I T S G AT E S S H A L L N O T

P R E VA I L

What the Bible Teaches about Hell and Final

Judgement

F. Wayne Mac Leod

Light To My Path Book Distribution

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the

written permission of the author.

Special thanks to the proofreaders Diane Mac Leod and Pat Schmidt without whom this book would

be much harder to read.

CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
Preface
1 - Gehenna, Hades, Tartaros
2 - A Place of Suffering and Pain
3 - The Eternal Nature of Hell
4 - New Testament Descriptions of Hell
5 - The Inhabitants of Hell
6 - The Power of Christ Over Hell
About The Author

PREFACE

he subject of hell is not an easy one to address, but it is one the

Lord has put on my heart to examine in this study. As I begin, I am

conscious of the temptation to go beyond what Scripture teaches.

There are many unanswered questions about hell. I am afraid that these

questions will have to remain unanswered. I have learned early in my

ministry that where the Scriptures are silent I too must be silent, as anything

beyond Scripture is mere speculation.

In this study, we will examine the New Testament teaching about hell. In

choosing to limit our reflection to the New Testament, I am not saying that

this doctrine is a New Testament one only. The idea of hell and eternal

punishment is also found in the Old Testament, but that is another study in

itself. Over the course of the next few chapters, we will look at the Greek

words used to speak of hell. We will also examine what Jesus and the

apostles teach on this subject and consider their prophetic words concerning

those who will be sentenced to this place of darkness.

In the end, I would like to point the reader to Christ and His victory over

hell, for in Him alone can we find full release from its condemnation. I

realize this is a difficult subject to deal with, but it is also one we dare not

ignore. A clear understanding of what Jesus and the apostles teach about

hell ought to motivate us to share Christ as the only hope. It should also

move us to deep gratitude for the work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf.

May this study be used to bring many to Christ and to draw those who

already know Him to a place of deeper gratitude and thanksgiving.

God bless

F. Wayne Mac Leod

1 - GEHENNA, HADES,

TARTAROS

s we begin our study of the New Testament teaching about hell, it

is important that we examine the Greek words used by Jesus and

His apostles. The New Testament uses three Greek words to

speak about hell.

GEHENNA

The first Greek word used to describe hell is the word "gehenna". This

word is used twelve times in the New Testament. Out of the twelve

occurrences of this word, Jesus uses it eleven times.

The word "gehenna" comes from two Hebrew words. The first is the word

"gay" which refers to a steep valley or a narrow gorge. The second is the

Hebrew word "hinnm" or "Hinnom". Together these two words refer to the

Valley of Hinnom.

The Valley of Hinnom was a steep and narrow valley to the south west of

Jerusalem. It formed part of the border between the tribes of Benjamin and

Judah (see Joshua 18:16). The valley had a significant history. An

understanding of this history will help us better understand why it was used

by Jesus and the apostles to speak about hell.

Child Sacrifice

The Valley of Hinnom was a location where a number of demonic practices

were observed. 2 Chronicles 28:2-3 describes the practice of King Ahaz

who reigned in Jerusalem:

(2) but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made

metal images for the Baals, (3) and he made offerings in the Valley

of the Sons of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering,

according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove

out before the people of Israel. (2 Chronicles 28)

Later on in the history of Judah, we read about the practice of King

Manasseh:

(6) And he burned his sons as an offering in the Valley of the Son of

Hinnom, and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt

with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight

of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (2 Chronicles 33:6)

We have here the record of two kings of Judah who burned their children in

the fire as a sacrifice to pagan gods in the Valley of Hinnom. The Valley of

Hinnom was known to be a place where children were burnt in the demonic

practice of child sacrifice.

Place of Slaughter and Dead Bodies

God spoke out against the evil practices that took place in the Valley of

Hinnom through the prophet Jeremiah:

(31) And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the

Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their son and their daughters

in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.

(32) Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

when it will no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of

Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter, for they will bury in Topheth,

because there is no room elsewhere, (33) And the dead bodies of this

people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the

earth, and none will frighten them away. (Jeremiah 7:31-33)

The Lord cursed this valley because of the evil that took place in it.

According to Jeremiah, the valley would become known as a valley of

slaughter. There in that valley, the bodies of the dead would be cast to rot

and decay. There the birds of the air and the wild beasts would roam freely

eating the decaying remains of these corpses.

