The Unsaved After Death
By Radio Pastor Perry F. Rockwood
Published by The Peoples Gospel Hour
1. The Place Called HellAny series of messages on Hell will not be popular in this day when modern thinking is so anti-Bible. I might also add that such preaching will not even be accepted by most preachers of our nation for a sermon on Hell and Judgment is seldom heard from the pulpits of our day.Our primary reason for preaching on this subject is that the Bible teaches the reality of Hell. Jesus spoke more about Hell than Heaven. If we want to be true to the Bible and true to Jesus we must in all honesty preach on Hell. People usually have one main argument against such preaching. "God is too good to send people to Hell", they say.The Lord is good, true! And in His great mercy He has provided a way of escape but people send themselves to Hell by rejecting His only way of salvation. It is important to sound forth the truth of Hell because the multitudes will never hear such preaching from our modem pulpits. God says we must warn people, "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND" (Ezek. 3:17,18).While it is true that the present generation has almost eliminated Hell from its vocabulary (except in profanity) and has tried to extinguish the fires of Hell with humanistic philosophy, yet the Bible remains the same. It is the unaltered Word of God.By Radio Pastor Perry F. Rockwood
Published by The Peoples Gospel Hour
"Hades" "Tartarus" "Gehenna"In studying the word Hell in the Scriptures, we find three different Greek words translated "Hell".1. Luke 16:22,23, "...the rich man also died, and was buried; And in Hell (Hades)..."2. Matthew 23:33, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell (Gehenna)?"3. 2 Peter 2:4, "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell (Tartarus)..."These three different words which are three different places we find translated by the one word Hell. A study of these will help us to understand what God's Word teaches about Hell.TartarusFirst, the Greek word Tartarus is found only once in the New Testament. In 2 Peter 2:4 we read, "For if God spared the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (Tartarus) and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgmentLet us also read Jude 6, "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."HadesIn Old Testament times and in the days of Christ's ministry upon earth, the spirits of all the dead departed to a place known as Sheol in the Hebrew and Hades in the Greek. Sheol or Hades was divided into two sections — one for the saved called Abraham's bosom and one for the unsaved which was the place of torments. These two places were separated by a great gulf so that one could not pass from one to the other.Since Christ's resurrection and ascension the righteous dead are no longer in Hades but are in Paradise. Today when the saved die they go directly into the presence of Christ which is far better (2 Cor. 5:8). But what about the unsaved dead? Their abode has not yet been changed. When an unsaved person dies he goes directly to Hades (Hell) which is the place of torment. The Bible makes it clear that all the unsaved dead go the Hell and remain there until they are resurrected to appear before God at the Great White Throne Judgment. In Revelation 20:13 we read, "...death (the grave) and Hell (Hades) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their worth.Hades was the place for the unsaved dead in the time of Christ and still is. The Bible passage that best presents a picture of Hades (Hell) is Luke 16:19-31. "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 dog 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 to 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."
This Scripture passage is not a parable. When our Lord spoke In parables He always said something like this: "Hear ye therefore the parable..." or "Another parable put He forth unto them..." A few times He used the word "like" where a particular truth was compared to some familiar object or scene. In this passage Jesus mentions two specific persons, a rich man and the beggar Lazarus. Jesus did not say that this was a parable, neither did He say it was "like" some other Bible truth. Here Jesus speaks about two definite men and in order to prove the reality of Hell, He gives us this account of what happened to the unbelieving rich man. Some of you may say, "Well, I think this passage is just a myth." Such an attitude, however, is a denial of the truth of God's Word.In the first part of Luke 16, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about the danger of loving money unto the damnation of their souls. He then gives a definite account of what is going to happen to all who love their money more than they love the Lord. Many people, even today, seek to gain the things of this world at the expense of their souls. In Matthew 16:26 we read. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?.Now notice Luke 16:19, There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously everyday." Here Is a picture of a man of wealth living as if life would go on forevermore. I want you to notice this: there is one thing that riches cannot keep us from dying. I believe with all my heart this man was a good moral upright man. No doubt he obtained his money honestly, looked after his family, and was respected in the community. Perhaps he even gave money to charity.In verses 22 and 23 we read, "the rich man also died, and was buried: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments." Neither his money nor his good works could keep him out of Hell. How surprised he was for he did not expect to go there.
I believe there will be many people like the rich man They live good respectable lives, but they do not care for their souls. They are more occupied now with living than with dying. But when they die they will be also occupied with living, for they will be alive in the torments of Hell forever.In this passage we are clearly told that Hell is a definite place. "The rich man also died...And in hell he lift up his eyes." In verse 28 we read that the rich man was anxious to warn his brothers. "lest they also come into this place..." Hell is a place just as real as Halifax or New York. It is not a "condition" here upon the earth. People are not passing through Hell now.Hell is a place of torments. It is a place of terrible suffering and pain. In verse 24 the rich man cries, "I am tormented in this flame." In verse 25 Abraham says to the rich man, "thou are tormented. In verse 28 we also read of "this place of torment."The grave is not Hell. Man is alive in Hell. In Rev. 14:11 we have the same truth, "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."Hell is a definite place of fire torments. Notice verse 24, "...send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."
