Between Two Destinies: Heaven and Hell

This message was originally part of a series by Dan Coggins, Pastor of Northside Bible Church, Lutz, Florida. They were delivered on April 2nd and 9th, 2000. They are available in outline form at: (813) 961-1307 or email at nside1@aol.com.

Part 1 Heaven

Introduction:

Today "hell" is no more than a mild curse. Many of heaven’s perceived pleasures have been realized as standard equipment in our affluent society. Still in the deep recesses of the modern mind lie nagging questions like: "What if there is a heaven and hell?"

When it comes to decisions about life after death, a lack of clear thinking predominates.

The trustworthy word of God offers only two destinies, there are no other alternatives.

Other concepts -- purgatory, limbo, Valhalla, Brahman, reincarnation, becoming a god as in Mormonism -- find no support in Scripture.

Heaven and hell are not merely opinion, tradition, speculation or superstition. The testimony of Him who is eternal and the witness of others in Scripture attests to life beyond this existence. Jesus says in John 3:12 and 13, "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things? And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man." He validated and verified this by His resurrection!

To some like Elbert Hubbard heaven is "The Coney Island of the Christian imagination".

"The principal architects of the modern mind, chiefly Freud, Marx and Nietzsche...argued that hope in a heaven inhibits us from enjoying or caring about earthly life", but "polling data suggests that ‘those who believe in life after death lead happier lives...are just as committed to this world as those who don’t.’" [Newsweek, April 27, 1989]

C. S. Lewis wrote, "A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking,... If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next."

Let’s examine what the Bible says about heaven, then we’ll turn our attention to hell.

What is Heaven and Where is It?

Actually there are at least three heavens referred to in Scripture.

The atmospheric heaven is the first we see in Genesis 1:1,7,20.

The creation of the stellar heavens is recorded in Genesis 1:14-16.

Finally there is what might be called the "invisible" heaven which is in the spiritual realm beyond our earthly perception.

This final destination of those rightly related to God is often pictured as a home or a city. In Revelation 21 this city is described as:

holy- (vs.10) in the presence of God nothing impure or sinful dwells.

glorious (vs.11)- This city is filled with God’s radiant presence.

secure (vs.12)- The high wall pictures the perpetual security of this place. (see Ephesians 2:20)

accessible (vs.12)- The city’s twelve gates remain open at all times.

adequate (vs.16)- Its size is beyond our earthly imaginations or any present proportions.

beautiful and permanent (vv.19-21)- Earth-bound words fail John’s attempts to describe its magnificence.

beyond our earth-bound imagination- What John was allowed picture, Paul was prohibited. The Lord would not permit him to share the wonders of Paradise. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

"The renowned English physician Thomas Browne (1605-1682) wrote, ‘When we begin to talk about life after death, we're like two infants in a womb discussing the nature of their future life. The difference between our present knowledge and understanding of what it will be to share God's glory is no less great than what exists between unborn babes and a man in the strength of his days....As Christians, we know it is indescribable and thus we can rejoice, but it will be even greater than our wildest imagination.’" (Our Daily Bread 6/18/94)

Obviously we expect to see God and angels there.

Satan apparently has limited access (Job 1:6) though his eventual exclusion is sure. (Revelation 12:8)

"Paradise" is there according to 2 Corinthians 12:4. (see Jesus’ promise to a thief in Luke 23:43)

Believers from before Christ are now there (Ephesians 4:8-10) as well as believers who have died since. Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3 reads, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Paul confirms this and clarifies the fact that we past immediate from this life into the presence of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:1, 5-9)

What makes heaven "heaven"?

Cultists often want to debate the after life and heaven, but in reality what makes heaven "heaven" is Jesus Himself. I care not where that will be, but I know He has said, "where I am...there you will be also" (John 14:3).

The phrase "with Him" appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Colossians 3:4 ("when Christ...appears; ..you will appear with Him in glory") to identify the destiny of Christ’s own.

