1 Peter Study #13

“Living Low”

1 Peter 5:1-7

Study #13 in 1 Peter Series

INTRODUCTION:

I am certain you have heard these expressions, and they are just a representative sample. There are many others: “high and mighty, keeping a high profile, living the high life, living it up, riding high in the saddle, living high on the hog.” Why do you suppose we have so many similar expressions in our language? Could it be that we are obsessed with the desire to live high and terrified of the idea of living low? In general Americans want to climb the social ladder. We want to climb the wealth ladder. We long to accumulate more material possessions. We want more fame, recognition, power, and authority. Nobody wants less. No, we all want MORE, MORE, MORE!

TRANSITION:

But what does the Bible say? What would Jesus say about our desire to live above others? Is this obsession with high living something that God wants us to pursue? In our text for this study, Peter addresses these very questions, and his conclusions might make you a little bit uncomfortable. Let’s dive in.

NOTES on the Text:

Verse 1: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,  

• “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ,” – The word Peter uses here translated as “I exhort” is the Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaléō), which has several interesting meanings. The literal meaning is “to call to one's side, to call for, or to summon for help.” In the KJV it is most often translated as “to beseech, to beg, or to entreat.” Moreover, it is from this verb that we get the noun, Parácletos, or Paraclete, which is a title for the Holy Spirit, the One who is “called alongside to help us in time of need.”
• Peter bases his exhortation on three (3) facts: (1) First, he is their “fellow elder.”  Here Peter puts himself in the same boat with the elders of the churches of Asia Minor. He is one of them. He is not making pronouncements from the top of the mountain but encouraging them as “your fellow elder.” Although Peter was clearly the prominent disciple among the twelve, he never claimed any special privilege or honor. He was a humble servant who saw himself only as a fellow elder among all the other elders in the church. (2) Second, he was an “eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ.” Indeed, he was there when it all went down. He didn’t read about it in the Jerusalem Herald. He didn’t see it on TV. No, he was with Jesus from day one, from that day on the shore of Lake Galilee when Jesus called him to be a fisher of men, and he saw it all with his own eyes, right up to the end: the mocking crowd, the trials, the derision and cursing of the Jews, the beatings, the crown of thorns, and the crucifixion. He had a front-row seat for all of it. And (3) Third, Peter, along with James and John, was a “partaker also of the glory” on that day on the mountain when they saw Jesus transfigured before their eyes, and they had a glimpse of His glory.
• “…and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,” – Not only did Peter witness Christ’s glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, he is confident that he, along with all the other believers, will see that same glory revealed in its fulness when Jesus returns to the earth in power and great glory.  

Verse 2: …shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

• “…shepherd the flock of God among you,” – “Shepherd.” Most of the time when we see this word in the N.T. it is in its noun form, ποιμήν (poimēn), which means “a herdsman, esp. a shepherd of sheep.” Here however we have it in the verb form, ποιμαίνω (poimainō), which means “to feed, to tend a flock, or to keep sheep,” but is more often used in the figurative sense of ruling or governing. In verse one Peter lays out his bona fides, in other words, his authority, qualifications, and achievements that give him the right to exhort them in this way. He is their senior shepherd, and as such has the right and responsibility to guide them in their work of caring for God’s sheep, “the flock of God among you.” But there is a right way and a wrong way to do that. A bad shepherd uses a club and a prod. He uses threats and intimidation. He slaps the sheep around, showing little tenderness toward them. He spends his time thinking about how much money the boss will pay him at the end of the work period. In other words, he is a hireling whose heart is not in the work and who cares nothing for the sheep. A good shepherd, on the other hand, loves his sheep and is even willing to sacrifice his life for them.
• If we look through the scriptures, we see that there are many references that describe the duties of a good shepherd. These boil down to six (6) main responsibilities:

1.    A good shepherd FEEDS the sheep – John 21:15-17 (NKJV) – “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

2.    A good shepherd PROTECTS the sheep – Acts 20:28 – “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

3.    A good shepherd LEADS the sheep – Psalm 23:1-3 – “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

4.    A good shepherd CORRECTS the sheep – 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

5.    A good shepherd HELPS DELIVER the lambs – Isaiah 40:11 – “He [God] tends His flock [Israel] like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.”

6.    A good shepherd GOES AFTER wandering sheep – Luke 15:4 – “Suppose one of you [shepherds] has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’”

• “…exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily,” – If you observe carefully verses 2-3 you will see that Peter gives us eight (8) descriptive phrases that teach elders the right way to care for God’s sheep. The first six (6) are in verse 2, and the last two are in verse 3. Notice that some are positive commands, others are negative.
• #1 “…exercising oversight” – This is one of the chief responsibilities of a pastor or elder, to oversee the work of the church and make sures that everything runs smoothly. He is to be guided by the Word of God and the clear leading of the Holy Spirit. In the N.T. a synonym for the word pastor (poimen) is the Greek word episkopos, which is usually translated as “overseer.”  
• #2 “…not under compulsion” – No one should be pushed into becoming a pastor. No one should be bullied or guilt-tripped into going into the ministry. The shepherding ministry is not merely a profession, but is a divine calling. A man needs to have the certainty that he is serving according to God’s will and with the full approval of his own will.  
• #3 “…but voluntarily” – This is the flip side of the previous statement and says what I just got done saying. A good pastor or elder does it of his own free will, not because of a vacancy or a church vote or pressure from his peers. This is clear from 1 Timothy 3:1 – “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” N.B. the words aspires and desires.
• #4 “…according to the will of God;” – As I said, a pastor must be convinced that he is serving because of the will and calling of God. The apostle Paul started many of his epistles with a greeting like this one in 1 Corinthians 1:1 – “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” It was that certainty that kept him going when times got tough.  
• #5 “…and not for sordid gain,” – The ministry is no place for someone who wants to use it to get rich. Sadly, over the years there have been many charlatans who have fleeced the flock and made themselves rich. In fact, there are still plenty of these wolves in sheep’s clothing running around becoming fabulously wealthy. Let me name a few: Benny Hinn, Jesse Duplantis, Bill Johnson, T.D. Jakes, Andrew Wommack, Marilyn Hickey, Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, and Joyce Meyer just to name a few. I could list many more. We need to call them all out as false shepherds and false prophets and avoid them completely.  
• #6 “…but with eagerness;” – A good shepherd does his work with eagerness, and joy, and a positive attitude. It is a great privilege and honor to serve the Great Shepherd and to care for His sheep. That is not burdensome work. It is not a chore. If you are a pastor but you dread every new day, getting up feeling depressed, dragging your feet and trying to find excuses not to go to work, you are probably in the wrong profession. Something is seriously wrong and you need to get it sorted, and soon!

