Hell: The Destination of the Devil
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Introduction:
Introduction:
B. J. Clarke
Introduction
Statistics clearly show that modern man does not view the subject of hell in the same way as men of even 50 years ago. There are definitely ever changing attitudes toward hell. This message will concentrate on three of these changing attitudes. Attitudes have changed about:
I. THE EXISTENCE OF HELL
We have already observed current statistics regarding those who do and do not believe in hell. Why is the percentage of those who believe in hell diminishing? Some do not like to retain God in their knowledge because they view His will as an interference to their fleshly lusts
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
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Evildoers do not like to be reminded that they will receive punishment for their iniquities–thus, they close their minds to the consequences of their conduct
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
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And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
). Some are so wrapped up in their riches that they forget God, and presume that they will escape any punishment from Him ().
Some are so wrapped up in their riches that they forget God, and presume that they will escape any punishment from Him ().
The following quotation is taken from the George Barna website: “One of the intriguing findings from the research is that education and income are negatively correlated with belief in Heaven and Hell. In other words, the more education a person gets or the more income they earn, the less likely they are to believe that Heaven or Hell exists.”
No wonder Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
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Some believe in God, but mistakenly conclude that He is too loving to punish them in hell. They have forgotten ! They have forgotten God’s holiness! God is love (), but He is also holy and therefore must punish sin (; ).
II. THE NATURE AND DURATION OF HELL
Even some who believe in hell have changed the definition and description of it from the one given in Holy Scripture. The Bible description of hell is as follows:
It is a place of unquenchable fire
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Matt 13:49; 18:8-9; 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:
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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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
;; ; ).
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
; ; ).
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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.
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It is a place of outer darkness
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 25:30; ; , ).
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These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
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raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth
It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (; , ; ; ; ; ).
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
; ; ; ; ).
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
; ; ).
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
; ; ).
; ).
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
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It is a place of eternal separation from God
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
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:
; , ).
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matt 25:46
Matt 25:46
The biggest objection to hell seems to be its duration. Many have argued that sinners will go to hell, but that they will be annihilated, i.e., completely burned up and extinguished from existence. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the wicked absolutely cease to exist at death. They equate hell with the grave. An increasing number of denominational theologians argue for something they call “conditional immortality.” This view affirms that the wicked will be raised to suffer a punishment that is equivalent to their wickedness. After they have received adequate punishment for their sins, they will be annihilated.
In our own brotherhood, there are those who deny that hell is eternal. Edward Fudge, who served for several years as an elder in the Bering Drive Church of Christ in Houston, Texas, has affirmed the following proposition: “The judgment of God against sinners will be eternal extinction rather than unending conscious torment.”
F. LaGard Smith has publicly endorsed the views of Edward Fudge. John Clayton has also given a ringing endorsement of the book written by Edward Fudge, “The Fire That Consumes.”
Despite the denials to the contrary, the Bible still teaches that hell is eternal.
The fire of hell is “unquenchable”
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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
).
The fire of hell is “everlasting”
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:
The punishment of hell lasts just as long as the “eternal life” enjoyed by those who go to heaven
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The same Greek word is used to describe the duration of both heaven and hell! This is not a pleasant doctrine, but it is a Bible doctrine. It is also a motivational doctrine
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
III. THE POPULATION OF HELL
Attitudes have definitely changed about who will populate hell. The Bible supplies a number of lists categorizing those who will populate hell.
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.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
In short, all who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will experience flaming fire and everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Some do not follow the Scriptures in identifying those who will be lost.
Some do not follow the Scriptures in identifying those who will be lost.
Some are more than willing to accept the fact that the murderers of this world will go to hell, but these same folks reject the truth that adulterers will also go to hell.
Some act as if anyone who is religious will go to heaven, but Jesus taught otherwise
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
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And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
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Brother W. A. Bradfield said that there were two reasons why we are not more evangelistic.
Because we really do not believe that the lost will be lost.
Because we really do not believe that we will be lost if we fail to take the gospel to the lost (; ).
Conclusion:
The world will continue to vacillate and change in its view of hell.
Let us never veer from the truth of God’s Word!
Let us make sure that we are ready to go to heaven!
The following statistics come from the George Barna website, October, 2003.
8 out of 10 Americans (81%) believe in an afterlife of some sort.
Another 9% said life after death may exist, but they were not certain. Just one out of every ten adults (10%) contend that there is no form of life after one dies on earth.
Moreover, a large majority of Americans (79%) agreed with the statement “every person has a soul that will live forever, either in God’s presence or absence.”
79% of Americans believe in Heaven; 71% believe in hell.
What do Americans believe about hell?
Four out of ten adults believe that Hell is “a state of eternal separation from God’s presence” (39%)
And one-third (32%) say it is “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go after death.”
A third perspective that one in eight adults believe is that “Hell is just a symbol of an unknown bad outcome after death” (13%).
Other respondents were “not sure” or said they that they do not believe in an afterlife (16%).
What Americans believe about hell is not really the issue. Who believes in hell anymore?
IV. JESUS CHRIST BELIEVES IN HELL
The words of Jesus Christ carry great weight because He is God the Son (; ). His words have the authority of heaven behind them (; ; ).
Jesus said more about hell than He did about heaven. The following passages clearly show that Jesus believes in hell.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
,
Matt 5:29-30
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
matt 13:49-50
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
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Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
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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:
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Matt 25:46
Matt 25:46
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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 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:
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
: Even though the Greek word “hades” is used here, those who go to the torment compartment of Hades will certainly end up in “gehenna.” The point is that Jesus taught that the unrighteous would die and go to torment!
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Even though the Greek word “hades” is used here, those who go to the torment compartment of Hades will certainly end up in “gehenna.” The point is that Jesus taught that the unrighteous would die and go to torment!
V. THE HOLY SPIRIT BELIEVES IN HELL
In addition to the words of Christ, which the Holy Spirit revealed to the gospel writers, the Holy Spirit also inspired a number of men who affirm the existence of hell.
Paul believes in hell.
Although Paul does not used the word “gehenna” in any of his writings, he taught the equivalent thereof.
The following passages show that Paul believed in eternal punishment:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
and , combined with , shows that Paul believed in hell.
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.
, shows that Paul believed in hell.
Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Assuming that Paul is the author of Hebrews, the following passages clearly evidence a belief in hell
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
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For our God is a consuming fire.
James believes in hell.
He mentions that sin brings forth death, which is undoubtedly a reference to the second death, which is the lake of fire (
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
; ).
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.
).
He also teaches that the misuse of the tongue will cause one to be lost in hell
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Peter believes in hell.
He reminded his readers of how God had not spared the angels that sinned, but had cast them down to hell
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;
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The word “hell” here is not “gehenna.”
It is a form of the Greek word “tartarus,” but all those in “tartarus” will end up in “gehenna.”
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Jude believes in hell
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
, ).
John believes in hell.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
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.
with
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
with
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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.
Conclusion:
It matters not what the latest polls say about who believes in hell.
What matters is that God still believes in it and has warned us in the Bible about its existence.
Since we will be judged by the Bible on the last day (), let us be more impressed with what it says about hell, than what the opinions of man might be!
Moreover, let’s not just believe that hell exists–let us avoid it at all costs!