Final judgement and eternal Hell

July 8, 2020 (Thursday)

 

     Today, we examine humanities’ final judgement [20:11-15].

     People do not want to hear this but, all will stand before God. Believers will stand in judgment. Paul, gives us this advanced warning, “We all must appear before Christ in court so that each person can be paid back for the things that were done while in the body, whether they were good or bad” [2 Corinthians 5:10 CEB]. Speaking about judging the believer’s work Paul stated, “But if anyone’s work goes up in flames, they’ll lose it. However, they themselves will be saved as if they had gone through a fire.” [1 Corinthians 2:15 CEB]  

     Peter warns, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" [1 Peter 4:17 – 18 NIV] On the ominous side, “I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgement Day for every useless word they speak.  By your words you will be either judged innocent or condemned as guilty.” [Matthew 12:36-37]

     The standard for salvation is debatable by different ends of theology. For instance, when Jesus separates the goats and sheep, the standard is service to “the least of these.” Paul clarifies this by teaching us, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” [Galatians 5:6 ESV] Or another way to say this, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” [Ephesians 2:10 NLT]

     Whatever the standard, there is a record, “Then anyone whose name wasn’t found written in the scroll of life was thrown into the fiery lake.” [Revelation 20:15 CEB] Basically, this is the only record that matters for the eternal destiny for the human soul. Elsewhere we are told, “People are destined to die once and then face judgement.” [Hebrews 9:27 CEB]

     In my theological view, we are saved by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8). However, this judgment is focused on the lost. There is “The Book of Life” but there are other books. The dead judged according to their works. “And the dead were judged on the basis of what was written in the scrolls about what they had done.” [Revelation 20:12b CEB]

     The final destiny for rebellious humanity is “the Lake of Fire.” We have the tendency to commonly call this “Hell” (Greek “Hades”]. The Greek New Testament uses multiple words to convey the concept of Hell. The problem is there seems to be a temporary holding place we call Hell. The  CEB avoids confusion by calling it the “grave.”

     Technically eternal is the “Lake of Fire.”  Even “Hell” is thrown into this place with “Death” (see verse 13). This matches Paul’s claim, “Death is the last enemy to be brought to an end.” [1 Corinthians 20:26 CEB]

ONE CHOICE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Let me clarify that statement. What I mean is a life-changing choice to repent of sin, humbly follow Jesus, and enjoy God forever.

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that persons is part of the new creation.  The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!” [2 Corinthians 5:17 CEB]

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’ Let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who is thirsty come! Let the one who wishes received life-giving water as a gift." [Revelation 22:17]