Is there no hope of escape from Hell? None whatever! No one can get out of Hell once they arrive there. Verse 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." The gulf is fixed. I want you to notice another important fact. The rich man in Hell, prayed. People in Hell are praying today. Why? Because they have an interest In the eternal welfare of their loved ones who are left upon the earth. Verses 27 and 28, '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,"I pray to God that we might have the same compassion for the souls of loved ones and for the lost multitudes. It is too late in Hell to warn men and women to flee from the wrath to come. But it is not too late now. I am so thankful that our radio and literature ministry is a soul-winning ministry. If God's people were more concerned for the eternal welfare of souls we could do even more to reach the multitudes with the Gospel of Christ. Oh, beloved, let us arise and tell the nation that JESUS SAVES!The key to the right understanding of this passage is verse 30,"...if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent."
The rich man went to Hell BECAUSE HE DID NOT REPENT OF HIS SINS. He is now concerned about his brothers and feels confident that if someone from Hell visited them. they would repent of their sins and escape God's eternal Judgment. Men do not go to Hell for smoking or drinking whiskey or stealing. Men go to Hell because they will not repent of their sins and accept the Saviour. I know that many of you today are not born again Christians. You are not taking seriously the welfare of your immortal soul. I want to leave the following two verses of Scripture with you:
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only, begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life": and Revelation 20:14, 15, "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.."
Which "whosoever" applies to YOU?
2. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENTAs we've seen from our previous chapter, the Scriptures plainly teach there is a place called Hell. While the reality of fire judgment seems to be the worst punishment, yet I want you to notice that in Hell they remember. Luke 16:25, "But Abraham said, Son, remember..." Memory can be a blessing or a curse. Here it will be a curse for the unsaved will remember eternally with no escape.
I read the other day about a famous picture in an art gallery in Brussels. This picture is entitled. "A View of Hell." The central figure is a man with folded arms and a familiar cocked hat on his head. There is no name given, but there is no need, for he is at once identified as Napoleon Bonaparte. On the face of the Emperor there is a look of amazement and astonishment mingled with dread and fear. He looks about him and beholds an awful scene.
In the light of the flames burning about Napoleon, you can see back of him the ranks of the slain in battle. Little children stretch out clenched fists at the emperor. Mothers with agony on their countenance surround him. They are holding up the bleeding, amputated arms and legs of the slaughtered. One woman has the head of her husband in a sack, and another carries the torso of a dead and mangled body. A raw and bloody arm, severed at the shoulder, is thrust close to the face of Napoleon. At one side is a naked body, upheaved with a sword plunged into the abdomen. On the faces of the children, the wives, and the mothers are depicted rage, horror, anger, hate, and infinite pain and sorrow. It is a terrible picture. It represents Napoleon in Hell remembering the agony which he caused through a lifetime.
I feel constrained to say that if a man has no hope in Christ he has nothing. If you are outside of Christ, no matter who you are, you are facing eternity in a place called Hell.
General William Booth of the Salvation Army used to tell the story of a family in the city of London well known to Salvation Army workers. The members of this family were avowed enemies of the gospel and infidels concerning the faith. There were four members of the household - father, mother, son, and daughter. They were so positive in their antagonism to the gospel that they had publicly declared they did not want a Christian to enter their home at any time. But a young Salvation Army girl had a great yearning for the souls of these people and she was determined to try to enter their home and bear at least one testimony for Jesus Christ. And so one day, climbing up the stairs to where they lived, she came to the landing just below the open door of their apartment. As she paused for breath, she heard the tones of a man in mature years, strong, firm and confident, saying, "Hold on, my son, hold on! You are sick now. It may be you must even die, but we know there is nothing beyond. We have reasoned it all out. We have read all the books. We know all the arguments. We have exploded the Christian myth long ago. There is nothing but a step into the dark and then sleep, peaceful and permanent. Do not be afraid. Hold on! Hold on!"
Then there was a moment's silence, after which the sobbing voice of a women cried in great and yearning tenderness: "O my precious boy! Mother's heart breaks for you, but you must not be afraid. You will be going to sleep directly as gently as ever you did when a babe on Mother's bosom. You remember that we investigated all the questions relating to any possible life beyond this. You know our faculties were all strong and vigorous when we reached the definite and deliberate conclusion that there is nothing beyond but darkness, and death is but a step into it, and then sleep. Son, hold on! Hold on!"
Again there was a heartbreaking pause. Then as the Salvation Army girl waited, she heard the voice of the boy's sister as she said, "O my brother, do not falter now. All real knowledge, conviction, and understanding of life and death came to you in the days of health. Do you not remember the books we read, the arguments we made, and the conclusions to which we came? Just hold on now for a little while, then all will be over and you will sleep. There is nothing beyond; just hold on."
And then wavering upon the air, a voice laden with great tragedy of despair, between choking gasps for breath. said, "Hold on? That is the trouble! There is nothing to hold on to! There is nothing to hold on to as I go out into the dark." My friend, without Christ, there is nothing to hold on to. If you have not placed your hand in the nail-scarred hand of Jesus, then you have nothing to hold on to. Eternity will not only mean darkness but it will be full of suffering, torment, and everlasting woe for you.
