Scripture Reading: Revelation 20:11-15
The Realities of Hell
Intro.
1. 2014 Religious Landscape Study (Pew Research): 72% Americans believe in heaven, 58% believe in hell.
2. Jesus said heaven and hell are real, Matt. 25:46; 10:28.
3. We do not love our neighbor by remaining silent about hell, Matt. 23:33; Gal. 4:16.
I. HELL IS A PLACE OF CHOICE, Matt. 7:13-14.
A. We Choose Hell When We Choose Sin, Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:7-8.
1. Sin brings death. Our accountability assures that we will reap eternal death when we sow disobedience and unbelief.
2. We tend to ignore the long term realities of our choices: Think God is too loving to send to hell (He will compromise His word); We aren’t “that bad;” Will go to heaven because we desire it.
3. Reality: If you haven’t believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ, you have chosen hell. If you are choosing sin, you are choosing hell. Change your choice.
II. HELL IS A PLACE OF TRUTH.
A. Hell Will Expose the Truth about Those Who Go There, Matt. 25:41; 2 Thess. 1:8-9.
1. We deceive ourselves and wear masks that hide our hearts.
2. All this will be stripped away at judgment/reward 1 Cor. 4:4-5.
3. Must see ourselves as God sees us, Heb. 4:13 (Rom. 3:9, 18, 23) Eph. 2:1-3, 12-13.
B. Hell Will Expose the Truth About:
1. Sin and disobedience, Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:8.
2. God and Christ, Jno. 14:6; Jas. 4:12.
3. Ourselves, Matt. 7:21.
III. HELL IS A PLACE OF FAIR TREATMENT.
A. Hell is the Outcome of God’s Fair, Impartial Judgment Against Sin, Rom. 2:2, 5-11.
1. Truth, righteous, according to works, no respect of persons.
2. Hell is not vindictiveness; it is justice applied.
B. Hell is an Expression of God’s Perfect Justice, Gen. 18:24-25 (Lk. 16:25; 2 Pet. 2:4-9); Rom. 2:5.
1. Everyone in hell will deserve to be there, Jno. 5:29 (“practiced evil…condemnation”).
2. According to our works; Book of life, Rev. 20:12, 15.
IV. HELL IS A PLACE OF LOST HOPE.
A. No Second Chance, Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10.
1. Hell is the punishment for those who sinned against God in this life (2 Thess. 1:8).
2. Second chances is an appealing doctrine, but false.
3. Now is day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:1-2.
B. Destruction in Hell Affirms it to be a Place of Lost Hope, Matt. 10:28.
1. apollumi: “to lose, be deprived of, perish, to ruin (with punishment),” 2 Thess. 1:9.
2. Banished from God eternally; Utter hopelessness.
C. Hell’s Punishment Will be Eternal, Matt. 25:46 (Rev. 14:9-13; 20:10; Mk. 9:48).
-Man’s concepts of punishment and eternity are so limited that most fail to adequately grasp the eternal nature of hell’s punishment. (Catholic’s purgatory; Judaism’s “Supernal Washing Machine”)
Conclusion
1. Bible teaching of hell warns sinners to repent to be prepared for judgment. It shows the terribleness of sin, the just punishment of sin, and that sinners must believe and obey the gospel now.
2. Hell is real, but is it real to you? Do you believe the Bible? If so, then you do not want to go there.
3. If you believe in hell then you will choose to faithfully obey Jesus now, to go to heaven after judgment.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted November 9, 2020