“Comfort Doctrines”

“Comfort Doctrines”“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!

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!

Comfort Doctrines (2)Comfort Doctrines (2)

Is Hell Real?Is Hell Real?

Concerning the subject of HellConcerning the subject of Hell

• A subject that is unpleasant

• Therefore it is avoided by many “theologians” and professed believers in God.

• We cannot ignore God’s word!

• A subject that is unpleasant

• Therefore it is avoided by many “theologians” and professed believers in God.

• We cannot ignore God’s word!

What people believe about hellWhat 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

• 81% believe in an afterlife

• 76% believe heaven exists, while 71% believe that hell exists


http://www.barna.org/



• 39% believe it is a state of eternal separation

• 32% believed it is “an actual place of torments and sufferings”

• 13% an unknown outcomewww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

• 39% believe it is a state of eternal separation

• 32% believed it is “an actual place of torments and sufferings”

• 13% an unknown outcomewww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife




• Only 0.5% believe they will experience hell first hand after death.


• Only 0.5% believe they will experience hell first hand after death.





• 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 perishwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife

• 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 perishwww.barna.org, 2003 Survey on the afterlife




• George Barna concluded, “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry into heaven…”


• George Barna concluded, “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry into heaven…”





• George Barna concluded, “…It is astounding how many people develop their faith according to their feelings or cultural assumptions rather than Biblical teachings.”


• George Barna concluded, “…It is astounding how many people develop their faith according to their feelings or cultural assumptions rather than Biblical teachings.”




Approaches to the subject of hellApproaches to the subject of hell

• It doesn’t exist, annihilation

• Universalism

• A milder form (e.g. purgatory)

• It is not relevant to them or their friends.

• It doesn’t exist, annihilation

• Universalism

• A milder form (e.g. purgatory)

• It is not relevant to them or their friends.

Approaches to the subject of hellApproaches to the subject of hell

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

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

“Hell” defined“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.

• 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.


• Sheol - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of souls departed. 10X in NT. Matt. 16:18, Lk. 10:15, Luke 16:23, cf. Lk. 23:43Acts 2:27, cf. Psa. 16:10

• Sheol - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of souls departed. 10X in NT. Matt. 16:18, Lk. 10:15, Luke 16:23, cf. Lk. 23:43Acts 2:27, cf. Psa. 16:10


• Tartarus - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of fallen angels. 2 Peter 2:4, Merges with torments - see Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10, 13, 14

• Tartarus - OT, Hades, a/des NT – the waiting place of fallen angels. 2 Peter 2:4, Merges with torments - see Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10, 13, 14

Hell is a real placeHell is a real place

•Matt. 10:28, fear Him who can destroy body and soul.

•Matt. 5:29-30 – If your right eye offends you, pluck it out…

•Matt. 23:33-34 – how can you escape…

•Matt. 10:28, fear Him who can destroy body and soul.

•Matt. 5:29-30 – If your right eye offends you, pluck it out…

•Matt. 23:33-34 – how can you escape…

Hell is a real placeHell is a real place

•2 Thess. 1:6-9 , tribulation, anguish and vengeance, everlasting destruction

•2 Pet. 2:20-22 – IF after they have escaped…latter end is worse

•2 Thess. 1:6-9 , tribulation, anguish and vengeance, everlasting destruction

•2 Pet. 2:20-22 – IF after they have escaped…latter end is worse

Hell is eternalHell is eternal

•Matt. 25:41, 46, everlasting fire prepared for the devil…

•Luke 3:17– unquenchable fire• Rev. 20:10 – day and night

forever

•Matt. 25:41, 46, everlasting fire prepared for the devil…

•Luke 3:17– unquenchable fire• Rev. 20:10 – day and night

forever

Hell is eternalHell is eternal

•Mark 9:44-48, the worm doesn’t die, fire not quenched

•Rev. 14:11 – smoke of torments ascends forever

•2 Thess. 1:9 – everlasting destruction

•Mark 9:44-48, the worm doesn’t die, fire not quenched

•Rev. 14:11 – smoke of torments ascends forever

•2 Thess. 1:9 – everlasting destruction

Unimaginable tormentsUnimaginable torments

•Matt. 8:12, 22:13, Jude 13, Darkness, outer darkness

•Mark 9:43-48, Lk. 3:17, Rev. 14:10-11– Fire

•Mark 9:43-48 – decay

•Matt. 8:12, 22:13, Jude 13, Darkness, outer darkness

•Mark 9:43-48, Lk. 3:17, Rev. 14:10-11– Fire

•Mark 9:43-48 – decay

Unimaginable tormentsUnimaginable torments

•Matt. 13:42, 25:30, etc. Weeping and gnashing of teeth

• These descriptions are worst possible experience. Designed to keep you out of there!

•Matt. 13:42, 25:30, etc. Weeping and gnashing of teeth

• These descriptions are worst possible experience. Designed to keep you out of there!

What about the goodness of God?What about the goodness of God?

• While He loves, He is also just and holy. This demands punishment – Deut. 32:4, Rev. 4:8, Heb. 10:31, 12:29

• He paid the price for our sins!

• While He loves, He is also just and holy. This demands punishment – Deut. 32:4, Rev. 4:8, Heb. 10:31, 12:29

• He paid the price for our sins!

What about the goodness of God?What about the goodness of God?

• God doesn’t send anyone to hell – WE CHOOSE by rejecting His will!

• Who determines adequate severity? 1 John 1:5-6, Ex. 34:6-7

• Let God be God!

• God doesn’t send anyone to hell – WE CHOOSE by rejecting His will!

• Who determines adequate severity? 1 John 1:5-6, Ex. 34:6-7

• Let God be God!

Is hell real to you?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. 7:13-14, 21-23, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 25:41-45, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Rev. 21:8,…

• Are you fully aware of this place? Are you indifferent?

• Hell not just a place for the wickedest of sins. See Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23, 2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 25:41-45, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Rev. 21:8,…

Is hell real to you?Is hell real to you?

• If you are eternally lost, it will be your choice to not obey God!

• Rom. 6:23, Isa. 59:2

• If you are eternally lost, it will be your choice to not obey God!

• Rom. 6:23, Isa. 59:2

True comfort!True comfort!

• While hell is a real place, we don’t have to go there!

• God wants you to be saved – 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11

• God has done His part – will you accept it? Eph. 2:8-9

• While hell is a real place, we don’t have to go there!

• God wants you to be saved – 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11

• God has done His part – will you accept it? Eph. 2:8-9

True comfort!True comfort!

• He has revealed what He desires to please Him. 2 Pet. 1:3

• What are we doing to keep others from going there?

• He has revealed what He desires to please Him. 2 Pet. 1:3

• What are we doing to keep others from going there?

May we take comfort in His plan to deliver us from

hell!

May we take comfort in His plan to deliver us from

hell!

Documents

“Comfort Doctrines”