Look to Jesus. Receive Him now as your Saviour. Believe in Him. He has said, "He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die" ( John 11:25,26).
THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNSAVEDIn Revelation 20:13 we read, "Death (the grave) and Hell (Hades) delivered up the dead which were in them." This is a picture of the unsaved dead being resurrected. You will recall in our previous chapter how we saw that only the spirits of the wicked dead are in Hades. The spirits of the righteous dead were taken up to Paradise with Christ and are now with Him.
The resurrection of the unsaved dead will take place one thousand years after the resurrection of the righteous, that is, one thousand years after the second coming of the Lord. This is inferred in Revelation 20:5, "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." This event leads to the Great White Throne Judgment as described in Revelation 20: 11-15: "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."
God's Word teaches that there is coming a day when men and women who have rejected Christ as their Saviour must stand before God in Judgment. While the world is primarily occupied with living - making money and having things - one day the activities will cease and each unsaved person will meet God. The first fact to notice about the Great White Throne Judgment is that no righteous people from among the dead will be there. Only the dead who have rejected Christ will stand before God at this judgment. What a scene it will be! Here will stand the king and servant, the rich and poor, the high and low. There will be no escape for them.We read in verse 12 that "the books were opened." These books will contain the names of the unsaved people of all ages as they stand before God. They will also contain the Divine record of the lives of each individual. Every sin, every evil thought, every rejection of Christ will be recorded and will be displayed on this Judgment Day. "And another book was opened, which is the book of life." In this book the records of all of God's people are kept. And if the names found in the other books are not recorded in this book then there is no hope for them. It will be Divine proof that they have rejected Christ and deserve God's judgment. "And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." God knows every sin of every sinner and the record is now being kept. In that day the record will be revealed and each sinner will be judged according to his works. We may try to hide from God now. We may succeed in hiding our sin from others. But in that day nothing will be hidden from God. The wicked works of all the unsaved will be judged."And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them." We know, of course, that death holds the bodies of the dead and Hell holds the spirits of the wicked dead. None of the wicked dead will be overlooked or forgotten. All must stand before God. "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. It is God's guarantee that sin will never enter into His new creation.
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Notice that God's final Judgment upon men and women is a judgment that takes place because their names were not written in the book of life. Their names may have been written upon the church rolls but they were absent from the book of life. They had never been born again.3. The Lake of FireIn our previous chapter we saw that at the Great White Throne Judgment all whose names were not written in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire. The Greek word for the lake of fire is Gehenna and this is the final Hell. The first ones to be cast into this place will be the beast and the false prophet (Rev. 113:20). One thousand years later Satan and his angels will also be cast in (Rev. 20:10). Then, all the wicked deed will be delivered up from Hades (the present Hell) to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment after which they, too, will be cast into the lake of fire.
It is of Gehenna not Hades that our Lord spoke so frequently. Here are some of the passages where Jesus refers to this final Hell:
Matthew 5:22, "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 (Gehenna)."
Matthew 5:29, "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 (Gehenna)."
Matthew 10:28, "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 (Gehenna)."
Matthew 18:9, "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 (Gehenna)."
Matthew 23:15, "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 the child of hell (Gehenna) than yourselves."Matthew 23:33, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell (Gehenna)?"Mark 9:43, "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 (Gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched."
The Bible teaches clearly that this Gehenna, this final Hell, is a place of fire. Note also the following references: Rev. 20: 15, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Matt. 5:22, "Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matt. 18:8, "to be cast into everlasting fire." Matt. 18:9, "Hell fire." Mark 9:43,45, "Fire that never shall be quenched." Mark 9:44,46, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Rev. 21:8, 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."
There are some who tell us that the fires of Hell are not literal but symbolic only of punishment. Certainly there is no reason to believe this but let us suppose it is true and that the fires are symbolic of the punishment of Hell. Would that make the punishment any easier to bear? Not at all! The reality would be greater than the symbol. Therefore the Punishment would be great and awful and terrible as represented by fire.
The Bible gives another true picture of Hell in Matt. 8: 12, "Cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Other verses are: Matt. 13:42,50; 22: 13; 24:51: 25:30; and Luke 13:28. Hell is a place of outer darkness and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.ANNIHILATIONThere are those who teach that the wicked are annihilated at death, never to be brought back into existence.The Jehovah Witnesses teach that the wicked are annihilated at death, then recreated to be given a second chance. But those who refuse this second chance for eternal life will be cast into the lake of fire and will be annihilated for good. They will cease to exist. They say that such words as destroy, destruction, perish, and consume, mean annihilation. One of their favourite texts to try to prove their point is 2 Thess 1:9, "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction." Let us study some of these words in the Bible to see their true meaning. First, the word destroyed or destruction cannot be translated as annihilated or annihilation.Job 19:20, "He hath destroyed me on every side." He could not have been annihilated and still live to tell of it.Job 21 :17, "How oft cometh their destruction upon them." How could they be put out of existence many times?Isaiah 34:2, "For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations...he hath utterly destroyed them." The nations are not yet out of existence.
