlasting fire: that punishment was meant for Satan and his angels. Hell was God’s response to the angelic rebellion in heaven. It was to keep the rest of the angels from following that rebellion. However, when man joined that rebellion in Genesis chapter 3, he too became worthy of such a dreadful place.

Someone once asked, “Why would a loving God send you to hell because you did not believe in Him?” Simply put, God has a special place reserved for people who deliberately refuse to participate in glorifying His Son Jesus Christ. That place is called “hell,” and the ultimate destiny is “the lake of fire.” Notice what Psalm 7:11 says: “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” And Hebrews 12:28-29: “[28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: [29] For our God is a consuming fire.” Or, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8: “[7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

And, Jesus’ very unpopular hellfire discourse in Mark chapter 9: “[43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: [44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [45] And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: [46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: [48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [49] For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. [50] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” (Modern English versions and their underlying manuscripts bracket off as uninspired or completely eliminate verses 44 and 46 for obvious reasons.)

Dear reader, it is the author’s burden that you not die and go to hell forever. You may not believe in hell right now, but after you die, you will change your mind, and by then it will be too late. Do not put off salvation through Jesus Christ another second. What God the Father wants to see is your faith/trust resting solely in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. He died for your sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Please trust Him and Him alone, and you will never know about hell beyond the pages of Scripture.

Also see:
» Is hellfire really forever? (COMING SOON!)
» What about those who have not heard?
» Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?

HEAVEN & HELL, How old will we be in heaven?

How old will we be in heaven?

HOW OLD WILL WE BE IN HEAVEN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“My 5 and 7 year old wanted to know if we are raptured now, will they stay children? Will we age in heaven or stay in the age that we are raptured in?”

Thank you for these thought-provoking questions—those little minds are certainly thinking and that is good! The Bible is not clear about our “age in heaven,” so God has given us liberty to speculate (we will know for sure one day!). As with any Bible questions that are not sufficiently answered in Scripture, we can at least look at some general statements that the Bible says about our bodies in heaven. I would urge you to look at these verses and come to your own conclusions. Study out the matter more on your own; perhaps you will get further than I have in this brief study.

Many say that we will be in heaven the same age as Jesus Christ was when He left earth (around 33 years old). I would tend to agree with them there, since Philippians 3:20-21 says: “[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

Our glorified bodies will be just like Jesus Christ’s resurrected body, the body He had when He physically ascended into heaven in Acts 1:9-11 (cf. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51). That body was able to travel at high speeds to cross the universe—Jesus traveled from Earth, to Father God in Heaven, and back to Earth, in less than eight days (John 20:11-31). His body could move through walls and locked doors (John 20:19). He was able to eat physical foods such as honeycomb and broiled fish (Luke 24:30; John 24:41-43). That body was also aged 33 years when He left Earth—He began His ministry at around age 30 (Luke 3:23) and we can use various verses from the Four Gospels to estimate that He had a three-year-long ministry. As Philippians 3:21 says, those glorified bodies will be the means whereby Jesus Christ uses us to fulfill His will in the heavenly places in eternity!

Heaven being filled with babies that need to be nursed, or children and elderly people who need to be tended to, that is not my view of Heaven. God would have us function by ourselves, fully able to do His will without having someone else to take care of us. That is why I hold to the idea that we will neither be “young” nor “old,” but somewhere around “middle-age,” in heaven, never to age, weaken, slow down, et cetera. Personally, I do not see elderly Christians remaining elderly in heaven and juvenile Christians remaining juveniles in heaven. I see us all being one age, neither young nor old (whatever common age that is I would say Christ’s age). Again, apart from speculation, we will just have to wait and see for ourselves!

See also:
» Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?
» Are deceased Christians with the Lord yet?
» Will we know if a loved one is not in heaven with us?

HEAVEN & HELL, Will we know if a loved one is not in heaven with us?

Will we know if a loved one is not in heaven with us?

WILL WE KNOW IF A LOVED ONE IS NOT IN HEAVEN WITH US?

by Shawn Brasseaux

This is a very interesting question, and while the Bible does not explicitly tell us, there are some verses that help us draw some informed conclusions.

Firstly, the Bible indicates that we will recognize our loved ones in heaven (see our article linked at the end of this study). A related question is then posed as thus: “Since we will recognize our loved ones in heaven, will we also be aware of our loved ones who are not in heaven?” In this study, I will share some verses that helped me answer that question. We will consider verses that describe the consciousness of those in the spirit world (people who have already died). Remember, it is better to look at associated verses than to have no verses at all. If it is going to be faith, it has to rest on Bible verses. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Let us hear the Word of God now!

