Heaven/Hell

Preliminary Questions What is heaven like? Can someone go to heaven and then come back? Is it really fair for God to send people to hell? Is hell really eternal? Does Jesus talk about hell?

Heaven There have been popular books and movies with kids who go to heaven and come back and write best selling books. Is their testimony about heaven true? Does it line up with the Scriptures?

Heaven What do you think heaven will be like? Are our views of heaven Scripturally based?

2 terms: What is Heaven? Hebrew – Shamayin Greek – Ouranos Both of these terms have the idea of skies, cosmos But it can also mean God’s dwelling place Is. 66:1 Lord’s Prayer

What is Heaven? Wayne Grudem: “Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.” According to Scripture, Heaven is… A place John 14:3 Heaven is place where not only God resides, but redeemed saints go as well.

What is heaven Other religions do not have the same view of Heaven or they have a different concept of heaven. (Mormon, Buddhist, Hindu) Only Christianity views heaven as the dwelling place of God.

Heaven What is not there: Non-believers Tears Sin Sorrow Temples Death The Sun or Moon Pain The curse from Adam Darkness

Heaven What is there: Worship The saints The wedding feast of the Lamb & His bride The river of the water of life The unveiled face of God Healing fruit The Son of Righteousness The Lamb of God

Hell There is no other doctrine that causes the most debate than the doctrine of hell. The doctrine of hell often causes people to cringe because they cannot justify how a loving God can send people to hell. Would a loving God send innocent people to hell? No. God never punishes innocent people. Those who are innocent should have no worry about being punished.

Hell Yet according to the New Testament, there are no innocent people. Romans 1 makes this clear. Paul is very clear that we are all guilty before God. Jesus talks about hell a lot. Matthew 18:7 – 9, Matthew 25: 30, 46 Luke 13:5, 19 - 31

Hell Revelation 20:11 – 15. Hell is for those not written in the book of life. Hell is described at the second death. Hell is described as like of fire.

Hell: 3 Views Eternal Conscious Punishment – It’s an actual place. Grudem: “Hell is a place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.” Luke 16:22-24; Rev. 14:9-11 This is the biblical view of hell Annihilationism – People are there for a time and then they are annihilated or destroyed After a time, the wicked are destroyed. John Stott held this view. Metaphorical – Hell is what we experience on this earth Rob Bell, “Love Wins”

The Implications of Hell The reality of a final judgment should motivate us to evangelism. The reality of the final judgment should make us serious about the coming judgment. Should cause us to see if we are in the faith.