A Place of Impurities and Defilement

Historically, the Valley of Hinnom became a place where the garbage of the

city was thrown. The bodies of dead animals or criminals were cast into the

fires of the valley. These fires were kept burning to get rid of the impurities.

Smoke rose from these fires on a continual basis (see

http://biblehub.com/topical/h/hinnom.htm). The Valley was an unclean

place where all that was impure and defiled was cast.

The use of the word "gehenna" or Valley of Hinnom, to describe hell is

significant. It tells us that hell is a place of ungodly practices, death, and

defilement where the fires of judgment continually rise consuming the

decaying remains of corpses cast into it.

HADES

The second Greek word used to describe hell is the word "hades." It occurs

ten times in the New Testament and is used by both Jesus and the apostles.

Hades is not as easy to define as gehenna. Hades is literally the place of the

dead. When we speak of the place of the dead, however, we are not

speaking about a grave where we bury the physical body. It appears to be

the place where the soul of the unbeliever goes after death.

Probably the best description of Hades is seen in Luke 16:19-31. Here in

this passage, the Lord Jesus speaks about a rich man and Lazarus. The rich

man lived a life of luxury. Lazarus was a poor man who ate the scraps that

fell from the rich man's table. When Lazarus died he was taken by the

angels to Abraham's side. When the rich man died, however, he went to

Hades (Luke 16:23). Jesus went on to describe what the rich man

experienced in Hades:

(23) and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw

Abraham far off and Lazarus at this side. (24) And he called out,

Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the

end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in

this flame. (25) But Abraham said, "Child, remember that you in

your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner

bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

(26) And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has

been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may

not be able, and none may cross from there to us." (Luke 16)

There are some clear points we need to make about Hades from this

passage.

Hades is for Those Who Do Not Belong to God

Notice first in this story that Lazarus was conducted after his death into the

presence of Abraham by the angels. The rich man's destiny was very

different. He was sent to Hades. This shows us that the destiny of those who

belong to God and those who do not belong to God are very different after

death. Hades is a place for those who have rejected God and His salvation.

Hades is a Place of Torment

The second point we need to notice in this story is that Hades was a place of

torment for the rich man. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his

finger in water and touch his tongue with the water. Even that simple

gesture would have brought relief from the flames. The rich man is very

conscious of pain and suffering in Hades.

Hades is a Place from Which No One Can Escape

Finally, notice in this passage that Abraham makes it clear to the rich man

that there was a great chasm between Hades and the place where Lazarus

rested. That chasm was such that no one could pass from one side to the

other. Those who went to Hades would remain there forever with no hope

of ever crossing the chasm into the presence of God. Hades, therefore, is a

permanent separation from God and His blessings.

TARTAROS

There is one final Greek word used to describe hell. This word is only used

once in the New Testament by Peter.

(4) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them

into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be

kept until the judgement... (2 Peter 2:4)

The Greek word used for hell by Peter in this passage is unique in the New

Testament. It is the word "tartaros". "Tartaros" was a Greek concept. Like

Hades, it was the place of the wicked dead. Tartaros was considered by the

Greeks, however, to be the lowest abyss of Hades. It was reserved for the

most wicked of spirits and the severest of torments. Peter seems to be

telling his readers that God severely punished these wicked angels by

sending them to the deepest darkness of Hades—to Tartaros itself. This may

indicate that just as there are degrees of rewards in heaven, so there may be

degrees of punishment for evil in hell.

What do these words teach us about hell? Jesus and the apostles described a

place called Gehenna, Hades, and Tartaros. This is a place to where the

ungodly are sentenced. Each of these words sheds light on the nature of

hell. Gehenna speaks of a deep valley or pit into which impurities are cast

to be burnt. It is a place of slaughter and death. Hades is a place of torment

separated by a chasm that cannot be crossed. Tartaros is a deep, dark abyss

inhabited by evil spirits.

While the teaching of Jesus and the apostles is not pleasant, we cannot deny

that they spoke of hell as eternal separation from God and a place of

judgment and torment. They believed in a real hell and warned about it in

their teaching.

For Consideration:

What is the origin of the word "gehenna"? What does the word teach us

about hell?

