Revelation 20:10-15; 22:10-17 And the
devil who had deceived them was
thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur
where the beast and the false prophet
were, and they will be tormented day
and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw
a great white throne and him who was
seated on it. From his presence earth
and sky fled away, and no place was
found for them……
12 And
I saw the dead, great and small,
standing before the throne, and books
were opened. Then another book was
opened, which is the book of life. And
the dead were judged by what was
written in the books, according to what
they had done. 13 And the sea gave up
the dead who were in it, Death and
Hades gave up the dead who were in
them, and they were judged……
each one of them, according to what
they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades
were thrown into the lake of fire. This is
the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And
if anyone’s name was not found written
in the book of life, he was thrown into
the lake of fire....... 22:10 And he said to
me, “Do not seal up the words of the
prophecy of this book, for the time is
near……
11 Let
the evildoer still do evil, and the
filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still
do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing
my recompense with me, to repay each
one for what he has done. 13 I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the first and the
last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their
robes……
so that they may have the right to the
tree of life and that they may enter the
city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs
and sorcerers and the sexually immoral
and murderers and idolaters, and
everyone who loves and practices
falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel
to testify to you about these things for
the churches. I am the root and the
descendant of David……
the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and
the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one
who hears say, “Come.” And let the one
who is thirsty come; let the one who
desires take the water of life without
price.
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life:
• 74% of Americans believe in heaven
• 54% of Americans believe in hell
Hell is really about the enormous,
outrageous love of God. We deserve hell
because of our sins.
The life and death and resurrection of
Jesus was about what God was willing to
do to save people from hell… not send
them to hell.
John 3:16–17 For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life. 17 For God
did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but in order that
the world might be saved through him.
1. Does hell really exist?
People often lump two places into one
under the term “hell” - Hades and Hell.
Hades is where those who have rejected
a relationship with God go when they
die (before they are judged).
The sea gave up the dead who were in
it…… - Revelation 20:13
Lazarus & the rich man. - Luke 16:19-31
Old Testament term Sheol encompassed
both. It simply means place of the dead.
That “place” could either be paradise or
Hades, depending on your life choices.
Then there is hell (the Lake of Fire). This
is where those who die apart from a
relationship with God find themselves
after the final judgment.
This is the second death, the lake of fire.
If anyone’s name was not found written
in the book of life, he was thrown into
the lake of fire…… Revelation 20:14-15
Matthew 25:41; 46 Then he will say to
those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for
the devil and his angels’…… 46 And these
will go away into eternal punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life.
Greek word “Gehenna”, which is a deep
ravine south of Jerusalem.
• Human sacrifices were made there
• A garbage dump where fires burned
“day and night”
• Dogs would “howl and weep” hoping
for scraps to eat
• Fight causing their teeth to clash
• Weeping and gnashing of teeth
It was the darkest, most horrific place
people knew of. Jesus used it as the
symbol for the place of final punishment
and seperation.
The imagery of Gehenna describes a
place filled with despair, pain, and
torment.
Heaven is where God’s goodness is, and
hell is where God’s goodness isn't.
2. Who will go there?
Hell is where you are left to your
choices. Left to your decision to live
apart from God.
Hell is the raw soul joined to an
indestructible body, exposed to its own
sin for eternity. Hell is the place of
unquenchable, raging, unmet emotional
needs, without painkillers or sedation.
- Erwin Lutzer
How can a loving God send someone to
hell? He doesn't. We send ourselves.
How can a loving God send someone to
hell? He doesn't. We send ourselves.
Each one of us will get what we deserve
based on the decisions we've made.
What about “good” people?
• How good is good enough?
• Whose standard?
• Are you good enough?
There are only two kinds of people in the
end. Those who say to God, “Thy will be
done.” Or those to whom God says, “Thy
will be done.”
- C.S. Lewis puts
Is God going to send people to hell just
because they didn’t believe in Him?
Is God going to send people to hell just
because they didn’t believe in Him?
No, he’ll send them their because of
their sins, their actions, their choices,
and decisions.
God sent Christ, so people could choose
Him and live. He loves us that much!
3. What about those who have never
heard about Jesus?
Fair does not mean treating everyone
the same. It means treating everyone
impartially (justly).
Genesis 18:25 Far be it from you to do
such a thing, to put the righteous to
death with the wicked, so that the
righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that
from you! Shall not the Judge of all the
earth do what is just?
Perfect justice and perfect love.
Ezekiel 18:23–32 Have I any pleasure in
the death of the wicked, declares the
Lord GOD, and not rather that he should
turn from his way and live?...... 25 “Yet
you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’
Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way
not just? Is it not your ways that are not
just? 26 When a righteous person turns
away from his righteousness and
does injustice, he shall die for it……
for the injustice that he has done he
shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person
turns away from the wickedness he has
committed and does what is just and
right, he shall save his life......
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of
Israel, every one according to his ways,
declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn
from all your transgressions, lest
iniquity be your ruin……
31 Cast
away from you all the
transgressions that you have committed,
and make yourselves a new heart and a
new spirit! Why will you die, O house of
Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the
death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD;
so turn, and live.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”
And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
And let the one who is thirsty come; let
the one who desires take the water of
life without price. - Revelation 22:17