Revelation 20:10-15; 22:10-17 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them……

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged……

each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire....... 22:10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near……

11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes……

so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David……

the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life:• 74% of Americans believe in heaven• 54% of Americans believe in hell

Hell is really about the enormous, outrageous love of God. We deserve hell because of our sins.

The life and death and resurrection of Jesus was about what God was willing to do to save people from hell… not send them to hell.

John 3:16–17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1. Does hell really exist?

People often lump two places into one under the term “hell” - Hades and Hell.

Hades is where those who have rejected a relationship with God go when they die (before they are judged).

The sea gave up the dead who were in it…… - Revelation 20:13

Lazarus & the rich man. - Luke 16:19-31

Old Testament term Sheol encompassed both. It simply means place of the dead.

That “place” could either be paradise or Hades, depending on your life choices.

Then there is hell (the Lake of Fire). This is where those who die apart from a relationship with God find themselves after the final judgment.

This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire…… Revelation 20:14-15

Matthew 25:41; 46 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’…… 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Greek word “Gehenna”, which is a deep ravine south of Jerusalem.• Human sacrifices were made there• A garbage dump where fires burned

“day and night”• Dogs would “howl and weep” hoping

for scraps to eat• Fight causing their teeth to clash• Weeping and gnashing of teeth

It was the darkest, most horrific place people knew of. Jesus used it as the symbol for the place of final punishment and seperation.

The imagery of Gehenna describes a place filled with despair, pain, and torment.

Heaven is where God’s goodness is, and hell is where God’s goodness isn't.

2. Who will go there?

Hell is where you are left to your choices. Left to your decision to live apart from God.

Hell is the raw soul joined to an indestructible body, exposed to its own sin for eternity. Hell is the place of unquenchable, raging, unmet emotional needs, without painkillers or sedation.

- Erwin Lutzer

How can a loving God send someone to hell? He doesn't. We send ourselves.

How can a loving God send someone to hell? He doesn't. We send ourselves.

Each one of us will get what we deserve based on the decisions we've made.

What about “good” people?• How good is good enough?• Whose standard?• Are you good enough?

There are only two kinds of people in the end. Those who say to God, “Thy will be done.” Or those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.”

- C.S. Lewis puts

Is God going to send people to hell just because they didn’t believe in Him?

Is God going to send people to hell just because they didn’t believe in Him?

No, he’ll send them their because of their sins, their actions, their choices, and decisions.

God sent Christ, so people could choose Him and live. He loves us that much!

3. What about those who have never heard about Jesus?

Fair does not mean treating everyone the same. It means treating everyone impartially (justly).

Genesis 18:25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?

Perfect justice and perfect love.

Ezekiel 18:23–32 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?...... 25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness anddoes injustice, he shall die for it……

for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life...... 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lestiniquity be your ruin……

31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17