Embracing Your Role As A Spouse
As a spouse, you have three roles to playa friend, a partner, and a lover. On this one-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Pastor Kevin A. Thompson explores those different roles and challenges you to live them out by investing emotionally, physically, and mentally in your relationship. As friends, he suggests we learn to play and laugh together. As partners, he equips us with solid ways to handle conflict and communication. As lovers, he offers some thoughts on how to bring back the sizzle. He shares five keys to saving your marriage: humility, respect, mercy, communication, and resilience. Youll be encouraged to intentionally invest in your marriage.
Reconciling Faith And Science In A Medical Crisis
Dr. Lee Warren is a neurosurgeon who has faced many heavy challenges in his life from serving in the Iraq War to removing deadly brain tumors to experiencing the loss of a teenage son. Hell share about his difficult quest to find answers to some of lifes toughest questions, while holding onto his faith in God and the sure hope of heaven
What Is The Difference Between Sheol Hades And Hell
Sheol is the term used in the Old Testament to describe where all people go after death. The Old Testament describes it as a place deep in the ground, and sometimes it is translated as the grave or the pit. Sometimes it is used to describe where people punished by God go, such as in Ezekiel 32 where its prophesied God will punish the Egyptians and they shall lie in Sheol with other slaughtered kings . The Psalms use it to describe being in the darkest place: you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol . However, Sheol doesnt just refer to where people who have rejected God go. Its also the term used in places like Genesis 15:15 to describe men dying and going to join their fathers or going to the place of their fathers. When Jesus shares a parable in Luke 16:19-31 about Lazarus and the rich man, he says after Lazarus died he was taken to Abrahams bosom, which may be a term for the section of Sheol where the Hebrews believed the righteous went.
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Hell Described In The Bible
The word of God warns about hell describing it with images of darkness, gnashing of teeth, fire, and complete separation from God.
1. Darkness
From the oldest book of the Bible to the last book , darkness is consistently associated with hell. Job writes of a land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, a realm of darkness , even a day of darkness . Other references throughout the Bible include:
Why Is It Important That Christians Understand Hell
Scholars like James Spiegel have noted that hell is a secondary doctrine, meaning its not as important as the primary doctrines like the Trinity or Jesus human and divine natures. For some, that may raise the question of why should we care about hell. There are various reasons why we should care about hell, the simplest ones are as follows:
Its mentioned many times in the Bible. Hell may not be the topic that Jesus talks about most, but he describes it explicitly many times and various major New Testament writers including Paul also reference it clearly. As shown earlier, its also heavily implied in the Old Testament with its references to suffering after death. Therefore, hell is something we should know about and try to understand as best as we can in the course of building a systematic understanding of the Bibles teachings.
It makes it clear that God is just. We may not like the idea of hell, but as we get older, we become more and more aware that we are all broken. We all commit sins, and as the Bible describes it many times, we are all worthy of judgment. Without punishment for sins , God would not be a just ruler of the universe. Therefore, Hell is important to help us understand Gods justice and moral goodness, as well as his sovereignty.
Further Reading
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If You Havent Already Done So Humble Yourself Before The Mighty Hand Of God And Receive Jesus Christ As Your Savior Today
It is far better for Jesus to pay for your sins on your behalf so you dont have to spend eternity doing so. Let the perfect righteousness of Jesus, the God-man, be your righteousness, because it is something you can never attain on your own. Dont wait to believe in Christ, because he is your one and only hope. Furthermore, you dont know how long youll be here on earth to receive him as your Savior:
For he says, In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time behold, now is the day of salvation.
There is no better offer that has ever been madeor ever will be madethan the one God has made to the world in Christ. God became man and died on a cross not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him . Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior today.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
What Jesus Said About Heaven And Hell
What the Bible really says about heaven and hell.