Hebrews 2:14, "That through death He (Christ) might destroy the devil." The devil is not out of existence yet.Now the passage in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 reads, -Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." Those who teach the annihilation theory say no one could go out of the presence of an OMNIPRESENT GOD without being put out of existence. Our reply Is that Cain went out from the presence of the Lord (Gen 4:16) without being put out of existence. Those who are banished from the presence of the Lord are banished from His presence in Heaven. The word destroy does not mean annihilate.Second, the word perish never means annihilation. In John 3:16 we read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish..." They use such verses as this to prove their theory that the wicked shall perish. To them the word perish means to go out of existence forever.The Greek word for perish is apollumi and means "to render unfit for the intended use." In Matthew 9:17 the bottles into which the new wine is put are said to break, "the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish." This simply means that the bottles are rendered unfit for their intended use. They have not been put out of existence.In Luke 15:17 we hear the prodigal son say, "I perish with hunger." He was certainly not annihilated. And in 2 Peter 3:6 we read, "The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." But the world was not put out of existence. Finally, the word consume does not mean annihilation.Galatians 5:15, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Paul was not referring to them annihilating one another.We can see therefore from the Bible that the words destroy, destruction, perish and consume do not mean annihilation or to put out of existence.
RESTORATIONSome teachers believe that after the wicked have been punished in the lake of fire they will be taken out and transferred to Heaven. The main verse they use is Acts 3:21, "Whom (Christ) the Heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Let us notice, however, that the restoration is to be for all things "which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets." There is not one place in the Bible where it is taught that the wicked and Satan will be restored to Heaven after their punishment.
If we are going to believe the Bible as the inspired Word of God, there is no way to escape the truth of the lake of fire for all those who die in their sins. And yet, I do not know how it is possible for Christians to say they believe in the fire torments of Hell and do so little to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. It is because of the reality of the lake of fire that we broadcast the Gospel and send forth our printed literature. I believe the time is short and what we do to warn lost souls we must do quickly. If you are not saved, I plead with you in Jesus' Name to turn from your sin and receive Christ as your own Saviour. He is waiting to impart unto you eternal life.4. Some Questions AnsweredIs Hell's Punishment Forever?There are many who say that while Heaven's bliss is forever and ever, punishment in the lake of fire is not forever and ever. The Bible uses the same word, however, when it speaks of everlasting life and everlasting punishment. If the word means everlasting for Heaven then it must also mean everlasting when used in relation to Hell. In Matthew 25:46 we read: "And these (the wicked) shall go away into EVERLASTING punishment: but the righteous into life ETERNAL." While this text refers primarily to the nations, it also applies to individuals.
Let us notice the two words EVERLASTING and ETERNAL. The punishment of the wicked is EVERLASTING and the life of the righteous is ETERNAL. When we look at the Greek we find that both words come from the same one in Greek, aionios. This Greek word is translated by two different words in this text and therefore both words have the same meaning - ETERNAL. In view of this fact we can say that the punishment in the lake of fire will be just as long as the life of the righteous. Christ Himself spoke this text and used the same Greek word in relation to the duration of time for both the wicked and the righteous.
Some would tell us that this word aionios only means age long or for a period and not forever and ever. Let us notice that in the New Testament this word is used at least seventy-one times and in all but four places it is translated as eternal or everlasting which means endless duration. No other meaning could be read into such texts.The same Greek word is used when speaking of the existence of God in Romans 16:26: "...the commandment of the everlasting (aionios) God." Here it certainly means endless duration and if it means that here it must mean the same when it is used to speak of the punishment of the wicked. If the punishment in the lake of fire can come to an end then it would be just as logical to believe that the existence of God will come to an end.Another term found in the New Testament certainly proves the fact of endless punishment and endless bliss.This phrase is used when speaking of the righteous in Rev. 22: 5, "They shall reign for ever and ever. " Everyone agrees with that statement.
The same phrase is used of Christ in Rev. 1:1 8, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore... Who will doubt that Christ is eternal?The same phrase is used to describe the duration of the unrighteous followers of the Antichrist in Rev. 14:11, "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night." It is used concerning Satan in Rev. 20:10, ...and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Matthew 18:8, "...to be cast into EVERLASTING fire." Matthew 25:46, "And these shall go away into EVERLASTING punishment." 2 Thess. 1:8,9, "...them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:...shall be punished with EVERLASTING destruction."
Nothing is more clearly taught in the Bible than the fact that the punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire is for eternity.Will A God of Love Send People to Hell?Not at all! God has provided a way of escape through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners. Full provision has been made for salvation, but those who refuse this salvation determine their own destiny and choose Hell instead of Heaven.The following true story from American history is a good illustration of this. A man by the name of Wilson was sentenced to be hanged for murder. The Governor offered him a pardon which he refused. The Warden did not know what to do and submitted the case to the Supreme Court. The learned Judges considered all aspects and concluded that a pardon is only a pardon when it is received. Since Wilson refused the pardon he could not be freed. He had to be put to death. So it is with every sinner who refuses God's pardon of salvation. He must die and be consigned to the lake of fire for all eternity.