Verse 3: …nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 

• #7 “…nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge,” – One of the wrong motives that causes the ministry to be appealing to some people, is the desire for power and authority over others. That explains why we see so many autocratic little Hitler-type preachers, especially in certain denominations. They seem to get their thrills by being big ducks in a little pond and getting to kick the other ducks around. But know this, as an under-shepherd you don’t own the sheep. You are merely a steward, a caretaker, and the Lord hates it when people torment and hurt His lambs. You don’t lead by lording your petty authority over the sheep. And if you do you will answer to Him for it!  
• #8 “…but proving to be examples to the flock.” – The way a good shepherd leads is by going out in front of the sheep, leading the way, marking out the path, protecting them from wolves and lions that lie in wait behind trees and bushes to attack them, in order to guide them to green pastures and still waters. If you are a shepherd you are to lead by example, not by threatening the sheep, frightening the sheep, or haranguing the sheep.

Verse 4: And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

• “And when the Chief Shepherd appears,” – Jesus will return one of these days, just as He promised. He has kept every other promise and has fulfilled every prophecy ever made about Him. He will not fail us on this one. When the right time comes, when His Father says, “GO!” the Lord Jesus will return to finish up business down here. You can take that to the bank! 
• “…you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – When the Master returns those who have served Him faithfully and taken good care of His flock will be rewarded. That future reward should not be a pastor’s main motivation but there is nothing wrong with having that be one of the motivators for faithful service. I believe this was exactly Paul’s thought when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Verse 5: You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.  

• “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;” – Peter is concerned that the younger men in the churches show the proper respect to their elders and overseers. Some have speculated that by “younger men” Peter is referring to the younger elders on the ministry teams, but I don’t think there is evidence for this view. I believe he is speaking in broader terms. Young men sometimes tend to want to challenge the older men who are in authority. I think this is a flaw of our fallen sinful nature. So, Peter warns the young men in the churches not to do this but rather to “subject themselves” to their elders. In Greek this is the verb, ὑποτάσσω (hupotásso), which in the context means “to arrange themselves under, to subordinate themselves.” Of course, this applies to everyone. We should all submit ourselves to the spiritual leaders God has placed over us, but here Peter especially focuses on the young men in the congregations, perhaps because this had already been a problem and he was trying to correct it.  
• “…and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,” – This command is directed at everyone, not just the young men. Pride, envy, and jealousy are the main causes of disunity in churches. When humility is lacking these negative attitudes tend to take over. James 3:16 says it this way, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” Peter knew this. He had undoubtedly seen this play out in more than one church, so he is anxious to nip it in the bud. In this verse Peter likens humility to a garment that we can choose to put on: “clothe yourselves with humility.”  This coincides perfectly with what James wrote in James 4:1-11, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? ² You lust and do not have; so, you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so, you fight and quarrel…  ⁶ But He gives a greater grace. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷ Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded…  ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. ¹¹ Do not speak against one another, brethren.”  
• “…for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – Any time I read in the Scriptures that God is opposed to something I make a note-to-self to avoid that thought, action, or attitude. I do not want to become the enemy of God by opposing something that He has declared is to be avoided. The verb “is opposed” is the Greek word, ἀντιτάσσω (antitásso), which is a scary word meaning “to range or line up in battle against.” Trust me, I am not interested in squaring off against Almighty God. On the other hand, if He is passing out grace, I want to get in that line. In this case, He is passing out grace to those who will walk humbly with Him and with our brethren.

Verse 6: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

• “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,” – Peter and James both quote Proverbs 3:34 in their appeals for humility. Here Peter uses the reflexive passive verb ταπεινόω (tapeinóō), which in the context means “to make yourself low, to prostrate yourself under the mighty hand of God.”  I have on occasion heard well-meaning but biblically ignorant Christians offer up pious sounding prayers along the lines of, “O Lord, humble your servants, we pray. Teach us humility. Lord, make us humble.” Let me just tell you, that is a prayer you should never pray! You do not want God to have to humble you! You will not like how that turns out! Repeatedly in Scripture we are commanded to humble ourselves. You see, that’s not God’s job. It’s our job, our responsibility to make ourselves low before Him, before His Word, before our leaders, and before His people.
• “…that He may exalt you at the proper time,” – So, what’s God’s job? His promise is that if we humble ourselves and walk before Him in humility He will reward us in His time. But the opposite is true as well. Many passages in the Bible tell us that God will judge the proud and the arrogant. Isaiah 2:12 is a good example: “For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty, and against everyone who is lifted up, that he may be abased.”

Verse 7: …casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 

• “…casting all your anxiety on Him,” – Our cares, worries, guilt, fears, and anxieties are a heavy burden, yet many of us carry this crushing load for our whole life because we don’t know how to get rid of it. When I was a young man, to make extra money I loaded and unloaded heavy grain sacks onto and off trucks. They generally weighed around 75-80 pounds each. The first few weren’t too bad, but by the end of the day I was so beaten down I could barely move. The weight had a cumulative effect. My back ached, my hips and knees and feet burned like fire. And to unload those sacks off your back took real effort. It was hard to get them off you. It had to be done carefully to avoid dropping the sacks and spilling the grain. That’s how it is with our heavy burden of care, worries, and anxiety. Peter invites us to offload them onto Jesus, because He is stronger than we are and can handle them. And what a relief it is to roll them off our shoulders and onto His. The relief is instantaneous. And one more thing: notice the word “all.” Not just some, or a few tidbits, but ALL our anxiety.
• “…because He cares for you.” – Why does the Lord invite us to do this? Because of His great love for us. “He cares for us.” He is our Burden-Bearer. Not like a servant that we press into service to carry our groceries home from the store, but rather like a loving Father who sees His child struggling beneath a heavy load and reaches down to lift off the weight saying, “Here my child, let me carry that for you.”  

