“Hell is a real place, where real people will suffer a real punishment for a real eternity.” – Jerry Falwell Sr.
A. THINGS ABOUT HELL YOU KNOW
1. Old Testament – Sheol, means grave, i.e., the inevitability of death. “The wicked shall be turned into Hell” (Ps. 9:17).
2. New Testament – Hades. “Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell” (Matt. 10:28). This is punishment.
3. New Treatment – Gahenna, Lake of Fire, eternal punishment. “The devil . . . was cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone . . . will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
4. Unsaved go immediately into Hell at death. “The rich man also died and . . . in Hell” (Luke 16:22-23, KJV).
5. The unsaved are fully conscious in Hell. “In Hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments” (Luke 16:23, KJV).
6. There is no escape from torment. “Father Abraham . . . send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24).
7. Hell is described as a place of (a) fire/burning, (b) separation/loneliness, (c) conviction by memory, (d) thirst, (e) falling (bottomless pit), (f) stench.
8. Jesus visited Hell during His grave experience. “He descended into the lower parts of the earth” (Eph. 4:9). “Christ also suffered once for sins . . . by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:18-19). To announce His victory, not to give a second chance.
9. The scope of our sins, determines the severity of punishment, “I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God and books were opened . . . which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works” (Rev. 20:12).
10. Belief in Jesus Christ delivers you from Hell. “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire” (Rev. 20:15).
B. 8 SURPRISING THINGS ABOUT HELL YOU DID NOT KNOW
1. It has a window. “Being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham” (Luke 16:23). Apparently they can see some things in Heaven, but those in Heaven can’t see into Hell.
2. Lights out. “Cast out into outer darkness” (Matt. 8:12; 25:30). They are cut off from light (God’s blessing) and victimized by darkness.
3. Preachers are in Hell. “Many will say . . . Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name . . . I never knew you” (Matt. 7:22-23).
4. Punished by the excessiveness of your sin. “My sin punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen. 4:13, ELT). “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).
5. It has a picture (?) of the face of the Lamb. “Hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16).
6. The thermostat is stuck on hot because of flames. “For I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24).
7. Solitary confinement. Some joke, “I’ll be with all my friends,” but Hell is a place of loneliness and emptiness.
8. Retribution not punishment. Punishment suggests correction; retribution is the wrath of God expressed against sin.
C. WHAT HELL TEACHES US
1. That God is serious about salvation.
2. That existence beyond the grave is determined by our response in this life.
3. That Hell is the result of all that we are: (a) God runs the world by law, (b) law is an extension of God’s person and is the power by which He controls everything, (c) law is meaningless without punishment to reinforce its seriousness, (d) the nature of God demands punishment, (e) the law was fulfilled in Jesus’ death, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
4. The seriousness of the cross shows God’s seriousness about Hell.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