Believers will enjoy intimate fellowship with Him (1 Corinthians 13:12 "then face to face...I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known."). The implication of Revelation 2:17 (a stone with a "name...no one knows but him who receives it") is that of a private level of communion with Christ.

"We shall be like Him" according to 1 John 3:2. Though we will not become gods, we will have a new body not subject to death, sickness, or pain, but will like Christ’s (Philippians 3:21).

We will enjoy perfect peace from Christ Himself. (John 14:27)

All the wrongs of the world will meet His unbiased justice. Many of the complexities of this existence will come to light. Joni Erickson Tada put it this way, "He who holds all reasons in His hand will give us the key that makes sense out of our most senseless sufferings."

The realities of this world -- pain, disease, death, disability, disappointment -- "crush our illusions that earth can ‘keep its promises’. ...It moves our eyes from this world which God knows could never satisfy us anyway, and sets them on life to come." (Joni)

Jesus promises full and complete joy (John 15:11). This confirms the Psalmist’s statement, "Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11)

What will we do in the Father’s house?

Many popular misconceptions abound: we’ll be angels, on clouds, harps, etc.

Scripture lets us know that we’ll engage in...

Worship- praise, thanks and adoration of the Father and Son forever.

J. D. Pentecost has observed "Worship is the rightful response to revelation." So as more is revealed our worship increases both spontaneously and eternally. This is not empty mindless repetition, but true worship in full consciousness and meaning; our minds grasping fully the eternal; our senses so sharpened as to be incapable of boredom.

Fellowship- communion, communication on an intimate, personal and most satisfying level.

Fellowship, first with God, then with those who have gone before us or come after.

Again Joni puts it well, "we will know the wonderful harmony of not only being in paradise, but also of having hearts that are able to enjoy it." "...we won’t feel strange or insecure...for we will be home".

Serving- "His servants will serve Him" (Revelation 22:3) with meaningful work for and with the Father. As work was assigned in the garden before the fall (Genesis 2:15), so this is a blessing forever.

How Can We Get There?

A Salt Lake City photographer saw a street sign all askew, and promptly took a picture. The result was captioned, "Divine Direction," with a "one-way" sign pointing to the sky with a cemetery in the background. The words of English poet William Blake were quoted: "The grave is heaven's golden gate, and rich and poor around it wait."

Sadly the photograph is wrong in one sense. There are two ways from the grave -- one to heaven and another to hell. There is only "one way" to Heaven, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. If you want to be sure of a home in Heaven, trust Him today.

A common misconception is embodied in the trite cliche, "To get to heaven, turn right and keep straight."

Lewis Sperry Chafer attacked this type of thinking by saying, "Anyone can devise a plan by which good people may go to heaven. Only God can devise a plan whereby sinners, who are his enemies, can go to heaven."

J. B. Phillips confirms this, "Heaven is not a reward for ‘being a good boy’ but is the continuation and expansion of a quality of life which begins when a man's central confidence is transferred from himself to God."

A secure place in heaven becomes ours only by faith in Christ as our only hope of heaven.

1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Two of the greatest psychological problems that plague us as we grow older are feelings of loneliness and uselessness. God’s provision of heaven answers both. Fellowship and worship answer our problem of loneliness while meaningful service promises relief from uselessness.

Though the ultimate reality of heaven lies beyond our earth-bound imagination we can gain a taste of heaven on earth. Jordan Khan’s turn of a phrase explains this: "You will get to heaven by accepting Christ as Savior, but by accepting Christ as Lord you will bring heaven down to yourself."

Close, well developed fellowship with Christ and with other believers, a godly home, and an outlook that is rooted in Scripture provide this "taste of heaven".

Of all the wondrous potential of heaven one thing we won’t be able to do in heaven is win another to Christ. If we believe in a real heave then we should want others to share in its riches with Christ forever.

This leads to a further question that must be asked is, "What are we doing now to populate heaven?"

Surely this short study doesn’t answer all our questions about heaven but it does give us a start. If you have any questions or comments about this or related subjects I would appreciate them.