CONCLUSION:

Are you carrying a load that’s way too big for you to handle? Is it weighing you down and robbing you of joy? Jesus never intended for you to carry such a load. Maybe you should consider letting Him carry that for you. He will, if you will just ask Him. There’s a wonderful old hymn entitled, “Do You Know My Jesus?” by Vep B. Ellis and William F. Lakey that expresses what Jesus is inviting you to do.   

Verse 1:

Have you a heart that’s weary

Tending a load of care?

Are you a soul that’s seeking

Rest from the burden you bear?

Chorus:

Do you know my Jesus?

Do you know my friend?

Have you heard He loves you?

And that He will abide ’til the end?

1 Peter Study #12

“Doing What’s Right Despite the Cost”

1 Peter 4:12-19

Study #12 in 1 Peter Series 

INTRODUCTION:

For the first 200 years of America’s history there were certain core beliefs and teachings that were the rule rather than the exception. These were values not found in some other parts of the world, but they were held in America as virtues. They were taught at home, in church, and in the classroom. Here are a few samples:

·       Work is noble. Hard work is virtuous.

·       Never ask someone to do something for you that you can do for yourself.

·       Honesty is its own reward. It will pay rich dividends over time.

·       A man has a right to defend himself, his home, and his possessions.

·       Freedom to make your own decisions means you are also responsible for the consequences.

·       A man’s word is his bond. Do what you have promised you will do. Follow through.

·       Treat others the way you want to be treated. This is the Golden Rule.

·       If you have done wrong, admit your guilt and take your punishment like a man.

·       Never blame others for your sins, mistakes, errors in judgment, or bad behavior.

·       Your reputation is what people think you are, character is what you are on the inside.

·       A man’s integrity is his most precious possession. Defend it at all costs. 

TRANSITION:

In today’s study Peter discusses another such virtue; namely, Do what’s right despite the personal cost. This is not a new idea, and it is not even exclusive to Christians. In every war, brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen have laid down their lives for their comrades and their beloved country. They have done the right thing even though it cost them their own lives. In these verses Peter is urging us to do this for Christ and for the sake of the Kingdom.

NOTES on the Text:

Verse 12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  

• “Beloved” – This is the second time Peter has used this term of endearment for his readers. He used it first in 2:11. It shows his pastor’s heart for the people to whom he ministered. It reminds me of Dr. J. Vernon McGee who also often used this term in his preaching.  
• “…do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,” – We do not know exactly what sort of persecution his readers were going through, but it must have been a difficult time for them for Peter to use the words, “fiery ordeal.” As near as we can tell, Peter wrote this ca. AD 64-67, shortly after Nero blamed the Christians for the Great Fire of Rome, which occurred in July 64 AD. The Roman historian, Tacitus (cf. Annals 15.44), describes Christians being burned as living torches—literal fiery ordeals. The churches of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (cf. 1 Peter 1:1) were bracing themselves for even greater imperial hostility. Here Peter contextualizes their suffering within God’s sovereign refinement process, countering and giving meaning to the terror incited by this Roman brutality. The Romans were doing it out of hatred; the Lord was allowing it and using it as a tool to refine, polish, and perfect His Church.
• This theme of suffering runs through the whole letter. For example, in 1:6-7 Peter wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” And in 2:20-21 he says, “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. ²¹ For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” And of course, in 3:14 we heard Peter say, “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread.” Jesus taught His disciples from day one that they should expect suffering and persecution if they would follow Him. It’s baked into the cake, it’s to be expected because the devil and the world hate God and the message of the Gospel. So here Peter reminds his readers, “Do not be surprised” that this is happening.
• “…which comes upon you for your testing,” – What the world means for evil God means for good. We learned this principle from the story of Joseph being sold as a slave by his brothers. Peter says, “God is allowing these fiery trials to come into your lives that He might test you and thus prove your strength and value.” He wants them to see their present circumstances from God’s perspective. God is not punishing them; He is perfecting them. There is a big difference between these. James 1:2-4 makes this same point, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Paul adds this in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  
• “…as though some strange thing were happening to you;” – When I read this phrase my mind instantly starts playing the theme songs from the X-Files, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, and Stranger Things. But Peter is telling us that persecution is not an aberration, an accident of fate, or a product of bad luck. No, it is part of the normal Christian life. We should expect it and be prepared to face it with strength, love, and courage.   

Verse 13: …but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

• “…but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing,” – We should view persecution and suffering for the cause of Christ not as punishment, or a sign of God’s disapproval and abandonment, but as an honor and privilege to suffer for the sake of the One who came down from Heaven and partook of our humanity and sufferings in order to redeem us. He became a man and suffered for us. We should rejoice that we can suffer for Him. Rejoicing despite pain and sorrow is a hallmark of our faith. Philippians 4:4 urges, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, REJOICE!” Paul, writing from prison, told the Colossian believers in 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Of course, the world rejects this logic completely. They think we are insane to even ponder such a thing.   
• “…so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” – Peter is again referring to Christ’s glorious return and our reunion with Him. On that day, those who have been faithful to Christ and the Gospel, despite their sufferings and persecution, will be rewarded and there will be much rejoicing. 

