(From Gods Answers To Mans Questions by Dr. Alban Douglas, downloadable for free)
Miscellaneous Subjects
Lesson 88 — Hell
INTRODUCTION
In Lesson 40 we were studying about Satan and found that hell or the lake of fire was his final destiny.
It seems that the angels that sinned with Satan are even now in hell waiting for judgment. II Pet. 2:4, "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. . ."
The Bible teaches that the wicked who finally reject Christ will be turned into hell. Psa 9:17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
Is there an everlasting hell? The Bible declares that there is in very dogmatic language. Hell is a reality, an awful fact to be realized.
There are 162 texts in the New Testament alone which speak of the doom that awaits the impenitent and over 70 of these were uttered by the Lord Himself.
I. DEFINITION-What Is Hell ?
Hell is banishment from the presence of God. II Thess. 1:9, "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power."
Hell is a place of torment and punishment. Luke 16:23, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments."
Some scoff and say, "Where is hell?" The Bible says it is "down." (Isa 14:9)
Ezek 32:27, "... which are gone down to hell. . ."
Num 16:30-33, the earth opened and they went down alive into the pit (Sheol).
One of the problems in the study of hell is the various terms that are used.
In the original language three terms are used: (1) Sheol (2) Hades (3) Gehenna.
But Unfortunately in English these have been translated: hell, pit, grave, sometimes losing the force of the original and giving Jehovah's Witnesses and others a loophole to say that hell is only the grave.
II. THE ORIGIN OF HELL
Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his wicked angels.
Matt 25:41, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Hell was never intended for man but if men insist on rejecting heaven through the Saviour, Jesus Christ, then they must accompany Satan forever.
III. DIMENSIONS OF HELL
Because of man's insistence on going there, God has had to enlarge hell.
Isa 5:14, "Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure.”
Prov 27:20, "Hell and destruction are never full."
IV. DESCRIPTION OF HELL
1. It is a place of punishment, Matt 25:46, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
2. It is a place of torment. Luke 16:23, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, and being in torments.
3. It is a place of fire, Matt 13:42, 50; Rev 20:15; Rev. 14:10; Matt 3:12; Isa 3:14.
4. It is a place of worms, Mark 9:44, 46, 48, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
5. In Luke 16:23, the man had the ability to recognize others.
6. In Luke 16:27, the man had the ability to pray, though the prayer was denied.
7. In Luke 16:24-27, the man still had desire. He desired water to drink and a missionary to go and preach to his brethren, warning them not to come.
V. DURATION OF HELL
The Bible repeatedly says that both heaven and hell are eternal, everlasting.
Matt 25:46, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
We may not be able to understand it, but we accept it as true, for God says so.
This doctrine is in harmony with the deeply rooted inborn conviction of men.
Few object to the fact that heaven is eternal, why object to eternal punishment?
If one ceases so must the other.
VI. OBJECTIONS TO THIS DOCTRINE
1. This doctrine is inconsistent with the love of God.
The same Bible that speaks of the love of God also speaks of the justice and holiness of God. God is balanced, both loving and just.
2. Is there any need of eternal punishment? Won't all sin be paid for eventually?
The punishment for each sin is death. Rom 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death. . .'
3. Is it not unjust to sentence men to eternal punishment for one sin?
Everlasting punishment does not mean equal punishment. The time may be the same, but the degrees of punishment will vary.
4. Won't the doomed repent and seek the Lord and be forgiven in hell ?
Salvation is limited to this life. All prayers of the doomed are denied.
Luke 16:24-27. Prayers for deliverance and salvation will be denied forever.
5. Is it not cruel to think of the doomed being driven into perdition?
The ungodly are relieved to get away from the holy presence of a righteous God.
6. The word "eternal" does not always mean forever and forever.
It is the same word used in relation to God, Rom 16:26, "The everlasting God," to life, John 3:16, "everlasting life," of rewards, Heb 9:15, "eternal inheritance. "
7. Surely you do not believe in a literal lake of fire? (contrary terms) Whether it is literal or symbolical the point is that it is a place of punishment for the bodies and souls of men, angels and devils that reject Him.
8. Surely you don't teach that God tortures the lost!
Conscience and memory will torture one in hell.
9. Don't you think hell is a state and not a place?
Perhaps hell is both a state and a definite place.
10. Does "hell" not mean "grave" where both the good and the bad must go?
In Luke 16, both men died and both men went to the grave, for both were buried, but the abodes of the souls of the two men were different. One was in a place where he was comforted, the other in a place of torment, and the two were separated by a great gulf to prevent travel back and forth.
11. Does "hell" or "hades" or "Gehenna" or "Sheol" mean annihilation only?
The annihilationist says that in n Thess. 1:9, "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. . ." refers to "the results or consequences" of the punishment.
We sincerely believe that it is the punishment that is eternal and the subject must be conscious to be punished. You cannot punish a stone (Evans).
12. Will there not be a probationary period after death?
Certainly not. Consider Heb. 9:27; Mark 9:42-50; Matt 18:8-9,25-46.
VII. DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT IN HELL
Deut 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. . ." Matt 10:15; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12; "More tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha than for. . ." .
The justice of God demands degrees of punishment. Perhaps those who will suffer the hottest flames of hell are those who reject Him the most times.
CONCLUSION
How does one get to hell? By neglect. Heb 2:3, "How shall we escape, if we neglect. . ." How does one avoid hell? By receiving Jesus as His personal Saviour. Prov 15:24.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
871. Who will be in hell according to Psa 9:17?
872. What is hell according to II Thess. 1:9, and Luke 16:23?
873. If hell is "down" to the Chinese, American and African, where is hell? (Isa 14:9)
874. What is the origin of hell?
875. What does Isa. 5:14, teach about hell ?
876. Give a sevenfold description of hell.
877. How do we know that both heaven and hell are eternal?
878. True or false: "Hell is inconsistent with the love of God. " Explain.
879. Would it be possible for a doomed soul in hell to repent and seek the Lord and forgiveness? Why?
880. What can we learn about hell from Deut 32:22, and Matt 10:15?