MAKE NO MISTAKES ABOUT HELL

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

MAKE NO MISTAKES 

ABOUT HELL

... "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God", (Psalm 9:17)

INTRODUCTION:

The complacency of the modern society about hell has indeed reached an alarming dimension. This destructive scenario, no doubt, has been the effect of pulpit compromise, as occasioned by the materialistic tendency in the modern preacher. It is glaring that the mistaken concept of hell, as a place of eternal punishment has not adequately been challenged by those who bear the ministry of the WORD of GOD. As such, those religious groups that deny eternal punishment have literally sown the people down with their dangerous propaganda.

In the words of C.D. Cole (1968:43) "too much of our preaching is for entertainment, rather than for information. He further stresses that we try to have conversions without conviction, and make concerted efforts in calling the self-righteous into the church, when we ought to be calling sinners to repentance..., noting that we have let our prejudice for heaven hide the terrible realities of hell".

WHAT IS HELL?

The modern society carries various concepts of the word "hell". Informally, "hell" is used to express a situation that is extremely unpleasant. For instance, if someone gives you hell, they are very severe and cruel to you. Also, the expression, "all hell broke loose", means that there was suddenly a lot of arguing and fighting. People, as well, use the word "hell" when they are angry or excited about something, etc.

However, it is important to note that "hell" is not just a concept for denotative or connotative expressions, but a real physical place of punishment. The New Webster's Dictionary of the English Language defines "hell" as the abode of Satan and his fallen angels, and a place of physical anguish for impenitent souls after death. Similarly, the BBC English Dictionary renders that "hell" is a place where wicked people are believed to go and be punished when they die.

But, "Mr. Evangelist", you have only given the dictionary idea of hell, and this, to the best of my knowledge cannot give a proper understanding of the subject-matter, since it is a biblical concept, "Brother Search" reacts!

Mr. Evangelist:

Your observation is true. However, I never intended to stop at this point, but a way of helping you look at the subject of hell from two angles. Now, to what the Bible says about it. In fact, one prominent thing in the WORD of GOD about hell, is that it is a place of eternal punishment for sinners who would not repent of their sins during their lifetime, (Matthew 13:49-50).

Brother Search:

What is the real nature of hell?

Mr. Evangelist:

Hell, as a place of eternal punishment gives the basic idea of its nature. Nevertheless, for a better understanding, and according to the Bible, hell is also said to be a place of torments (Luke 16:23-24), a prison for sinners and fallen angels (1 Peter 3:19), as well as a "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:12) or a "lake of fire, (Revelation 20; 14).

Brother Search:

But, there are those who believe that the wicked will completely be destroyed (annihilationists), who go about denying the continued existence of the wicked, hereby rendering the place of eternal punishment unnecessary. What does the Bible says about this?

Mr. Evangelist:

Those who hold that a place of eternal punishment does not exist often misinterpret the Scripture which says, "for the evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, shall inherit the earth", (Psalm 37:9). In fact, this portion of the Bible only shows how the wicked are suddenly forced out of their ill-gotten possessions, as well as shows how God sustains the inheritance of the righteous on earth, and has nothing to do with eternity nor does it teach the total destruction of the human soul, which theologians refer to as "annihilation".

Brother Search:

Do you then mean that the theory of annihilation is wrong?

Mr. Evangelist:

Exactly! The Bible teaches that whenever one comes into existence, one continues to exist, even when one dies, for what we call death is the separation of the soul of an individual from the body, and not the total destruction of such a soul, (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Brother Search:

So, what happens to the soul of an individual who dies?

Mr. Evangelist:

Each soul that dies at any point in time, either goes to heaven or hell. The story of Lazarus, the beggar and Davis, who the Bible refers to as the "Rich Man" buttresses this fact, and shows that the human soul lives beyond this world, (Luke 16:23-24). Brother Search:

But, the story is a parable employed by JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED SAVIOUR to illustrate His teaching.

Mr. Evangelist:

No, the story of Lazarus and the "Rich Man" is not a parable, for parables do not mention specific names, as we have in the story.

Brother Search:

Now, what are the reasons why people go to heaven or hell after death?

Mr. Evangelist:

The simple fact of one's decision in life determines where one goes when one dies. The Bible teaches that "all (through Adam) have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD", and that one can only be justified freely by HIS Grace through the redemption that came by CHRIST JESUS", (Romans 3:23-24). So, one who repents and continues in CHRIST goes to heaven when one dies, and one who refuses to repent goes to hell, hereafter, (Luke 13:3).