Below you will find an interesting story passed around on the internet that provides a little insight into what we must think about heaven.

"The Fork"

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given 3 months to live. Her Dr. told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time.) So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing.

The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing." She said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important." The woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say.

"That shocks you doesn't it?" The woman asked.

"Well to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved (and let's be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise); my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and

say 'you can keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn't Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'"

The pastor's eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.

Part 2- Hell

If we had just a half-realistic grasp of hell we’d think twice before saying thinks like:

"It’s was hot as hell last July 20th."

"We had one hell-of-a of a time getting our transmission fixed."

"Oh yeah? Well you can just go to hell you...."

Let’s address some unpleasant but necessary questions: Is there a hell? What is it like? Who goes there? How can we avoid it?

Charles H. Spurgeon in training young ministers said to his students, "When you talk about heaven let your face light up with a heavenly glory. When you tell about hell, your everyday face will do."

Today I’m wearing my everyday face.

"Ironically, the more hell shows up in casual conversation, the less it is actually thought about - even in religious circles. The more a word is used in an aggressive, profane way, the less threatening it seems to the user." - (Herb Vander Lugt, Radio Bible Class booklet, What Does the Bible Say About Hell?)

In a 1996 poll of American adults entitled "What Americans Really Believe about Heaven and Hell" the Barna Research Group reported these findings:

86%: God will eventually judge everyone.

57%: A person can get to heaven by doing good works.

45%: Religious beliefs do not have an impact on one's afterlife.

45%: Religious beliefs do have an impact.

39%: All persons who have not trusted Jesus as savior will go to Hell.

37%: Hell is not a place but a condition of separation from God.

31%: Hell is a real place where sinners go to be punished.

21%: Hell is a symbol, not a place.

Is Hell a Real Place?

We find hell to be an uncomfortable and embarrassing subject. Many deny it as a relic of antiquity, or try to rationalize it away. This should not surprise us because our society seeks to minimize sin and all its results.

Ultimately our question is not "Do you believe in hell?", but "Is there a hell?"

What you or I believe about Australia is not ultimately important. What matters is that there is an Australia. What you or I think about it will not change its existence. To deny that such a place exists makes us a fool.

So it is with hell. I’m a fool to think that just because the thought of hell is unpleasant or does not "fit" with my concept of God that this in any way changes its reality.

What is the evidence? What should I do about the evidence?

The biblical evidence is clear. The Bible uses several terms for destinies beyond the grave

#1 Sheol is an Old Testament term for the physical grave and the destiny of all who die physically. The hope of believers then was to eventually be rescued from Sheol. (see Psalm 16:9-11; 17:15; 49:15) Job 19:25-26 expresses a strong hope "I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;"

#2 The New Testament uses the Greek word Hades to identify the same place.

In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus speaks of two with very different "after death" existences. Lazarus the poor beggar is taken to be "comforted" while the rich man awakes in "torment". They are separate and conscious of their condition, past, present, future.

I must take a moment to say that the rich man doesn’t experience torment due to his rich and easy life on earth. His failure to hear the witness of Moses and believe made the difference in his eternal destiny. (Luke 16:27-31)

#3 Jesus uses term gehenna to refer to a destiny of enduring anguish. (More on this later.)

#4 Other terms like outer darkness, lake of fire, second death are also used.

Some attribute belief in heaven to be wishful thinking, but it is those who disbelieve in hell who are guilty of unfounded doubt.

The greatest evidence for the horrible reality of hell is what Jesus did to keep people from going there.

What is Hell Like?

Many misconceptions come from Greco-Roman mythology and the fruitful imaginations of medieval and contemporary minds, as in Dante’s Inferno. The reality is actually painful beyond imagination.

Hell, Gehenna, outer darkness, the lake of fire, the second death; these all refer to...