Verse 14: If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 

• “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed,” – Here again we see heavenly logic at work, as opposed to the world’s perspective. Peter reminds us that to be reviled and maligned for the sake of Christ is truly a blessing because it means we are sharing in His suffering. In this verse there are two promises made to those who suffer for Christ: #1. They will be blessed by God. #2. The Spirit of God will settle down upon them to refresh and give them rest.
• “…because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” – This is an odd construction because what it literally says is, “…because the of glory and of God Spirit rests on you.” This is Peter’s way of saying, “…the Glorious Holy Spirit of God rests on you.”
• “…rests on you.” – Peter is quoting from Isaiah 11:2 which refers to Christ, “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him [Jesus], the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” For “rests on you” Peter uses the Greek word, ἀναπαύω, (anapauō) which means to give rest, or to refresh. It’s the same verb Jesus used in Matthew 11:28, when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In the same way that the Shechinah of God rested upon the Tabernacle, the Glorious Holy Spirit of God rests upon the believer. Matthew 3:16 illustrates this beautifully, “After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him.” Peter is saying that the Spirit of God rests upon us and gives us rest. That is a beautiful picture. 

Verse 15: Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;

• “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer,” – “Make sure” is a command, an order. It means, be careful, take precautions, ensure that it doesn’t happen… “that none of you suffers as a murderer” or any other kind of malefactor. Peter already touched on this truth in 3:17 where he said, “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” If we suffer as an evildoer, our suffering is deserved and it brings shame upon us and upon the name of Jesus. Peter recognized that not all suffering that Christians experience is suffering in the name of Jesus. He wanted to make sure that it never happens, although we know that it sometimes does.
• “…or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;” – Here Peter adds to the list some other grievous sins that Christians should never commit. It is a representative list, not an exhaustive one, but you get the point.

Verse 16: …but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.  

• “…but if anyone suffers as a Christian,” – This is one of only three times this word appears in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16). It is the Greek word, Χριστιανός (christianós), which signifies a follower of the Christ. The word Cristianos was built on the title Christ with the added suffix –ianus, which is a Latin construction denoting a partisan follower. Thus, the word categorized the followers of Jesus Christ as members of the Christ-party. It was first applied by the Romans as a pejorative and term of derision. However, it was not universally accepted until some years later. Jesus’ disciples called themselves people of “the Way,” from Jesus’ words in John 14:6. Here in 1 Peter 4:16, Peter is speaking from the point of view of their Roman persecutors (cp. “as a thief,” “as a murderer”). Starting in the second century believers salvaged the word, and started using it as a title of honor for themselves.  
• “…he is not to be ashamed,” – Being a Christian is not something of which to be ashamed. Rather, we should take holy pride in bearing the name of the One who bore our sins on the cross.
• “…but is to glorify God in this name.” – Rather than skulking around being ashamed to be called a Christian, we should hold our heads high and give thanks to God that we have been found worthy to bear “the name that is above every name,” the name that will one day cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that JESUS IS LORD, to the glory of God.

Verse 17: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?

• “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;” – Peter is pointing out that the church was going through a time of testing and judgment with the intention that she would emerge stronger and purer. God was using suffering and persecution as a form of judgment in the purifying sense, to refine the “household of God,” the church. This is only right and just, for judgment to begin at the house of God. Referring to this C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “There is equity in it; for Christians profess to be better than others, and so they ought to be. They say they are regenerate, so they ought to be regenerate. They say that they are a holy people, separated unto Christ; so, they ought to be holy, and separate from sinners, as He was.”
• “…and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” – Every student of God’s Word knows the answer to this rhetorical question. The story is not going to end well for those who have rejected Christ and turned their noses up at God’s gracious offer of redemption through the blood of the cross. They will one day pay an awful price for their rebellion, unbelief, and disobedience. The Lake of Fire will be their ultimate destination. Peter is here making the point that if this is what God’s children experience in this life, what will become of those who have made themselves the enemies of God? How can they ever hope to stand before His righteous judgment and terrifying wrath?

Verse 18: And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 

• “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved,” – Just look at what it cost God to save us. It cost the death of His only begotten Son, Jesus. We were redeemed from the slavery of sin and the kingdom of Satan, but the cost was immense. That is a proof of God’s great love for us.
• “…what will become of the godless man and the sinner?” – Christians can rejoice that the sufferings we face in this life are the worst we will ever face throughout eternity. We have already seen the worst. However, those who reject Christ have seen the best that their pitiful lives have to offer. It is all downhill from here, all the way to Hell.

Verse 19: Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

• “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God…” – Obviously Peter is talking about believers. Here again we see his certainty that our suffering in this life is filtered through God’s love for us, and His sovereign purpose of smoothing off our rough edges to conform us to the image of His Son. Suffering in the life of the child of God is not random. It is not hateful or sadistic. It is not accidental. It is not without purpose. Even though God does not always reveal to us the reasons for our suffering we can be sure that He knows exactly what He’s doing and eventually work it out for His glory and for our good (cf. Romans 8:28-30).   
• “…shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” – When we know for certain that God loves us and will never do us wrong, it makes it much easier to trust Him, even when we cannot figure out the ‘why’ of what we are going through at the moment. That’s where faith kicks in. Peter calls Him the “faithful Creator.” As the One who made us, He has every right to do with us as He sees fit. However, He is also our loving Father, and He loves His children with an everlasting love. In the end, for me, that’s all I need to know. Knowing that He is trust-worthy, I can entrust my soul to Him, knowing that it is in good hands, and that is a great comfort.

Hell Study

“HELL – More Than a Cuss Word”

Study by Pr. Michael W. Wilson

 

The faithful preaching and teaching of the Christian message from God’s Holy Word produces two distinct reactions: (1) Some put their faith and trust in Christ and are saved, while (2) others reject Him and are lost. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The Gospel of Christ is, and has always been, a divider of men. A man is either saved or he perishes.

 

Many scoff and say that this view is too cut-and-dried, too narrow minded, too exclusive. However, the Bible clearly teaches that in the warfare between God and the devil there is no in-between, no “no-man’s land.”

