Of Heaven and Hell
June 23, 2008 Filed in: Principles
Note: I had some difficulties with my laptop
while typing these notes. Some thoughts may seem
incomplete, but I've tried to flesh out some
areas.
In our Bible study classes, we recently looked at the doctrine of realized eschatology, claiming that Christ has already returned. In light of some questions from these studies, let’s take a look at what the Bible says will happen with our death and the resurrection and what the application is for us.
In Luke 16:19, Jesus begins a story regarding a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. There is a picture here of a gulf that separates those in torment from those in paradise as well as an inhibition from those who have died returning to the world of the living.
In contrast, Luke 16:22 speaks of Lazarus as being at Abraham’s side across the gulf, and Luke 23:43 records Jesus speaking of Paradise. Revelation 2:7 uses this same word in the letter to Ephasus, and it refers to a garden. It is the portion of Hades where blessed souls await judgment. In the story of Luke 16, Jesus is painting us a picture of two souls awaiting different fates.
On the other hand, we also read of Heaven. A kingdom prepared, the house of God, an eternal rest. Revelation 21:3 begins a moving description of this place where pain and sorrow are gone. Chapter 22:3 speaks of this as a place where God is present with His people forever.
Returning to Matthew 25, Jesus describes Himself as judge, explaining our sentence to each of us. Not only will we know our final destination, but we will know the reasons. We may not completely understand the nature of God’s plan after this life, but we know we will give an account before Him. We need to be prepared for that day.
By Tim Smelser
In our Bible study classes, we recently looked at the doctrine of realized eschatology, claiming that Christ has already returned. In light of some questions from these studies, let’s take a look at what the Bible says will happen with our death and the resurrection and what the application is for us.
In Luke 16:19, Jesus begins a story regarding a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. There is a picture here of a gulf that separates those in torment from those in paradise as well as an inhibition from those who have died returning to the world of the living.
A Quick Word Study
Gehenna, Sheol, Tartarus, Hades – all of these are translated as Hell in many of our Bibles. However, Gehenna and Sheol both refer to spiritual plain beyond the grave. All go to this plain, and, in and of itself, it is not Hell. In Luke 16:23-25, we see that this rich man is in torment, and II Peter 2:4 speaks of pits of darkness in which angels are held in reserve until judgment. The word used here is Tartarus, and this place of detention is also described in Jude verse 6. It is not a final abode, but that destination is clear due to the nature of this spiritual imprisonment.In contrast, Luke 16:22 speaks of Lazarus as being at Abraham’s side across the gulf, and Luke 23:43 records Jesus speaking of Paradise. Revelation 2:7 uses this same word in the letter to Ephasus, and it refers to a garden. It is the portion of Hades where blessed souls await judgment. In the story of Luke 16, Jesus is painting us a picture of two souls awaiting different fates.
The Resurrection
In I Corinthians 15, Paul argues that we will be raised with a spiritual body that God will fashion for us, and Matthew 25:31 begins depicting of the events occurring after that resurrection. One group is invited to inherit God’s prepared kingdom while others are separated from God to be punished with the Devil and his angels. This is Gehenna, taken from the Valley of Hinnom, a place of uncleanness where fires burned constantly – even used at one time in child sacrifice to Baal. This same word is used in Matthew 25:29-30. Gehenna is the lake of eternal fire described in Revelation 20:15 and 21:8. Also, Revelation 14:10-11 speaks of those whose fate is in fire and sulfur.On the other hand, we also read of Heaven. A kingdom prepared, the house of God, an eternal rest. Revelation 21:3 begins a moving description of this place where pain and sorrow are gone. Chapter 22:3 speaks of this as a place where God is present with His people forever.
Our Application
If we know our fate before judgment, why do we have to wait? We may see this as an extra step, but we also know an accounting must be given. God does nothing on whims. Revelation 20 describes a throne of judgment before which we are held accountable to our works. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 records Solomon coming to this conclusion that God will bring every action we commit under judgment. Romans 14:12 and Matthew 16:27 both use similar language in describing the accountability to which we are held.Returning to Matthew 25, Jesus describes Himself as judge, explaining our sentence to each of us. Not only will we know our final destination, but we will know the reasons. We may not completely understand the nature of God’s plan after this life, but we know we will give an account before Him. We need to be prepared for that day.
By Tim Smelser