The Doctrine of Eternal Torment

The Doctrine Of Eternal Torment

Lesson One – Biblical usage and Description

Pastor Tony Butler

Introduction

The doctrine of eternal torment has been challenged by various bible teachers as long as the church has existed. It is the most unpopular doctrine among Christians and sinners alike. Christians struggle with the fairness of the doctrine and the emotions that go along with having unsaved loved ones who died as non-christians. Non-christians wrestle with the fairness of the doctrine as well. They do not see the punishment fitting the crime and cannot reconcile a good God practicing eternal torment on His own creation.

In our study we are going to look at the various doctrines and rationals about eternal torment. We will take as honest look as we can as to what the Bible actually says and seek tounderstand and explain the doctrinal and emotional realities it presents. In our study we will look at the emotional objections to the doctrine as well as the objective statements of Scripture. We will examine the rational that is used to justify eternal torment as well as the rational that denies the possibility. This study should be quite beneficial and help us all try to understand this most dificult doctrine.

Annihiationists – Cease to exist – Burned and cease to exist

Universalist – all men are saved

Damnationalists – burn forever

Questions people ask about hell:

There are many questions people have about hell. I think any sincere question is legitimate and requires a proper attempt to answer it. Many Christians just take the torment of hell for granted because they have heard it all their lives. But the truth of the matter is that few study the doctrine and many are afraid to ask hard questions for fear of being seen as a heretic. In the course of our study we will try to answer all the following questions and any others you may bring forth:

Is hell real? Who goes to hell? Is Satan the king of Hell? Are there demons in hell? Where is hell? What about people who never heard of Jesus, do they go to hell? Was a tormenting hell taught in the OT? Is hell forever? Why didn’t God make clear the doctrine of eternal torment in the OT? Why was no Jew ever warned about torment after death under the patriarchs or prophets? If Hell is real, why did God tell the Jews that burning their children alive in the fire to the false god Molech, (in the valley of Gehenna) was so detestable to Him? God said that such a thing "never even entered His mind" (Jer. 32:35). How could God say such a thing to Israel , if He has plans to burn alive a good majority of His own creation in a spiritual and eternal Gehenna of His own making? Is there a difference between hell and the lake of fire? Why were all the mentions of hell in the gospels only directed to the Jews? Could hell be an allegory and not a real place? If Hell is real, how could the Apostle Paul (who was especially commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the nations) say that he had declared the entire counsel of God (Acts 20:27), when indeed he never warned of "Hell" in any of his letters except that Christ triumphed over it? Why is hell not mentioned once in the book of Acts in any of the evangelistic sermons that were recorded by the early Apostles?How could a loving God torture people eternally for finite offences? It would be helpful to me if you e-mailed me your own questions ahead of time so I can be more prepared during class.

Write down the dificulties, feelings or questions you have about the doctrine of eternal torment. We will share the statements in class and share the kinds of struggles that Christians may have within their own minds and hearts.

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2. ______

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Biblical descriptions of future judgment

There is no doubt as to the descriptive language used for judgment after death such as: Wrath; outer darkness; punishment; away from God’s presence; flames; smoke; torment; weeping and gnashing of teeth; second death; a place prepared for the devil and his angels; the worm that never dies; the smoke of their torment that ascends forever; lake of fire. Are such descriptions to be taken literally or are they allegorical descriptions? Can one find harsh descriptions in the Bible that clearly are not literal?

It is interesting to note that only 59% of Americans believe in hell, compared with 74% who believe in heaven. Of those Americans that believe in hell there are various views heldamong them that are by no means unified.

Within western culture (especially American culture),almost everyone who dies goes to heaven according to the messages preached by pastors during funeral services. It is estimated that not even 10% of evangelical pastors ever even preach or teach on the subject due to positive preaching peer pressure,and fear of being cuturally incorrect. In an attempt to make Jesus more likable among contemporary audiences the subject is seldom touched. There is a greater emphasis on His love and grace and an intentional shying away from judgment.

Question:

In your opinion how much emphasis should be on judgment or eternal torment?

Do you think that preaching that contains such objectionable themes within society should be mentioned less in an attempt to be more culturally relevant, so that the more positive themes of the Bible will be more readily heard?

When one thinks about all the apostacy and sin in the Old Testament, why wasn’t a threat of torment ever used as a deterrent by the prophets in their preaching? Is hell part of the gospel message?

Words used for Hell in the Scripture in the King James

Old Testament

“Sheol”– Def. = The underworld, the abode of the dead

All groups that deny eternal torment declare that sheol is nothing more than the grave. If this is true then they have a case to make hadace nothing more than the grave.

