Upon further study, and per a question asked by someone here, I have found it needful to change the format of this series. In part one I will show that Hell is real, and will cover what it is. Part two I will cover Death, Part three, The Lake of Fire, Part four, How not to end up in any of those places. So, without further ado, let us jump right into our discussion, "Is Hell real, and if so, what is it?"
Is Hell real? The short answer is, yes, it is real, very real. The Bible speaks of hell directly many times, such as 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." Or, Proverbs 7:27 "Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." Or further, Luke 16:23 "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazerus in his bosom..." Revelation 20:13-14 also, "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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." So there is a place called "Hell".
What is this place called Hell? Hell is a place of torment for all those that have sinned. It has fire: Matthew 5:22, Matthew 13:50, Mark 9:27, Luke 16:23-24, and James also mentions the tongue being set on fire of hell. It is a pit, Ezekiel 26:20, Revelation 9:1. It is down, Numbers 16:30 and 33, Psalm 30:3, Isaiah 14:15. It is dark: Matthew 8:12. Last but not least there is weeping and gnashing of teeth in it, Matthew 8:12, 13:50, and 22:13.
Is Hell eternal separation from God? In light of Scripture no. In Psalms it speaks of hell saying, "if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there," Psalm 139:8, that Psalm speaks of God's omnipresence, He is everywhere all the time, and no where is separation from Him. Even the lake of fire after the final judgment is in the presence of the Lord, Revelation 14:10-11. So no, hell is not separation from God. If that was all it is, it would not be a punishment for some people for they hate God and don't want to be in His presence anyway.
So there you have it, hell is real, hell has fire, and hell is not separation from God. Be sure to check back for part two, What is hell like?
God Bless
3 comments:
I wanted to make a suggestion, if you don't mind, why don't you type out all the verses? I know its a lot of work, but I'm afraid most people will be in too much of a hurry to look them up themselves.
Just a thought.
Your loving sister.
I know my comment is super late... but I wanted to say how very awesome this post is. I've had conversations with other people on this subject, as many do not believe that Hell is an actual 'place'. Instead, they believe it's a state of being... as in, as you mentioned, a state without God's presence. As you stated, due to His omnipresence, that would be utterly impossible.
It's really uplifting to read another person put into words what I have had to try to explain to others.
I look forward to reading Part 2. :)
Thank you for your comment Lizzy, I don't mine it being late, feedback is always welcome. :)
I find it so frustrating how so many people don't just believe what the Bible says. It is so clear, and yet, folks still do not believe it, if you just take the word for what it says, your understanding would be opened up so much to the truth. I do believe that for many, the idea of a real literal hell with fire is so disturbing that they just wish to explain it away, it is disturbing, but, it needn't be, no one has to go there, everyone there made the choice to go there, and all that are headed there today, are doing so by choice, they'd rather enjoy their sin than except the free gift Jesus has offered us.
Part II will come soon, God Bless you sister,
Flame of Jah
P.S. Gretchen, I'll consider that...
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