Is Hell Real?

Revelation 21:5-8

Introduction

1.      Sermons on giving and sermons on hell, on the short list of subjects to be avoided by many

2.      Sermons on both subjects are meant to inform, whether one feels guilty or afraid is not the intent of the sermon

3.      Both are subjects about which the Bible has much to say – whether the scriptures are literal or figurative, they have to mean something

4.      Matt 25:31-33, 46

5.      The scriptures used today are in the church bulletin so that you might investigate the subject at home and reach your own conclusions based on what is in the Bible  

Discussion

1.      There is life after death

a.       The misuse of Ecclesiastes – Eccl 9:5 (with respect to this life the statement is true)

b.      Contrasted with Jesus – Luke 16:19-31

c.       Jesus again – Matt 22:23-32 (see Lk 20:38)

d.      Heb 9:27  

2.      There is a resurrection and a judgment

a.       John 5:20-22, 28-29

b.      Matt 12:36-37; 16:27

c.       Rev 20:11-13  

3.      There is a place assigned for the wicked

a.       God has no tolerance for sin in His presence  - Hab 1:13

b.      Matt 10:28

c.       Matt 25:46 – to go away is not to cease to exist, but to exist in another place – Jesus could have said “These shall not be” but instead he said, “These shall go away”

d.      Deciding that the place is not “hell” does not change the fact that the Bible speaks of a place for the wicked (nor does it change the way in which the Bible describes the place assigned for the wicked)

e.       Whether the description is understood literally or figuratively does not change the understanding that hell is not a place of love, joy and peace!  It is a place of hatred, torment and conflict!  

4.      God’s description of that place

a.       Matt 5:29-30 – The word used in the Greek Bible, “Gehenna” literally, the valley of Hinnom – probably used figuratively because it is a place of fires kept burning and of worms (probably maggots) that consume

b.      Luke 16:23-24

c.       Rev 20:10; 21:8

d.      Both Jesus and John refer to the fire  

Conclusion

1.       Christians will not spend much time thinking about hell, because that is not where we plan to live

2.      Christians will be thankful to God for rescuing them and promising them a new paradise that He will bring into existence

3.      Jesus is the guarantee of both heaven and hell

a.       His death illustrates the horror that has been averted by His sacrifice

b.      His resurrection illustrates the power that will redeem us