Is Hell Real? Part 1

Using our principles of interpretation that we learned in our last lesson, we are equpped to follow God's instruction which says

 

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV) "Handling the word of truth" involves correct interpretation of the bible "... not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Corinthians 2:13, KJV)

 

 

There is the popular teaching in Christianity that the soul of man will be eternally destroyed in hell where God sends the finally inpenitent. Is this the God that you or I serve? Or would want to serve? Would you be delighted to do God's will knowing that if you didn't, He delighted to slow roast you over an ever-burning fire.

 

Let's examine the bible caefully. A popular text used to support this idea is:

 

"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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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." (Luke 16:22-24, KJV)

There are several inconsistencies that make it obvious that the parable is fictional. 

1. Lazarus dies, goes to "hell" and sees Abraham and the beggar from "hell"
2. The beggar goes into the arms of Abraham rather than God
3. Lazarus asks for water to cool him in "hell"?

These three are sufficient to prove that the story was not to be applied literally, but instead teach a spiritual truth. Jesus used 

a popular story in His day to capture the attention of His hearers. The Jews prided themselves that they were descendants of Abraham

"... We are Abraham's seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?" (John 8:33 ASV) Therefore, Jesus reached them at their level.

He was teaching them that there was no second probation after death. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV) There is no second chance, no purgatory, only today. Jesus said "...Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 4:7 NKJV) "...Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 WEB)

In our next study we will examine the issue of how "hell" "eternal" and "everlasting" are used in the bible.

"The Paradox of Free Will" part 1

A question that puzzles many honest Christians is "how can an omniscience (all knowing) God allow sin and suffering? How come sin and sorrow is everywhere and God takes a hands-off approach? 

Firstly, the bible says "And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war," (Revelation 12:17 NASB) 

Michael is the archangel from revelation, in 2nd Thessalonians, Paul says that He (Christ) will come with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. therefore, we conclude that Michael is he Son of God. The dragon is called Satan in Revelation 12. Hence we see a struggle between the Son of God and Satan occurring in heaven. why did it occur?

The scriptures tell us that Satan was Lucifer in heaven, one of God's covering cherubs before he became Satan. We are also told that it was self-exaltation and self-centeredness that caused Lucifer's descent into sin. He said "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14 NASB) A mystery of mysteries, that sin could develop in a sinless environment but nevertheless it did. Lucifer apposed God's government of self-sacrificing love. A Love that "does not demand its own way. ... is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged." (1st Corinthians 13: 5 NLT)

Upon exercising the most longing entreaties that only infinite Love can employ,Satan chose rebellion. But before He left heaven he placed doubt in the minds of the other angels about the character of God. By "the abundance of [his] traffic they filled the midst of [him] with violence, and [he has] sinned:" (Ezekiel 28:16 WEB) 

Since Satan challenged the government of God in heaven and introduced doubt into the creatures minds, God had to vindicate His character. Satan said God was a dictator, He had a law that no one could keep, He said God was selfish and only wanted the praise of the creaurest. Additionally, given creatures have free will, a mere verbal account would not suffice in answering the charges that Satan brought against God.

God applied His Wisdom, His word to declare to men and to angels the nature of His government of Love. Scripture says "No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known]. (John 1:18 AMP)