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MAN'S ULTIMATE DESTINY I
HELL - THE TABOO WORD!

INTRODUCTION
"Hell" - In our society it is either a swear word or a taboo word.
            A swear word:
           
            A taboo word:

A SURPRISE!

            The results of a recent survey! U.S News & World Report 11/13/00 "Hell             Hath No Fury" 64% believe there is a hell.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HELL?

1.  Sheol?    Hades?    Hell?  (Gehenna - II Kings 16:3, 21:6; 23:10; Jer 7:31-32)

2. HELL, THE ULTIMATE HORROR!

•     •   Gehenna (Matt 5:29, 8:9, 10:28*, 23:33; Mk 9:43)
•     •   The fires of hell (Isa 30:33; 33:14, 66:24; Mal 4:1; Matt 3:12,                                 13:40-42*, 50, 18:8,9; Heb 10:27; Jude 7;
                                  Rev 19:20, 20:14-15*, 21:8*)
•     •   Darkness (Job 16:21,22; Matt 8:12*, 22:13, 25:30; II Pet 2:17)
•     •   Prison (Mt 18:34-35*, II Pet 2:4,9)
•     •   Pit (Ps. 55:23*)
•     •   Worm does not die (Mk 9:47-48*; Isa 66:24)
•     •   Banishment and separation (Matt 8:12*, 25:41*; II Thess 1:9)
•     •   Torment and agony (Lk 16:23-24,28; Rom 2:8-9;
                                       Rev 14:10-11*, 20:10)
•     •   No rest day and night  (Rev 14:11*)       
•     •   Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:12, 13:42*,49-50*, 22:13,                                                       24:51, 25:30; Lk 13:28) (Act 7:54)
•     •   Eternal punishment (Matt 25:46*; Jude 7*; Rev 14:10-11*; 20:10*)

HOW CAN A LOVING GOD SEND SOMEONE TO HELL?

Other Questions??  Why did God allow sin to come into the world when He knew that it would result in the eternal torment of so many?  Why will a merciful God not extinguish the pain of those who are unwilling to be saved?  Why does hell not just mean annihilation?  How can God or we be happy when people are in hell?

1. It is man's own choice (Matt 23:37; Rom 1:28, 32)

2. How can a loving and holy God send rebellious sinners to hell? (Isa 6:5;
    Rev 18:20)

3. It is not amazing there is a hell; it is amazing there is a heaven!

4. But God "is patient not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to
    repentance."  (II Peter 3:9)

5. Judgment is God's strange work. (Isaiah 28:21)

6. "Will not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25) 

WHAT ABOUT UNIVERSALISM, SECOND CHANCES, AND ANNIHILATION?

1. Universalism: God is so loving, sin is not so bad (Jn 12:19,32; I Tim 2:3,4,     4:9,10, II Pet 3:9)

        Some problems: No unforgivable sin (Matt 12:31,32); Judas is, then, in         heaven; No narrow door (Matt 7:13,14); Jesus laid His life down for His
        sheep (Jn 10:11); few chosen (Matt 22:14); the first universalist was         Satan – "You shall surely not die"

2. Second chances:  Purgatory, baptism for the dead

        Some problems:  No second chance (Heb 9:27);  a belief in purgatory says         that Christ's death is not sufficient; no assurance (I Jn 5:11-13); prayer for         dead is not in the Bible

3. Annihilation: Christian Science; Seventh Day Adventists

        Some problems:  The Bible teaches eternal punishment (Matt 25:46 – if no         eternal punishment, there is also no eternal life – Rev 14:10,11, 20:10;         Jude 7)

Thought QuestionS (Be prepared to answer the following questions put to you by an imaginary person):

1. Why did God allow sin to come into the world when He knew that it would result in the eternal torment of so many?  Why will a merciful God not extinguish the pain of those who are unwilling to be saved?  Why does hell not just mean annihilation?  How can God or we be happy when people are in hell?

2. Do you believe that everyone will be saved?  Do you believe that there will be a second chance after death?  Do you believe that Hell will be annihilation?

RESOURCES:  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HELL? by John Blanchard