In conclusion, don't allow anyone to deceive you, for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, (Hebrews 10:31). REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!

REFERENCE:

Cole, C.D (1968), Definitions of Doctrines Volume 11. Sin-salvation-service

The Bryan Station Baptist Church, U.S.A

This tract is God's message and property in your hands. Don't destroy it.  Read and pass it on.

Your financial support for soul winning, for CHRIST, is welcomed through UBA Acc. No. 2003513589

DRESSING TO GLORIFY GOD

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

DRESSING TO GLORIFY GOD

The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves”, {Genesis 3:7}

INTRODUCTION:

      Scripturally, the primary objective in dressing is the covering of nakedness. Other objectives  as necessitated by climatic and environmental problems include, the giving of warmth to our bodies and the protecting of the skin from insect bites. Socially speaking, man also, should dress to look nice. However, for any mode of dressing to give GOD glory, it must take cognizance of divine principle and modesty.

      The immodest mode of dressing that has characterized the modern world is not a mark of civilization, as many are made to believe, but a manifestation of the sinful nature of man. Pointing to the fact of transvestism {dressing in the clothing of the opposite sex} it becomes biblically clear that most people living in  human society are detestable to GOD, {Deut. 22:5}. Furthermore, those who dress like prostitutes demonstrate crafty intent to destroy the unsuspecting souls, {Prov. 7:10ff}.

      From the foregoing, it becomes noticeable that transvestism and all forms of harlot-like dressing are sinful before GOD. These perversions indicate that many are yet under the bondage of sin, and so, candidates of hell .{The Big Girl reacts}

The Big Girl:

Do you mean transvestism is such a sin that can send someone to hell?

The Preacher:

Your problem is that you look at transvestism from a social point of view. What may be socially acceptable, may not be acceptable to GOD. Transvestism is an abomination before the LORD, {Deut: 22:5}. And anything abominable can send someone to hell.

The Big Girl:

But, hell isn’t much a problem. A preacher told me is just a grave and not as dreadful as you try to paint it.

The Preacher:

Mind what you hear and take in. The Bible tells us that both hell and grave {hades} will be cast into the lake of fire, {Rev.20:14}.

The Big Girl:

Then, what happens to those in the grave?

The Preacher:

I guess, you can imagine. If one is in a room, sleeping, {as the grave is the sleeping room for the dead} and eventually the room gets burnt, what do you think happens?

The Big Girl:

I suppose the room and the occuptants get burnt The Preacher:

You’re right

The Big Girl:

You’re just particularizing on issue of the wearing of trousers. Is transvestism a matter of just wearing of trousers?

The Preacher:

No, transvestism borders on the wearing of the clothing of the opposite sex, and not just on the wearing of trousers. A girl or woman who wears men’s

shirt or any masculine clothing or a boy or man who wears gown or any clothing of the female folks is guilty  of the same offence.

The Big Girl:

You also talked of dressing like a prostitute, what do you really mean?

The Preacher:

Going by what is written in the book of Proverb 7:10ff, one can correctly say that dressing like a prostitute covers all forms of dressing that can trigger off immorality. Both male and female folks can be guilty of this depravity. Are you affected?

The Big Girl:

Yes! But, I don’t know how to get out of it

The Preacher:

The issue of transvestism and that of dressing like a prostitute are not just outward phenomena but inward problems. The powers {evil spirits} that control such illicit ways of life dwell in the hearts of those who live therein. It is only when one allows JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR into one’s life that such powers are broken or driven out of one’s life.

The Big Girl:

What do I really do to get out of this problem?

The Preacher:

Biblically speaking, every sincere sinner who desires to get out of the problem of sin has four basic steps to take:

{1}HE/SHE MUST REPENT:

“Repent, therefore, and turn to God, that your sins may be wiped out...” {Acts 3:19}.

{2} HE/SHE MUST CONFESS:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” {1 Jn. 1:9}.

{3} HE/SHE MUST RENOUNCE:

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy”, {Prov. 28:13}

{4}HE/SHE MUST RECEIVE JESUS

“...to all who received HIM, to those who believed in HIS NAME, HE gave the right to become children of GOD” {Jn. 1:112}.

The Big Girl:

You have really helped me. But, one more thing. In your introductory statement, you made mention of dressing to glorify GOD. What particular fashion in dressing can really glorify GOD?

