Hellfire and Brimstone
Note: To properly understand the position of the writer please read the author's message "To The Reader".
[25.1]
The Dark Shroud
For generations, the threat of eternal torture has hung like a dark, foreboding shroud over the heads of God's holy nation. There can be no doubt, "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10a). Healthy fear is merely awareness of a power source that poses a potential threat to those who attempt to misuse it. Who, in their right mind, would attempt to restrain a diesel truck unassisted by man or machine? Certainly the being, credited with the creation of the earth, the one in control of nature's awesome power, is worthy of such respect. After all, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
[25.2]
Terror Tactics
Healthy fear, based on truth, is one thing but intimidation using fear without biblical foundation is quite another. Many have been so frightened that they have been driven by fear to the church altar. The verbal picture these ministers of terror paint is one of eternal suffering; everlasting torture for anyone who has not received Jesus as their savior. Is this scriptural? When we look through the sacred text do we find a God who punishes indiscriminately? Does God, with equal fury, allocate the same punishment to those who have disobeyed Him in ignorance that He does for those who have deliberately betrayed and rebelled against Him? Is our God a God of love (1 John 4:8) and patience or a cruel god of radical, inconsistent judgment? Is He a righteous judge or a bigoted tyrant? If there is no variance in the degree of our culpability, then how is it possible for those who teach the word of God to be held to a higher standard wherein they may receive a greater condemnation for their sin? How can we be judged according to our works? Certainly our works are not all the same, so then, how can our judgment or punishment be the same (James 3:1)?
[25.3]
Deceptive Doctrine
Many of us, if not most, were taught that unless we believe in Christ we’re destined to be cast alive into the flames of hell where, we will be tormented in fire night and day forever. This is not sound doctrinally unless hell and the lake of fire are the same place but they're not. The text shown below shows this clearly. How can death and hell be cast into the lake of fire if hell is the lake of fire?
Revelation 20:14
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[25.4]
From the beginning, God's plan has been one of sacrifice, mercy and love. (2 Peter 3:9). Much of what we've been taught about judgment, hell and eternal punishment falls under the heading of false teaching; it does not conform to God's written word. This chapter is offered in an attempt to correct these abuses.
[25.5]
God's Mercy In Eden
God's first intervention to save man from his ongoing quest to destroy himself was in the Garden of Eden. The moment man succumbed to the seductive temptation offered him by the serpent of Eden; he became eligible to perish in the eternal flames of the fiery lake. It is important to note that man, as long as he remained mortal, could perish, which is to say, not be able to live forever in flesh or spirit. If however, he could become immortal, i.e. live forever, his punishment for failing God would be compounded to the maximum. In effect, his punishment would be never ending. Eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil brought great sorrow upon Adam and Eve but, through God's intervention, the punishment for this sin could now be, with God's intervention, limited.
[25.6]
Let us not forget there were two trees of note in the Garden of Eden. In the beginning, this second tree, the tree of life, was fully available to man. Contrary to the tree of knowledge, which only brought death, this tree held the promise of life everlasting and was there for man’s taking. After sin was introduced, this tree, the tree of life, became even more of a threat to man than its companion. It posed an unseen and unrecognized danger. If man ate of this tree in his fallen state, he would live forever thus, his punishment, by necessity, would be eternal. It is at this point we first see God's mercy.
[25.7]
God saw this dilemma immediately and moved quickly to prevent a bad situation from becoming much worse. By placing angelic guards at the tree of life, He protected man from bringing eternal consequences upon himself. Man could not reach the tree of life without causing himself mortal death thus he could not eat of it and live to endure everlasting torment. Now that God could no longer trust man, because of his fallen nature, God would have to drive him from the garden.
Genesis 3:22-24
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
[25.8]
God had now limited man; he was mortal, he had temporary life but nothing more, and even that was moving toward death with every passing moment.
