Lesson 10 Review: The Fires of Hell

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV).

Christian Theology has been greatly influenced by the belief that the soul went either to the inferno (hell) within the earth; or to purgatory, where the human Spirit can purge itself and become worthy of ascending to heaven; or to Paradise, to the presence of God Himself, but this belief is a theological error.

What does Mark 9:48 really mean?

The Bible portion does not make any reference whatsoever to souls escaping the destruction of the body and flying into hell.

What does it mean when Isaiah 66:24 says the “worms” never die?

The emphasis is on the fact that they do not leave their destructive task incomplete.

How can we relate Jesus’ message in Mark 9:42-48?

Jesus said it is better for you to cast out members of your body that causes you to sin, because it is better for you to enter Heaven without that cut-off part than for all your body members to be destroyed by hell. Why enter hell with perfect body only to be eaten by worms when you can do away with only that part that causes you to sin and go into Heaven.

How can we understand the notion of “eternal fire”?

The eternal fire implies that it will not go out till it fully consumes what it burns. The concept of “eternal fire” should be seen as allusions to the postmillennial “lake of fire” of Revelation 20. Thus, it is unbiblical to think of an already-present, ever-burning hell.

Why is the theory of everlasting punishment inconsistent?

If the wicked are punished forever, then evil will never be eradicated. It would be more reasonable to end their existence rather than let them suffer in eternal torment.

Why is the theory of purgatory unacceptable amongst Believers of biblical teachings?

‘This dogma is unacceptable for those who believe in biblical teachings (1) that the dead remain resting unconsciously in their graves (Eccles. 9:10); (2) that the righteousness of one fallen human being cannot be transferred to another fallen human being (Ezekiel 18:20-22); (3) that our only Mediator is Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5); and (4) that death is followed by the final judgement, without any second chance to repent from the pitfalls of this life (Heb. 9:27)’.

What does the Bible teach about the state of the dead and those awaiting resurrection?

The Bible teaches that all human beings who are already in heaven were either translated alive, as in the case of Enoch or resurrected from the dead, as those raised from Moses. There is no paradise of disembodied souls in heaven, neither are there souls under the alter, or the natural immortality of the soul.

How can we understand the gift of eternal life in the context of 1 John 5:3-12?

‘Eternal life is a gift from God through Christ, which is secured in the present but fully enjoyed only after the final resurrection of the righteous.’ Only those who are in Christ, gain eternal life, and other categories of people will perish, but the natural immortality of the soul grants everlasting life to both those who are in Christ and those who are not.

In Conclusion,

The fires of hell are not an already-present ever-burning hell on immortal evil sinners, the fires of hell do not quench without completely consuming what it burns. At death, we only rest, with our fate already decided, no good or bad person goes to heaven or hell respectively. I pray that God gives us the grace to not be deceived by the many deceptions of this life in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 9 Review: Contrary Passages?

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘You search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me’ ” (1 John 5:39, NKJV).

There are passages that support our beliefs but there are also passages that can be interpreted to support something different from what you believe in. This week will look into those kinds of passages that justify the natural immortality of the soul.

Why is it wrong to take Luke 16:19-31 as a literal description of the afterlife?

‘First, we would have to admit that heaven and hell are close enough to allow a conversation between the dwellers of both places (Luke 16:23-31)’. We would also suppose that while the body lies in the grave there remains conscious form of the spiritual soul with “ ‘eyes,’ ” a “ ‘finger,’ ” a “ ‘tongue,’ ” and which even feels thirst (Luke 16:23, 24). Heaven won’t be a place of joy and happiness.

What does the account of the rich man and Lazarus teach?

1.       Status and social recognition in the present is not the criteria for the future reward, and

2.       The eternal destiny of each person is decided in this life and cannot be reserved in the afterlife (Luke 16:25, 26).

How should the promise to the repentant thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 be understood in light of Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene and His promise to His disciples?

It would be an error to think that Jesus on that same day went with the thief to heaven, if He did, He would not make the statement about first ascending to His Father in heaven after resurrection (John 20:17). He would not also promise His disciples that they will be taken to heaven only at His second coming (John 14:1-3).