When conversing with Abraham, the nameless rich man begged in Luke 16:27-28: “[27] … I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him [Lazarus] to my father’s house: [28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” How did the rich man, suffering in hellfire, know that his five brethren were still living on Earth? The only logical conclusion is that none of those in hell with him fit the descriptions of his brethren. Had his brethren been there with him in the torments of hell, the rich man would have been able to identify them. According to Jesus Christ, the rich man suffering in the flames of hell knew that his brethren were still on Earth because they were not in hell with him. But, this is in hell. What about in heaven? Will we know if a loved one is not in heaven with us? Based on these verses, and those I will share later on, I personally believe we will be aware of those who are not in heaven with us. I believe we will remember them, and we will be fully conscious that they are not there with us, but we will see them as God sees them. We will not view them as we view them today but we will view them from a righteous viewpoint (one not tainted by sin-filled emotions).

WOULD NOT MEMORY OF LOST LOVED ONES SUFFERING IN HELL, MAKE US SAD IN HEAVEN?

Right now, we are prone to ask, “How could heaven be a joyful place when we will know that some (or in some cases, most) of our loved ones are not in heaven with us?” Luke chapter 16 again helps with this. It is ever so critical that we need to look at the issue as God’s Word views it. We need to let the Scriptures correct our thinking.

Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that prior to Calvary, the souls of saints (those who trusted God’s Word to them) did not go to “heaven” as saints go today. Before the cross, believers who died went to a spiritual place called “paradise” (Luke 23:43) or “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22-23). Thus, Jesus Christ said that He would spend His three days and three nights dead “in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). “Paradise,” or “Abraham’s bosom,” was in the center of the Earth. The bizarre term “Abraham’s bosom,” problematic for some, simply denotes that these people died having the same faith in God’s Word that Abraham did (faith unto justification; Romans 4:3), and that their hope, like Abraham’s, was to be bodily resurrected one day to enter and enjoy the literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:8-16). Sometime after Calvary, God removed those righteous souls in “paradise” (in the center of the Earth) and brought them up into “the third heaven” (see 2 Corinthians 12:1-4). It is here in the “heavenly Jerusalem” that those “Old Testament” saints now reside (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Our goal now is to see how Abraham, a saint whose soul was living in “paradise” at the time of Luke chapter 16 (pre-Calvary), how Abraham viewed the rich man suffering in hell. This time, we will read the entire account, beginning with verse 19, to get the full impact of the flow of the passage. How would a believer in the spirit world react to the knowledge of a relative experiencing torment in the spirit world? It is highly important to remember that this is not a parable (cults say it is so as to explain away the horrible reality of everlasting hellfire). Dear friends, Jesus never identified it as a parable, and no parable ever contained a person’s name. “Lazarus” and “Abraham” were real, literal, historical people, so Luke 16:19-31 is most definitely a historical reality. It is graphic, very illustrative, but we must read it because it is God’s Word.

Luke chapter 16: “[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”

Beginning in verse 23, Abraham and the rich man, although both were deceased, held a conversation in the spirit world. Abraham was in “comfort” and the rich man was in “torments.” Abraham was aware of the rich man, a Jew, one of his descendants, suffering in hell. They could see one another, though neither could come into the other’s realm—a “great gulf fixed,” a massive and permanent chasm, prevented those suffering in hell from going into paradise, and those in paradise were prevented from going into torments. Abraham replied to this Jew in verses 25-26, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” The rich man was an idolater (worshipper of his wealth) whereas Lazarus was a believer.

Abraham gave a righteous answer to the rich man. Note that Abraham did not tell the rich man that God was unfair and that God should let the rich man come into paradise. Abraham knew that the rich man chose to go to that place of torment. The rich man did not have to go there, but that was what he chose and Abraham knew that God had already given the rich man over to what he wanted. Did the rich man show any remorse, any faith? The rich man was not sorry for rejecting God’s Word in life. Even in hell, he showed no repentance (change in mind), he showed no faith, he showed no respect toward God in declaring God was utterly righteous in letting him go to hell. The rich man, even after death, showed no interest in converting to the praise and glory of God; he just wanted some water, relief from his suffering, the very suffering that he deserved and chose! Abraham thought exactly like God did. There was no sin nature in Abraham, for he was now dead, to impair his judgment. Abraham had no emotions tainted by sin, to pervert the way he looked at the issue. He knew that God was fair, that He had treated the rich man justly. The rich man was still exhibiting unbelief (we will see more in a moment).