[25.9]
By God's intervention two important things had been accomplished. First, man could not live forever suffering eternally for his fallen state and second, he could perish in his sin; he could burn up, dissolve, be no more, which is preferable to the alternative. God had another plan to bring eternal life to man; God's plans are never thwarted by anything or anyone. He had planned to offer eternal life to man and this He would do through His only begotten son. Before this could be accomplished, the damages caused to man's relationship with God would have to be repaired and full payment made for all the damages done. (More on this later, Ref. [25.41, 42])
[25.10]
The terrible, hereditary, spiritual disease called sin, that had been introduced by one man, would now be spread to all men and would have to be healed (Isaiah 53.5) before eternal life could be offered again (1 Peter 2:24). If sin was introduced by one man than by one man it could be removed providing, this man could uphold the law of righteousness perfectly (Romans 5:12-19).
[25.11]
The Last Round-Up
In Matthew twenty-five, beginning in verse thirty-one, Christ describes His coming and the gathering of those who wear His mark, the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, Revelation 7:3). He mentioned this moment and its events often. Consider the parables of "the wheat and the tares" (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) and the "great net" (Matthew 13:47-51) or His metaphor of the sheep and goats given in Matthew twenty-five (Matthew 25:31-46) to mention just a few. In each of these, Christ and His holy angels deal with separating and gathering His redeemed children, living and asleep (dead). They are seperated from those alive in the flesh but dead spiritually and those morally and spiritually dead who now await judgment and final disposition.
Revelation 20:5, 6
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
[25.12]
In Matthew 25:31-46, those who remain alive at His coming but do not rise to meet the Lord are depicted as goats while the resurrected, both alive and sleeping, are pictured as sheep (Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52).
[25.13]
At the time of Christ's coming, all those remaining on earth fall into two camps. They are either sheep who know and follow the voice of their chief shepherd, Jesus (John 5:28-29), or they are goats who have received the mark of the beast. The sheep are changed in the wink of an eye and gathered by the holy angels to meet Christ in the air (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 24:31).
[25.14]
These goats having worshipped Satan are, at the point of the resurrection, all that remains of earth's living inhabitants and every one of them, without exception, bares the mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead. As the cross is synonymous with Christians so the pentagram is with worshippers of Satan. It’s interesting to note that this five pointed star with its two legs pointed up is often shown as the head of a goat, a symbol synonymous with Satanic covens. Note also, what becomes of these goats (Matthew 25:46). Every goat (unbeliever) left alive at Christ’s coming has received the mark of the beast while every believer has been gathered together with Christ.
Revelation 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:16-18
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
[25.15]
These goats are the only body of people known to receive the full measure of God's wrath. This unique herd of goats will be granted an eternal life of torment, their punishment will be without end. Though rebellious and sinful, they will be granted eternal life to suffer in the flames of the unquenchable lake of fire created for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41-Goats
41 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 25:46a-Goats
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
Revelation 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
What about the unredeemed dead who have neither received the mark of the beast or Christ?
[25.16]
Three Possible Ends
There are only three ways in which man can ultimately be dispatched. One, he can receive Christ and live eternally in God's kingdom. Two, he can worship the beast and his image, receiving his mark and spend eternity in torment or three, through ignorance or disbelief, be consumed by the fire and brimstone becoming the victim of the second death. We have a choice because we know Him, some have little choice because they've never heard of Christ or the good news of forgiveness and reconciliation. However, even these should have known, through nature, that there exists only one creator of heaven and earth.
Romans 1:20
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[25.17]
Who is that creator? Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-16)! I have a brother named Peter If I refer to my sibling as Peter or as brother, am I not addressing the same person? If I speak to the creator of heaven and earth as creator or as Jesus, am I not speaking to the same person? When one, untouched by the gospel, believes in the maker of heaven and earth and trusts Him for his deliverance, will God reject him? Is our Lord not also our creator, the creator of heaven and earth?