What should the natural reading of Luke 23:43 be?

“Truly I tell you today, you will be with Me in Paradise”.

Who was Paul referring to as “those who sleep in Jesus”?

Paul was referring to believers who already had died and who will be raised at Christ’s second coming to receive eternal life (1 Cor. 15:16- 18, 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

 When did Paul expect to be “with Christ” (Phil. 1:23) and “with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17)?

These verses do not teach that Paul expected to go to heaven at death, rather that He would receive his reward at the Second Coming (2 Tim. 4:8). The next thing, he would know after death is the Second Coming of Christ.

Why did Paul decide to die than to live?

This is because he would finally rest from all his troubles, without needing any longer to suffer pain in his body (1 Cor. 9:27, NRSV).

How did Christ preach “to the spirits in prison…in the days of Noah” according to 1 Peter 3:13-20?

The term, “spirits” is used in this text and other texts in the New Testaments (1 Cor. 16:18, Gal. 6:18) refer to living people who can hear and accept the invitation of salvation. The preaching was to the “disobedient” antediluvians in the “days of Noah”. ‘Christ’s preaching to the impenitent antediluvian world was accomplished through Noah, who was divinely instructed by God (Heb. 11:7)’. This text was ‘written in the context of what it means to be faithful; they are not a commentary on the state of the dead’.

What are the reasons why the notion that Christ’s disincarnated spirit preached “to the spirits in prison” is wrong?

There is no second opportunity of salvation for the dead (Heb. 9:27, 28). It contradicts the biblical teaching that the dead remain unconscious in the grave until the final resurrection. The antediluvians would not have been the only people to hear the message because they were others who would be burning with them in hell too. Christ would not also have preached to fallen angels because the disobedience was “formerly”.

How can the souls of the “souls” of the dead martyrs cry “under the altar” according to Revelation 6:9-11?

‘As the blood was symbolically sprinkled around the altar, so the blood of the martyrs was symbolically poured at God’s altar when, by remaining faithful to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 6:9; see also Rev. 12:17, Rev. 14:12), they also lost their lives.

What other reasons are we given according to the lesson that makes us understand that the “souls” of the martyrs crying “under the altar” are symbolic?

‘By taking them literally, One would have to conclude that the martyrs are not fully happy in heaven, for they are still crying out for vengeance’. John was not also given a view of heaven as it actually is. For instance there are no white, red, black, or pale horses there with warlike riders, likewise there are no ‘souls’ lying at the base of an altar in heaven’. George E. Ladd, a non-Adventist also confirms in his statement that it is merely a vivid way of picturing the fact that they had been martyred in the name of their God.

In Conclusion,

No passage in the Bible justifies the natural immortality of the soul, we all wait for the Second Coming when all souls will be raised some to immortality and some to destruction. I pray that God gives us the grace to not fall for any contrary interpretations to these passages in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 8 Review: The New Testament Hope

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11, 12, NKJV).

The Christian Hope as seen in the New Testament is a Christ-Centered Hope, the hope that one day this mortal existence will become an immortal one.

How closely related is Christ’s resurrection to the hope of our own resurrection?

Our resurrection is tied to Christ, if Jesus had not risen, then we will not rise, our faith will be futile, and we will still be in our sins. If there is no hope for us beyond this life, Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 15:32, “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ ”.

Why can we still believe in Jesus’ return despite the great length of time?

First, Jesus never stated when He will return but He certainly made it clear that He will return, whether it is 20 years from now or more, we do not know for sure yet. 2 Pet. 3:9 says “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some count slowness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

What three basic concepts did Jesus highlight in regard to eternal life?

‘First, He identified Himself as “ ‘ the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’ ” ’ (John 6:33, 58, NIV). ‘Second, Jesus explained that everlasting life can be secured in Him: “ ‘he who comes to Me’ ” and “ ‘he who believes in Me’ ” will have this blessing’. Third, Jesus also linked the gift of immortality with the final resurrection, assuring His audience three times, “ ‘and I will raise him up at the last day’ ” (John 6:40, 44, 54, NKJV).

