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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Hell

I have often heard it expressed that the Bible speaks more about Hell than Heaven, or that Jesus talked more about hell than about heaven. I don't know the truth of these statements, and it could actually be quite complicated in determing it -- for example, there are many other words in the Bible that refer to these places other than just these two. I can say that by running a simple search at KJVBible.net for the words heaven and hell, there is quite a disparity. 691 verses include some form of the word heaven/heavens. 55 verses include some form of the word hell. With that kind of disparity, my initial reaction would be that it is unlikely that the initial statement it true. But it is likely that a number of those verses about heaven do mean heaven/heavens in the sky and not heaven where God dwells.

Regardless, there are some very important things the Bible says about hell. For examples:

Matthew 5:22 Some in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:29-30 Some bodies to be cast into Hell.
Matthew 10:28 Someone is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 23:33 Can you escape the damnation of hell?
Mark 9:43 Hell fire shall never be quenched:
Luke 16:23 The rich man lift up his eyes in hell, being in torments.

The Bible declares for whom Hell is prepared, who will inhabit it for how long, and the nature of their existence in this place. Passages such as Matthew 25:41-46; 13:42; Revelation 20:14-15; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 8:31; and 2 Peter 2:4 are helpful in teaching us.

Paul writes, “...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (when), In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (who): Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction (how long) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (the nature of their existence)” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

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