Sheol isn’t always translated hell in the Old Testament, even in the King James. It is also translated as the grave or pit. The following verses in the King James have translated the word “sheol” as “hell”:

Deut. 32:22; 2 Samuel 22:6; Job 11:8;22:6; Ps. 9:17;Ps.16:10; 18:5; 55:15; 86:13; 116:3; 139:8; Prov. 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:11; 15;24; 23:14; 27:20; Isa. 5:14; 14:9,15; 28:18; 57:9; Ezek. 31:16,17; 32:21,27; Amos 9:2; Jonah 2:2; Hab. 2:5(Note- Most modern translations have removed the word hell and placed sheol in its place. KJV folks make claim new bibles removing hell)

There are certain groups such as Jehovah Witnesses and others that teach that sheol is nothing more than the grave. They deny any consciousness or punishment after death. The King James has translated the word “sheol” 30x as “the grave” 3x as “the pit” and 30x as “hell”. I personally, as well as a host of others, disagree with “sheol” ever being translated as “the grave”. It always has to do with the place of the departed dead. I encourage you to look up places where “sheol” has been translated “grave” and see how the words, “underworld”or “the abode of the dead” would fit perfectly. Below are a few examples:

And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave/underworld unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. (Genesis 37:35)

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. (Genesis 42:38)

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave/underworld, and bringeth up. (1 Samuel 2:6)

Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave/underworld in peace. (1 Kings 2:6)

Important Note – The primary Hebrew word for “grave” is “kever”. It is a specific place of burial. (i.e. - And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave/kever: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave/kever unto this day. (Genesis 35:20))

However, “sheol” is the place of the departed dead in the Old Testament. There are clear contrasts between the actual primary Hebrew word for grave “kever” and the place of the departed dead “sheol”.

Below is a list of examples that illustrate the contrasts between “kever” and “sheol”:

2 Kgs. 23:16 – “Kever”s can be opened or closed by men but “sheol” is never seen to be opened or closed by man.
Ex. 14:11 – “Kever” is found in plural form as “graves” but “sheol” is never found in scripture as a plural.
Gen. 35:20 – One can erect a monument over a “kever” but “sheol” is never spoken of as having a monument.
Gen. 23:4, 6, 9,19, 20; 49:30, 31 – While “kabar” =“to bury” is used with “kever” it is never used in scripture with “sheol”.
Ex. 14:11 – “Kevers” can be found at a specific location but “sheol” is never localized in scripture because it is everywhere accessible wherever death takes place. “Sheol” is seen as waiting for the dead. “kever’s” are not necessary for a man to go to “sheol”.
Gen. 23:4-20 – “Kever’s” can be sold and bought as property but “sheol” is never seen as being purchased or owned.
“Kever’s” are always seen as visible in scripture but “sheol” is never mentioned as being seen by men.
Jer. 8:1,2 – “Kever’s” can be robbed, defiled and destroyed but “sheol” is never seen as being robbed, defiled, or destroyed by man.
Prov. 27:20 – “Kever’s” can be filled but “sheol” can never be filled.
Gen. 35;20; Num. 19:18 – One can decorate or touch a “kever” but “sheol” is never seen as being decorated or touched.
Gen. 50:13 – Bodies are seen as being placed in “kevers” but never seen as being placed in “sheol”.
2 Kings 23:16 – Men have entered and left “kevers” and removed bones but no where does the OT mention a man entering or leaving “sheol” much less removing bones.
Is 14:19-20; Gen 37:35- Even the unburied go down to “Sheol.” Jacob thought the beasts had devoured Joseph, yet he expected to go to him in Sheol.
Moses was gathered to his people and was buried in Moab (Deut 34:5-6); yet Miriam had been buried in the wilderness, Aaron on Mt Hor, and his mother who made the ark of bulrushes likely had been buried in the brickfields of Egypt. Moses (Deut 31:16), David, Ahaz, and Manasseh are all said to lie down with their fathers; yet none of them was buried in the family grave.
Is. 14:11-20 - The King of Babylon is pictured as being brought down into the lowest parts of “sheol” and is observed by others. He is declared not to be buried. If the grave is “sheol” then he would have to be buried.

Jonah 2:1-2 – Jonah was in “sheol” when he cried out to God. He was conscience and wasn’t in a grave.

These verses illustrate distinct differences between “sheol” and merely a “grave”. Almost all ancient rabbinical writings testify to the fact that the Jews believed“sheol” as a place of the departed dead. The ancient rabbis believed that true retribution would take place primarily after the resurrection but that “sheol” was a place of happiness or unhappiness. The vast majority of rabbinical writings never taught any idea of unconsciousness or cessation of existance after death.