Does it mean that we will not die in view of John 6:47 which says, “…whoever believes has eternal life”?

The gift of eternal life is already a present reality, it does not mean we will not die, but we have been assured eternal life through Christ. When Jesus comes, “…whoever believes” will be raised to eternal life.

What hope did Paul give to the Thessalonians who thought that their loved ones who died without seeing Jesus return were gone?

Paul consoles the Thessalonians that although their loved ones are dead, Christ will raise them up when He comes. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, NKJV). He further states that the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

What does the “mystery” in 1 Corinthians 15:51 refer to?

The mystery Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 15:51 is simply the transformation of the living righteous to join the resurrected righteous at Jesus’ second coming. This is the rapture, the “mystery” Paul talks about those not connote a secret rapture that leaves the living wondering what must have happened to the raptured.

In Conclusion,

We who die in Christ will all be raised on the last day because Jesus has risen, this is the New Testament Hope, and the only hope we have as Christians. I pray that We partake in the first resurrection in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 7 Review: Christ’s Victory Over Death

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man, He put his right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead’ ” (Rev. 1:17, 18, NKJV).

Christ’s victory over death is seen in His resurrection. If Christ had not risen then we who believe in Christ would be among all men the most pitiable, for if the dead in Christ perishes after death, then it means there is no hope.

How did the Chief Priests also provide evidence that Jesus is risen?

They made the tomb as secure as possible just in case the disciples might steal the body and might claim that Jesus had been resurrected.

Who was directly involved in the resurrection of Jesus?

God was directly involved in the resurrection. An angel of the Lord was also involved in this glorious event, the angel came down from heaven and rolled the stone away.

What were the reactions of the religious leaders at the news of Christ’s resurrection?

They most have been disconcerting to the religious leaders when they knew that Jesus had risen, they gave money to the guard who brought the news to them for them to conceal the saying.

What incredible thing happened at the resurrection?

Many bodies of the saints were raised from the grave, they were witnesses to the people of Christ’s own resurrection. According to Ellen G. White, they ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. The existence of these resurrected saints contradicted and invalidated the lies of the religious leaders.

How did the disciples react when they first met the risen Christ?

When the disciples first saw the risen Christ they were frightened and terrified, but then they were filled with joy and marveled at what had happened. Thomas who was not with them when Jesus first met with His disciples doubted that Jesus had risen, but He believed when He felt the scars made from His crucifixion.

How did Jesus reveal Himself to other people?

He first revealed Himself to Mary and other women with here, He had also seen about five hundred brethren at once, James saw Jesus too. Jesus also met with some of the disciples and joined them for breakfast at the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus might have also made other appearances before His ascension.

According to Wayne Grudem, what does it mean that Christ is called ‘the first fruits' of those who have died?

‘Paul uses the metaphor that we will be like Christ. Just as the ‘first fruits’ or the first taste of the ripening crop show what the rest of the harvest will be like for that crop, so Christ as the ‘first fruits’ show what our resurrection bodies will look like when in God’s final ‘harvest’, he raises us from the dead and brings us into his presence.” – Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), p. 615.

As a follow-up question to the previous question, does it mean we will still have scars from our sufferings on earth?

No, we will not have marks/scars from our previous sufferings, for we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:50-54), but the marks that Jesus reserved on Him, was to forever tell the price He had to pay and what He went through to save us from our sins.

In Conclusion,

Christ is the ‘first fruits’ of the dead, since Jesus was resurrected from the grave, we also will be resurrected from the grave but not with marks from our sufferings, though many may doubt Jesus’ resurrection, there is much evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to many even though the religious leaders did their best to stop any supposed resurrection of Jesus, they only succeeded in proving more evidence for His resurrection. If we too, believe in Jesus, we will be resurrected like Him, I pray that God gives us the grace to believe in Jesus so we can be raised as He was raised in Jesus’ name.