 

Heaven is the destination of the redeemed. Descriptions of Heaven’s radiant glory and blessedness are given throughout the Scriptures. However, not until we enter its sacred gates shall we fully comprehend its infinite beauty and splendor. Some day – and this is the certain confidence of the children of God – we shall be united with our Lord Jesus Christ and with our believing loved ones who have gone on before us.

 

On the other hand, Hell is the final destination of the lost, those who have rejected God’s gracious offer of salvation through Christ. Our honest contemplation of God’s perfect holiness and mankind’s utter sinfulness leads us to recognize the fact that all men deserve Hell. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and 6:23 goes on to say, “The wages of sin is death.” Moreover, the Bible says: “There is none righteous, no not one!” (Romans 3:10). Yet God cannot ever be accused of being cruel because He permits men to go to Hell, for He has done everything possible to redeem fallen mankind. God’s Word tells us that “He is not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). God is gracious and merciful, and He offers eternal salvation to every man, woman, and child if we will but turn to Christ in repentance and faith.

 

As a preacher of the Gospel, it is my duty to warn men and women of the wrath to come, to awaken them to the danger before it is too late. Hebrews 10:31 says: “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.” In 2 Corinthians 5:11 the Apostle Paul reveals the urgency of the message of salvation when he says: “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.”

 

Yet many people simply refuse to believe in the reality of Hell. They refuse to be persuaded. They claim that it is a hideous and repulsive doctrine concocted by mean-spirited, manipulative preachers to frighten people into compliance with a religious system or moral code. They claim that a loving God could not possibly have anything to do with an eternal Hell as it is described it the Bible.

 

This reaction is to be expected because people always tend to reject a belief that condemns them or makes them feel uncomfortable. Many people reject the whole notion of sin and the sin nature for the same reason. The thought of future punishment strikes terror in people’s hearts, so they refuse to believe that it is a reality. Thus, they lump their silly notions about Hell in with boogeymen, monsters under the bed, and the Tooth Fairy.

 

However, the concept of Hell is integral to Biblical teaching. Moreover, it is closely associated with the concept of Heaven. To reject the one is to lose the other because they go together in Scripture.

 

It is important to observe that people’s opinions are only important if they agree with the facts. For example:

1.    A man may deny the existence of God, but his denial will not alter the fact that God exists.

2.    Nearly everyone used to believe that the earth was the center of the universe. In 1633 Galileo was adjudged a heretic by the Holy Inquisition and forced to recant under threat of death after he proved using the telescope the truth of the Copernican Theory, namely, that the planets are in fact, in orbit around the sun rather than around the earth, which was the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church at that time.

3.    Seamen in Christopher Columbus’ day were of the firm opinion that the world was flat and that you would simply fall off over the edge into space it you sailed too far. However, their opinion did not alter the truth of a spherical earth. The fact eventually won out over their opinion.

 

So too with the fact of Hell. People may dislike the idea and deny it vehemently, but their denial will not alter the fact of Hell’s existence. The Bible teaches certain things about Hell. To deny these truths is to call into question the remainder of Scriptural teaching. The Bible is not a buffet meal. We cannot pick and choose to believe only the parts we like. People will often say that the teaching of Hell is incongruous with the Biblical portrayal of a God of love. However, their confusion stems from a misunderstanding of God’s character. It is true that God is love, but He is also a God of holiness, justice, and wrath. In the New Testament the two people most associated with the doctrine of God’s love, John the Apostle and Jesus himself, are the two that had the most to say about the realities of Hell.

 

I. HELL – False Views

A.   Annihilationism

¨    This is the belief that God is far too gracious and good to condemn the souls of men and women to a place of everlasting torment and punishment. Instead, He merely blots them out and they cease to exist in any form, whether material or spiritual. The souls of the wicked are simply annihilated, snuffed out like pinching a candle wick. Poof, they’re gone! (cf. Revelation 19:20; 20:10)

B.   Restorationism

¨    This is the belief that God, because of His fatherly love, always gives second chances, regardless of the depth of man’s iniquity. God is too kind to permit the unbeliever to suffer forever for his sins. No matter how long it may take, God will eventually restore all His creation, including mankind, to fellowship with Himself in Heaven. Thus, what the Bible calls Hell is little more than a temporary rehabilitation center where spiritually under-evolved or unprepared humans are made ready for Heaven. This view is also called “universalism.”

C.   Presentism

¨    This view is widely held. Based upon sheer fantasy, its adherents insist that people experience their personal “heaven” or “hell” in this present life, that reward or retribution is meted out here and now on earth. They say that physical death is the end of everything, both for good people as well as bad.

 

II. HELL – Scriptural Terms Used

A.   Sheol

¨    This Hebrew word is used 65 times in the Old Testament to mean “the place of the dead,” not the grave itself, but the place of those who have departed from this life. It is used with reference to both the righteous and the wicked. Sheol is depicted as an underworld where people exist in a form that cannot really be called life, but rather a shadowland where souls await a future resurrection. It is interesting to observe that the Old Testament does not make it clear that there exists a distinction between the waiting places of the wicked and the righteous. That teaching becomes more evident in the New Testament with the unfolding of God’s revelation,

B.   Hades

¨    This New Testament synonym of the Old Testament word Sheol appears eleven times in the New Testament, also describing an intermediate state of being between the grave and the ultimate abode of the soul. The concept has a further evolution, however, in that Hades in the New Testament is described as having two separate parts, one side being the abode of the wicked and the other being the abode of the righteous, also called “Abraham’s Bosom” or “Paradise.’ The two portions are evidently separated by a great chasm so there is no passing back and forth.

¨    Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 offers us the most complete insight into Hades with its two parts, Abraham’s Bosom where Lazarus was, and the other side occupied by the wicked. Apparently the righteous were awaiting their final resurrection in a place characterized by peace, beauty, comfort, and rest. The wicked, however, were in constant torment suffering pain, thirst, flames, and bitter remorse.