How Can People be Happy in Heaven When They Know Some Loved Ones Suffer in Hell?In Job 24:19,20 we read, "Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave (Sheol, abode of the spirits) those which have sinned. The womb shall forget him (the sinner)...he shall be no more remembered." And in Isaiah 65:17 we read, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." The Bible teaches that after the unsaved are cast into the lake of fire their existence will be erased from the memories of the righteous in Heaven.What Must A Person Do to Go to Hell?We don't have to do one thing to be lost. We are already lost until we are saved. We don't have to wait until we die to be condemned. We are already condemned (John 3:18) and on the way to Hell if we have not experienced the new birth.
Is Heaven Closed to the Unsaved Dead?In Revelation 22:11 we read, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.." Let us also read John 8:21, "Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come..."There is no doubt that as we die, so we must remain throughout all eternity. Death does not change our character nor our relationship to the Lord.
How Can We Enter Heaven?Jesus said in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." It is impossible for anyone to see the kingdom of God without being born again.How Can We Be Born Again?First, confess that you are a sinner and in need of being born again. "The scripture hath concluded all under sin" (Gal. 3:22). Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."Second, realize that you cannot save yourself. Ephesians 2:8,9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."Third, recognize that salvation depends upon a personal acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). Fourth, turn from your sin and receive the Lord by faith into your life. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
If you will do this from your heart you will be born again and on the basis of God's Word you will have, right now, EVERLASTING LIFE.
I would like to say i'm no fan of the quoting the Greek, it serve no purpose, because the King James Bible has already translated that word correctly, in the English. One last thought is that along with the verses quoted for salvation, the believe must understand Romans 10:
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
You must also in your heart must understand that it was your sin that put Chirst on the cross and that you must repentant of that.
Witch City not a 'constitution-free zone'
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 11/10/2008 7:45:00 AM
A street preacher convicted of disturbing the peace is appealing his case.
ChristianNewsWire.com reports that Salem, Massachusetts, has an annual Halloween party that is celebratory in nature, featuring alcoholic drinks, loud music, and street parties. Street evangelist Michael Marcavage chose that night in 2007 to share his gospel message on a megaphone. Ben DuPré of the Foundation for Moral Law says city ordinances permit megaphones until 10 p.m.; however, Marcavage was treated differently. "The cops decided to shut him down at 8 o'clock, and they asked him to turn it off, and at 8:30 they came back," he explains. "They wrestled the megaphone from him and threw him in jail, charged him with a noise ordinance violation and disorderly conduct." DuPré notes that other businesses and street performers were allowed to continue. "There's a video on YouTube and also available on our website at MoralLaw.org where you can actually watch the arrest, and while he's being arrested you can hear music blaring from bars," he adds. "You can hear another street performance going on with amplification." A judge found Marcavage guilty, even though DuPré says his arrest was unwarranted and his constitutional rights were violated. "The self-titled 'Witch City' may be a hotspot for Halloween celebrants, but it's not a constitution-free zone," he points out. An appeal has been filed.
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 11/10/2008 7:45:00 AM
A street preacher convicted of disturbing the peace is appealing his case.
ChristianNewsWire.com reports that Salem, Massachusetts, has an annual Halloween party that is celebratory in nature, featuring alcoholic drinks, loud music, and street parties. Street evangelist Michael Marcavage chose that night in 2007 to share his gospel message on a megaphone. Ben DuPré of the Foundation for Moral Law says city ordinances permit megaphones until 10 p.m.; however, Marcavage was treated differently. "The cops decided to shut him down at 8 o'clock, and they asked him to turn it off, and at 8:30 they came back," he explains. "They wrestled the megaphone from him and threw him in jail, charged him with a noise ordinance violation and disorderly conduct." DuPré notes that other businesses and street performers were allowed to continue. "There's a video on YouTube and also available on our website at MoralLaw.org where you can actually watch the arrest, and while he's being arrested you can hear music blaring from bars," he adds. "You can hear another street performance going on with amplification." A judge found Marcavage guilty, even though DuPré says his arrest was unwarranted and his constitutional rights were violated. "The self-titled 'Witch City' may be a hotspot for Halloween celebrants, but it's not a constitution-free zone," he points out. An appeal has been filed.
