Following are some of the Bible texts which are quoted as supposedly supporting the commonly held view of the place “hell”. Please note that the related topic of “immortal soul” is covered more fully in topic 9 of this series which is to be added approximately November.
The rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31
- This passage is a “parable” although it is not named a “parable” specifically. Note that only 11 of the 26 parables recorded in Luke’s gospel are actually named “parables”.
- This passage mentions neither heaven nor souls.
- Note that the passage speaks about bodies not souls, eg, eyes, bosom (vs 23) tip of finger and tongue (vs 24).
- Souls are said to be immaterial – how then could Lazarus (if really a soul) be carried by angels? (v22)
- The passage states that there was a great gulf fixed between Abraham and the rich man, yet they could both see and converse with each other (vs 26). Is the great gulf to be taken literally?
- Is heaven literally a place where conversations can be carried on between those enjoying bliss and those agonising in hell?
- How could Lazarus go literally to Abraham’s bosom? Abraham (as now) was unquestionably dead and without his reward (Hebrews 11:8, 13, 39, 40).
- Jesus used a false idea of the Pharisees (immortality of the soul) to convey a lesson as he did in Matthew 12:27 where he makes reference to Beelzebub, “the lord of the fly”, but this does not commit him to a belief in a real “lord of the fly”.
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment” – Matthew 25:46
- The punishment is everlasting, but it is not conscious eternal torment. The punishment will be a final and complete cutting off. (Psalm 37:9, 34). Life eternal is reserved for the righteous, but the wicked are to die “the second death” (Rev 21:8) which in Scriptural terms means to be without thoughts. (Psa 145:3, 4; Eccl 9:5). The word “everlasting” is used of a RESULT, not a process. Similarly, “eternal judgement” (Heb 6:2) and “eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12) do not mean that judgement and redemption will continue throughout eternity, but rather that their results are eternal.
- The wicked are to suffer torment at the Judgement Day (Matt 8:12, 13:30, 40-42, 49-50; Luke 12:47, 48) but this is not eternal torment. Other Scriptures either state or imply a termination of the torment. For example: 2 Thess 1:9, John 15:6, Dan 12:2, John 5:29.
“The fire is not quenched” – Mark 9:43-48
- This passage is popularly taken to be literal but is one to take literally the cutting off of hand (vs 43), foot (vs 45), and the plucking out of one’s eye (vs 47)?
- This passage is almost certainly quoted by Jesus from Isaiah 66:24. Note the differences between this passage and that of the popular belief: – the fire is located outside Jerusalem in Israel (Isa 66:20). This is not the location of the hell-fire of popular teaching. – travellers will observe the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against God. Popular teaching consigns SOULS, not BODIES, to hell.
- Fire is used in Scripture for utter destruction, not for preservation in torment. Consider the following: – Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed by fire and brimstone and are now set forth as “an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7 cf Gen 19:24). But are these cities still burning? Scripture affirms that these cities were overthrown in a moment (Lam 4:6) and turned to ashes (2 Pet 2:6, cf Deut 29:23). – Nadab and Abihu (sons of Aaron) were “devoured” and died by fire which came out from the LORD (Lev 10:1,2). – A fire from the LORD “consumed” the 250 men who illegally offered incense in the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. (Num 16:35) – Fire came down from God out of heaven and “consumed” the messengers from the King of Samaria during the time of the prophet Elijah. (2 Kings 1:10)
- “Unquenchable fire” is an absolute expression but is limited in application as will be seen from the following examples: – “Behold mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.” (Jer 7:20). Nevertheless God will have mercy upon Zion when the “set time is come”. (Psa 102:13). Jerusalem will be the city of the great King. (Matt 5:35, cf Luke 1:31-33). – “I will kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” (Jer 17:27). The fire was not quenched until it had consumed all that could be burned. The fire is not now burning.
“He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:” – Revelation 14:10,11
“And her smoke rose up for ever and ever” – Revelation 19:3
“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.” – Revelation 20:10
- “Fire and brimstone” is used figuratively, not literally in Revelation. Consider the evidence: – in the first occurrence of the expression, “fire and brimstone” is said to issue from horses’ mouths. (Rev 9:17). This is certainly no hell-fire. – If literal torment in hell were intended, then the language of the passage would require Jesus to be with his angels in hell, since it stated: “He tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels…and the Lamb.” Rev 14:10 – Consistency demands that if “tormented with fire and brimstone” is literal so must “the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation”. (Rev 14:10). The latter is an obvious figure drawn from Jeremiah 25:15 so why then insist on literal fire and brimstone? – A figurative interpretation of “fire and brimstone” is in keeping with the general symbolic character of the Revelation. The woman = “that great city” (Rev 17:18), waters = “peoples” (Rev 17:15), the Lamb similarly represents Jesus Christ. (Rev 17:14) – Fire is used in Scripture for utter destruction, not for preservation in torment. Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed by fire and brimstone and are now set forth as “an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7 cf Gen 19:24). But are these cities still burning? Scripture affirms that these cities were overthrown in a moment (Lam 4:6) and turned to ashes (2 Pet 2:6, cf Deut 29:23).
- “And her smoke rose up for ever and ever” (Rev 19:3) is no hell-fire torment for the scene is the destruction of “Babylon the great”, and is witnessed by lamenting merchants, and shipmasters. (Rev 18: 8-10, 15, 18). “For ever and ever” emphasises complete destruction.
“These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” – Revelation 19:20
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20,14
“But the fearful…shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
- The non-literal character of “the lake of fire” is established by the following: – death is cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:14). How can death literally be cast into a lake of fire? – Hell is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). Therefore hell is not the same place as the lake of fire. – Frequently in the Revelation symbols are interpreted. For example: The woman = “that great city” (Rev 17:18), waters = “peoples” (Rev 17:15), the Lamb similarly represents Jesus Christ. (Rev 17:14). The “lake of fire” is interpreted to be the second death”. (Rev 20:14, 21:8).