Hell

We are going to discuss today whether there is a burning hell as people describe in a lot of stories. We are going to look what the scripture has to say on this subject. There is a lake of fire, but that is for judgment at the end of the millennium. We must remember a few things: the bodies thrown into the lake of fire will be spiritual and not flesh; God and the Holy Spirit are symbolized as fire throughout the bible. The fire comforts His people but hurts those who are His enemy. Many today give Satan too much credit, he is not able to condemn any one to hell or sentence them to death. For Satan himself is sentenced to die and is the lowest of lows (Ezekiel 28:18-19).  So don’t be afraid of him, for we have power over him (Luke 10:19).

Exodus 3:2-6

3:2 the very presence of God was there. This is an example of God showing himself to be fire. This is the flame of God. This flame will not hurt His people.

3:3-4 He wanted to see what was going on. Remember in Dan 3 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were also thrown into a fire and nothing was harmed on them. When God calls we must answer!

3:5 holy H 6944; sacred, set apart (for God).

3:6 there are beliefs that if you look upon God’s face you will die. Remember God is in a different dimension and we can only see His face when we are in the transition of dying or dead.

Exodus 14:19-20

14:19-20 the Egyptians are trying to overtake the children of God. That fire was only seen by the children of God and appeared as nothing to the Egyptians. God takes care of His people, He surrounds us and nothing can harm us.

Exodus 24:16-17

24:16-17 devouring H 398; consume, burn up, to eat. Don’t fear God (as being scared), rather reverence Him! He is not looking to harm His people but to help.

Hebrews 12:20-29

12:20-21 terrible G 5398; frightful, fearful. Fear G 1630; frightened out of ones wits. It was definitely quit the sight to see.

12:22-23 innumerable company G 3461; a myriad, indefinite number. General assembly G 3831; a mass meeting, universal companionship. Perfect G 5048/5046; to complete, mature. We are perfected by the Glory of God and His word matures us. God is the judge of all!

12:24 mediator G 3316; a go-between, a reconciler. Christ blood was spread on the cross and was much nobler than that of Abel’s. New covenant: this is the New Testament, when He paid the price.

12:25 they didn’t listen to the ones God spoke through on earth (Moses, prophets) and perished. If they listen not to God directly, their soul could be destroyed.  What happened when they didn’t listen to Moses, or what happened at Sodom and Gomorrah?

12:26 this is speaking of the Second Advent; when Satan is kicked out of heaven and the Lord comes back to make things right. (Compare: Hag 2:6-7).

12:27 where is our house built, is it on the sand or the Rock? (Compare Matt 7:24-29). We as believers and followers of Christ will remain and won’t be fooled by the deception of Satan. All the evil and things that offend will be done away with.

12:28 the Kingdom of God cannot be moved! Because of this, we must serve Him with all reverence and want to help others.

12:29 consume G 2654; to consume utterly. If you are bad, then you are utterly consumed, to never be again. If He loves you, then you are encompassed with that warmth from our Father. We are to be Ministers of Fire for God (compare: Psalms 104:4).

In the Old Testament (Hebrew) when the word hell is used it is Sheol. The word means grave, hell or pit. 54% of the time in the Old Testament it is translated grave, 5% of the time its translated pit, 41% of the time its translated hell. Is the grave hell, no because people are not in the grave, they are with God once they die. In the New Testament (Greek) we have hell translated hades, or Gehenna. Hades is a word that means a place for the departed (grave, hole or whatever). Gehenna was a place where the people practiced Molochism (it was a valley in Jerusalem). This is where they made children; people pass through the fire for their god Moloch (they burned the people to death). This valley was where the city threw all its garbage (decaying food, animals, waste, etc. to be burned). There will be no burning hell as people speak of until after judgment, when those that don’t make it are thrown into the lake of fire.

Jeremiah 32:32-35

32:32-33 they listen not to God and turn not to Him, they insult God!

32:34 The House of God is to be filled with the things of God not idols or abominations (like Easter eggs, Santa clause and many other things).

32:35 they sacrificed their children by fire to this deity. God commanded them not to burn their children!

Luke 16:19-31

16:19 purple: this was the color of royalty. This guy was living the high life.

16:20 most beggars stayed by the gates to the city.

16:21 he was in a bad state of being. At least the dogs were showing compassion for him.

16:22 the Pharisees taught there were 3 places you could go when you died. (1) Abrahams bosom, (2) under the throne of glory and (3) in the Garden of Eden (paradise). Buried G 2290; to celebrate funeral rites (big celebration).

16:23 hell G 86; hades, grave. He was able to see those in heaven. The rich man is not in a hole in the ground and is able to communicate with those in heaven.

16:24 tormented G 3600; to grieve, sorrow, torment. The rich man was not in a fire burning but was in deep sorrow for he could see the goodness Lazarus was in. Water: that water that is Jesus Christ. The rich man wants another chance, so he can make better decisions in his life and make it to heaven.

16:25 tormented G 3600/3601/1416; to grieve. The rich man cared too much for the things of the world while he was alive.

16:26 gulf G 5490; chasm. There is a gap that cannot be crossed by those on the good side and those on the bad.

16:27-28 the rich man is showing some compassion by wanting to have his brothers saved.

16:29 they have the bible, let them hear and read it and be saved!

16:30-31 remember Christ rose from the dead and many today believe not! Many today ask for signs and wonders in order to believe Christ is real, have faith and believe!

Matthew 10:28

10:28 destroy G 622; to destroy fully. Only God is able to destroy (blot out) your soul in the lake of fire. This is final and called the second death. (Compare: Rev 20:14).

Revelation 20:10-15

20:10 for ever and ever: for a long time (forever). Satan (and his roles, beast/false prophet) will be done away with forever. This is after the millennium and during judgment.

20:11 this is the time of the third earth age.

20:12 dead: those that follow Satan (those on the other side of the gulf), (compare: Rev 20:5). They are judged according to the work they have done.

20:13 sea: this is speaking of the people (compare: Rev 17:15). Those that did not follow God will be judged for their works.

20:14 there will be no more death. Second death: this is death of the soul. There will only be good things in the eternity; all things that offend will be done away with.

20:15 death of the soul means it no longer exists, it is finished!

Revelation 21:8

21:8 death of the soul (blotted out).

Ezekiel 28:18-19

28:18-19 he will never be anymore! He will not burn forever and ever, but destroyed too never be again.