Returning to Luke chapter 16: “[27] Then he [the rich man] said [to Abraham], I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: [28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

The rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to evangelize his five brethren who were still on Earth, that they not come to hell and meet him there. Abraham gave another righteous answer: “Your brothers have God’s Word, and they need to hear and believe the testimony of the Bible, the record of Moses and the prophets! If they reject God’s Word, Lazarus coming back from the dead will not convert them!” Note how the rich man argued against Abraham’s upholding of the Word of God (“Nay, father Abraham…”); the rich man refused to give the authority to God’s Word, and he wanted his will to be done instead of God’s will to be done. Again, God is just/fair in letting the rich man suffer in hell. That is what he wants. Even at this point, yes, even while suffering in the flames of hell, the rich man has no interest in respecting or believing the Bible!

A BRIEF GOSPEL MESSAGE

It is not uncommon for our flesh to rebut, or for Bible critics to repeat ad nauseum, “Oh, how can a loving God send someone to a place of everlasting flames? How can God be so unfair?” That is the problem, dear friends, GOD did not send anyone there—that is what they wanted!!!! God did everything, everything, everything, everything, everything He possibly could to keep us out of hell. He sent Jesus Christ to suffer on our behalf His wrath against our sin, but if we reject Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, someone still has to suffer God’s wrath for us… and it will be us to suffer that wrath! Unless Jesus Christ’s merits are imputed to us, applied to us, by faith, our sin debt is still there and we will be forced to pay it one day. But, we can avoid hell!!! We do not have to go to hell!!! We do not have to pay for our sins in a lake of fire that never quits burning!!! We can be made the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ took upon Himself all of our sin debt, He fully satisfied God’s wrath against our sins. Will we trust that Good News, and that Good News alone, to be declared righteous before God? God is a loving God because He gave us His Bible to warn us about hellfire, and He gave us His Bible to tell us how to escape that most awful place.

Romans 3:21-28: “[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Romans 4:3-8: “[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

If anyone reading this study does not have the assurance of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and a home in heaven, it is this author’s great hope and prayer that he or she will settle the matter today. “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Please do not read this study about dying and going to hell, and then end up dying and going to hell yourself! That would be most tragic. Eternal life through Jesus Christ is “unto all” but only “upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:22). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Just trust exclusively in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins, and you will be saved, loved, and bound for heaven.

CONCLUSION

While you are free to disagree with me, I believe that, in heaven, we will have the same mindset as Abraham did in paradise. Those in hell belong there because that is what they chose. They could have trusted God’s Word in life on Earth but they refused. They could have trusted the Gospel of the Grace of God while they were given opportunity, but they rejected it, and now, in hell, they will never accept the Gospel. They are too far gone after they reach hell. In hell, they become even more stubborn, just as the rich man was. Yes, actually, these lost people will be just as opposed to God’s Word in hell as they were opposed to it on Earth. People do not change in hell, dear friends. Just as the miracles of the Bible hardened the hearts of the unbelievers of millennia ago, the hearts of those in hell are even more hardened.

Someone may ask, “How could we enjoy ourselves in heaven if we have consciousness of loved ones in hell?” While some say that those in heaven do not think about such things (some point to Revelation 21:4—“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any pain: for the former things are passed away.”), this does not mean that our memories of lost loved ones, will pass away. In fact, those saints who will enjoy Christ’s earthly kingdom, they will literally be able to see into hell during those 1000 years, and they will see the souls of all those who had transgressed the Lord during the Tribulation with the Antichrist (Isaiah 66:22-24; Jesus quoted this passage in Mark 9:43-50 to describe people suffering in hell during those 1000 years). The 1000-year Kingdom will be one of great joy.

When we get to heaven, and we will remember our lost loved ones suffering in hell, we will view the situation as God does. They are where they belong, the place they chose. They ignored the Christians who preached to them that could escape hellfire by being in Jesus Christ. They had no time for the Holy Bible, no time for the Gospel, no time for God’s grace or God’s love for them, no time for Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice at Calvary, no time for anything but the here and now. Can we honestly believe that Father God will overlook someone treating His perfect Son’s finished crosswork as NOTHING? Never! That is why their sin must be dealt with!

Those in heaven right now know that God is righteous and holy and just, and whatever happens to people suffering in hell, it is all because of what those lost people chose. God did not make them go to hell; He values free will and gives people over to what they want (Romans 1:24,26,28). They have no interest in going heaven, especially once they are in hell, so they would not be happy in heaven anyway. It is strange to say it now, but it will be consoling that they are exactly where they want to be, and to take away their free will (even in hell) and force them to go to heaven would be the saddest thing of all.