Supreme Court tackles Utah's monument display rules By Joan Biskupic,
USA TODAY For decades, Pleasant Grove, Utah, permitted a Ten Commandments monument and an array of historical artifacts amid the benches, trees and flowers of its Pioneer Park. Yet in 2003 when the Summum church asked to erect a monument displaying its core principles, "Seven Aphorisms," the city declined.The city said it wanted only monuments that related to Pleasant Grove history or were donated by groups with long-standing ties to the community. That rejection spawned a case, at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, that could have ramifications for monuments across the country.Equally important, the dispute will be heard by a court whose membership has shifted in recent years and could now take a new approach to cases at the nexus of free speech and religious rights.Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who retired in 2006, was key in such disputes, crafting fragile majorities to try to ensure that government did not limit speech rights or promote religion.In a 1995 case, she devised the current compromise standard. The court ruled Ohio could not keep the Ku Klux Klan from adding a Latin cross on Capitol grounds where other groups were allowed to put up a Christmas tree and menorah.Today's question is whether the First Amendment's free-speech guarantee dictates that a government must agree to put up a group's donated monument once it has opened its public grounds to other organizations' monuments.Summum, established in 1975, merges Egyptian customs, such as mummification, with elements of Gnostic Christianity that teach, for example, that spiritual knowledge is experiential. Summum followers believe that before God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, God handed down a stone tablet of seven aphorisms of a higher law.Jay Sekulow, of the American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative organization specializing in religion cases, represents Pleasant Grove. He says the city need not accept Summum's monument simply because it displays the others. "Accepting a Statue of Liberty does not compel a government to accept a Statue of Tyranny," he told the justices in his brief.Sekulow contends the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, which ruled against Pleasant Grove, erred in considering Pioneer Park a "public forum" for private speech. He says the city was engaged in "government speech" as it selected permanent displays to convey its own themes and can choose among artifacts offered for its 2½-acre park in a historic district.Washington lawyer Pamela Harris, representing Summum, insists Pleasant Grove has set up a "traditional public forum" in Pioneer Park and cannot discriminate among private groups and their messages. Harris told the justices in a brief the city was wrong to take the Fraternal Order of Eagles' Ten Commandments monument in 1971 but then bar the Summum's version.Harris says Pleasant City cannot claim markers at the site are "government speech" because the city did not create their message. "The city did not control the content of the Ten Commandments monument when it was created; the Eagles did," she wrote.Privately sponsored speech must be "allowed on equal terms" when governments create a public forum, Harris said, referring to O'Connor's test in the 1995 case.The 10th Circuit three-judge panel that ruled on the Pleasant Grove case last year concluded the city's reason for the Summum rejection — promoting city history — was not compelling enough to justify discriminating against Summum's proposed monument and message.The appeals court declined city officials' request that the full 10th Circuit rehear the case. Judge Michael McConnell, an appointee of President Bush who previously was a prominent religious-law scholar, dissented from the order. He said the panel had misinterpreted Supreme Court cases."Every park in the country that has accepted a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) memorial is now a public forum for the erection of permanent fixed monuments," McConnell said. "They must either remove the war memorials or brace themselves for an influx of clutter."Fourteen states and the federal government have urged the court to reverse the 10th Circuit decision. The U.S. Justice Department says that if the ruling stands it could affect national parks, which contain thousands of privately funded objects.Nine municipalities, led by Casper, Wyo., urged the justices to adopt a "bright-line rule" that says when government accepts a donation of property, any resulting message becomes government speech. The municipalities contend the 10th Circuit decision could force a city to choose "between removing works it has accepted" or displaying works from private groups regardless of whether they "promote the common good."The Pleasant Grove case comes to the court solely as a free-speech dispute. Yet it arises against the backdrop of the constitutional separation of church and state.Conservative justices, including Antonin Scalia, have pressed for rules that would allow governments wider latitude to accept certain religious markers and to reject others. He wrote in the 1995 case that "government suppression of speech has so commonly been directed … at religious speech that a (constitutional) free-speech clause without religion would be Hamlet without the prince."http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2008-11-11-court_N.htm
Lesbians, condoms go wild in attack on Christian churchMaking out at pulpit, shouting blasphemies in front of children
Posted: November 11, 20089:07 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Worshippers at a Bible-teaching church in Lansing, Mich., were stunned Sunday when members of a pro-homosexual, pro-anarchy organization named Bash Back interrupted their service to fling propaganda and condoms around the sanctuary, drape a profane banner from the balcony and feature two lesbians making out at the pulpit.
According to a blog posting by Nick De Leeuw on Right Michigan, the Bash Back organization orchestrated a protest in front of Mount Hope Church to draw the church's security staff away from the sanctuary.
Then Bash Backers who had dressed up and mixed in with church worshippers took action.
According to De Leeuw, "Prayer had just finished when men and women stood up in pockets across the congregation, on the main floor and in the balcony.
Posted: November 11, 20089:07 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh© 2008 WorldNetDaily
Worshippers at a Bible-teaching church in Lansing, Mich., were stunned Sunday when members of a pro-homosexual, pro-anarchy organization named Bash Back interrupted their service to fling propaganda and condoms around the sanctuary, drape a profane banner from the balcony and feature two lesbians making out at the pulpit.
According to a blog posting by Nick De Leeuw on Right Michigan, the Bash Back organization orchestrated a protest in front of Mount Hope Church to draw the church's security staff away from the sanctuary.
Then Bash Backers who had dressed up and mixed in with church worshippers took action.
According to De Leeuw, "Prayer had just finished when men and women stood up in pockets across the congregation, on the main floor and in the balcony.
"'Jesus was gay,' they shouted among other profanities and blasphemies as they rushed the stage. Some forced their way through rows of women and kids to try to hang a profane banner from the balcony while others began tossing fliers into the air. Two women made their way to the pulpit and began to kiss," he wrote.
He cited the Bash Back organization's own announcement of other items members brought into the church, including "a megaphone, noise makers, condoms, glitter by the bucket load, confetti, pink fabric. ..."
According to the alternative Lansing City Pulse – which reported it was notified of the protest ahead of time and sent a reporter along instead of warning the church – the protesters also screamed at parishioners and pulled the church facility's fire alarm. Printed material protesters distributed said, "We specialize in confronting homophobia, transphobia and every and all other forms of oppression."