How does Jesus' teaching about the rich man and Lazarus help us

understand the word "hades"? What does this story tell us about Hades?

What is the difference between Tartaros and Hades? Could this indicate a

degree of torment in hell?

Why is the teaching of Jesus and the apostles a difficult one for our society

to accept?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to consider what the three Greek words we have examined

teach us about hell. If you know the Lord Jesus today, take a moment to

thank Him for His victory over hell.

Ask God to give you greater compassion for those around you who do not

know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Take a moment to pray for a loved one or an acquaintance who does not

know the Lord. Ask God to reveal Himself to them.

Ask God to give you a compassionate heart as you continue this study. Ask

Him to help you see and feel the reality of what Scriptures teach on this

important subject.

2 - A PLACE OF SUFFERING

AND PAIN

t is never easy to speak about the topic of hell. It is, however, clearly

taught in Scripture and therefore it is important that we understand

something about it. It is evident from the teaching of Jesus and the

apostles that hell is a place of tremendous suffering and pain.

In the previous chapter we examined the illustration of Lazarus and the rich

man:

(23) and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw

Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (24) And he called out,

Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the

end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in

this flame. (25) But Abraham said, "Child, remember that you in

your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner

bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

(26) And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has

been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may

not be able, and none may cross from there to us." (Luke 16:23-26)

This passage describes, in part, the experience of the rich man in Hades.

Notice first, in verse 23 that the rich man is said to be in torment. The

passage does not go into detail to describe this torment except to say that

his anguish was because of the flames of Hades. It is important to note that

while these flames tormented him, they did not destroy him. He lived to

suffer the agony of these flames.

Notice also the rich man's request. He asked Abraham to send Lazarus to

dip the tip of his finger into some water to cool his tongue. Imagine that you

have been working hard on a hot summer day. The heat has had its effect on

you and your body is crying out for water. How much of your thirst would

be quenched by dipping the tip of your finger in a glass of water and putting

it on your tongue? The suffering of the rich man in this story is such that he

longed for even a single drop of water to bring relief.

The other important detail we need to see from this story about the rich man

and Lazarus is the fact that there was a great chasm fixed between Hades

and Heaven so that there could be no passing from one to the other. Those

who enter Hades remain there. Added to the physical suffering of Hades is

the understanding that all hope of escape is gone. The sense of despair

would be obvious for this rich man as he contemplated eternity in this place

of torment and suffering.

Listen to what Jesus taught in Mark 9:43-48:

(43) And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you

to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the

unquenchable fire. (45) And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown

into hell. (47) And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is

better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with

two eyes to be thrown into hell, (48) where their worm does not die

and the fire is not quenched.

What Jesus taught about hell in these verses is repeated several times in the

New Testament (see Matthew 5:29-30; 18:9). What is Jesus telling us here?

He is telling us that the agony of hell is such that we would do well to avoid

it at all costs. It would be better to cut off our hand or foot and live as a

cripple for the rest of our earthly life than to experience the torment of hell.

It would be better to tear out an eye and live without sight than to suffer the

flames of hell. Jesus is not literally telling us to do these horrible things to

ourselves. What He is saying, however, is that taking an ax to our hand or

foot or a knife to our eye and living a whole life on earth with the

consequences would be far less painful than the torment of hell. The most

violent thing that could happen to us on earth is nothing compared to the

eternal anguish of hell.

Jesus describes hell in Matthew 8:11-12 as a place of darkness where there

will be weeping and gnashing of teeth:

(11) I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at the

table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

(12) while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer

darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of

teeth. (Matthew 8)

There are two Greek words translated by the English word "weeping" in the

New Testament. The first word is "dakryo" which refers to a shedding of

tears and a quiet sorrow. The second word is "klauthmos" with comes from

the word "klaio" describing a wailing or a loud cry of pain and agony. Jesus

uses this second word to describe the loud cries of despair and anguish in

hell. The gnashing of teeth refers to the depth of agony experienced by

those who suffer in hell. Jesus speaks of this weeping and gnashing of teeth

also in Matthew 22:13 and 25:30.

In Luke 8:26-33 we have the story of a man who was possessed by a

number of demons. He refused to wear any clothes or live in a house. In

fact, he chose to live among the tombs. The demons that possessed him

would overcome him at times. The people of the community feared him and

attempted to bind him with shackles and chains. When the spirits

manifested themselves, however, this man would break the chains and

wander into the desert.

