June 06, 2009

Hell Explained

If you heard the word "Hell", what would immediately come to mind? Fire, brimstone, pain, suffering, eternity, devil, judgment, etc... Well, none of this is true and I can prove it with Scripture from the Holy Bible. I felt betrayed by everyone that I had a conversation with concerning this including preachers. Let us take a look at what the Living Word of God says about hell.

First, I need to establish a fact about hell that many people do not know. No person that has died is in hell right now. It is true! Read the scriptures below that show the truth.

Jesus said;
Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:"

There are several other verses that are like this one. However, there is no doubt that Jesus is talking about a body, not a soul, being in hell. This is important because many preachers preach that the soul goes to hell. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, this is not so. Let me move on to what scripture says about where the dead are right now.

Where are the Dead Now?

One of the best verses to explain where all the dead are right now is the parable of the tares that Jesus told the multitude in Matthew 13:24-30.

24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The parable confused the disciples. Therefore they asked Jesus what it means and Jesus said in Matthew 13:36-43

36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus explains that this is what will happen at the end of the world. This is concerning the judgment of the Lord upon all mankind that has existed since Adam and Eve. Therefore, there is no human in hell right now because the Great Judgment has not occurred. This also proves there is no human that has died that is in heaven either. To further support this, look at John 5:28,29

28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

See? Jesus said both good and evil will come out of the grave when God calls them at the end of the world! There is no misunderstanding this or twisting it. It is plain and simple.