¨    Most evangelical Bible scholars believe that at Christ’s ascension He liberated the waiting saints from “Abraham’s Bosom” and took them with Him to Heaven. This teaching is based primarily on Ephesians 4:8-9 and   1 Peter 3:19. We believe that today when a Christian dies, he/she goes directly to Heaven to forever remain with the Lord. God’s Word tells us: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” This being true, then indeed the only occupants of Hades today are the wicked who still await the day of judgment when they will appear before God’s Great White Throne to be sentenced to the eternal “Lake of Fire,” which is referred to as Hell in Revelation 19-20.

¨    It is very important not to confuse the Biblical teaching about Hades with the mythical and ungrounded dogma of Purgatory as set forth by the Roman Catholic Church. The idea of Purgatory, which literally means “a place of purging,” came from the mind of Pope Gregory I in about AD 590. He concluded that there must be another place besides Heaven and Hell where God deals with those who are too good for Hell but not holy enough for Heaven, a place where people can pay off their debt of sin through personal suffering before entering the blessedness and holiness of Heaven. This figment of Gregory’s imagination has come to be a firm teaching of the Roman Church, even though it has no Biblical support whatsoever. Catholics claim that Purgatory is preparation for Heaven, but the Bible affirms that Hades is the waiting room for Hell.

C.   Gehenna

¨    This Hebrew word used 12 times in the New Testament, is always translated “Hell,” and always refers to the ultimate place of eternal punishment, that is Hell itself, not an intermediate state. The word Gehenna derives from the place name, the Valley of Hinnom, a deep narrow gorge just outside the south wall of Jerusalem. This place is first described in 1 Kings 11:7 as the center of Jewish apostasy where the Jews celebrated the idolatrous rites of Molech worship by casting their own children into the fires as a sacrifice to that hideous pagan god. It was later converted by King Josiah into a place of abomination where dead bodies were thrown and burnt (cf. 2 Kings 23:10-14). It became Jerusalem’s garbage dump with its ever-burning fires. Moreover, the bodies of executed criminals were flung into Gehenna. Hence, the place served as a symbol and the name was appropriated to designate the abode of lost spirits.

¨    The word Gehenna is always translated “Hell” in the New Testament and rightly so, for it always denotes the eternal state of the lost after the final resurrection. Jesus himself repeatedly used this word in the Gospels to give an awesome warning of the consequences of sin. Gehenna then is identical in meaning with the term “the lake of fire” referred to in Revelation 19 and 20, and also “the second death” mentioned several times in the New Testament.

D.   Tartaros

¨    This last biblical word also translated “Hell” is Tartaros, a word that the Romans used to denote the underworld abode of the wicked. It only appears once in the New Testament in 2 Peter 2:4. Here Peter describes tartaros as “pits of darkness” where some of the wicked angels await their final judgment. The verse, however, says nothing about it being the abode of the souls of men.

 

III. HELL – A Real Place

A.   A Prepared Place

¨    Before Jesus ascended to the Father He comforted His disciples by saying: “Behold, I go to prepare a place for you.” He was talking, of course, about Heaven. But in the same way, Hell is a real, prepared place. However, the Bible clearly states that Hell was not built for men but for the devil and his demonic angels. Men end up there by their own doing when they reject Christ and side with Satan, the enemy of God. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:41, “Then He [God] will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”

B.   A Place That Endures Forever

¨    The Bible makes it clear that Hell is not a temporary facility but will continue without end. Just as Heaven is eternal with no end, so too will be Hell. Listen to these verses:

Ø  Matthew 25:46, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous in eternal life.”

Ø  Isaiah 33:14, “Sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling has seized the godless. Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?”

Ø  Revelation 20:10, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

C.   A Place Eloquently Described in Scripture

¨    God has spared no effort to paint us a vivid picture of what Hell will be like. This is so that no one can say that God did not warn us.

D.   A Place to Be Avoided at All Costs

¨    The good news for us today is that no one needs to go to Hell! God has provided a way to have eternal life through Jesus Christ. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16, the rich man wanted someone to go and warn his brothers of the wrath to come so that they would be saved from experiencing his awful fate. Once he got a taste of Hell, he suddenly became very evangelistically minded.

¨    Some people are drawn to salvation by the marvelous love of God. They come to Christ joyfully and gratefully, seeing in Him the Savior that they have been seeking. Others come to salvation by another door, through fear of the awesome and awful consequences of their sinful condition and the terror of Hell. Both motives are valid. Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”

¨    Everyone who refuses to trust in Christ as Savior and Lord will one day appear before Him, the Righteous Judge. Horrified, they will hear Him utter those terrifying words, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire. I never knew you.” If you have not made your peace with God, do it today, I beg you. Do not put it off. If you are a Christian, don’t you dare just drift complacently. There is a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun. We must warn people while there is still time.

 

The Bible obviously employs figurative language to characterize both Heaven and Hell. Heaven is described in terms of the most beautiful and precious things of which humans can conceive – golden streets, gates made from costly gems, colorful rainbows, crystal-clear rivers, joyful singing, etc. Yet Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 that these things do not even come close to describing the real glories and blessedness of Heaven. He says, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”

Hell, on the other hand, is described in terms of the most horrible things we can imagine – continual loneliness, utter blackness, fire, pain, burning, separation from God and loved ones, and unending remorse. These are horrors to which we can relate. However, we must ask ourselves: If Heaven will be much better than the Bible describes, might Hell be much worse? It is worth considering. So, exactly how is Hell described in Scripture?

