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The word "Hell" is used 31 times in the Old Testament and 23 times in the New Testament (54). Sometimes it is connected to other words such as "fire" (i.e. "hell fire") and death (i.e. "death and hell"). Jesus spoke on the subject of hell 9 times during His 3 ½ years of public ministry — about 3 times a year. In the Old Testament there is a vivid word picture describing hell in Isaiah 66:24. Jesus quoted this verse 3 times in this one chapter (Mark 9).
The doctrine of hell is not a pleasant doctrine, but it is a very real place. Just as heaven is a real place, so is hell. We, who believe in hell, because the Bible teaches its existence, are often ridiculed and lampooned for preaching on hell. It's not as if we get great pleasure from preaching on it. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not easy or pleasant to talk about hell, but it must be done. John asked the Pharisees and Sadducees, "Who hath warned thee to flee from that is to come?" Just as certain that our God is a God of love, He is also a God of wrath, justice and judgment.
The Bible is very specific and dogmatic on the existence of hell! Hell is a reality. The cults and non-believers of this world have tried to do away with this doctrine, but you can't change the truth - Hell is real! If hell isn't real, then Jesus was a liar. Who are you going to believe the Lord Jesus or some deluded nut that doesn't believe in hell? Let's learn some facts from God's word about Hell.
- What is hell?
It is a place of banishment from the presence of God for eternity. Hell is a separation from God in an awful place of torment! (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Luke 16)- Where is Hell?
Under your feet. In the center of the earth. (Ezekiel 32:27; Isaiah 14:9,15; Acts 2:27, 31; Ephesians 4:9)- Why Hell?
Originally prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Expanded to receive men. (Mark 9). Why Hell? Because God is Holy!- How long will people stay in Hell?
(Matthew 25:46)"Everlasting" (2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:11, 19:3, 20:10)- What Hell is Not!
- Not the Grave!
No fire in the grave.
No gnashing of teeth in the grave.
No praying in the grave.- Not a place of sinful companionship.
No fun, no enjoyment - just cursing and more cursing- no friends.
Illustration: Robert Schuler (fighting Bob), Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church went to red light district to witness to a prostitute. He took an elderly (70 year old) deacon with him. Saw sin rampant. Couldn't believe his eyes. Schuler turned to the deacon and said, "Did you ever think what a terrible thing for your granddaughter to spend eternity with these people?" Revelation 21:8. Next Sunday the deacon pleaded with his granddaughter to get saved, and she did.- Not a place of sinful pleasure.
No pleasure in hell.
A place of fire, burning, weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth.- Not a place for a second chance.
Notice in Luke 16. - "…there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."- Not a place of joy.
No children laughing
No birds singing.
No beautiful blue skies.
No snow covered mountain peaks.
No smell of wet sage.- Why do people go to Hell?
- Not for murder, not for adultery, not for cursing and swearing, not for lying, etc.
- Why - Because they think they are more righteous than God. They refuse to trust in Jesus as their Saviour.
- Who wants to go to hell?
No one in his right mind - then why won't people trust God to keep them out of hell? Here are some excuses people use:
- "I think I'm pretty good."
- "I have a good life."
- "I'm not so bad."
- "God wouldn't send me to hell."
- It's all I, I, I.
Read Romans 10:3-4- Lets take a trip to Hell.
Down, down, down - getting warm, getting hot - Listen to the sound - there is a word used in the scriptures - "Tophet" - Sound of a roaring fire - fire storm! Etymology of the word Tophet takes us back to the sound of drums. Did you ever hear a blast furnace? Awful sound - Stinks like burning sulpher - smells like rotten eggs. As we look around we see:
- Murderer - Washing his hands in the flame. Blood on his hands (Pontius Pilate)
- Young man screaming - not a murderer, rich young ruler in Luke 18 - "one thing thou lackest."
- Another young man - let's ask him - Killer? Rapist? Molester? Butcher?
No, he was in the group of those who raised the dead, had the apostolic signs, sat at the feet of Jesus, sent out two-by-two but was lost (Judas Iscariot).- Now let's go to the other end of the universe.
Gate of the city (entrance to Heaven).
- 1st one. Man dressed in robe. Vicar of Christ - Do you know the Password? No? Off to hell.
- 2nd man. Member of Moose, Elks, Shriners, and Masons, (secret societies) - Password? No? Off to hell.
- 3rd man. Dr. Know it all with his multiple degrees from three different theological 'semetaries' Please let me in. - Password? No? Then off into Hell.
- 4th person. Mrs. Smythe of Good Works. Not a murderer, etc. - Password? No? Off into hell!
- 5th one. Ordinary man/woman - Why should God let him in to heaven? He is not worthy, but the blood of Jesus covers him! Hallelujah! Hear those glorious words - Enter thou into the joys of Heaven.
Where are you going?
Many in Hell today are saying, "If only I'd trusted Jesus."
"If, If, If!" Hear their sad wails of agony and woe - "Almost Persuaded."Trust Jesus today and escape the penalty of your sins. If you are not sure how to be saved, come and we will show you from the Scriptures how to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour please read "God Loves You" a short message on how to be Biblically "Born Again."
The above notes are from a sermon preached by Dr. Robert E. Bliss while he pastored at Heritage Baptist Church, Sunday morning, October 21, 2002.
Scriptures in this message:Isaiah 14:9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. back
Isaiah 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. back
Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. back
Ezekiel 32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. back
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: back
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. back
Mark 9:38-50
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. backActs 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. back
Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. back
Romans 10:3-4
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. backEphesians 4:9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? back
2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; back
Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. back
Revelation 19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. back
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. back
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. back
