Hell: Who Will Be There? -- 7/30/06 (Eternal Realities)

Sunday, July 30, 2006

HELL: WHO WILL BE IN THERE?

God is holy, as is His Son Jesus Christ. That is, He is set apart; He is one of a kind; He is in a class all by Himself. In our Backyard Bible Clubs, we are using the book The Lamb as a basis for teaching God’s Word. It is the children’s version of The Stranger. Many of you will remember the statement that is often repeated: Only perfect people can live with a perfect God. That is because God is holy. He cannot tolerate any sin, any wrong in His presence.

As we have been exploring this truth, last Sunday we came to the subject of hell. How did we get there? We can’t speak of a holy God without considering sin. And when we consider sin, we are immediately brought to death, because the wages of sin is death. And death is not confined to the cessation of life in this world. The ultimate death is separation from God for all eternity in that place the Bible calls hell, the lake of fire. The Bible calls this the second death.

We saw from scripture that hell is a terrible place. What makes it infinitely worse is the fact that it never ends. As we saw in Matthew 25, Jesus contrasted everlasting life with everlasting punishment. I have been reminded that this is a very serious thing to believe that those who go to hell will have to endure unthinkable punishment forever and ever, with no hope of any relief… ever. My prayer is that God will not let us escape thinking about this unpleasant subject. The subject of hell is prominent in the scripture and it demands our meditation.

So now we come to the question that is unavoidable to the thinking person. Here it is: “Who will be there?” Who will end up in hell? I recognize from the start that it is a dangerous thing to try to answer this question. Surely someone will say, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” I remind you that those words were spoken by our Lord Jesus and can be found in the seventh chapter of Matthew. You might want to take some time to explore the context of those words. Later in the same chapter Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mt. 7:15). To identify such false prophets requires “judgment,” discernment. And by the way, I assure those who deny or make light of hell are false prophets. My desire is not to condemn anyone. On the contrary, my desire is that the truth of scripture might ultimately work in us to rob hell of many who are presently headed there.

So who will end up in hell?

I. The Devil and His Angels

Let’s come back to Matthew 25, where Jesus is separating the sheep from the goats, placing the righteous on His right hand and the unrighteous on His left. We looked at some of this passage last week. Now listen to what Jesus to the unrighteous… (Mt. 25;41-43)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Jesus tells the unrighteous that they are cursed and must depart into everlasting fire, but note what else He says about that everlasting fire. It was prepared for the devil and his angels. It wasn’t prepared for man, but for Satan and all his demons. And it is no wonder that God would make such preparations for this one who was known as Lucifer, because he led an outright revolt against Almighty God. Listen to the narrative in Isaiah 14. While these words were spoken directly to the king of Babylon, it is obvious that there is a greater king over Babylon than the human being who was sitting on the throne. Listen to what the Lord says to Lucifer in Is. 14:12-14… [notice the “I will’s”]
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Lucifer wanted to take over the throne of God. That is rebellion at its height, and that is why God cast him out of heaven. But when we come to the last book, the book of Revelation, we find his final destiny. Rev 20:10, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

So make no mistake about it, hell was not made for man, but for Satan and his demons. Though it may appear that Satan, who is referred to in the New Testament as “the god of this world,” is in control, God will safely deliver him to where he belongs.

II. Many Men and Women Will Be in Hell

Unfortunately, while hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, they are not the only ones who will be cast into hell. We read in Rev. 20:10 that the devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, but now come to verses 14-15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The word translated “hell” is not the same term that we found last week in Mark 9:43, where Jesus said, "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched." Remember, “hell” there is the translation of “Gehenna,” the Valley of Hinnon, which was the garbage dump of Jerusalem, where the fire never went out. That term answers to the lake of fire, which we find here.

The word “hell” here in Rev. 20:10 is “hades.” There is some differences of belief about hades, but in general it is the place where the dead go until the judgment takes place. All those who die and do not find life (real life) will be cast into the lake of fire.

This passage makes it clear that human beings will be in hell, in that Gehenna, the lake of fire, along with the devil and his angels. As tragic as this is, we must face the truth. This is the Word of God we are reading.

But how many people will end up in hell? Surely it will be just a few. At this point, we need to make something clear. In answering the question concerning who will be in hell, we are not limited to the passages which speak directly of hell or the lake of fire. Anyone who misses the Lord will be in hell. For instance, if we read that someone will not enter into the kingdom of God, we can be sure that he will be in hell, because the scripture does not give any other option.

So now let’s come to a well-known verse in Matthew 7. Let’s read 7:13-14…
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We have two destinations set before us – destruction and life. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the ultimate end of destruction and life. The wide gate and the broad way lead to hell. The strait (small, restricted) gate and the narrow way lead to eternal life, to heaven itself. Now here is what I want us to see; notice the contrast between many and few. Many will go in that gate and travel that way that leads to destruction.

If you don’t like to hear that message, you will have no trouble finding those who will preach the opposite, who will strongly imply or state outright that most people are going to heaven. But be aware that Jesus speaks of such teachers in the very next verse, calling them “false prophets.” It is the false prophet who will lead us to believe that we can travel the broad way with everyone else and still enter heaven. Jesus makes it very clear that the broad way leads to destruction, even hell, and many will enter that gate. Many men and women will end up in hell.

III. Who Are the Many Who Will Be in Hell?

So that brings us to the question: Who are the many that will end up in hell? At this point, let us read from God’s Word. Let’s begin in the Proverbs, with a passage that is familiar to many of us. Prov. 6:16-19…
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19. A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Here are seven things that God hates. The list is headed up by pride. Many other passages confirm that God does indeed hate pride. So does that mean that proud people are going to hell? What about liars, and those whose hearts imagine wicked things? Surely it doesn’t mean that one such act will send a man to hell. On the other hand, will those who habitually practice those things which God hates end up in heaven with Him? Remember that He is a holy God and He will not tolerate sin.

