1. “Comfort Doctrines” A doctrine designed to give comfort to one who does not want to give up some sinful activity. Rather than the call to repent, there are teachers who will preach “peace and safety” when there is none! A doctrine designed to give comfort to one who does not want to give up some sinful activity. Rather than the call to repent, there are teachers who will preach “peace and safety” when there is none!

2. Comfort Doctrines (2) Is Hell Real?

3. Concerning the subject of Hell A subject that is unpleasant Therefore it is avoided by many “theologians” and professed believers in God. We cannot ignore God’s word! A subject that is unpleasant Therefore it is avoided by many “theologians” and professed believers in God. We cannot ignore God’s word!

4. What people believe about hell 81% believe in an afterlife 76% believe heaven exists, while 71% believe that hell exists www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife 81% believe in an afterlife 76% believe heaven exists, while 71% believe that hell exists www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

5. What people believe about hell 39% believe it is a state of eternal separation 32% believed it is “an actual place of torments and sufferings” 13% an unknown outcome www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife 39% believe it is a state of eternal separation 32% believed it is “an actual place of torments and sufferings” 13% an unknown outcome www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

6. What people believe about hell Only 0.5% believe they will experience hell first hand after death. www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife Only 0.5% believe they will experience hell first hand after death. www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

7. What people believe about hell Concerning heaven, 43% believed it would be achieved based upon having confessed their sins. 15% believed – be basically good 6% - God will not let people perish www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife Concerning heaven, 43% believed it would be achieved based upon having confessed their sins. 15% believed – be basically good 6% - God will not let people perish www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

8. What people believe about hell George Barna concluded, “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry into heaven…” www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife George Barna concluded, “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry into heaven…” www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

9. What people believe about hell George Barna concluded, “…It is astounding how many people develop their faith according to their feelings or cultural assumptions rather than Biblical teachings.” www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife George Barna concluded, “…It is astounding how many people develop their faith according to their feelings or cultural assumptions rather than Biblical teachings.” www.barna.orgwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

10. Approaches to the subject of hell It doesn’t exist, annihilation Universalism A milder form (e.g. purgatory) It is not relevant to them or their friends. It doesn’t exist, annihilation Universalism A milder form (e.g. purgatory) It is not relevant to them or their friends.

11. Approaches to the subject of hell “How can a loving and just God condemn souls eternally to hell?”

12. “Hell” defined Gehenna, gee/nna – the defiled valley of Hinnom south of Jerusalem. Jesus used it often (12 times) to describe a terrible place awaiting the condemned.

13. “Hell” defined Sheol - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of souls departed. 10X in NT. Matt. 16:18, Lk. 10:15, Luke 16:23, cf. Lk. 23:43 Acts 2:27, cf. Psa. 16:10

14. “Hell” defined Tartarus - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of fallen angels. 2 Peter 2:4, Merges with torments - see Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10, 13, 14

15. Hell is a real place Matt. 10:28, fear Him who can destroy body and soul. Matt. 5:29-30 – If your right eye offends you, pluck it out… Matt. 23:33-34 – how can you escape… Matt. 10:28, fear Him who can destroy body and soul. Matt. 5:29-30 – If your right eye offends you, pluck it out… Matt. 23:33-34 – how can you escape…

16. Hell is a real place 2 Thess. 1:6-9, tribulation, anguish and vengeance, everlasting destruction 2 Pet. 2:20-22 – IF after they have escaped…latter end is worse 2 Thess. 1:6-9, tribulation, anguish and vengeance, everlasting destruction 2 Pet. 2:20-22 – IF after they have escaped…latter end is worse

17. Hell is eternal Matt. 25:41, 46, everlasting fire prepared for the devil… Luke 3:17 – unquenchable fire Rev. 20:10 – day and night forever Matt. 25:41, 46, everlasting fire prepared for the devil… Luke 3:17 – unquenchable fire Rev. 20:10 – day and night forever

18. Hell is eternal Mark 9:44-48, the worm doesn’t die, fire not quenched Rev. 14:11 – smoke of torments ascends forever 2 Thess. 1:9 – everlasting destruction Mark 9:44-48, the worm doesn’t die, fire not quenched Rev. 14:11 – smoke of torments ascends forever 2 Thess. 1:9 – everlasting destruction

19. Unimaginable torments Matt. 8:12, 22:13, Jude 13, Darkness, outer darkness Mark 9:43-48, Lk. 3:17, Rev. 14:10-11 – Fire Mark 9:43-48 – decay Matt. 8:12, 22:13, Jude 13, Darkness, outer darkness Mark 9:43-48, Lk. 3:17, Rev. 14:10-11 – Fire Mark 9:43-48 – decay

20. Unimaginable torments Matt. 13:42, 25:30, etc. Weeping and gnashing of teeth These descriptions are worst possible experience. Designed to keep you out of there! Matt. 13:42, 25:30, etc. Weeping and gnashing of teeth These descriptions are worst possible experience. Designed to keep you out of there!

21. What about the goodness of God? While He loves, He is also just and holy. This demands punishment – Deut. 32:4, Rev. 4:8, Heb. 10:31, 12:29 He paid the price for our sins! While He loves, He is also just and holy. This demands punishment – Deut. 32:4, Rev. 4:8, Heb. 10:31, 12:29 He paid the price for our sins!

22. What about the goodness of God? God doesn’t send anyone to hell – WE CHOOSE by rejecting His will! Who determines adequate severity? 1 John 1:5-6, Ex. 34:6-7 Let God be God! God doesn’t send anyone to hell – WE CHOOSE by rejecting His will! Who determines adequate severity? 1 John 1:5-6, Ex. 34:6-7 Let God be God!

23. Is hell real to you? Are you fully aware of this place? Are you indifferent? Hell not just a place for the wickedest of sins. See Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 25:41-45, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Rev. 21:8,… Are you fully aware of this place? Are you indifferent? Hell not just a place for the wickedest of sins. See Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 25:41-45, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Rev. 21:8,…

24. Is hell real to you? If you are eternally lost, it will be your choice to not obey God! Rom. 6:23, Isa. 59:2 If you are eternally lost, it will be your choice to not obey God! Rom. 6:23, Isa. 59:2

25. True comfort! While hell is a real place, we don’t have to go there! God wants you to be saved – 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11 God has done His part – will you accept it? Eph. 2:8-9 While hell is a real place, we don’t have to go there! God wants you to be saved – 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11 God has done His part – will you accept it? Eph. 2:8-9

26. True comfort! He has revealed what He desires to please Him. 2 Pet. 1:3 What are we doing to keep others from going there? He has revealed what He desires to please Him. 2 Pet. 1:3 What are we doing to keep others from going there?

27. May we take comfort in His plan to deliver us from hell!