Hell is Real, Not the Grave.

Introduction: In the Inter-Testamental period and Rabbinical teaching continued the development of the association of immortality and retribution until, during the New Testament times, two words were used: Hades (Gr. hades} and Gehenna )Gr. geenna). Geheena used 13 times in the New Testament, and with but one exception(James 3:6) always by by Christ , indisputably refers to the place of retributive suffering.

Gehenna was the dump outside Jerusalem that was were Solomon’s Wives and Concubines Palace was. Some people say that Hell is the grave, which is the meanings. But Jesus was using it to illustrate what Hell is going to be like.

I. It would be better to cut off hand, foot, and eye than to go to Hell.

Mark 9:42-48 “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.”

A. We Are to Fear God, Because He Can Kill Your Body, and Soul Destroying you in Hell.

Matthew 16:18 “18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

B. God Spared Not the Angels that sins from Hell.

C. He Delivered Them into Chains of Darkness to be Reserved unto Judgment.

2 Peter 2:4 “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;”

II. Jesus’ Story about the Rich Man and Lazarus Details What Hell is Like.

Luke 16:19-31 “19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 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; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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. 25 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. “26 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. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

III. Jesus When He Died His Soul and Flesh Did Not See Corruption, Because He was Resurrected from the Dead.

Acts 2:31 “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.”

A. If We Die as a Christian, We Will Be Caught Up in the Rapture When Jesus Comes for Us.

B. We Will Not Be Cast into Hell. Because Our Name are in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

C. Also, Those That Are Alive When the Rapture Occurs Will Be Caught with the Dead in the Clouds with Jesus.

D. We also Will Not Go to Hell, Because Our Names Are in the Book of Life.

I Thessalonians 4:14-18 “14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

IV. Jesus Has the Keys to Hell and Death.

Revelation 1:18 “18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

A. Everyone will be Judged. According to their Works.

B. Death and Hell Will Be Cast into the Lake of Fire Which is the Second Death.

Revelation 20:13-14 “13 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. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”