Eternity With Satan And His Angels?
Posted: Friday, December 07, 2007
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
There are some rather interesting statistics concerning peoples views of eternity in heaven or in hell. A 2003 poll taken by the Barna Group of Ventura, California (www.barna.org) shows that 81% of Americans believe in an afterlife of some sort. 9% more are unsure if there is an afterlife or not and the other 10% believe there is no such thing as life after death.
The Holy Bible is our only source to learn of these places and to find out how to avoid hell and gain heaven. And it isn't easy, so no one should try to simply coast into their eternal destiny. No one will gain heaven by accident…not one. Yet, there is no excuse for anyone to miss it. Our destiny is in each individual's own hands, not Jesus' or God's hands. They have already done their part by offering us salvation if we will but obey.
But our question is about hell. Everyone has their own view, but no one's view has any merit unless it is what is taught in the scriptures. So what does the bible have to say about it?
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. (Matthew 18:9)
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, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched . (Mark 9:43-44)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels : (Matthew 25:41)
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth . (Matthew 8:12)
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)
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. (Revelation 20:13-15)
The list of scriptures above are the most vividly expressed but are not exhaustive of the references made in the bible concerning hell. Anyone can read these scriptures and come away confused as to just what hell really is and what it will be like. Many say that a loving God could never sentence one to eternal fire. Really? God does love His creation and He loves man but we are forgetting something. He also hates sin! Any and all sin! Everyone that can quote any scripture probably quotes 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 here is another that also shows us His love. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance . (2 Peter 3:9) Both of these verses indicate that He would prefer all to be saved but that any who do not believe and obey are going to be doomed. Their choice.
And now, back to our statistics, Only one half of 1 percent feels they will spend eternity there. While 64% feels they will live eternally in heaven. Why then, the Judge of all mankind, Jesus, would say the following? Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23) And again: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Do you reckon He was just joshing us? Trying to scare us? Not a chance. He meant every word. Again, no one will be saved accidentally or just by coasting in. No one ever worked harder at living the Christian life than did the Apostle Paul. Yet he feared that he too, might be a castaway. He had to buffet his body daily to bring it under subjection. But we don't have to? We can just nonchalantly slide right into heaven?
But what is living with satan and his angels forever and ever going to be like? Reading the scriptures above give us the view that it is going to be a terrible place, and you can take that to the bank and deposit it. It will be an awful place to be where there is no reprieve, no pardon, no way of escape. Ever. But is it going to be literal fire? No. How do I know that? Because the inerrant word of God tells us there is to be nothing physical in eternity. Even the elements throughout the universe will be totally dissolved…melted with fervent heat. Spirits who cannot die, are eternal in existence. Fire cannot harm them, absolute zero (-459 degrees F) cannot harm a spirit. So what will it be like in hell? The mental stress will be the equivalent, or as near as can be explained, to that of burning in fire. We know that those who go there will forever be separated from the presence of God. It is my own opinion that they will be adrift in outer darkness, knowing but never seeing. But mind you, I said opinion, and mine is no better than anyone's. But it is stressed in scripture just how wonderful it will be in heaven. And it may be expected that it will be equally as horrible in hell. As there will be no sadness, crying or weeping in heaven. In hell there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. No joy in hell. They are totally different extremes. Have you ever been alone and bored stiff? You might consider that equal to a trip to Disney World compared to eternal blackness in torment.