Beloved, let us tell all of our friends, family, and other loved ones about the message of God’s grace now, while we are still living and while they are still living, that we may see them in heaven. Remember the urgency! Let us not waste time in that regard!

Also see:
» Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?
» How old will we be in heaven? (COMING SOON!)
» Are deceased Christians with the Lord yet?

Are deceased Christians with the Lord yet?, HEAVEN & HELL

Are deceased Christians with the Lord yet?

ARE DECEASED CHRISTIANS WITH THE LORD YET? THEN, WHAT DOES “THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST” MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I have a question about those already dead in Christ. I never learned that once saved people die they will immediately begin fellowshipping with the Lord. When I read 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it says ‘the dead in Christ shall rise first.’ The word ‘rise’ makes me think they are not with the Lord yet. If He is sitting on the right hand side of God in heaven, then the dead in Christ would not have to rise at the trump of God because they would already be there. Is there another verse I can go to help me understand this?”

Okay, thank you for the inquiry, and yes, there are other verses to clarify the passage for you. We will begin in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, but then we will go on to the companion verses: “[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Note verse 14: “them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Jesus Christ is bringing with Him the deceased Christians. Their souls and spirits are in heaven right now, and when He comes to Earth at the Rapture (“our gathering together unto him;” 2 Thessalonians 2:1), to gather all members of the Church the Body of Christ, He will bring those souls and spirits with Him. He will then unite them with their new glorified, resurrected bodies. We Christians who are still physically alive, who have not yet died, we will then be physically transformed. Today, the physical bodies of deceased Christians are decaying in their graves, but these physical bodies are that which rise, which resurrect. What are “rising” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 are the physical bodies of Christians who have died.

Consider 1 Corinthians 15:47-56 for further understanding: “[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [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? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”

Notice this passage (verse 50) talks about the “flesh and blood” bodies that we have right now. They have to be changed, transformed, for they are biologically related to Adam, sinful and vile, and would thus taint heaven. We cannot go to heaven in these sinful bodies; that is why they are left behind and only our souls and spirits go to heaven. In Ephesians 4:30, we read about the coming “day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). We are already redeemed soul and spirit (otherwise we would be going to hell!), but our physical bodies have not yet been redeemed. Hence, we are still prone to sickness and eventually we die. Romans 8:23-25 talks about this “day of redemption,” when our physical bodies are redeemed, bought back from sin, sickness, and death: “[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

You should have seen the raising of the dead Christian bodies in 1 Corinthians 15:52—this is the “dead in Christ shall rise first” of 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Their corruptible (subject to decay) bodies must be made to be incorruptible (never able to decay), and our mortal (subject to death) bodies must be made immortal (never able to die). Those who are dead in Christ, their physical bodies have to come out of their tombs, just as Lazarus did, or Jesus Christ Himself did, or the various others raisings on the dead recorded in Scripture, in order for them to be redeemed. This is what the Bible means by “the dead in Christ shall rise first.” At the resurrection of the Body of Christ, their physical bodies will rise from their graves to be enhanced, in order to be reunited with their redeemed souls and redeemed spirits.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT DECEASED CHRISTIANS FELLOWSHIPPING WITH THE LORD IN HEAVEN

While some teach “soul sleep”—the idea that the souls of people sleep or become unconscious when they die—that is not Bible. The physical body is what is sleeping (does not a corpse resemble a living person who is merely sleeping?). That physical body is momentarily inactive, and the Bible says that, at the resurrection, it will rise. In comparison to eternity, the physical body is temporarily incapacitated, dead for no more than thousands of years. Those who are dead are fully aware of their surroundings, whether in heaven (the souls under the altar in heaven spoke about their enemies on Earth [Revelation 6:9-11]) or hell (the rich man was very much aware of his torment [Luke 16:22-31]). The physical body goes to sleep, yes, but the soul and spirit is still very much alive and awake.

Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:23: “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” Paul had “been with Christ” years earlier, having been stoned to death in Acts 14:19 (personally, I think 2 Corinthians 12:1-7 is descriptive of what happened to Paul when he was stoned here, and it was here that Paul went to heaven for a time before God brought him back). Paul knew that to be “with Christ” was “far better.” If Paul were not awake after death, but rather unconscious/sleeping, then is that (unaware of your surroundings) truly better than a conscious life here on Earth? Paul knew that after death, the Christian would be aware of being with Christ, being in His presence, being “with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). That is what I mean I say that Christians are “fellowshipping with Christ in heaven.” The affairs of this life pale in comparison to what they see and feel up there! If you think Christian fellowship is good here on Earth, imagine it without sin (fighting, bitterness, envy, et cetera)… and to have the Lord Jesus Christ Himself personally there, too!