When Jesus encountered the man, he commanded that the evil spirits come

out of him (Luke 8:29). Listen to the response of the demons in Luke 8:31,

32:

(31) And they begged him not to command them to depart into the

abyss. (32) Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the

hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave

them permission.

When commanded to leave the man, the demons begged Jesus not to send

them into the abyss. An abyss is a bottomless pit, a term used in Scripture to

describe hell (see Revelation 11:7; 20:1-3). These demons understood better

than anyone, the nature of hell and its torments. They begged Jesus to spare

them this agony. Even demons fear hell.

In Revelation 9 the bottomless pit, another picture of hell, is described:

(1) And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had

fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of

the bottomless pit. (2) He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and

from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the

sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. (3)

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given

power like the power of scorpions of the earth. (4) They were told

not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but

only those people who do not have the seal of God on their

foreheads. (5) They were allowed to torment them for five months,

but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a

scorpion when it stings someone. (6) And in those days people will

seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will

flee from them. (Revelation 9)

There are some important details we need to see in this passage. Notice first

that when the shaft of the bottomless pit was opened, smoke arose from it

like the smoke of a great furnace. The smoke was so thick that it darkened

the light of the sun. Imagine living in a place where the smoke was so great

it blocked the light of the sun. This would be a very inhospitable

environment in which to live.

Notice also what was living in that inhospitable environment. Revelation

9:3 tells us that locust-like creatures rose from this abyss. Locusts in

Scripture are often seen as a devouring insect. They ate up the livelihood of

mankind and left him with nothing.

The locusts of Revelation 9 were given the power of a scorpion to sting and

inflict great pain. Notice that they were only permitted to harm those who

did not know the Lord (Revelation 9:4). The pain they inflicted was so great

that those who were stung by them preferred death to the pain of these

stings. While the passage describes the locusts leaving the pit to inflict these

wounds on the people of the earth, what we need to understand is that these

locusts inhabited the bottomless pit of hell. I certainly would not want to

live in their presence.

Notice finally that these locusts only had the power to inflict pain but they

could not kill. People longed to die and cried out for death, but death would

not come to them. They continued to live in agony. Certainly what we see

in this passage gives us a glimpse of the reality of hell and its torment.

Let me conclude this reflection with one more verse from Revelation 20:10:

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of

fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they

will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

We will examine this verse in greater detail in another context. What is

important for us to note here is that Satan and his helpers were cast into hell

where they would be tormented day and night forever. There does not

appear to be any relief from this torment. Day and night they suffered the

agony of their rebellion against God and His purpose.

What do these verses teach us about hell? They teach us that hell is a place

of such agony that even the tip of a finger dipped in cold water would be a

relief from the suffering experienced. Its misery cannot be compared to

even the most violent of crimes against our body. The cutting off of hands

and feet or the plucking out of eyes would be preferable to the bitter

anguish of hell. It is a place of loud wailing—a place so evil that even the

demons of Satan fear to go there. It is an inhospitable place of dark smoke,

fire, and grief so intense that death is longed for more than anything else.

We may look at these verses and question how a loving God could allow

such agony, but this is not the subject of this study. The reality of the matter

is that the truths we have examined in this chapter are clearly taught by

Jesus and the apostles. They warn us about a place called hell that it is a

place of terrible suffering and torment. It is in love that God warns us today.

It is in love that God sent His Son to die, defeating the power of sin so that

all who turn to Him can escape its flames.

For Consideration:

What do the verses considered in this chapter teach us about the intensity of

agony and suffering in hell?

What does Luke 8:31-32 teach us about what the demons think of hell?

What do we learn from Revelation 9:1-5 about the bottomless pit of hell?

What kind of place is it?

Is there relief from the agony and torment of hell for Satan and his angels

according to Revelation 20:10?

Does the fact that we do not understand why God would allow such

suffering change the truth we see in these verses?

What hope do we have of victory over the agony of hell?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to thank the Lord that sin will be judged.

Ask God to help you to see the seriousness of sin and its eternal

implication.

Ask God to help you to accept the truth He presents to us here in His word

about the reality of a final judgment in hell.

