Foundation: Building Blocks of the Faith: Week 7

Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  

Matthew 25:31-34 (NLT) But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 

Matthew 25:41 (NLT) Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire…’ 

Matthew 25:46 (NLT) And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. 

Judgment — “a decision resulting from an investigation.”  

Romans 14:12 (NLT) Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.  

2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Revelation 20:11-15 (NLT) And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it... 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne.  And the books were opened, including the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13...And all were judged according to their deeds. …15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. 

• Hell is a real place...where real people will spend a real eternity. 

10 Characteristics of Hell

1.  A place of fire 

Revelation 20:15 (AMP) And if anyone’s was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.

2.  A bottomless pit

Revelation 20:1 (NLT) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit...

3.  An endless place

2 Thessalonians 1:9 (AMP) These people will pay the penalty and endure the punishment of everlasting destruction, banishment from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...

4.  A place of consciousness 

5.  A place of complete loneliness 

Matthew 8:12 (NKJV) They will be cast out into outer darkness...

6.  A place of memories

Mark 9, Where their worm does not die, and the fire never goes out. 

7.  A place of unquenchable desires 

Luke 16:24 (NLT) The rich man shouted, “Father Abraham, have some pity!  Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.  I am in anguish in these flames.” 

8.  A place of torment and pain 

Matthew 22:13 (NLT) Then the king said to his aides, "Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

9.  A place of no rest

Revelation 14:11 (NKJV) And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest...

10.  A place of utter hopelessness

"Why would a loving God send people there?”

1.  They don't understand who Hell was really made for.

2.  They really don't understand the heart of God.

Ezekiel 18:23, Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord.  Of Course not!  I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

3.  They really don't understand how we were created.