Words used for Hell in the scripture in the King James

New Testament

In the King James the word “hell” is found 23x. The English word is translated from three separate Greek words.

The three words for “hell” in the KJV

“hadace”- Mt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27,31; Rev. 1:18; Rev. 6:8; Rev. 20:13,14
“gehenna”- Mt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; Mt. 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk. 9: 43,45,47; Lk. 12:5; James 3:6
“tartaroos”- 2 Pet. 2:4

“Hadace”

Note – In I Cor. 15;55 – KJV translates hadace as “grave”

It would appear that the word “hadace” is the equivalent to the Old Testament word “sheol.” It was the place of departed souls. In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus speaks of a story of a man who went to hadace/sheol. (Lk. 23:43) Some say that this story is merely a parable but most evangelical scholars see it as an actual narrative that took place in hadace.

From this story we can see that in the time of Christ the underworld was divided into two sections by a great divide. On one side there was a place of torment and on the other side a place of comfort. Many believe that the great divide is also called the “abyss” or the “bottomless pit” which is the “abussos” in the Greek. It is in this place where evil creatures are imprisoned. (Rev. 9:2,3,9-18)The anti-christ will rise from the bottomless pit(Rev. 17:8). Satan will be chained there for 1000 years(Rev. 20:2,3).

The rich man tormented in flames could actually see the beggar Lazurus on the opposite side being comforted in an area referred to as “Abraham’s Bosom”. This place called “Abraham’s Bosom” is also believed to be the “paradise” to which Jesus referred in Lk. 23:43. If this is the case then we know that paradise/hadace was in the belly of the earth. (Mt. 12:40)

It appears that Abraham’s Bosom was the holding place for the righteous dead whereby people were comforted, but across the great divide was a holding place for the unrighteous, which is described by fire, torment and deprivation of any relief or comfort such as water. In the story found in Luke 16, the rich man, the beggar Lazurus and Father Abraham are the only ones seen or heard. It appears that travel back and forth from between the two places was impossible though Scripture says they could see each other and could hear each other. The rich man did cry out and Abraham answered him.

Some teach that Luke 16 wasn’t a literal event but only a made up story to illustrate some greater truth Jesus was trying to get across. Because of the fact that only three people are seen and the fact that they could see and talk to each other raises certain questions in the mind which will be addressed later in the study.

Question:

In your opinion do you believe the story was an actual event or just a made up story to illustrate some greater truth? State your reasons in class.

“Tataroos”

The word “tataroos” which is translated “hell” in the King James is found only once in scripture.

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; (2 Peter 2:4) (See also - 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. (Jude 1:6))

It appears that “tataroos” is a holding place for a special order of angels that sinned in a particular way against God in the past and are being held in chains until the day of judgment. Tartaroos was translated as “hell” by the translators because the English word “hell” took into account all the realm of the underworld.

“Gehenna”

Gehenna is a word far more connected to fiery tormentMt. 22:23. Jesus used the word Gehenna, which is translated hell in the KJV, the majority of the time. (12x) The word “Gehenna” consists of two words that mean “The Valley of Hinnon. This was the valley the idolatrous Israelites devoted formerly to the perverted worship of Moloch, 2Ki_16:3; 2Ch_28:3.

After the return of the Jews from captivity, this place was held insuch abhorrence that by the example of Josiah (2Ki.23:10), it wasmade the place to throw all the dead carcasses and filth of the city, and often was a place that held public executions.

Fires burned there continually with all manner of smoke, stench, pollution, and disgust. All Jews were well acquainted to its appalling reputation of rotteness and stench. It was called the gehenna of fire, and was imagery Jesusused to describe the future punishment of the wicked.Gehenna probably refers to the lake of fire because of the everlasting attributes connected to it Mk. 9:43, 45

In Conclusion:

There is sufficient reason to distinquish between the grave and sheol. Historically and scripturally the Jews of the Old and New Testament allow for consciousness and judgment after death.

There is no doubt that there are horrid descriptions used in connection with “hadace” and “gehenna” in the New Testament. There are great warnings and promises of future judgments attached with those descriptions.

In the lessons ahead we will examine those statements of judgments in light of context and try to determine if they were meant to be taken literally or figuratively. As believers and honest students of God’s Word, we must allow the scripture itself to be God’s final authority. The feelings and philosophies of man must never be allowed to overide the clear teaching of scripture regardless of how we may feel personally.

In our next lesson we will look at the doctrinal and emotional objections to eternal torment. I encourage you to do a self study prayerfully and as honestly as you can.