1
Comfort Doctrines

• A doctrine designed to give comfort to one who
  does not want to give up some sinful activity.
• Rather than the call to repent, there are
  teachers who will preach peace and safety when
  there is none!

2
Comfort Doctrines (2)

• Is Hell Real?

3
Concerning the subject of Hell

• A subject that is unpleasant
• Therefore it is avoided by many theologians and
  professed believers in God.
• We cannot ignore Gods word!

4
What people believe about hell

• 81 believe in an afterlife
• 76 believe heaven exists, while 71 believe that
  hell exists
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

5
What people believe about hell

• 39 believe it is a state of eternal separation
• 32 believed it is an actual place of torments
  and sufferings
• 13 an unknown outcome
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

6
What people believe about hell

• Only 0.5 believe they will experience hell first
  hand after death.
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

7
What people believe about hell

• Concerning heaven, 43 believed it would be
  achieved based upon having confessed their sins.
• 15 believed be basically good
• 6 - God will not let people perish
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

8
What people believe about hell

• George Barna concluded, Many committed born
  again Christians believe that people have
  multiple options for gaining entry into heaven
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

9
What people believe about hell

• George Barna concluded, It is astounding how
  many people develop their faith according to
  their feelings or cultural assumptions rather
  than Biblical teachings.
• www.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

10
Approaches to the subject of hell

• It doesnt exist, annihilation
• Universalism
• A milder form (e.g. purgatory)
• It is not relevant to them or their friends.

11
Approaches to the subject of hell

• How can a loving and just God condemn souls
  eternally to hell?

12
Hell defined

• Gehenna, gee/nna the defiled valley of Hinnom
  south of Jerusalem. Jesus used it often (12
  times) to describe a terrible place awaiting the
  condemned.

13
Hell defined

• Sheol - OT, Hades, a/des NT the waiting place
  of souls departed. 10X in NT. Matt. 1618, Lk.
  1015, Luke 1623, cf. Lk. 2343Acts 227, cf.
  Psa. 1610

14
Hell defined

• Tartarus - OT, Hades, a/des NT the waiting
  place of fallen angels. 2 Peter 24, Merges
  with torments - see Matt. 2541, Rev. 2010, 13,
  14

15
Hell is a real place

• Matt. 1028, fear Him who can destroy body and
  soul.
• Matt. 529-30 If your right eye offends you,
  pluck it out
• Matt. 2333-34 how can you escape

16
Hell is a real place

• 2 Thess. 16-9 , tribulation, anguish and
  vengeance, everlasting destruction
• 2 Pet. 220-22 IF after they have
  escapedlatter end is worse

17
Hell is eternal

• Matt. 2541, 46, everlasting fire prepared for
  the devil
• Luke 317 unquenchable fire
• Rev. 2010 day and night forever

18
Hell is eternal

• Mark 944-48, the worm doesnt die, fire not
  quenched
• Rev. 1411 smoke of torments ascends forever
• 2 Thess. 19 everlasting destruction

19
Unimaginable torments

• Matt. 812, 2213, Jude 13, Darkness, outer
  darkness
• Mark 943-48, Lk. 317, Rev. 1410-11 Fire
• Mark 943-48 decay

20
Unimaginable torments

• Matt. 1342, 2530, etc. Weeping and gnashing of
  teeth
• These descriptions are worst possible experience.
  Designed to keep you out of there!

21
What about the goodness of God?

• While He loves, He is also just and holy. This
  demands punishment Deut. 324, Rev. 48, Heb.
  1031, 1229
• He paid the price for our sins!

22
What about the goodness of God?

• God doesnt send anyone to hell WE CHOOSE by
  rejecting His will!
• Who determines adequate severity? 1 John 15-6,
  Ex. 346-7
• Let God be God!

23
Is hell real to you?

• Are you fully aware of this place? Are you
  indifferent?
• Hell not just a place for the wickedest of sins.
  See Matt. 713-14, 21-23, 2 Thess. 17-9, Matt.
  2541-45, 1 Cor. 69-11, Rev. 218,

24
Is hell real to you?

• If you are eternally lost, it will be your choice
  to not obey God!
• Rom. 623, Isa. 592

25
True comfort!

• While hell is a real place, we dont have to go
  there!
• God wants you to be saved 2 Pet. 39, Ezek.
  3311
• God has done His part will you accept it? Eph.
  28-9

26
True comfort!

• He has revealed what He desires to please Him. 2
  Pet. 13
• What are we doing to keep others from going there?

27

• May we take comfort in His plan to deliver us
  from hell!