CONCLUSION

When the Bible talks about the “dead in Christ rising first,” it is merely a reference to their physical bodies being taken out of their graves. The Bible says that their souls and spirits are “with the Lord,” “with Christ,” in the third heaven. It also claims that Jesus Christ, when He comes to take us home to heaven (at the event we call “the Rapture”), He will bring those souls and spirits back to Earth to unite them with their physical bodies. We Christians will all then move upward into the third heaven, to “ever be with the Lord.”

Also see:
» Will we know if a loved one is not there in heaven with us? (COMING SOON!)
» How old will we be in heaven? (COMING SOON!)
» Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?

HEAVEN & HELL, Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?

Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?

WILL WE RECOGNIZE OUR LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN WHEN WE GET THERE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

It is a very common question and we turn to the Word of God to see what He has to say about this most personal issue.

Besides us dying in our sins and going to hell, or our relatives and friends dying in their sins and going to hell, the worst pain associated with living in this sin-cursed world is relatives and friends dying in Jesus Christ and going to heaven. The Bible provides comforting words in that regard. We will not only see them again (in times unfathomably happier times than we last saw them), but we will know them as soon as we see them and they will know us as soon as they see us.

The Thessalonians, enduring much persecution and even physical death itself for Jesus Christ’s sake, were comforted by the following words of the Holy Spirit: “[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

There was much suffering among—and even execution of—Christians in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-9). Hence, these saints began to wonder what happened to their loved ones who had been executed for being Christians. Paul wrote the above passage to them, to the intent that they would no longer stay “ignorant” of, or unaware of, what had happened to those who were now dead in Christ. We too can take these inspired words of God and remind ourselves of the location of the souls of those who have died possessing a testimony of salvation in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we can take heart that we will see them again… and we will know them.

We Christians anticipate the day when we will be reunited with loved ones who have died in Jesus Christ. Commonly called “the Rapture,” from the Latin word translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, it is when Jesus Christ will return to Earth (or rather, Earth’s atmosphere) to receive unto Himself all members of the Church the Body of Christ, living and deceased. It will be a very quick event, when all believers will receive glorified bodies fashioned like unto Jesus Christ’s resurrected body (Philippians 3:20-21).

The question often arises at this point, “Will we be able to recognize our loved ones?” After all, we have not seen some of them in many years or decades. (They are enjoying such fellowship with Jesus Christ and each other they do not know how long it has actually been!)

The following Scriptures cause us to believe that we will certainly recognize our loved ones in heaven:

  • Firstly, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Apostles Peter, James, and John recognized Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33)—Moses and Elijah lived several centuries earlier! There were no photographs of Moses or Elijah in those days, and yet the apostles knew their faces! How? Evidently, the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the ability to recognize these prophets of old, although these apostles knew nothing of them apart from their writings.
  • Secondly, the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20: “[19] For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [20] Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul implied that he would recognize the Thessalonians when the Lord returned to take us to heaven. Paul would be thrilled to see them stand before Jesus Christ as mature saints, people who then would joyfully serve Him in the heavenly places. These verses should be particularly encouraging to preachers and Bible teachers, for they too will be able to see their brethren rewarded by and before the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing full well that they played a role in guiding those Christians into God’s truth. What a feeling that will be!
  • Thirdly, Jesus Christ’s resurrected body looked just as it did before He died (John 20:19-29). Jesus Christ never had to introduce Himself.

CONCLUSION

We have every reason to believe that, in heaven, we will look basically the same way as we do now (minus physical imperfections, effects of aging, et cetera). What a day that will be! Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven? (Indeed!) But, there is more than that to remember. We will recognize saints we have never even met! Those who died in Christ many centuries ago, thousands of years ago, they will recognize us and we will recognize them. Yes, will see the faces that go with the names we recognize from the Bible. Heaven would be awfully difficult if we had to go around asking everyone’s name. And how could we forget, our greatest “Loved One” of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will surely recognize us as we will Him! 🙂 Yes, what a day that will be!

Also see:
» What does “at the last trump” mean in 1 Corinthians 15:52?
» Do people become angels when they die? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
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