[25.18]
Twice Dead
Jude 11-12
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
[25.19]
In the book of Revelation, chapter twenty and verse six, Jesus said, "Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power". The first resurrection involves all practicing believers, alive and dead, who are gathered from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 24:31).
[25.20]
What is this second death which has no power over the redeemed? If the first death, is the death of the flesh, and all must die this death prior to judgment, then what is this second death? The second death, i.e. spiritual death, it extends to all found guilty before the righteous judgment of God. This judgment follows mortal death and is based upon God’s moral law.
Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Revelation 20:12-15
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
[25.21]
Let's reason this out. We are born in the flesh once and after believing in Christ, we are born in the Spirit thus we are born again. If we die our first death in the flesh, then what would be the second death? Could it possibly be the death of man's spirit? What else could it be?
[25.22]
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. This is why Jesus said, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be filled" (Matthew 5:18). All is fulfilled following the great judgment and heaven and earth do pass away.
Revelation 21:1
21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[25.23]
Those who have not walked in God's grace shall be judged by His law (Hebrews 9:15).
Romans 7:5-6
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
[25.24]
What about those born before the law? They will be held accountable as well and will perish without the law.
Romans 2:12
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
[25.25]
The Wages Of Sin Is Death.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[25.26]
What is death? The word "death" (Strong's #2288) in Greek is thanatos (than-at-os) which means figuratively or literally, death. There is nothing mysterious or complicated about it, death is death and death is the total and complete absence of life, inanimate. When you're dead, you're dead; you cease to be. When the body dies it returns to the dust, the inanimate substance it was before receiving God's breath of life and when your spirit dies, it also ceases to be. What is death? It's like darkness. What is darkness? It's the absence of light. Death is the absence of life. Christ is life.
Genesis 2:7
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
[25.27]
The second death is the death of the soul, a word which covers our total being of flesh and spirit. Anyone overtaken by death while not walking in the path of righteousness is under penalty of eternal death. Why do we say eternal death? Because there are many believers who now sleep in the dust who will awake from this temporary death when they hear the voice of the Son of God (John 5:28). These others of whom we speak, will become the victims of eternal death; they will never wake again. They will not experience the temporary death Christian’s experience. Instead, they will receive the total destruction of their very being, the end of their body and spirit.
James 5:19-20
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
[25.28]
From Death To Life
In the New Testament gospel of John, chapter five, verse twenty-four, Jesus made three important points. He said,:
1. "he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life.
2. and does not come into judgment
3. but has passed from death into life."
[25.29]
To this, He adds, "He who believes in me has everlasting life" (John 3:16, 6:47). If we keep His word, we shall never see death (John 8:51). Scripture makes it clear that all men face mortal death (Hebrews 9:27, Genesis 3:19, Job 21:23-26). If this is so, then Jesus is not speaking of our mortal death but rather the death of our soul (John 8:24, Romans 1:32, 5:21, 6:16, 21, 8:6).
[25.30]
At this point, someone is bound to question this conclusion by reminding us that Enoch and Elijah seemingly escaped mortal death. However, a closer look reveals that it catches up to them before the second coming of Christ (Revelation 11:7).
[25.31]
Others may also object on the grounds that many shall be alive at the time of His coming and therefore, do not die. If this is so, how are we passed from death into life (John 5:24, 1 John 3:14)? How do we receive new bodies if the old ones still live? Are we not appointed once to die (Hebrews 9:27) and our bodies allocated to rot and return to dust (Genesis 3:19)? We should also be aware that a Christ's coming, our death and regeneration take place in a blink of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52).
[25.32]
To be passed from death into life we must first die. So, believers are passed from death into life (John 6:47). What if we don't believe in Christ, will we still pass from death to life or will we be condemned to pass from death to death, from mortal death to spiritual death? Are the wages of sin death or eternal torment (Romans 6:23)? Isn't mortal death the result of sin and isn't spiritual death the result of rejecting the only begotten son of God?