The Preacher:

When I said, “Dressing to glorify GOD”, I really had no particular type of fashion in mind. The main concern of any true child of GOD in dress-making borders on the objectives for which clothing was introduced. These I cited as

{I} dressing to cover one’s nakedness,

{ii} dressing to protect one’s skin from insect bite,

{iii} dressing to give one’s body warmth,

{iv} dressing to look nice.

With these basic clothing objectives in mind, one can always make one’s dresses to the glory of GOD.

The Big Girl {now a believer}

Thanks, for your immense help, I shall now take my turn in telling my friends that:

Transvestism and all forms of harlot-like dressing are detestable to GOD,{ Deu 22:5; Prov. 7:10ff}. Good bye!

This tract is God's message and property in your hands. Don't destroy it,  read and pass it on.

Your financial support for soul winning, for CHRIST, is welcomed through UBA Acc. No. 2003513589

HELL IS NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR YOU

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism) DIP, BA, (Theology) MA, PhD

HELL IS NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR YOU

... "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”...{Luke 16:23-24}

INTRODUCTION:

Norway, a country on the European Continent, which is situated in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, presently harbours a point known as “hell” in its village of Lanke Styerdal; which has a population of about 1500 people. The village has become a minor tourist attraction because of its name, as visitors besiege the place for sight-seeing.

                 The Norwayian word “hell”, from which the Lanke Styerdal village derives its name stems from the old norse, hellir, which means “overhang” or “luck”, and offers a lot of funware and pleasantries. But, the “”hell” which the Holy Bible talks about is an unfavourable place of everlasting punishment for sinners who would not repent during their life time on earth, and situates outside the geographical location of this world.

NATURE OF HELL

According to Louis Berkhof, some view “hell” as merely a condition, but GOD’S WORD pictures it as a real place, and describes it as “furnace of fire” {Matt. 13:42}, “Lake of fire.” {Rev. 20:14} and a “prison,” {1 Peter 3:19}. Hell is also described as a “place of torments,” {Luke 10:23-24}, a “place of gnashing of teeth,” {Matt. 13:14}, and a “place where worms do not die,” {Matt. 9:43-44}.

NAMES OF HELL

The Bible uses various names for “hell”, which really highlight its nature. In line with this, it refers to hell as:

{1} Grave: The word “grave” is translated from Hebrew                                                                                                                                                                                                       word “shoel,” which means a place for the departed dead, the righteous or wicked.

{2} Gehenna: The word “gehenna” is cited   in {Matt. 5:22} and is used figuratively as a name for the place or state of everlasting punishment. Geographically, this place is physically located at the south side of Jerusalem, where rites of the heathen god “molech,” was celebrated, {1             Kings 11:7}

{3} Hades: The word “hades,” means unseen, the place of departed souls. The New Testament describes it as a       place of torments and conscious suffering,{Luke 16:23-   31}

{4} Tartaros: The word “tartaros” is a citation from {1Peter 2:4}, which implies the deepest abyss of hades- a place of confinement, prison for the fallen angels, {Jude6}.

SUBJECTS OF HELL

Berkhof also remarks that, at the final state, the wicked {or sinners} will be consigned to the place of everlasting punishemnt, called “hell.” Originally, “hell” was not prepared for man, but for the devil and his angels. However, according to the Bible, all those who would not repent, but continue in sin, will, as well, suffer the torments of “hell” with Satan and his demons, {Matt. 25:41}.

ESCAPE FROM HELL

Hell is eternal prison for sinners who wouldn’t repent or surrender their lives to JESUS. But, it is not the WILL of GOD that anyone should perish, but that all should repent, {2Peter 3:9}.Therefore, for one to escape the  damnation of hell, one must:

{1}           REPENT: “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” ...{Acts 3:19}.

{2}           FORSAKE: “He who covers his sins will not prosper.                                                                                                                                                                                  But      whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy,” {Prov. 28:13}.

{3}           RECEIVE: “But as many as received HIM, to them HE                                                                      gave  the right to become children of GOD, those who believe in HIS NAME, {John 1:12}.

{4} CONTINUE: “Then JESUS said to those Jews who believed HIM, “if you continue in MY WORD, you are MY

disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”  {John 8:31-32}.

In conclusion,... “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? {Mark 8:36-37}. DON’T REGRET IN HELL!

REFERENCES:

Hell, Nord- Trendelag-Wikipedia

-the free encyclopedia.

Berhof, Louis {1953} Systematic Theology,

The Banner of Truth Trust, U.S.A

This tract is God’s message and property in your hands. Don’t destroy it, read and pass it on.

Your financial support for soul winning, for the LORD, is welcomed through UBA Acc. No. 2003513589