Take a moment to ask the Lord to open the hearts of your loved ones to the

reality of Jesus' teaching about hell.

3 - THE ETERNAL NATURE

OF HELL

e have seen that Jesus and the apostles taught that hell was a

place of pain and torment. We will now consider what the

New Testament teaches us about the eternal nature of hell.

In Matthew 3 we are introduced to John the Baptist. On one occasion when

he was preaching and baptizing by the Jordan River, he saw a group of

Pharisees and Sadducees coming to listen to him and watch what he was

doing. John understood the reputation of these two groups and may have

questioned their motives in being present that day. Listen to what he told

them in Matthew 3:7-12:

(7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming

to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned

you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Bear fruit in keeping with

repentance. (9) And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have

Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones

to raise up children for Abraham. (10) Even now the axe is laid to

the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear food

fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (11) I baptize you with

water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier

than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you

with the Holy Spirit and fire. (12) His winnowing fork is in his hand,

and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the

barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3)

The picture John the Baptist paints here is of a man who is separating the

wheat from the chaff. He takes a fork and shakes the wheat so that the chaff

is separated from it. The wheat he carefully stores in his barn but the chaff

he burns in the fire. John uses this illustration to show what would happen

to the Pharisees and Sadducees. He told them that the Lord would separate

the wheat from the chaff—those who loved Him from those who rejected

Him and His purpose.

Notice what John said would happen to those who rejected the Lord in that

day of judgment. He tells us that the chaff would be burned with

unquenchable fire. The term "unquenchable" is significant. John is telling

us that the flames of that fire will not go out. John illustrates for us the

reality of hell. Those who reject Christ will be thrown into this

unquenchable fire whose flames will continue to burn throughout the ages.

In Matthew 25 Jesus speaks about a day of judgment:

(31) When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels

with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne, (32) Before him will

be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from

another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) And

he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

(Matthew 25:31-33)

The right hand in Scripture is a place of favour and blessing. The sheep, on

His right hand, are those who belonged to Christ. The goats, on the other

hand, are those who reject Him and His ways. Notice what the Lord says to

the goats on His left hand:

(41) Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you

cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

(Matthew 25:41)

Notice how Jesus describes hell in this passage. He describes it as the

"eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." The word eternal gives

us a clear sense that this fire of hell burns forever. Its flames will never be

extinguished.

Jesus would go on to say about the goats, who represent those who have

rejected Him and His work:

(46) And these will go away into eternal punishment but the

righteous into eternal life. (Matthew 25)

Jesus told us in Matthew 25:41 that the flames of hell would be eternal.

Here in Matthew 25:46, however, he takes this a step further by saying that

the punishment of the goats (those who have rejected Him) will also be

eternal. Just as the righteous experience eternal life, so the wicked will

experience eternal punishment. It is one thing for the fires of hell to burn

forever, but quite another for the wicked to experience eternal punishment

in those fires.

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus told His listeners that it would be better to tear

out their eye than to go to hell. Listen to what Jesus told His listeners that

day:

(47) And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you

to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be

thrown into hell, (48) where their worm does not die and the fire is

not quenched. (Mark 9:47-48)

Jesus speaks here again of a fire that is not quenched. Notice also, however,

that He also speaks of a worm that does not die. The worm spoken of here

is the kind of worm that feeds on decay and garbage. Jesus is telling his

listeners that this worm will live forever feeding on the decay of hell. This

worm will never die because there is a constant supply for it to feed on.

Again this teaches us something about the eternal nature of hell and its

torment.

Revelation 20:13-14 adds to this when it says:

(13) And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades

gave up the dead who were in them and they were judged, each one

of them according to what they had done. (14) Then Death and

Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the

lake of fire. (Revelation 20)

Notice how Death and Hades, after being forced to release their dead for

judgment, were then cast into the lake of fire. Death would no longer have

any authority or power.

Why is the defeat of death significant in the context of this study? If death

has been defeated and has no more authority, it can no longer take away

life. There will be no more dying. What implication does this have for those

who suffer in hell? If they cannot die, they will live forever under the

judgment of God. This is a frightening prospect.

