Sunday, August 4, 2019 pm
PROBLEMS CHRISTIANS FACE
How Can God Send People to an Eternal Hell? (2)
In our last lesson (Found here) , we
focused on the nature of God, which is where the bulk of the answer to
this questions is found. We
noted: 1) The argument does NOT disprove the existence of God, but it
does address His character; 2) God is holy – and as such, He is above
and separated from sin; 3) He is righteous and just – which will be
manifest in His judgment of sin; 4) We need to comprehend how terrible
sin is and realize that we are sinners.
It is because of our sins, that we will face the wrath of God; 5)
In considering all of these qualities, we need to let God be God, and
realize that our understanding of Him is limited to what we have been
told. In other words, we
cannot fully comprehend the qualities of God in human terms; 6) And in
this, we need to factor in our limitations – are we trying to define His
justice and righteousness and holiness based upon what we WANT it to be?
And in so doing, are we completely impartial? 7) Consider the
love of God – God has demonstrated His love in sending Jesus to die for
us and provide ANOTHER way for our sins to be dealt with.
It was a way determined “before the foundation of the world”
which is WHY it can be factored into God’s system of justice and
righteousness. With
love, Jesus died for our sins – Romans 3:23-26, 5:6-9, 2 Corinthians
5:21, Isaiah 53:6, 1 Peter 2:24.
While we do not fully comprehend HOW the process takes place in
heaven, we know that because of that act of love, our sins can be
forgiven and we can be delivered FROM the judgment and punishment of
hell. Something else to
consider – is the eternal reward of heaven truly deserved?
How many have a problem with that part of God?
Tonight, we want to briefly address the nature of hell and make a few
observations.
a.
Hell has been described
as - the consequence of rejecting God’s will and authority.
It is a place where God will NOT be.
In fact, perhaps the most powerful description is this will be eternal
separation FROM God. 2
Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 7:23, 25:41, etc.
This is something man does not comprehend nor fully appreciate.
Think about it – separated from everything that is pure and good,
that is right and wholesome, that which is joyful and brings us true
peace.
b.
It is a place of
torments
– Matthew 25:30 – a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth;
Mark 9:44ff – a place where the worn (maggot) doesn’t die and the fire
is not quenched;
a place of eternal darkness;
Matthew 25:41 - a place so terrible, we should not wish it upon even our
worst enemies.
This is one of the challenges of profanity – especially the words
society has deemed to be LESS offensive – the ones associated with
eternal damnation and God.
One note about these descriptions – they are physical
descriptions describing a spiritual place.
Consider that Jesus spoke more of hell than any other NT writer.
He often referenced “Gehenna” – which was at that time “the
garbage dump” of Jerusalem – the worst place around.
And it had a history of human sacrifice and other atrocities (2
Chronicles 28:2-3, 33:6). So
ungodly was the place in ancient times, it was defiled by King Josiah (2
Kings 23:10). Jesus found
the most detestable place that Jews in Jerusalem could imagine and used
that to describe the place of God’s punishment.
And with it He used various descriptions of pain and sorrows.
But the point is to emphasize how
terrible judgment will be for those who reject God.
c.
It is eternal – Mathew 25:46, 18:8, Revelation 20:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Jude 7, etc.
The wording used, as we see, is used often in its description.
Many try to reduce the meaning of these passages, but to do so is to
twist the texts. And often
their arguments are based upon their perceived concept of God and His
justice. We have already
addressed that.
Also consider Matthew 25:46 – the word for everlasting life is the same
as everlasting punishment.
d.
Summarized, hell is a
place so terrible we ought to do everything we can to avoid going there.
If God’s punishment were anything less, what incentive would men
have to surrender to Him in TOTAL obedience?
e.
All who are there had
the opportunity to avoid it
– salvation is available to all.
Revisit sin for a moment.
There are some who say we HAVE TO sin.
That is false. When
we sin, it is always by choice.
Remember, man was created upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis
1:26-27).
When we sin, it is our choice!
James 1:12-16 – we sin when we give into temptation.
God does NOT tempt us to sin (though we are tested).
Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 10:13
notes there is a way of escape.
We WILL sin – Romans 3:23, but it is ALWAYS by our choice.
Also, consider that God does not want anyone to go to hell
– 2 Peter 3:9 – not willing that any should perish.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells that He desires that all be saved.
But having said that, He is NOT going to force anyone to go to
heaven. Nor will He force
anyone in this life to submit to Him.
It IS about a WILLINGNESS to obey Him.
Recall, Romans 2:5 – it is your hardness and impenitence that will bring
about His wrath.
2 Thessalonians 1:8, it is your refusal to obey the gospel that will
incur His wrath.
Ezekiel 18:29-32, Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is
not fair.’ O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your
ways which are not fair? “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel,
every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn
from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and
get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O
house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,”
says the Lord God. “Therefore, turn and live!”
In these descriptions we find that all who are there, place themselves
there by their unwillingness to submit to God.
f.
How can I be happy in heaven, knowing my loved ones are
eternally lost in hell?
i.
This becomes another personal challenge that keeps some from obeying the
gospel.
ii.
Exactly how this will
happen, I cannot say – BUT we are promised that in heaven there will be
no sorrows or tears in heaven – Revelation 21:4.
The wiping away of tears would include that fact that nothing
sorrowful will happen in heaven, but it could also include sorrowful
memories while on earth (things that brought about sorrowful tears), or
both.
The point is, in some way, God will remove these sorrows.
Recall 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 and Romans 8:18, For I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.
iii.
And indirectly there is the consolation that even if our loved ones are
lost, according to the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke
16:22-31), where the rich man awakes in torments and does not want his
loved ones there, so it would be with those we know.
iv.
Finally, remember again the character of God – He is a God of justice and
righteousness. And His ways
and thoughts are not our ways (Isaiah 59:8-9). His is a divine justice.
None will be there that did not put themselves there.
These are some answers to dealing with these difficult questions. While
not perfect, because of our limited human understanding, they give us
some direction and consolation to continue trusting in our God.
And, even though we cannot fully comprehend the mind of God, by
faith we accept the goodness of God and that His judgment will be just.
But
here is the ultimate point to consider – will you allow this to reject
and rebel against Him and assure His wrath when you do stand before Him?
I fear that if you do, you will have all of eternity to regret
it. BUT, it doesn’t have to
be that way. You can
surrender to Him and let the blood of Jesus do its work.
How can we help you in this?