·      A lake of fire. Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15

·      A horrible storm with fire and brimstone and burning wind. Psalm 11:6

·      Consuming fire with unabated burning. Isaiah 33:14

·      A place of outer darkness with weeping and great sorrow (“gnashing of teeth”). Matthew 8:12

·      A furnace of fire. Matthew 13:41-42; Luke 16:24

·      A place of torment. Luke 16:23

·      A place of immortality. Revelation 14:10-11

·      A place of memory and remorse. Luke 16:19-31

·      A place of agonizing thirst. Luke 16:24

·      A place where people blaspheme God continually without repentance. Revelation 16:11

·      A place of frustration and anger. Matthew 13:42; 24:51

·      A place of eternal destruction. 2 Thessalonians 1:9

·      A place of absolute darkness. Matthew 25:30; Jude 13

·      A place of misery and pain where there is no comfort or rest. Luke 16:25; Revelation 14:10-11

·      A place where people beg for help and mercy. Luke 16:24, 27

·      Eternal separation from God’s presence. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

·      A place of undiluted divine wrath. Revelation 14:10-11

·      A place originally prepared for Satan and his host of demons. Matthew 25:41

·      A place of torment that will last for all eternity. Daniel 12:2; Matt. 25:46; Jude 7

·      A place populated by murderers, sorcerers, liars, fornicators, and the like. Revelation 22:15

·      A place where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:48

·      A place where no one wants to see his loved ones go. Luke 16:28

 

In Psalm 103:1-2 the psalmist says: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” What does he mean by that? The person who knows the Lord and belongs to Him also receives the benefits and blessings that God bestows upon His children. Conversely, the person who rejects the Lord is also saying “no” to all the good things that go with Him. The Bible says in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights.” James is talking about all those benefits that come when we know the Lord and trust in Him. What are some of those good things? I think we must include things like joy and happiness, laughter and friendship, beautiful sunsets, fellowship, the feel of sunshine on your face, breath-taking panoramas, etc. These are all things that God has given for His children to enjoy, and I believe they will all be part of our experience in Heaven.

 

Hell, on the other hand, has been described as “the absence of God.” The unbeliever rejects God in this life, demanding that God leave him alone to live by his own rules. He rejects the gracious offer of salvation. Many even refuse to acknowledge God’s existence. They do not realize that in Hell not only will God not be present, but none of the good things, His “benefits,” will be there either. Think about that for a moment. Hell will be black because light is a gift from God. Hell will be lonely because friendship, fellowship, and companionship are some of God’s benefits. Hell will only have cacophony and discord because music and harmony are part of God’s creation. Hell will provide no peace because peace is the gift of God.

 

In Hell, people will simply receive what they have been demanding. God will withdraw Himself from them for all eternity, leaving them to stew in the fetid slurry of their own making, with endless time to consider their poor choices. That is the true horror of Hell – the absence of God and the unrelenting remorse of having rejected Him.

Misinformation abounds about Hell. That is because no one has ever been there and come back. It is a one-way ticket. Many of our images and concepts come from religious paintings on chapel ceilings, stories, myths, and fanciful accounts like Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno” in his work The Divine Comedy. Dante describes Hell as having seven (7) levels, each one more horrible than the one before. He says that the sign over the gateway to Hell reads: “All hope abandon ye who enter here.” Some of these images are such that people even tell jokes about Hell. They make light of Hell perhaps as a self-defense mechanism against their fears. 

We also have lots of folk-sayings and expressions using the word “hell.” For example:

·      “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

·      “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”

·      “There will be hell to pay.” (i.e., facing a reckoning with severe consequences)

·      “He’s hell-bent for election.” (i.e., moving or acting recklessly with great speed, yet heedless of consequences)

·      “He rode hell-for-leather.” (i.e., running a horse or buggy at top speed, perhaps recklessly, which is hard on bridle, saddle, etc.)

·      “All Hell broke loose.” (i.e., a fight resulted)

·      “It’s a hell of a deal...”

·      “It’s hotter than Hell.”

·      “She’s a hellcat!” (i.e., a spiteful, bad-tempered woman)

·      “We just did it for the hell of it.”

·      “You’re gonna catch hell when you get home!”

 

People regularly damn one another, mules, lawyers, cats, politicians, and machinery to Hell. How odd it is that in anger people will willingly send someone to Hell even though, if asked, they would probably deny Hell’s existence. It is foolish however, because only God can consign anything or anyone to Hell.

 

Through the years many famous people have weighed in on this subject, giving their opinions about Hell. Here are three of them:

1.    Machiavelli, that famous Florentine statesman and writer on government most noted for his work entitled The Prince, offered these words on his deathbed in 1597: “I desire to go to Hell not to Heaven. In Hell I shall enjoy the company of popes, kings, and princes, but in Heaven are only beggars, monks, hermits and apostles.”

2.    John Milton in his work Paradise Lost said: “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”

3.    America’s beloved Mark Twain revealed his own ignorance when he said: “I prefer Heaven for climate, but Hell for company!”

 

Frequent Questions & Answers About Hell

Most people are curious about Hell and have questions they would like answered. Let’s look at some of the most common questions people ask. 

I. “Where is Hell located?”

A.   Scripture does not reveal Hell’s location. However, the Bible makes it clear that:

1.    Hell is a real place, not imaginary like the Land of OZ or Neverland.

2.    Hell is a prepared place, created for Satan and his angels.

3.    Hell is not merely a state of mind.

B.   People have offered several suggestions for Hell’s location:

1.    Hell is in the center of this earth because of fire, darkness, etc. (cf. Sheol – Genesis 37:35 “go down into Sheol”; cf. also Genesis 46:38 etc.)

2.    Hell is on another planet – whether one known or unknown to us.

3.    Hell is in another dimension, which we just cannot see. 

II. “Who goes there?” (Hell’s future inhabitants)

A.   The Devil (Satan), along with the “Beast” (= Antichrist) and the “False Prophet” of Revelation 19:20; 20:10.

B.   Fallen angels (= “demons”) – The Bible implies that 1/3 of the angels rebelled against God and were cast out of Heaven (cf. Revelation 12:3–4). They will all end up in Hell. (cf. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6, etc.)

C.   The “wicked” (= humans who have rejected God and His salvation)

·      Psalm 9:17, “The wicked will return to Sheol, even all the nations who forget God.”

