Read Matthew 25:30; 25:41; Revelation 20:10; 20:15 1. DESCRIPTIONS OF HELL There have always been people with a very vivid imagination. Some of them are adept at picturing the macaber. Whatever is gruesome to behold is their field of specialization, and they portray it in great detail. They wiII draw pictures of hell as if they […]
Read John 14:1–4; Deuteronomy 33:27a In the heart of God’s child there is a longing, yes even a need, for the everlasting home. As he grows older and loses a devout mother, trusting sister, witness-bearing father, loyal and loving wife, etc., his attention is drawn away from the earth and fixed upon heaven. He may […]
Read I John 3:1–3 With respect to the believer’s final bliss many questions reach the minister. Some of these apply also to the intermediate state, for, as we remarked earlier, it is not always possible to separate these two. 1. IN THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH WHAT WILL BE OUR RELATION TO THE ANGELS? With […]
Read I Peter 3:8–16; 4:7–11; 5:8, 9 There are those who maintain that the study of the doctrine of the last things takes us too far away from our duty in the here and now. This need not be true. In fact, if these truths are seen in their proper, biblical contexts they become a […]
Read Amos 3:1, 2 and Luke 12:47, 48 1. THE OBJECTOR STATES, “THE DOCTRINE OF HEll IS A CRUEL DOCTRINE, FOIt IT TEACHES THAT GOD CASTS INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL COUNTLESS INNOCENT PAGANS WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL.” ANSWER a. “Into the depths of hell?” The objector is forgetting that there are degrees of […]
Read Jonah 4:6–11 and I Corinthians 7:14 I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SUBJECT Until recently a very high percentage of human beings never attained to maturity. In fact, ever so many died in infancy. Of late, this tragic situation has taken a turn for the better. Concerted efforts are being put forth to counteract the high […]
Read Matthew 25:1–13 1. THE EXACT QUESTION There are two misconceptions of which we should free our minds immediately. On the one hand, there are the people who belong to this or that sect (Russellites and some others). These will sometimes confuse their victims by telling them that it is not true that they believe […]
(Does Gehenna Mean Annihilation Or Does It Mean Everlasting Punishment for the Wicked As To Both Body and Soul When Jesus Comes To Judge?) Read Mark 9:43–48 and Revelation 14:9–12 1. THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME “GEHENNA” Our English word “hell” indicates the place of everlasting punishment for the wicked. In the New Testament three words are […]
Read Psalm 73:12–19 1. A VERY UNPOPULAR DOCTRINE “Ladies and Gentlemen: The idea of a hell was born of revenge and brutality on the one side, and cowardice on the other…I have no respect for any human being who believes in it. I have no respect for any man who preaches it…I dislike this doctrine, […]
Read Luke 16:19–31 ( A THIRD WORD, GEHENNA, WILL BE DISCUSSED IN A LATER OUTLINE) 1. FOUR ERRONEOUS VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO SHEOL You may well wonder why an en tire lesson is devoted to this subject. Why bother about the meaning of a Hebrew word and a Greek word? Why not take up something “more practica”? […]