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

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