| Chapter
20
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HEAVEN AND HELL
Heaven is a wonderful place and most people would like
to go there.
Hell is just the opposite.
There are three heavens mentioned
in the Bible and they are:
1. The Atmosphere.
2. Outer Space.
3. The Third Heaven
1.
The atmosphere or firmament.
It
extends from the earths surface to approximately a hundred
and twenty miles above the earth.
It
is referred to in the Bible as the place where birds
fly.
Genesis
1:20
"And
God said, let the waters bring forth abundantly the
moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly
above the earth in the open firmament of heaven."
2.
Outer Space.
It
extends beyond the earths atmosphere and is where God
placed the sun, moon and stars. God called it the firmament
of heaven.
Genesis
1:16-17
"And
God made two great lights; the greater light to rule
the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he
made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament
of the heaven to give light upon the earth."
3. The Third Heaven
It
is the place where God has set His Throne and Heavenly
Kingdom.
Paul
refers to this place as Paradise or the third Heaven
and it is beyond the universe.
2
Corinthians 12:2-4
"I
knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, such
a one caught up to the third heaven. Caught up into
Paradise."
Isaiah
14:13
"I
will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of
the congregation, in the sides of the north:"
It is described as a place that is somewhere in the
north beyond the first and second heaven.
Psalm
75:6
"For
promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the
west, nor from the south."
This
could be a symbolical reason why the compass points
to the north.
It is this Heaven that God inhabits.
Psalm 68:33
"To
him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens."
Heaven
is Gods dwelling place.
There
are six things about Heaven we should know:
1.
The focal point of Heaven is the Throne of God.
This
is what Isaiah saw:
Isaiah
6:1-5
"I
saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted
up, and his train filled the temple.
Above
it stood the seraphim's: And one cried unto another,
and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the
whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the
door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house
was filled with smoke.
Then
said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man
of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people
of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the
LORD of hosts."
God's
awesome presence emanates from the Throne.
John
the revelator describes this.
Revelation
4:2-6
"Behold,
a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
And
he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine
stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne,
in sight like unto an emerald.
And
round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and
upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,
clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads
crowns of gold.
And
out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings
and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning
before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And
before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto
crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about
the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and
behind."
God's
Throne has eternal dimensions and is surrounded by breathtaking
beauty.
These
boundless Heavenly domains include Palaces, Temples,
Celebration Places, Banquet Halls and indescribably
beautiful Mansions. There are beautiful restful nature
scenes with meadows, fountains, streams and lush green
fields. The sweet smelling forests are filled with the
playful sounds of chirping birds, critters, friendly
animals and the abundance of delicious fruits and berries.
Heaven is an abode beyond description, for the eternal
pleasure and enjoyment of the Saints.
2.
Heaven has a magnificent Temple:
Revelation
11:19
"And
the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was
seen in his temple the ark of his testament:"
Jesus
our High Priest entered into this Temple to offer His
precious blood for the remission and cleansing of all
sin.
Hebrews
9:24
"For
Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven
itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:"
It
is here where all overcoming Christians will have entrance.
Revelation
3:12
"Him
that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of
my God, and he shall go no more out:"
It
is here where the Saints of God will be appointed into
holy Priesthood.
Revelation
5:10
"And
hast made us unto our God ... priests:"
3.
There is a Judgment Hall or Courtroom in Heaven.
In
this Courtroom God litigates and executes His judgment.
It
is here where satan comes to accuse Christians.
Job
1:6
"Now
there was a day when the sons of God came to present
themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among
them."
It
is in this Heavenly Courtroom that Jesus Christ the
righteous Advocate, appears on behalf and in defense
of all Christians.
1
John 2:1
"And
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Jesus
is fully qualified and capable of successfully defending
every Christian. The basis of all of Gods judgments
are upon the Word of God and Righteousness.
Jesus
is the "Word of God" and "total righteousness."
4.
There are beautiful Mansions in Heaven for Gods children.
John
14:2
"In
my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you."
John
describes this magnificent city and its buildings.
Revelation
21:18-21
"And
the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the
city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
And
the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished
with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation
was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony;
the fourth, an emerald;
The
fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a
chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth,
an amethyst.
And
the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate
was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure
gold, as it were transparent glass."
These
mansions by far exceed all our expectations in their
design, construction, furnishings, decorations, creativity,
comfort and exclusive taste.
5.
The culture of Heaven is of noblest order.
Gods'
children are part of the Heavenly Family.
There
is a restful and peaceful atmosphere there.
Joy
and happiness never ends.
Everything
is pure and perfect.
All
needs and desires are satisfied.
Feasts
and Celebrations are unforgettable events.
The
presence of Jesus is always longed for and sought after
by the Saints.
Whenever
He appears there is much excitement and He spends personal
time with every Saint.
The
Saints attend events dressed in their pure white garments
and wear their glorious crowns.