John 3:18
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[25.33]
Doesn't the death of the soul come about by walking in the darkness of sin? We know that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin if we walk in the light of righteousness as Christ did (1 John 1:7). What if we choose to walk in the darkness of sin instead, does the blood of Christ still cleanse us from all sin? Isn't spiritual death the payment for unconfessed, unrepented and thus, uncleansed sin (Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 1:9)? What else could the scriptures be referring to when speaking of the second death? This death is reserved for all who have not believed in Christ (Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 14, 21:8, Matthew 7:21-22, Luke 6:46). If the first death terminates mortal life then the second must certainly end all spiritual life.
[25.34]
One Exception
There can be only one exception to this rule and God Himself, has made it. He has promised an eternal life of torment to all who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. This group will receive the everlasting punishment and shame promised to them for their betrayal (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:9-11). If everyone who rejects or fails to receive Jesus is condemned to eternal torture, then why has Christ declared the punishment for worshipping the beast to be worse than all others (Revelation 14:9-11)?
[25.35]
Why does He say they receive the full strength of His wrath (Revelation 14:10)? If all the unredeemed receive the same punishment, then what would be the purpose of this warning? Where would be the threat?
[25.36]
The lake of fire is not the same place as hell like so many believe (see chapter ten). It was designed and built for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41
41 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:
[25.37]
But all who have not believed in Christ are ultimately dumped there. Most, after receiving just punishment, will be consumed in its flames and be no more. The maker of the soul will become its destroyer and this is preferable to the alternative. Those who have received the mark of the beast and worshiped the beast and his image will not be able to die but will instead be tormented forever.
Isaiah 66:24
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Matthew 25:46
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Revelation 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:16-17
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[25.38]
From the beginning, God demonstrated His mercy upon fallen man by shielding him from the eternal death of the soul. When man fell to sin, God withheld immortality from him so that, in his fallen state, he could not live forever.
Genesis 3:22-24
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
[25.39]
Can the soul die? Is that possible? If we turn a backslidden brother toward Christ and repentance, have we not saved his soul from death (James 5:20)? The answer is positively, yes (James 5:19-20)!
[25.40]
No Judgment?
When Jesus said, "We shall not come into judgment" (John 5:24), He was speaking of the great, white throne judgment spoken of in Revelation 20:11-14. Make no mistake, the redeemed will stand before the judgment seat of Christ as their names are read from the Lamb's book of life but each of these will receive a full pardon. Why? Because Christ paid the price as the propitiation for their sin.
Romans 3:25
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
1 John 2:2
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Luke 20:36
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Revelation 20:12
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:27
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
[25.41]
The Judgment Seat Of Christ
Most false doctrine is believed because it’s what we, as self-serving children, want to believe. The mistake that most children make is believing that forgiveness negates chastisement. Good parents are quick to forgive, never chastise out of anger and never fail to award a fitting punishment commensurate with the offense committed. God is a very good parent and as much as we would like to believe that we’ll escape His chastisement, His word makes it clear we won’t. The Lord chastens those He loves and God so loved the world that He gave…you know the rest.
Hebrews 12:5-9
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
[25.42]
Yes, without any doubt whatsoever, we who believe are forgiven and our past evil deeds have been forgotten but consider the implications of Romans 3:25, especially the phrase, “for the remission of sins that are past”.
Romans 3:25
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[25.43]
What about sins committed after we received Christ as Lord? Are these forgiven and forgotten as well? Surely if we follow 1 John 1:7-9 they’re forgiven but we should keep in mind that our Lord is a very good parent. We all will have to give an account of ourselves to Christ for the things we’ve done in these sinful bodies but we will not be required to surrender our eternal life, i.e. our spiritual life. Christ has seen to that, He has already paid that price. We may however, receive a trip to the “wood shed” to reinforce our Lord’s position on these infractions.
2 Corinthians 5:10-11
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
1 Corinthians 11:32
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
[25.44]
Yes, like it our not, we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ so it makes little sense to judge each other.
