The debate over the reality of eternal punishment will not be resolved in our lifetime, nor did it begin in our generation. Man has desired to disregard eternal punishment to allow himself to feel comfortable rejecting the counsel of God. Yes, we can come up with many good arguments that would seem to negate the fact that God will eternally punish the disobedient in fire. Our arguments however cannot and will not change the truth. Just to show how far some will reason, notice this example:
pleasure from seeing those He created endlessly tortured? God says He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ez. 33:11). If Hell is a real place of endless torment, and God didn’t want anyone to end up there, why didn't God just kill Adam and Eve and end the long terrible chain of misery that passed to their offspring before it began? After all, the Scriptures say that all died because of Adam. (Rom. 5:18) If Hell is real, if God loves His enemies now, will he not always love them? Is God a changeable being? (James 1:17)” (The Case Against Hell; By Mercy Aiken and Gary Amirault; http://www.tentmaker.org/ifhellisreal.htm). If we consider the questions in the above quote we may be able to reason ourselves away from the truth. However, the premises of the questions are wrong. I am not going to begin to try and examine or explain the thoughts of God. His thoughts are well beyond our ability to understand (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33, and I Corinthians 2:16). However, those things He has revealed, I can examine (I Corinthians 2:9-13). I know that God wants all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:4 and Titus 2:11- 14). I know that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; cf. Hebrews 6:18). I know the idea being of love and God loving His enemies in the above quote is wrong (Psalms 5:4-5, Psalms 11:5-7, Hebrews 1:8-9, and II Peter 2:4-9). I know that God gave man the opportunity to purge the earth of sin with a fresh beginning (Genesis 6:5ff.). I know Hell is real and eternal, because God says so (John 8:32)! For this section of the article I shall simply allow the Scriptures to answer our question without any comment from me. The word of God says: “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 fire… 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. 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... The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth… Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels… And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power… And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever… And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire… But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 13:38-42, Matthew 25:41, II Thessalonians 1:7-9, Revelation 20:10; 14-15, and Revelation 21:8). The authors quoted in the introduction of this article tried to play a card on how God loves and would not take any pleasure in eternal torment. Well, the Hebrew writer has something different to say and he uses some points, through inspiration (II Timothy 3:15-17), which should appeal to our common sense. Notice what the Hebrew writer said: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31). You see, it’s not that God wants anyone to perish, it’s that He will have fury on those who reject His only begotten Son. That’s common sense! Folks, if Hell is not real then Heaven is not either. If Hell is not eternal, then Heaven is not either. You see, the Judgment scene put forth by Jesus ties them to each other. Notice: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46). The truth is too clear to deny. God created Hell for the devil, his angels, and the disobedient. It is eternal fire and man will be tormented there. The ungodly, who die, will see torment in fire even before eternity in Hell begins (Luke 16:19-31). |
| Volume VIII ~ Issue XVIII ~ January 27th, 2008 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| Will Hell Really Be Eternal Torment in Fire? By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| The Scriptures Clearly Reveal That Hell is Eternal Torment in Fire! |
| Common Sense |
| Conclusion |