Who will be in Hell?
Though many do not want to acknowledge it, the reality of hell is something that cannot be denied as you study the Bible. In a 2003 Barna Group survey, 71% of people believed in the idea of Hell, though many did not see it as a permanent place of torments as described in the Bible (only 32% believed in the Biblical concept of hell) (Americans Describe their views about life after death October 2003, www.Barna.org). Yet of those who believed in heaven and hell, only ½% expected to go to hell when they died (64% of Americans believe they will go to heaven).
These statistics are truly sad when we consider what the Bible says. Jesus taught, Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14). Sadly, Jesus understood that many would be lost and it caused Him grief. But He cannot save one who refuses to submit to the will of His Father, which is the majority of this world.
But what about you? If you were to die today, or if the Lord were to return, where would YOU spend eternity? ARE YOU SURE? In this article we want to notice some passages that describe some of those who will NOT be in heaven and therefore, condemned eternally to hell. (Matthew 24:46).
Hell will consist of those who:
Have lives full of sinful behavior:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:8-10
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:8
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27
NOTE: It is not the fact that they have committed such sins that will condemn them, but their failure to obtain forgiveness for their sins: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)
Many who think they are saved: But Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Refuse to obey the gospel: Jesus said in John 8:24, Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 says, since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
(NOTE: This passage also makes reference to those who trouble you as Christians.)
Fall away: Sadly, far too many in the religious world are deceived into thinking they have to do nothing to STAY saved. In fact, many teach the impossibility of apostasy. But consider 2 Peter 2:20-22 which says, For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." Heed also the warning of Paul in Galatians 5:4, You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law, you have fallen from grace. The Hebrew writer said, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31
In Revelation 2:10 we read, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 14:12-13 says, Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write:'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"Yes," says the Spirit,"that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
" In these and many other verses we see the importance of REMAINING FAITHFUL. Implied in these verses is the condemnation of those who fall away.
Refuse to repent will be lost: Acts 17:29-31 says, Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead
Mutilate Gods word. Far too many today are willing to set aside the word of God and follow their own plan. We cannot do that. Revelation 22:18-19 says, For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Yes the majority THINK they will be saved, but what you think doesnt matter if it is not in agreement with what God says and thinks. We have seen that MANY will be lost eternally and doomed to hell. Understanding these passages and others, honestly ask yourself, If I were to die today, where would I spend eternity? If you are not sure that it will be with God in heaven, let me encourage you to make whatever changes you know you need to make. If we can help you, we are here. JUST ASK!
TATJR