Romans 14:10
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
[25.45]
Those that our Lord loves He chastises so it might be wisdom to repent (Revelation 3:19). While we’re considering this, it might be well if we consider the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew.
Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
[25.46]
In Revelation, chapter twenty, verse twelve, those who have been part of the second resurrection, together with those taken in the first, are judged out of the books (books, plural). The book (book, singular) spoken of is the Lamb’s book of life. The judgment books contain the complete works of each one’s life, and judgment will be made according to those works, both for the saved and the unsaved.
[25.47]
Those whose names appear in the Lamb’s book of life also are those whom Christ has redeemed through His blood sacrifice. These, though fully guilty of all trespasses, will be issued a pardon. They will escape the lake of fire and pay for their offences through the righteous chastisement of God but they will inherit the kingdom of heaven as sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.
[25.48]
That Isn't Fair
How often have we, as children, uttered the words "that isn't fair" when our parents curtailed one of our activities or grounded us for violating a family rule? In hindsight, most of us, would have to admit, most of the time, they were right and their decisions were just, if not a bit lenient. I have contemplated the justice of God and have questioned it much the same way as a precocious adolescent. If the prophet David meditated upon the law of God, why not me? Children reach an age when their minds are filled with questions. Daddy, why is the sky blue and do dogs go to heaven when they die, etc?
[25.49]
Like a young child, I too, have had questions for my father; my heavenly Father. For example, if the members of a remote tribe that never heard of Jesus or saw a bible, would God torture them night and day forever and ever when they died? What about nice people who lived moral lives but never developed a personal relationship with Christ, would they suffer the same eternal torment reserved for mass murderers? If a boy or girl of twelve dies as a result of a car accident or fatal disease, is it fair; is it God's justice; for this child to spend eternity in torture for their sins while giving the same sentence to a hardened child rapist and killer? We know that teachers of the word receive a stricter judgment.
James 3:1
3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
[25.50]
Doesn't this indicate that those with more opportunity and knowledge are held to a higher level of responsibility and therefore receive a greater punishment for failure?
[25.51]
According To Their Works
If the body of Christ is subject to the laws of grace, then by what standard are the unredeemed judged? Perhaps they're judged by the Law of Moses. If not, why would Jesus have said, "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled". The legal foundations for most of the world's greatest civilizations have been built upon the Ten Commandments. God has assured us that no man can be justified by the works of the law so, it is to Satan's advantage to base the world's legal system on them. If the law continues to survive till all be fulfilled, then who does it survive to judge? Civilization has placed itself in obedience to it. Therefore, all those who serve it are subjects of it and will be judged by it.
Romans 7:1
7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
[25.52]
Are Christians free from obeying the law of the land? No, we must give our governments the obedience due them, at the same time, remembering to keep our priorities straight by not giving to our nation any obedience which runs contrary to the will of God.
Matthew 22:21
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
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Most earthly law is initiated for our protection and God has authorized its enforcers to punish all offenders (Romans 13:1-4). But we must always remember when forced to make a choice between serving the law of men or serving God, God must always be our first choice (Acts 4:19, 5:29). All those who serve as ministers of Satan while appearing to be ministers of righteousness will be judged according to their works, just as Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14).
2 Corinthians 11:15
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
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All the unredeemed will be resurrected to judgment in the second resurrection (the second resurrection is the resurrection of the unsanctified dead) and judged out of the judgment books according to their works.
Revelation 20:12-13
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
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.
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Once judgment has taken place, all that remains is execution, as each guilty offender receives the punishment appropriate to those evil works which they did in the flesh. Each one of them will have their portion in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Their suffering will be in direct proportion to their sin according to the wisdom and justice of almighty God. Like wafer's dissolving at different rates in boiling water, these souls will dissolve into nothingness. They are able to pass from existence because they were never granted eternal life. They will be terminated by the second death after suffering for their sins as apportioned by the Lord at judgment.