1
Corinthians 2:9
"But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
This
Heavenly glory will never end.
6.
Heaven is an after death destination for those who are
children of God.
2
Corinthians 5:1-8
"For
we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle
were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
We
are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent
from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
Entrance
into Heaven, is by invitation of Jesus Christ only.
Matthew
25:21
"His
lord said unto him; Well done, thou good and faithful
servant: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Hell.
There
are three Hell's mentioned in the Bible and they are:
1. Sheol / Hades.
2. Tartarus.
3. Gehenna.
1.
Sheol / Hades:
The word "Sheol" in Hebrew is "Hades" in Greek.
It
means the place where the souls of the dead are kept
after death.
Acts
2:27
"Because
thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
In
the Old Testament, when someone died, they went to Sheol/Hades
to be kept until the day of Judgment. This place is
divided into two compartments and separated by a gulf
or bottomless pit. It is in the heart of the earth.
On the one side the righteous were kept and on the other
side the unrighteous.
Jesus
told a true story of two men that were kept in Sheol.
Luke
16: 20-26
"And
there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was
laid at his gate, full of sores,
And
it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried
by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also
died, and was buried;
And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and
seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And
he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me,
and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger
in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in
this flame.
But
Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime
receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil
things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And
beside all this, between us and you there is a great
gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence
to you cannot; neither can they pass to us."
After
Jesus died on the cross he descended into Sheol/Hades.
Ephesians
4:9-10
"Now
that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth?
He
that descended is the same also that ascended up far
above all heavens, that he might fill all things."
Sheol
is within the earth and Jesus descended to it.
Jesus
actually preached to everyone in Sheol who had died
up until that point in time.
They
were held captive by satan.
1
Peter 3:18-19
"For
Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put
to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
By
which also he went and preached unto the spirits in
prison;"
Here
Jesus actually defeated satan and his kingdom, and took
the keys of death and hell from him.
Revelation
1:18
"I
am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of
death."
Colossians
2:15
"And
having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a
shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
At
the Resurrection of Jesus all the Old Testament Saints
were resurrected with Him.
Matthew
27:52-53
"And
the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints
which slept arose,
And
came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went
into the holy city, and appeared unto many."
These
resurrected Saints were taken to Heaven by Jesus.
Ephesians
4:8-10
"Wherefore
he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Now
that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth?
He
that descended is the same also that ascended up far
above all heavens, that he might fill all things."
Since
the time of Christ's resurrection, all saints who die
go directly to Heaven.
2
Corinthians 5:8
"We
are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent
from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
Until
this day, all the ungodly who die go down to Sheol.
They
are kept there until the Day of Judgment. When they
die on earth they open their eyes in Sheol.
Luke
16:23
"And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments."
2.
Tartarus.
This
is a place where Angels that have sinned are kept until
the time of their Judgment.
2
Peter 2:4
"For
if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness,
to be reserved unto judgment;"
The
Greek word "hell" mentioned here is "Tartarus".
It
means the place of keeping of fallen angels.
Jude
6
"And
the angels which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting
chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great
day."
3.
Gehenna.
This
place is the lake of fire that is mentioned in the Bible.
Revelation
21:8
"But
the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death."
Jesus
mentions Gehenna twenty-two times in the Gospels. He
does not debate its existence. He confirms it.
Matthew
18:9
"And
if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life
with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast
into hell fire."
Matthew
5:22
"But
I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:
and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall
be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say,
Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
The
Greek word for "fire" is "Puros" and means real burning
fire.
It
is a sulphuric, brimstone type of fire and is much more
intense in heat, than regular fire. It is like the fire
that fell down on Sodom and Gomorrah. Sheol is beneath
the earths crust at the volcanic lava-boiling center
of the earth.
Gehenna
is much worse. It is the lake of fire that is called
the second death.
Revelation
21:8
"The
lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is
the second death."
Hell is a place of intense pain, suffering, gross darkness and eternal isolation
from God .
Matthew
8:12
"But
the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer
darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
It
is an everlasting experience of rotting, smelling flesh,
worms gnawing and penetrating the body.
Isaiah
describes this.
Isaiah
66:24
"And
they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of
the men that have transgressed against me: for their
worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched;
and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."
Those
whose names are not found written in the Book of life
are destined for Gehenna.
At
the White Throne Judgment of God they will be cast into
Gehenna.
Revelation
20:11-15
"And
I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;
and there was found no place for them.
And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and
the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.
And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire."
These
are those whose lives are contaminated with sin. Men
and women, who reject the gentle conviction of the Holy
Spirit to save them. They refuse to receive Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior and continue serving satan.
The
devil and all those who follow him will be cast into
the lake of fire and they will be tormented forever.
Revelation
20:10
"And
the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake
of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for
ever and ever."
Be
sure to escape this future horrific judgment upon all
sinners.
Try
to rescue all those that are heading for the lake of
fire.
Jude
23
"And
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire;
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
John
3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish." |