But every sin we commit, is by choice…every good thing we fail to do, is by our choice. Every moment we choose to engage in some personal entertainment, rather than study and meditate upon the word of God, it is our choice. When we spend a fortune on worthless toys for our children's entertainment, which only teaches them that they deserve everything while hungry children die from malnutrition throughout the world. It is our personal choice. Read Matthew 7:22:23 above again. Those of us who call ourselves Christians comprise approximately one third of the world population. We can make a difference if we will stop calling ourselves Christian and just be one. I know a man now who is helping to literally turn his country upside down preaching Christ and Him crucified. And he has nothing. I send him a few dollars whenever I can spare it but his poverty hinders his efforts to spread God's word. I wish I had lived my life as he is living his. But you see, I was raised here in this great country where we all feel that we are only getting our due. And so therefore we can live it up. Many cannot and are doing more for the Almighty than we do, who live sumptuously every day. We all need to study and meditate more and devote ourselves to living for the one who created us.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Hi Joel, I love the Scriptures! And I love how you point out that God does not send anyone to hell. People choose hell by rejecting the gift of salvation. They want to live as they please on earth, reject Christ and still they think they should get to heaven. Surely their good will out weigh their bad, but this is not what the Scriptures teach. I do want to point out, that in my opinion, Jesus tells us clearly, that hell is literal and so is the flame. Consider Luke 16:19-31... I'm sure you are familiar with this passage in which Jesus gives us the picture of Hades. (Abrahams bosom and the place of torment). I'll qoute vs 24 .."then he cried out and said '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'.....vs 28 "for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.".... Then we go over to Revelation where we are told about the great white throne judgement...Rev 20:14-15 - "then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Also, Rev. 21:8....shall have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death... All throughout the gospels Jesus always said "the kingdom of heaven is like" when he was trying to describe to us what heaven was like. Everytime Jesus spoke of Hell or Hades, he never said "hell is like".. he said it is a lake of fire. There will be gnashing of teeth, why? because there is real torment. Real pain. Ever wack your elbow into a wall? do you clinch your teeth? Why? because it was real pain. Not because it was like real pain. Its crazy to think that every person who dies without Christ is in Hades with that rich man, yet it is a reality and they are being tormented by that flame. There they will remain until the end of the 1000 yr reign of Christ. - Some would think that this sounds harsh, but we must remember God is Holy and Just and hates sin. Yet in His grace, he paved the way for us to escape judgment. Anyway, didn't mean to preach, I should write my own article. :-) Just wanted to put in my two cents. Great article on the reality of choice! God bless you as you share His word with the world! May many come to repentance because of it. In Christ,TeresaHi Teresa, I sincerely appreciate your comments and your apparent knowledge of the scriptures. I usually put a disclaimer at the end of my articles such as this one indicating that all conjecture contained in it is mine. I never try to be dogmatic on anything that is unclear or possibly symbolic in nature. I am familiar with the scriptures you bring up and I realize fully that it sounds as if they are hard and fast truths, but I know that some of it, if not all of the descriptive terms of heaven and hell are figurative or allegorical. First, because there is no way to explain how life in the spirit will be. We do not understand life without any physical body. And the scripture plainly tells us that there will be no flesh and blood that enters heaven. Nothing corruptible and all matter is corruptible. Also we are told that when He returns, we will see Him as He is, plus we are told that we will be like Him. No physical body can withstand fire. I never mean to infer that the punishment will be easier than that but I still believe that it is figurative.
Hi Joel, I'm so glad you did not take offense or receive my comment as argumentative, because it was not my intent. That is why I said "in my opinion". I do love the Scriptures, and I love a healthy conversation regarding them. As the word says "Iron sharpens iron". And it is true, some things are figurative and some literal. And depending on our take, we have different perspectives. In my opinion, the more we discuss, the more we learn. Plus, we have that beautiful word from God that says "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name" (Malachi 4:16) Isn't this awesome?!!!! I love my Lord!! I guess we have just had a book of remembrance written in heaven before the Lord because we had this conversation. Yes, I love the word of God and will share it and discuss it with anyone who wants to. I don't believe Christians should argue, but we should reason in the word together whenever possible. Grace to you. TeresaTeresa, never fear that you'll offend me. The only way one can anger or offend me is when they try to do so. I differ with an awful lot of people on my biblical views and I know it. But I feel compelled to "give a reason for the faith that is within me". If I became offended with all who differ with me I'd have few friends, and nothing, other than family, Jesus and my Father in heaven, are more precious than friends to me. I sincerely respect your views and your desire to present them.
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