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.