He cited the Bash Back organization's own announcement of other items members brought into the church, including "a megaphone, noise makers, condoms, glitter by the bucket load, confetti, pink fabric. ..."
According to the alternative Lansing City Pulse – which reported it was notified of the protest ahead of time and sent a reporter along instead of warning the church – the protesters also screamed at parishioners and pulled the church facility's fire alarm. Printed material protesters distributed said, "We specialize in confronting homophobia, transphobia and every and all other forms of oppression."
The report said Bash Back issued a statement today confirming it targeted Mount Hope, which has about 5,000 church participants, because it participates in "the repression of queers."
On the newspaper's forum page, a contributor commented, "Homosexuals and anarchists. A perfect combination of human beings with no hope, no morals, no future."
Many demonstrators fled and the rest were quiet after sheriff's officers were summoned.
"Mount Hope churchgoers were unclear as to what the purpose of the demonstration was," said a statement from David Williams, a spokesman for the church.
"The leadership of Mount Hope Church does not attempt to identify the church as anti-homosexual, anti-choice, or right wing. The church does take the Bible at face value and believes what the Bible says to be the truth," Williams' statement continued.
"According to the Bible, Mount Hope Church believes homosexuality to be a sin, just as fornication, stealing, drunkenness, and lying are sins. No sin greater than the next. Mount Hope Church strives to follow Jesus' example of loving the sinner but not the sin while helping people change their lives for God's glory and their improved quality of life. Mount Hope Church also recognizes that to each person God grants freewill."
The church then offered help for people "caught up in unwanted sexual sin, drug abuse, and many other areas."
De Leeuw reported "the 'open minded' and 'tolerant' liberals ran down the aisles and across the pews, hoping against hope to catch a 'right winger' on tape daring to push back (none did).
"This is what we're up against," De Leeuw wrote. "Amidst worshiping congregants and following unifying prayers that our president-elect be granted wisdom as he prepares to lead our nation through difficult global, social and economic challenges, the Michigan left declared open war on peaceful churchgoers.
"Mount Hope, for the record, is an evangelical, Bible believing church whose members provide free 24-hour counseling, prayer lines, catastrophic care for families dealing with medical emergencies, support groups for men, women and children dealing with a wide variety of life's troubles, crisis intervention, marriage ministries, regular, organized volunteer work in and around the city, missions in dozens of countries across the globe, a construction ministry that has built over 100 churches, schools, orphanages and other projects all over the world and an in-depth prison ministry that reaches out, touches and helps the men and women the rest of society fears the most. They also teach respect for all human life and the Biblical sanctity of marriage as an institution between one man and one woman," De Leeuw wrote.
"The church's response? After things settled down, the blasphemy ended, the lewd props removed and the families safe from fear of additional men and women running into and past them the pastor took the stage and led the congregation in one more prayer ... not for retribution, or divine justice or a celestial comeuppance (that's what I'd have prayed for) but instead that the troubled individuals who'd just defiled the Lord's house, so full of anger and hate, would know Jesus' love in their lives and God's peace that exceeds human understanding," De Leeuw wrote.
His blog attracted dozens of comments, including one that said it was just as well the protesters hadn't picked his church.
"It was well within the church members' rights to respond with non-lethal force to put an immediate end to this assault. It this happened in my house, I'd have every right to throw someone out a window or two."
In a statement posted on the Internet, Bash Back confirmed its "operatives" were in the service, "stood up, declared themselves fags, and began screaming loudly. … Another group threw over a thousand fliers to the entire … congregation. The fire alarm was pulled. Queers began making out in front of the pastor. And within a matter of minutes, everyone had evaded the guards and made their escapes."
The statement continued, "Let is be known: So long as bigots kill us in the streets, this pack of wolves will continue to BASH BACK!"
The report comes just a day after video documentation of pro-homosexual protesters in California challenging a 69-year-old woman to a fight because she was affirming the biblical perspective of homosexuality.
"This screaming and shouting, name-calling and pushing by homosexual activists is not unlike a small child throwing a fit because he doesn't get his way," said Randy Thomasson, chief of the Campaign for Children and Families, a leading California-based pro-family group. "The public is getting a clue that homosexual activists don't like democracy and are willing to trample anyone and anything that gets in their way."
California voters by nearly 53 percent to 47 percent last week adopted a state constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman.
Learn about the intimidating tactics and brilliant marketing techniques being used by "gay rights" activists – read David Kupelian's controversial blockbuster, "The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom."
Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan and co-author of the Marriage Protection Amendment approved by Michigan voters in 2004, condemned the homosexual activist group's intimidation tactics.
"We will alert churches statewide of this now close-to-home threat of disruption of their members' freedom to worship in peace and safety," Glenn said, "but this is not the first time in history Christians have faced persecution or threats of reprisal for standing for their faith and values."
He predicted Americans, "particularly people of strong religious faith, are not cowards" and would not "be bullied by emotional adolescents who disrespect private property, the rule of law, and anyone who dares hold opinions diverse from their own."
"We will pray for and offer help to those who have gender identity and same-sex attraction disorders, but Americans will continue to reject their attempts to overturn the will of the people and impose their disorders on our children and society at large," he said.