Let me read you a New Testament passage that echoes and strengthens this passage from Proverbs. I Jn 3:1-10…
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

This passage is so strong that a person hesitates to even read it, but we must read it, because is the Word of God. This passage speaks of who knows God and who doesn’t know God. It is more than obvious that the one who knows God will spend eternity with Him in heaven (John 17:3) and the person who doesn’t will be separated from Him forever. I leave you with this passage, with one explanation. John is not speaking of committing a single sin. Throughout this passage, the idea is habitual, continual sin. For instance, verse 8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil.” That does not mean that if you commit a sin today you are of the devil. But if sin is our lifestyle, then we do indeed belong to the devil, because he is the one who has practiced sin from the beginning. This idea of a lifestyle of sin is distinguished from a single act of sin, which is spoken of in I John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things have I written unto you that ye sin not.” That is, that you not sin at all. But if we do commit a single act of sin, there is a remedy (vs. 2), “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” But if we life a lifestyle of sin, we demonstrate that we have no relationship with the advocate, the helper, Jesus.

Let’s read another passage from the New Testament. 1 Cor 6:9, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…" Let me read it to you out of couple other translations, so that we be clear. NASV, “…Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effemintae (by perversion), nor homosexuals…” NIV, “…Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers not male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders…” That is a very ugly list. Those who practice such things will not have a share in the kingdom of God.

You may notice that the sentence doesn’t end with verse 9. Let’s read 9 again, and now include 10… (I Cor. 6:9-10)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (NIV, “…nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”)

How many of us would be quick to say, “I’m not a thief nor a drunkard.” What about a reviler, a slanderer? And are you covetous? Isn’t it amazing that covetousness is right in there with adultery, homosexuality, idolatry, and drunkenness? Here “covetousness” is the translation of a word that means “to have more.” If I am desiring more, then I am covetous. And if I am covetous, then I have no part in the kingdom of God. And if I have no part in the kingdom of God, then I am headed for hell.

Brothers and sisters, I can’t soften what the Word says. Better we face the truth now, while there is time to do something about it, than face the same truth at the judgment.
And now please turn to Rev. 21:7-8…
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (NIV, 8, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”)

You notice that this list is very similar to that in I Cor. 6, but now, rather than saying that such people have no part in the kingdom of God, it is stated bluntly that they will have their part in the lake of fire.

Notice especially that first descriptive word in verse 8 – the fearful (or, the cowardly). This word (and its cognates) is used five times in the New Testament. In both Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:40, it is recorded that Jesus said, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (similar in Mark). In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Where the word seems to be used in a sense closest to what we find here in Revelation is in II Tim. 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God has not given us a spirit of fear, of timidity, or cowardice. In the very next verse we read, “Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor or me his prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (1:8). In light of that usage, now look again at Rev. 21:8, “But the fearful… (and all these others) shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.”

So why is this sin of fearfulness such a serious thing? My Greek dictionary, commenting on the way this word is used in Rev. 21:8, says: “In Rev. 21:8 of Christians who through cowardice give way under persecutions and apostatize.” Now we could debate whether they were really Christians, but the part I want to draw attention to is the idea that they give way under persecutions. That fits perfectly with what we read in II Tim. 1:7. The fearful, the cowardly, are those who demonstrate that they are ashamed of Jesus and His good news. Remember what Jesus said in Mat 10:32-33, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Those who are ashamed will be cast into the lake of fire, experiencing the second death.

Now we could read other passages which would speak of those who will be in hell. For example, we could add to the proud look of Prov. 6:17 and explore all the Bible says about pride. As we did, we would find it hard to believe that a proud person could spend eternity in God’s presence, for God hates pride. But rather than trying to explore every detail of scripture about who will be in hell, let’s conclude with the summary statement about those who will end up in hell.

Conclusion -- … Those Whose Names Are Not in the Book of Life

Please come to chapter 20 of Revelation. Lets’ read Rev. 20:10-15…
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Notice again that last verse, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” That means that none of those we have been talking about are written in the book of life – not the covetous, not the idolaters, not the adulterers, not the sexually impure, not the fearful, etc. All of their names are absent from the book of life.

So when we ask the question, “Who will be in hell?” we find the short answer here in Rev. 20:15. Hell will receive all of those whose names are not in the book of life.

We see this same truth emphasized in Rev. 21:27. Speaking of the heavenly city, John writes: “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. As hell will be populated by those whose names are not in the book of life, heaven will be filled with those whose names are written in the book of life.

So why did we spend so much time looking at those lists of people who miss God’s kingdom and will enter hell? Why didn’t we just come to the short answer right off and call it good? Because the detailed lists guard us from deceiving ourselves. A person may fool himself into thinking that his name is in the book of life. But these other passages will tell him clearly, “Don’t think your name is in the book, if you are a covetous person, if you are consistently wanting more. Don’t think you are in the book of life, if you are cowardly, ashamed to be identified with Jesus in the face of affliction and persecution.

No doubt, we will be coming back to this subject, because now the pressing questions are these: “Whose names are in the book of life? How can I make sure my name is in the book?”
Before we come to that question, Lord willing, we will take a look at the other final destination. Just as surely as there is a hell, there is a heaven. Let me ask you to consider a question: “If you believe you are headed for heaven, to what do you look forward the most? What is there about heaven that appeals to you the most?”

I don’t know about you, but the Lord has really captured my attention concerning thinking about eternity. I remind you again of those closing verses in II Cor. 4. II Cor. 4:16-18…
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.