Revelation 20:10 speaks of the judgment of the devil, the prophet and the

beast:

(10) And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake

of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and

they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation

20)

There can be no doubt about the torment of the devil, the false prophet and

the beast. They would be tormented "day and night forever and ever." Death

was not a possibility for these individuals. They would live to suffer the

consequences of their actions for all eternity.

We have already examined Revelation 9 in another context. The passage

speaks of how, when the fifth angel blew his trumpet, the shaft of the

bottomless pit was opened. When the pit was opened locusts descended on

the earth. Revelation 9:3-6 describe these locusts and their evil power:

(3) Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were

given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were

told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any

tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their

foreheads. (5) They were allowed to torment them for five months,

but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a

scorpion when it stings someone. (6) And in those days people will

seek death and will not find in. They will long to die, but death will

flee from them. (Revelation 9)

The locusts of the bottomless pit were not given the power to kill—they

could only torment. While people longed to die, death would flee from

them. These verses show us that those who have the power to inflict death

have been stripped of that power. Death will be cast into the lake of fire and

rendered powerless. In those days death would be a great relief but it would

no longer take any victims.

Speaking to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul said:

(8)... The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God

and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They

will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the

presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. (2

Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Paul told the Thessalonian church that those who do not obey the gospel of

Christ will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the

presence of the Lord and His might. Since we have already seen that death

would no longer be possible, the word destruction cannot mean that these

individuals will die and be no more. The passage tells us that they will

suffer eternal destruction. The dead no longer suffer. Only the living

experience suffering. Those who do not obey the gospel will experience a

life of eternal destruction and ruin away from the presence of the Lord and

separated from His mighty works.

In the verses we have examined, we see that Jesus and the apostles seem to

speak of a hell that will be forever. Its flames will be unquenchable. Its

worm will never die. Its punishment will be felt forever. Death will be

defeated and no longer able to take life. The torment and punishment of hell

will be forever and ever. Though its inhabitants long for death, it will not

come to them.

For Consideration:

What do the passages we have considered in this chapter teach us about the

eternal nature of hell?

Will those who are sentenced to hell experience its torment forever?

How is death stripped of its power according to the book of Revelation?

Why do you figure that this truth about hell is not preached about more

often?

How would you answer those who say that hell will not be forever but that

those who go to hell will die and be no more?

For Prayer:

Take a moment to reflect on what we have seen in this chapter. Ask the

Lord to give you a heart of compassion for those who will experience the

reality of hell.

Take a moment to thank the Lord that He has sent His Son to set those who

accept His offer of pardon free from the eternal reality of hell and its

torment.

Thank the Lord for the warnings the Scriptures give to us about hell.

Take a moment to ask the Lord to open the hearts and minds of those

around you who do not understand the seriousness of hell and its reality.

4 - NEW TESTAMENT

DESCRIPTIONS OF HELL

he reality of what the New Testament teaches about hell is very

difficult. I suspect that words are insufficient to describe this place

of eternal torment. The New Testament does, however, attempt to

give us a general idea of what hell is like. It does so by means of words and

pictures. In the course of this chapter, we will examine three New

Testament pictures of hell.

Fire

One of the first and most common descriptions of hell in the New

Testament is that of fire. Jesus alludes to this in Matthew 5:22 when He

says:

(22) But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment: whoever insults his brother will be liable

to the council; and whoever says, "You fool! will be liable to the hell

of fire. (Matthew 5)

Jesus speaks here about the "hell of fire". The word He uses is the Greek

word "gehenna," which we examined in the first chapter. The word

"gehenna" refers to the Valley of Hinnom where the fires burned

continuously, consuming the garbage and decaying carcasses of sacrifices

and dead animals.

In Matthew 13:40 Jesus, speaking to His disciples, told them:

(40) Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it

be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13)

Jesus describes a great fire at the end of the age where weeds are burned

with fire. The weeds are those who have not borne spiritual fruit—those

who have never come to know the Lord Jesus or received His forgiveness.

These individuals will be burned with fire. Jesus explains this in the next

two verses of Matthew 13 when He says:

(41) The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of

his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, (42) and throw

them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and

gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13)

Notice again the reference to the fiery furnace where law-breakers are

thrown. This fiery furnace will be a place of great suffering described by

Jesus in the words "weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Describing the judgment of the last days, Jesus said:

(41) Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you

cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

(Matthew 25)

When Jesus returns He will gather the nations before Him and separate

"people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats"

(Matthew 25:32). Those on His left will be sent into the eternal fire

prepared for the devil and his angels." Notice once again that the fire

described here is an "eternal" fire that will never go out. It will burn through

all eternity judging sin and evil. A fire that never goes out is a fire that

always has fuel.

