Heaven & Hell
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A Few Key Concepts:
A Few Key Concepts:
When we die, we immediately proceed to an intermediate heaven or hell.
When we die, we immediately proceed to an intermediate heaven or hell.
If this is not true, we have two options that are by no means Biblical:
Soul Sleep: Pagan/Human Invention = You are unconscious until Jesus returns
Purgatory: Catholic Position = You pay off your remaining sins
Scriptures the prove Christians are with Jesus when they die:
2 Cor. 5:8 = Death puts us in the presence of Jesus
Luke 23:43 = The thief on the cross
The intermediate state is not the final state—God will make a new Universe (Heaven and Hell)
The intermediate state is not the final state—God will make a new Universe (Heaven and Hell)
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
Consequently, this implies:
Those in heaven are awaiting a new heaven
Those in hell will, mostly likely, be placed into a final form of Hell.
In short, this universe is not the final form, but a shadow of things to come.
This leads many conservative theologians to believe that both Heaven and Hell are physical and are present in our universe.
Three Ways to View an Eternal Heaven and Hell:
Symbolic of some sort of existence (not likely)
Spiritual, then Physical after the Return of Christ
Physical now and after the return of Christ.
Let’s take a few moments and talk about Hell and Heaven separately.
Hell: An Eternal Prison for the Enemies of God
Hell: An Eternal Prison for the Enemies of God
Hell is UNENDING!
Hell is UNENDING!
Eternal Punishment (Matt. 25:46) (Rev. 14:11) (Dan. 12:2)
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Everlasting Destruction/Torment (2 Thess. 1:9) (Lk. 16:22-23)
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
The Worm does not Die (Mark 9:47-48)
Eternal Fire (Matt. 25:41) (Mk. 9:43) (Jude 1:7) (Rev. 14:11)
“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.
Hell is TORMENT!
Hell is TORMENT!
Kept out from the Presence of God (2 Thess. 1:9)
Weeping & Gnashing of Teeth (Matt. 13:42)
Fiery Lake Sulfur (Rev. 19:20) (Rev. 21:8)
A Blazing Furnace (Matt. 13:50) (Matt. 5:22)
Outer Darkness (Matt. 8:12) Matt. 22:13) (Matt. 25:30) (2 Pt. 2:17) (2 Pt. 2:4)
Hell is the ABSENCE of LIFE—it is unending DEATH!
Hell is the ABSENCE of LIFE—it is unending DEATH!
Down to the Realm of the Dead (Ps. 9:17) (Acts 2:27) (Prov. 15:24)
This is a PARADOX—not a contradiction
One cannot live forever and die at the same time—this is a contradiction
However, if the term “Death” is used to communicate something other than annihilation, then we are on to something.
When the Bible uses the term “death” to refer to human experience in hell, it is communicating that hell will be the opposite of the life one has in Christ (John 10:10, John 14:6); that is, it is describing the quality of life—not the state of being dead.
Hell is the perfect and good response of God toward those who reject Him
Hell is the perfect and good response of God toward those who reject Him
Three Categories of Arguments (from John MacArthur):
Logical: God will not force us into a relationship with Him—but He is not compelled to do good to those who reject Him!
If we don’t want God now, or to be with Him, why would we want to be with God in heaven?
If the thought of worshiping God seems arduous, distasteful, and loathsome to us, why would we want to do this heaven for all eternity?
If we do not want the blessings that come from God now in this life, why would we want the blessings that come from God in heaven?
Theological: The nature of God demands Hell
The punishment is fitting because of the majesty of the One infracted upon.
The punishment is fitting because of the heinous nature of sin
The punishment is fitting because of the nature of God
God’s righteousness demands that all sin be dealt with
God’s righteousness demands that He pardon no one without the sin being dealt with
The punishment is fitting because of the nature of God’s presence and separation from it.
God is good, and in His presence the fullness of joy and pleasure are realized; therefore, apart from His presence is the absence of joy and pleasure.
When man chooses to sin and rebel against God, he chooses something other than God; therefore, it makes PERFECT since that this choice result in the epitome of misery, pain, and destruction!
Biblical: The Bible instructs us that hell is a reality for those that reject God.
Humanity has suppressed the truth of God (Rom. 1:18)
Rebellions against God is akin to witchcraft and idolatry (1 Sam. 15:23)
Those who sin will not inherit the Kingdom of God [Heaven] (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Heaven: An Eternal Dwelling with God
Heaven: An Eternal Dwelling with God
Why do we think Heaven in its final form is physical?
There are places to stay in heaven and it is described as a city (John 14:2) (Heb. 11:16)
There are bodies in heaven (Phil. 3:20-21)
There is eating in heaven (Rev. 16:6-9)
There is communication—verbal (All of Revelation)
There is life—but no sorrow (Rev. 21:4)
Heaven is described in physical terms: sea, streets, trees, mansions, & etc. (Rev. 22:1-5)
What does it mean when the Bible speaks of three heavens? (2 Cor. 12:2)
Our Atmosphere (Troposphere and Stratosphere)
Outer Space (Celestial Heaven)
Where God Dwells and Manifests His Presence—what we call heaven
What will we do in heaven?
We will have a new and vastly different body (Phil. 3:20-21)
We will worship God in His manifest presence (Rev. 21:9-12)
We will be with Jesus (John 14:3)
We will be eternally happy, at peace, and without suffering (Rev. 21:4)
We will be there with numerous others in a city (Hebrews 13:14)
What we will experience is the DEFINITION of Life (Matt. 25:46)
It is beyond our imagination (1 Cor. 2:9)
Some Logical Thoughts About Heaven:
If the same God that created this present heaven and earth creates the next heaven and earth, is it not logical to think that will be far more impressive since it is not distorted by sin?
If the same God that allowed us to experience both happiness and joy in this fallen life grants us life with Him, is it not logical to think that our experience of both happiness and joy in heaven will far exceed what we experience now?
If, in a fallen world, we find satisfaction in our temporal work, is it not logical to think that our endeavors in heaven will bring far more satisfaction?
If, in a fallen world, we are highly relational, intimate, intelligent, inquisitive and etc., is it not logical to think we will be the same in heaven?
Why should we think about these things?
Why should we think about these things?
Our view of the endgame affects our present actions
Our view of the endgame affects our present actions
Why fight sin?
Why deny ourselves?
Why worship Jesus?
Why proclaim the gospel?
Why, even, identify what is good and evil?
Our expectation of God’s blessings gives us hope in dark circumstances
Our expectation of God’s blessings gives us hope in dark circumstances
Why bear up under persecution?
Why live optimistically during the throws of death?
Why work through conflicts with our friends and family?