> a place of fire- Matthew 3:12; 25:41; Mark 9:43, 48; Revelation 21:8; 19:20; 20:10, 14-15

> a place that endures- Matthew 25:41, 46; Mark 9:48; Revelation 14:11

> a place of isolation and separation- Matthew 7:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Norman Geisler says, "Hell is the opposite direction from God."

> a place of darkness- Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30

> a place of anguish and regret- Matthew 8:12; 13:42 & 50; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; 16:24ff

Geisler further says, "Nowhere does the Bible describe Hell as a ‘torture chamber’. Unlike torture...inflicted from without...torment is self-inflicted. Torment is living with the consequences of our own bad choices."

God doesn’t threaten us with torture, but warns us of eternal torment. (see 2 Peter 3:9)

Matthew 11:23, Mark 12:40, Luke 10:13-14 and 12:47-48 speak to the issue of the probability of differing degrees of suffering. We can trust this to a just God who judges rightly.

Who Goes to Hell?

Actually no one is in Hell (Gehenna) today!

The lost and saved before Christ’s death experienced either comfort or torment in Sheol/Hades.

Jesus took the believing dead to heaven after He died on the cross. (Ephesians 4:8-10)

Believers today go instantaneously into the presence of God. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

The lost of today join unbelievers of the past in Sheol/Hades. They are experiencing judgment at death- (Hebrews 9:27) that has hung over them all their accountable life. (John 3:18 & 36) They await their ultimate sentencing at the Great White Throne according to Revelation 20:12-15.

John Thomas cautions, "...our thoughts of hell will never be an unmanageable as its reality." (Moody 9/85) And Herb Vander Lugt of Radio Bible Class adds, "It is perhaps wise for us to avoid excessive speculation about the suffering of hell. Although we cannot visualize either the timelessness of eternity or the exact nature of hell’s suffering, we can be moved to godly fear and proper action." (What Does the Bible Say About Hell?)

Satan, his angels and agents -- the beast and false prophet -- will be cast into the Lake of Fire according to Revelation 20:10.

Why Do People Go to Hell?

The rich man in Luke 16 didn’t go to Hades because he was rich or to "balance the scales", but because he rejected the truth. (see Luke 16:27-31 "hear Moses & the prophets...believe")

All those who have never come in faith to God trusting His provision for their salvation will be eternally separated from Him in hell.

Some question God’s love, compassion and justice in "sending" people to hell. God doesn’t send anyone to hell, they choose it when they refuse His multitude of witnesses in nature (Romans 1:20), His work in time and His people, and His word.

No one will able to tell God, "But I would have believed if given the chance." Romans 3:19 says that every mouth will be closed.

C. S. Lewis observes: "The safest road to hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." (Screwtape, in The Screwtape Letters)

How Can We Avoid Hell?

God’s desire is for all to be saved.(1 Timothy 2:4; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9) This is why Jesus came and died. Luke 19:10 records His words, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

The most convincing argument for the reality and severity of hell is the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Our responsibility is first to believe His witnesses.

Certainly part of the anguish of hell is realizing that the purpose for which I was created has been missed. Missed not by "accident" but by choice. By a thousand small and large choices to spurn God’s grace and ignore His incessant witness to my need for Him. Witnesses ignored in favor of satisfying immediate desires. Even the witness of the emptiness experienced in spite of having superficial longings met.

If you had a terminal illness and heard of a doctor or treatment that could correct it, you’d be a fool if you neglected at least to check it out.

You HAVE a terminal disease: SIN.

There is a treatment and the DOCTOR is IN!

Christ is the Great Physician. He applies the treatment and cure.

TRUST in Christ alone, He doesn’t ask you to understand everything first. You’ve heard James Boswell’s words: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Trust Him now. Don’t wait.

Our second responsibility is to be His witnesses.

As clearly as the Bible teaches in the accountability of the individual to respond to God’s witnesses, it also teaches our responsibility to stand in the path of those headed for hell. We must deter them with the best means possible. We are Christ’s ambassadors urging those without hope to experience the peace He offers. (2 Corinthians 5:19b & 20)