Heaven and hell both exist and we know this because Scripture tells us so. The Bible speaks on the reality of hell in the same terms as the reality of heaven. Revelation 20:14 says, Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyones name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. The truth is Jesus spent more time warning people about the dangers of hell than He did in comforting them with the hope of heaven. The concept of real, conscious, forever-and-ever existence in hell is just as biblical as a real, conscious, forever-and-ever existence in heaven. Trying to separate them is simply not possible from a biblical standpoint.
Despite the Bibles clear teaching of both heaven and hell, it is not unusual for people, including some Christians, to believe in the reality of heaven while rejecting the reality of hell. A lot of this has to do with wishful thinking. Its easier to accept the idea of a happy and comfortable afterlife, but damnation isnt quite so appealing. This is very similar to the mistake so many people often make when it comes to substance abuse, dangerous behaviors and so on. The assumption that we will get what we want overrides the unpleasant but rational view that things might not end well.
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There Is No Middle Ground
The belief that we are still given the chance to repent after death has been around for decades. The Medieval Catholic Church and some Christians today believe in Purgatory a place in which one goes after death to be purified before going to live with God. This belief has led to prayers for the deceaseds soul to go up into heaven. And it is wrong. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that the dead has already used up their chance . The moment that our life ends, we will face the realm of spirituality which God is in control of. Unlike our ability to choose where we will live or where we want to go while alive in the flesh, our spirits cant. The fate of our spirit, the moment that we die, relies solely on Gods judgment.
Also, the Bible did not mention any middle ground for the dead to repent. There is no middle ground. It is either we go to heaven and spend eternity with God or we rot in hell. Hell is the place where we suffer for the consequences of our sins and to face Gods wrath. This place is without God. Hence, you can not find any good in it. Even the slightest hope will not be present. Believing purgatory and other non-Biblical principles is also a sin. It is this kind of belief that will lead us into thinking that we can do whatever we want and after all that fun, we can just repent after we die, which is wrong. Remember, we should use our time on earth wisely. Think about the destination we would want to spend eternity in.
Weeping And Wailing And Gnashing Of Teeth
I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth .
Like every detail about the fate of the unbelievers in eternity, i.e., after the Great White Throne Judgment , theres debate about whether to take this literally. Some suggest the weeping and gnashing of teeth may be a metaphor for regret. Being cast into the outer darkness doesnt seem like a literal description of being thrown into an eternal lake of fire. So, this might not be a description of Hell .
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What Is The Purpose Of Hell
Why would God allow for all this destruction to happen? 2 Peter 3:10-14 explains that earth being on fire will melt, but that we should look forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. The fire purifies the earth and establishes a place of righteousness for the saved to live. Isaiah 65:17 adds, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. This righteous place is described in Revelation 21:1-5 in the following way: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away…Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.
Have you considered the following? If people were tormented forever in hell how could all things be made new? Additionally, how could all tears be wiped away if you were saved and happily living in an earth recreated, but could still see loved ones burning in hell for eternity? Eternal life for you in heaven would be eternal torment as you continually saw those you loved in unending agony.
Satan Will Be Thrown Into Hell
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence , by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse , and all the birds were filled with their flesh .
Terrifying words. People object to a literal Lake of Fire, which people usually think of when they use the word Hell. In the Old Testament, the King James Version of the Bible translated the word Sheol as Hell. Sheol refers to the grave, not to a Lake of Fire. King David said if he made his bed in Sheol, God would be there, so Sheol cant be a Lake of Fire . What does the Bible say about Hell?
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What Is Hell Like In The Bible
In the Gospels, Jesus spoke of hell more then he did of heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew, hell is mentioned 7 times and Hades is mentioned 2 times, along with 8 descriptive terms concerning fire. Out of all the Gospels, Matthew speaks of hell the most, and out of the entirety of New Testament writings, Matthew contains the most content on hell, with Revelation falling in second. In Matthew 3:10, John the Baptist teaches that those who do not bear fruit will be cast into the fire. Scholar William Hendriksen writes, The fire into which the unfruitful trees are cast is evidently a symbol of the final outpouring of Gods wrath upon the wickedThe fire is unquenchable. The point is not merely that there is always a fire burning in Gehenna but that God burns the wicked with unquenchable fire, the fire that has been prepared for them as well as for the devil and his angels.
