Hell

A Literal Place of Eternal Torment

    

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Overview  There are over four hundred references to hell in the Holy Bible. The prophets predating Jesus, Messiah Jesus himself, and Paul taught about an eternal place of torment. Hell is at the center of the earth (Isaiah 14:9, 15), "enlarges herself" as noted by scientific data on the earth's core (Isaiah 5:14), characterised by fire (Isaiah 33:14; 66:24), worms (Isaiah 66:24), and is eternal (Isaiah 33:14). Close analysis of the Greek words used for destruction in passages like Philippians 3:19 DO NOT indicate a cessation of existance for the same Greek word apoleia is used for "waste" in Matthew 26:8 where the oil used for Jesus did not cease to exist. Jesus himself confirms Isaiah 66:24 in a teaching/preaching context affirming hell is a place "Where THEIR worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48, emphasis mine, cf. Luke 16:28). Jesus indicates that BOTH eternal life and eternal death is an ongoing conscious state (cf. Matthew 25:46). Putting these passages that use "destruction" together with the wealth of other related Biblical references cited on this page are reconciled to clearly indicate hell as a place "of eternal conscious punishment" where ONGOING destruction of a body and soul occur in the absence of all that is good with no other purpose. The Bible does say that the current hell will one day be cast into the Lake of Fire where "The smoke of their torment rises forevor" (Revelation 20:10-15, cf. Revelation 19:3, 14:9-11). In either case, the descriptions are horrific, and bare out an eternal conscious state of suffering, which is a very important reason why God's redemption through Christ Jesus is called the "gospel," "eullgeion," or "good news."

The links on this page will direct you to resources that will expose you to the magnitude of what is at stake. I have kept editorial comments to a minimum throughout this site, but I add three resulting conclusions of my Biblical gospel research here. First, my research indicates that hell was originally prepared for the devil and fallen angels-not people (Matthew 25:41). God's perfect will is that NONE will go to hell (1 Timothy 2:4-7). Moreover, God through Messiah Yeshua is drawing all mankind to himself, and promised to receive ALL calling on Jesus/Yeshua for salvation (John 12:32; John 6:37). Yet, God's permissive will is to honor one's free will choice(Revelation 20:15). Second, all people, including me, deserve hell and are hell bound apart from Christ Jesus (John 3:18; John 3:36). Sure, I may be a good citizen, and a person of integrity relative to many in my sphere of influence. But, relative to a Holy God, my righteousness like all other Jews and Gentiles apart from Messiah Yeshua, is as filthy rags (minstrel cloths) (Isaiah 64:6;). Everyone EXCEPT Messiah Yeshua has sinned (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 8-9), and the wages of sin is death (Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23). Moreover, sinners can not redeem other sinners (Ezekiel 18:20; Psalm 49:8-9). Third, while God can not tolerate sin (Isaiah 59:2, Ezekiel 18:4; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23), he loves sinners (Romans 5:8 1 John 4:10). In fact, God loves people so much that "He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not parrish but have everlating life" (John 3:16) for he bore our sin that we may enter eternal life among other things and not enter eternal death (Isaiah 53:6; cf. Ezekiel 18:20; Psalm 2:7). Because all have sinned God Himself would provide, and be the worthy sacrifice. God in Messiah Yeshua is Redeemer and Savior. The Levitical sacrificial system pointed one in this direction, which is another reason why it is stated elsewhere that God Himself "redeemed the church with his blood." (Acts 20:28) Through Christ Jesus only (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; Galatians 4:4; 1 Cor 15:21-22), God honors his perfect will (escape from hell), and his permissive will (one's choice to reject his perfect will) without compromising either.

It is your choice to embrace, and stand firm in the Biblical gospel that was declared before, during, and after historical Jesus known among Jews as Yeshua. In the final analysis you will not stand before your prophet, guru, professor, teacher, pastor, John Calvin, Jacob Arminius, presbyter, signifigant other; nor will you or I enter into eternal life by our associations with one exception. The ONLY exception is whether or not you know Yeshua the Messiah as your personal Lord and Savior. That is the only way into God's Holy city, unto G-d the Father, and unto life everlasting (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5-7). That is what matters for he is qualified to exhange your unrighteousness with his righteousness and present you holy and blameless to Holy G-d the Father. You will stand before Him and alone be accountable to Him one day apart from Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah for the nations. I hope my work of underscoring the Biblical nature and scope of the gospel will help you understand the depth of God's love for you, and enable you to make an informed decision.

Hell & The Gospel
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There is much more to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God than being saved from eternal conscious punishment, but its dreadful relevance cannot be minimised in proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. As I have reported throughout this site the Holy Bible reveals those who enter into the Genesis 3:15 and Genesis 12:3 convenant through Yeshua are saved from a destiny seperated from God by sin and everlasting destruction to be and do what God intends on earth in their sphere of influence as it is in heaven unto life eternal. Whether the person is already redeemed or not, the emphasis of the Gospel message is not fear driven allegience, but healthy respect for a Holy Creator and faith that is compelled by the love of God. In other words, God wants to redeem everyone who will be saved from that horrible place because its inevitable apart from faith in Yeshua. The emphasis for the person already redeemed by accepting Yeshua as their Messiah and Lord is in understanding who they are in Messiah Yeshua, and Who Messiah Yeshua IS in one trusting Him as Savior and Lord in partnership with Him in the gospel of the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Nevertheless, that does not minimise the relevance of hell for those in partnership with G-d in the gospel of the kingdom now because it, in part, entails pulling others from the fire (Jude 23), which can be translated practically in many ways in accordance with the Holy Bible, their "calling" and available means of grace. Yeshua taught quite a bit about hell, and being perceived as a manipulator did not seem to be his concern when he said things like Matthew 18:8-9, which is another reason Yeshua's teaching does not square with a swift annihilationist philosophy. Even so, love was not in omitting the gravity of the dreadful eternal and conscious state of hell, but presenting it out of deep sorrow, urgency, and in light of his substitiounary death for sinners. I think it is fairly clear this is a horrible place Yeshua would have us avoid at all costs. Fortunately, you and I do not have to go there by trusting Yeshua as our propitiation, and persevering in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God by grace through faith (belief). Moreover, G-d has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Yeshua, and many of his disciples are on record as weeping over the lost who are hellbound. Interestingly, the most powerful ministries in the Biblical record are among those who love those they represent to the extent, if it were permitted, to go to hell for them (Cf. Moses & Rabbi Paul of Tarsus cf. 1 John 3:16 & 1 John 3:23). What a challenge that is! Hell should be taught with urgency and brokeness for those parishing unto eternal damnation without the hope of Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah for the nations. Remember this, the greatest injustice occured at the cross when Jesus was fatally molested in taking our sin upon himself to deliver all who are willing to recive him by grace through faith from hell to be and do all God intends on earth as it is in heaven unto life eternal. And, apart from G-d in Yeshua reconcilling mankind to Himself, there is no salvation at all. Apparently, this reminder of what a person placing their faith in Jesus is saved from will continue to exist among the redeemed too (Revelation 14:9). In any case, God loves you. Give your life over to God by admitting your need as a sinner, believe in Yeshua as your ransom, and confess Him as your Lord. Please write me if you feel I have misrepresented THE JESUS OF THE HOLY BIBLE in this matter.