·      Matthew 25:41, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”

·      Revelation 20:15, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

·      2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, “…the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” 

III. “Will there be degrees of punishment in Hell?”

·      My answer is: I believe there will be, or at least I sincerely hope so. Clearly there will be degrees of reward in Heaven (e.g., crowns, glory, commendation, etc.). Therefore, it is logical to assume that Hell will have degrees of punishment based upon the relative evilness of men. This logic is what led to Dante’s “Inferno” with its levels of punishment.

·      Christ’s parable about the stewards in Luke 12:47-48 seems to show a difference in levels of punishment: “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few [lashes]. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required, and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

·      In Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus reproaches the cities in which most of his miracles were done because they did not repent, even after they had seen His glory. He says to them in verse 24, “Nevertheless I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” This clearly seems to point to a difference in accountability.

·      Our human view of “fairness” demands a difference, yet all of Hell will be terrible. 

IV. “Will people recognize their friends in Hell?”

·      Sometimes we hear people joke about going to Hell to be with their friends, pointing out that they wouldn’t know anybody in Heaven. They even laughingly make plans for parties and barbeques when they get the band back together. However, there will be no “fellowship” in Hell, just loneliness and suffering and regrets.

·      Luke 16 gives us some insights. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus the rich man was conscious and recognized Lazarus afar off. He could remember the past and he still knew all about his brothers and their spiritual condition. However, he took no comfort in other people around him. He was apparently isolated and alone.

·      The Bible speaks of Hell as “outer darkness” (cf. Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30, etc.). Here the wicked are thrust out from the light, joy, and festivity into gloom, anguish, agony, wrath, and despair. Just as physical darkness is the absence of physical light, so spiritual darkness is the absence of spiritual light, which is defined in Scripture as separation from God and from the company of the saved. 

V. “Can Hell possibly be as bad as you Christians paint it?”

Anyone who deals with literature can tell you that figurative language almost always understates reality. You have probably heard someone say, “Words fail me to describe…” such and such. This is true, the Bible uses similes and metaphors to describe the glories of Heaven, speaking in terms of the most beautiful and precious things that we can comprehend. Thus, we read of “gates of pearl,” “streets of gold,” “a crystal sea,” etc. But the Bible tells us that the reality of Heaven will far surpass our wildest dreams.

This being true, then Hell must be far worse than the portrayal given in Scripture using figurative language. The Bible describes Hell in terms of pain, torture, loneliness, darkness, remorse, flames, thirst, anger, etc. for time without end.

One needs only to meditate on Luke 16 to be convinced that Hell will be an awesomely horrible place. Moreover, Gehenna, the word that Jesus often used to describe Hell, was a place of continual burning, disgusting smells, rotting garbage, “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).

People say, “Well that’s silly because fire always consumes its fuel and then burns out, doesn’t it?” NO, NOT ALWAYS.

1.    The Burning Bush of Exodus 3 – ever burning but not consumed.

2.    The 3 Hebrew Children of Daniel 3 – in an oven yet not even scorched.

3.    Matthew 3:11-12 speaks of “unquenchable fire.” Take asbestos, which can be burned forever but is not consumed. Ever burning... never burned. Ever dying... never dead! 

VI. “Why should I believe in Hell?”

Answer: Because to deny the existence of Hell is extremely dangerous for several reasons:

A.   To deny that hell exists contradicts the plain teaching of Scripture and calls into question two things:

1.    The Bible’s credibility (believability).

2.    The Bible’s authority on any subject, including salvation. In Revelation 22:18-19 God pronounces a curse on anyone who adds to, or takes away from, His Holy Word. That is just plain dangerous!

B.   To deny that Hell exists is to reject as false the teaching of Jesus himself, for He preached it as a fearful reality.

·      If He taught this in ignorance - then He is not omniscient and therefore not God.

·      If He taught this knowing it was a lie - then He is not good, nor honest, and not worthy to be believed, followed, and worshiped. So, be careful! You cannot call Jesus a liar without running an awful risk of calling down the wrath of the Father. Be careful what you say about His Beloved Son.

C.   To deny the reality of Hell undermines the Biblical teaching about Heaven as well as every other major doctrine of the Christian faith.

·      All doctrine comes from the same source, the Bible, God’s Holy Word. To accept the teachings that we like and reject the one’s we do not like puts us in the self-appointed position of judge over sacred and eternal truth. This invariably results in a distorted faith, a twisted Christianity with no foundation left intact. This is how every cult got its start – by twisting Scripture to accommodate men’s preconceptions.

D.   To deny the existence of Hell makes a travesty of the New Testament teaching that men are condemned and eternally lost unless they put their trust in Christ as Savior. In fact, if there is no Hell, the Christian Church has for 2,000 years been bearing false witness and preaching what is manifestly untrue, frightening and manipulating people unjustly with a cruel and evil lie!

·      However, because the Bible teaches the doctrine of Hell, then we must believe it and propagate it. Ultimately the question comes to every man, woman, and child: “Do I want to go to Heaven or to Hell?” The Bible points the way very clearly to Heaven and shows us how to flee the horrors of Hell. (e.g., Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 16:30-31; Revelation 22:17)

CONCLUSION:

The Bible makes it clear that God does not send men to Hell. They send themselves by refusing God’s gracious offer of salvation through His Son, Jesus. By rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord, they reject God. By rejecting God, they reject Heaven, because that is the place prepared for those who love Him and willingly serve Him. Hell is just Box B, Door #2, the alternative. 

The problem is that by rejecting God you also reject all the wonderful and beautiful things that God has made. The Bible says in James 1:17, “Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” God is the Creator of all that is good, and lovely, and beautiful. He is the Owner and Master of the Universe. Everything belongs to Him. Hell, by definition, is the absence of God and the absence of all the good things that He has created. Think about that. He invented light, and warmth, and color, and fragrances, and the tropical breeze, and friendship, and laughter, and fellowship. If you reject God, then you reject everything that He brings with Him. Hell is the absence of all that is good. And that it the horror of it.