He also explains in Matthew 3:12 that the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come again and that He will separate wheat , from the chaff , which will be burned by an unquenchable fire. Hendriksen also writes,
Loving Your Spouse Through The Seasons Of Marriage
Debra Fileta has identified the four seasons of marriage that correspond with our natural seasons spring , summer , fall , and winter . In this interview, she will help couples better understand the four seasons of healthy relationships, what to expect during each one, and how to carefully navigate them for a stronger marriage.
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Only The Evilest People Will Go To Hell
Hell may be filled with murderers, rapists, dictators, and other criminals that have committed crimes we consider to be heinous in this world. However, though it may be true, it is a misconception that average people will not be subjected to the punishments in hell. This kind of notion about the afterlife is very common. James 2:10-11 says that anyone who fails from keeping any of the law of God, he is therefore subject to punishment. So, will a person who steals a dollar be punished just the same as someone who murders a person? According to this verse, yes. Jesus said not to kill, and not to steal . Going against any of Gods laws, no matter how small it is, will have consequences. Hence, hell is not just for big crimes.
But that does not mean that every sin we commit will land us in hell. Christ died for our sins and we can always ask for forgiveness for our sins. But, this also doesnt mean we can continue to purposefully sin and just ask for forgiveness after the deed. God knows the intent of our hearts and His righteousness is bigger than the universe. Therefore, we should not think that the scale of the sin determines the probability of going to heaven or hell as it is more than that. God loves us so much that He continuously forgives us so that we can live in eternity with him and avoid a life in hell.
Does The Bible Mention Hell
The short answer is yes, but perhaps not the way you think. The Bible talks many times about hell and the fact that we are all sinners , and that there will be a Judgment Day where God will judge all humans who have not repented. For example, Matthew 12:36 says that every person will have to give an account of themselves on Judgment Day.
Although English translations of the Bible often use the term Hell throughout the Old and New Testament, there are three basic names used in different places to describe the place where people go after death. Each one has different connotations.
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Understanding The Root Of Your Child’s Misbehavior
Often, children act out because they are used to getting attention through bad behavior. Dr. Kevin Leman offers advice to help parents transform their childs behavior. He discusses the benefits of allowing your kids to learn from real-life consequences and describes the importance of understanding your childs temperament based on his birth order.
Myths And Misconception About Hell
As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the basis of all facts about spiritual things. And to make our beliefs firm, we should know how the Bible describes hell rather than settling to popular beliefs. The way we perceive heaven and hell sets us apart from other religions as we base everything on the word of God. Very few have noticed how historic beliefs such as those of ancient Roman and Greek philosophy have influenced Christianitys perception of hell. And it is not just a simple matter. For example, the Greek religion Hellenism is a pagan religion in which the Bible detests. Listed below are some common myths and misconceptions about hell.
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How Does The Bible Describe Hell
Pastor John MacArthur writes, Fire causes the greatest pain known to man, and the furnace of fire into which the sinners are cast represents the excruciating torment of hell, which is the destiny of every unbeliever. This fire of hell is unquenchable, eternal and is pictured as a great lake of fire which burns with brimstone. The punishment is so fearsome that in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus also says the same thing in Matthew 13:50. Hendriksen expounds on the weeping and gnashing of teeth, along with 13:42, in light of Matthew 8:12. He writes,
As to weepingThe tears which Jesus speaks here in Matt. 8:12 are those of inconsolable, never-ending wretchedness, and utter, everlasting hopelessness. The accompanying grinding or gnashing of teeth denotes excruciating pain and frenzied anger. This grinding of teeth, too, will never come to an end or cease.