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Fallen angels and men who have chosen to follow Satan by worshipping the beast, will receive a much greater punishment. They will suffer in this boiling brimstone lake for eternity, unable to die and unable to quench the flames that eternally torment their soul. It will likely be similar to the torment encountered during the tribulation, when the locusts came and stung men with a scorpion-like sting. At that time, they sought death but could not find it and this may now be the fate of fallen angels for eternity. Rebellious angels and rebellious men alike will seek death but be unable to find it.
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Those that chose to worship Satan as king will get to spend eternity being tormented with him in the lake of fire, which they will share and with the beast and son of perdition (false prophet) known as the antichrist.
Revelation 20:10
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
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Death And Prison Destroyed
All the unredeemed will be destroyed, burned up in the lake of fire, all but those who accepted the mark of the beast. Those left alive will be alive forever, both those in the lake of fire and those in the kingdom of God. There is no need for death or the one who once held its power. There is no longer any need for the prison that once held the unredeemed and rebellious for the day of judgment, the prison known as Hades (hell), the place of the dead. As trash, both hell and death are cast into the lake of fire, there is no longer a need for either.
Revelation 20:13-14
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.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
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To Die Or To Perish
There may possibly be some skeptics who think that the term "perish" is less rigid than the term "death" but an examination of this word reveals this to be a false assumption. The word "perish" may be found in Strong's Greek dictionary under their number #622. In Greek, the word for perish is "apollumi" (ap-ol-loo-mee) and means to destroy fully and once again it means this figuratively and literally. There is simply no way around this meaning. It calls for the complete and total destruction of the soul. "Whosoever believes in Him should not perish"…(John 3:16). What if you don't believe in Him, what happens then? You perish! When we speak of death in terms of Romans 6:23, we're not speaking of mortal death but spiritual death; the death of the soul.
Romans 6:21-23
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:6
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
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Once again, if belief in Christ brings spiritual life (John 5:24, 6:47), then what does disbelief bring?
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
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Who is it that encourages disbelief in eternal death?
Hebrews 2:14
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
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We know that no man is tempted beyond his capacity to resist (1 Corinthians 10:13) but when, through lust, we give in to temptation, sin is born and when sin is allowed to grow and prosper, it brings death; spiritual death.
James 1:14-16
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
James 5:20
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
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Christ alone holds the keys to eternal life, death and the place of the dead (Revelation 1:18). We are admonished to be over-comers, to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). By so doing, we will not be stung by the second death.
Revelation 2:11
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 20:6
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Luke 20:36
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
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God will destroy all who have chosen to follow false teachers, man-pleasing hypocrites who offer the same seductive lies that Jezebel told (Revelation 2:23). All such deceivers will be completely destroyed in the lake of fire. All except those who wear the mark of the beast, their fate will be much worse (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:11). They can not die.
Matthew 7:23
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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Death Not Torment
All peoples, tongues and nations who have not believed and followed the only begotten Son of God; all who have died in ignorance, those who have not worshipped the beast, his image or taken his mark will be extinguished as the flame on a candle. Each will suffer for a time, the duration of which will be in direct proportion to their works, thus each shall have their individual part in the lake of fire but when their portion is fully paid, they shall perish. We have God's word on it!
Jesus, referring to His sheep, said, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish".
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
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There are many who are not His sheep, many who have chosen the broad path leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). What about these? As believers, we are as a sweet fragrance before God and the aroma of death to those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
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Unbelievers perish; they come to complete and total destruction, they are fully destroyed. Many of those who perish (not suffer eternally) do so because they chose to believe lies rather than God's truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10). What is truth? Truth is the word of God (John 17:17). If we would but study the word of God, we would learn what God teaches on these things. Let's heed the advice given in His word for the days ahead grow increasingly evil and deceivers more abundant.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:13-15
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Some things are just too important to leave to others! "Study to show yourself approved." Truth isn’t always what you want it to be.