Glenn said AFA-Michigan will join the Catholic League in urging Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox to investigate the organized violation of the church's private property rights and the group's threat of future disruptions of worship services.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue today issued a statement condemning the group's actions and accusing the news media of failing to report it with the same intensity they routinely do complaints by homosexual activist groups.
On the newspaper's forum page, a contributor commented, "Homosexuals and anarchists. A perfect combination of human beings with no hope, no morals, no future."
Many demonstrators fled and the rest were quiet after sheriff's officers were summoned.
"Mount Hope churchgoers were unclear as to what the purpose of the demonstration was," said a statement from David Williams, a spokesman for the church.
"The leadership of Mount Hope Church does not attempt to identify the church as anti-homosexual, anti-choice, or right wing. The church does take the Bible at face value and believes what the Bible says to be the truth," Williams' statement continued.
"According to the Bible, Mount Hope Church believes homosexuality to be a sin, just as fornication, stealing, drunkenness, and lying are sins. No sin greater than the next. Mount Hope Church strives to follow Jesus' example of loving the sinner but not the sin while helping people change their lives for God's glory and their improved quality of life. Mount Hope Church also recognizes that to each person God grants freewill."
The church then offered help for people "caught up in unwanted sexual sin, drug abuse, and many other areas."
De Leeuw reported "the 'open minded' and 'tolerant' liberals ran down the aisles and across the pews, hoping against hope to catch a 'right winger' on tape daring to push back (none did).
"This is what we're up against," De Leeuw wrote. "Amidst worshiping congregants and following unifying prayers that our president-elect be granted wisdom as he prepares to lead our nation through difficult global, social and economic challenges, the Michigan left declared open war on peaceful churchgoers.
"Mount Hope, for the record, is an evangelical, Bible believing church whose members provide free 24-hour counseling, prayer lines, catastrophic care for families dealing with medical emergencies, support groups for men, women and children dealing with a wide variety of life's troubles, crisis intervention, marriage ministries, regular, organized volunteer work in and around the city, missions in dozens of countries across the globe, a construction ministry that has built over 100 churches, schools, orphanages and other projects all over the world and an in-depth prison ministry that reaches out, touches and helps the men and women the rest of society fears the most. They also teach respect for all human life and the Biblical sanctity of marriage as an institution between one man and one woman," De Leeuw wrote.
"The church's response? After things settled down, the blasphemy ended, the lewd props removed and the families safe from fear of additional men and women running into and past them the pastor took the stage and led the congregation in one more prayer ... not for retribution, or divine justice or a celestial comeuppance (that's what I'd have prayed for) but instead that the troubled individuals who'd just defiled the Lord's house, so full of anger and hate, would know Jesus' love in their lives and God's peace that exceeds human understanding," De Leeuw wrote.
His blog attracted dozens of comments, including one that said it was just as well the protesters hadn't picked his church.
"It was well within the church members' rights to respond with non-lethal force to put an immediate end to this assault. It this happened in my house, I'd have every right to throw someone out a window or two."
In a statement posted on the Internet, Bash Back confirmed its "operatives" were in the service, "stood up, declared themselves fags, and began screaming loudly. … Another group threw over a thousand fliers to the entire … congregation. The fire alarm was pulled. Queers began making out in front of the pastor. And within a matter of minutes, everyone had evaded the guards and made their escapes."
The statement continued, "Let is be known: So long as bigots kill us in the streets, this pack of wolves will continue to BASH BACK!"
The report comes just a day after video documentation of pro-homosexual protesters in California challenging a 69-year-old woman to a fight because she was affirming the biblical perspective of homosexuality.
"This screaming and shouting, name-calling and pushing by homosexual activists is not unlike a small child throwing a fit because he doesn't get his way," said Randy Thomasson, chief of the Campaign for Children and Families, a leading California-based pro-family group. "The public is getting a clue that homosexual activists don't like democracy and are willing to trample anyone and anything that gets in their way."
California voters by nearly 53 percent to 47 percent last week adopted a state constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman.
Learn about the intimidating tactics and brilliant marketing techniques being used by "gay rights" activists – read David Kupelian's controversial blockbuster, "The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom."
Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan and co-author of the Marriage Protection Amendment approved by Michigan voters in 2004, condemned the homosexual activist group's intimidation tactics.
"We will alert churches statewide of this now close-to-home threat of disruption of their members' freedom to worship in peace and safety," Glenn said, "but this is not the first time in history Christians have faced persecution or threats of reprisal for standing for their faith and values."
He predicted Americans, "particularly people of strong religious faith, are not cowards" and would not "be bullied by emotional adolescents who disrespect private property, the rule of law, and anyone who dares hold opinions diverse from their own."
"We will pray for and offer help to those who have gender identity and same-sex attraction disorders, but Americans will continue to reject their attempts to overturn the will of the people and impose their disorders on our children and society at large," he said.
Glenn said AFA-Michigan will join the Catholic League in urging Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox to investigate the organized violation of the church's private property rights and the group's threat of future disruptions of worship services.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue today issued a statement condemning the group's actions and accusing the news media of failing to report it with the same intensity they routinely do complaints by homosexual activist groups.
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