The writer of Hebrews describes hell as a fire when he said:

(26) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the

knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

(27) but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that

will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10)

The writer describes the fire of hell as a consuming fire of fury. These

flames are furious flames full of judgment. In verse 27 he makes it clear

that those who are judged and found guilty ought to be fearful of these

flames.

We read in Jude 1:6-7:

(6) And the angels who did not stay within their own position of

authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal

chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day –

(7) Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which

likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural

desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal

fire. (Jude 1)

In Genesis 19:23-29 we read how God destroyed the cities of Sodom and

Gomorrah by raining fire and sulfur on them. Jude tells us that this was a

picture of the judgment to come. Notice, however, that while the fire of

Sodom and Gomorrah consumed and went out, the fire Jude speaks of here

is a "punishment of eternal fire".

Jude would go on in his epistle to challenge his readers:

(22) And have mercy on those who doubt; (23) save others by

snatching them out of the fire...

Jude calls us to be instruments of God to rescue those who are destined for

the fire of God's judgment.

Finally, Revelation 20:15 says:

(15) And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life,

he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20)

The imagery of a lake of fire is a powerful one. This is not a campfire

lighting up the evening sky but an entire environment engulfed in fire and

flames. Those thrown into this lake are immersed in the very flames of that

fire.

The flames of this eternal fire torment the devil and his angels day and

night:

(20) And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake

of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and

they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation

The New Testament describes hell as a place of furious and consuming fire

where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth." Those thrown into it

will experience the torment of its eternal flames.

Darkness

The second description of hell found in the New Testament is that of

darkness. We read for example in Matthew 8:11-12:

(11) I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at

table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

(12) while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the darkness.

In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew

Notice that this place of darkness will be a place of weeping and gnashing

of teeth. The darkness described here is "outer" darkness. The idea is that

this is the kind of darkness that is only found in the outer limits, as far

removed from any source of light as possible. It is the darkest form of

darkness. This phrase "outer darkness" appears only in the gospel of

Matthew (see also Matthew 22:13 and 25:30).

The apostle Peter, however, uses a similar illustration in 2 Peter 2:4 when

he says:

(4) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them

into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be

kept until the judgment... (2 Peter 2)

Peter uses the expression "gloomy darkness" to describe hell. The word

Peter uses here for hell is the word "tartaros" referring to the deepest pit of

hell. The term gloomy carries with it a sense of despair and helplessness.

These passages speak of a place of complete darkness. This is a darkness of

despair and helplessness. It is darkness so deep it causes fear and gnashing

of teeth. All hope of ever seeing light again is gone. As one who has

suffered from depression, this concept suggests to me a sense of

hopelessness. Those who have suffered from any form of depression often

compare it to a deep darkness where there is no sign of light, hope, or help

of any kind. It is a place of despair where all reason to live is gone. It is a

place where there is no encouragement, support or blessing of any kind. It is

a dark place of agony, hopelessness, and fear.

Bottomless Pit

There is one final New Testament illustration I would like to consider in

this chapter. The book of Revelation refers to hell as a bottomless pit. Let's

look again at Revelation 9:1-2:

(1) And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from

heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the

bottomless pit. (2) He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and

from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the

sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft.

(Revelation 9)

Hell is described in terms of both fire and darkness. One of the questions

we ask ourselves is this. If hell is described as a fire which gives light, how

can it also be compared to deep darkness? The answer is found for us here

in Revelation 9. When the shaft of this bottomless pit is opened, smoke rose

from the pit sufficient enough to hide the light of the sun. We have in

Revelation an illustration of fire with smoke so thick it blocks the light. All

of this rose from what is called a bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:11 tells us more about this bottomless pit:

(11) They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His

name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek, he is called Apollyon.

(Revelation 9)

In that pit, an angel lived whose name was Abaddon in Hebrew or Apollyon

in Greek. Abaddon in Hebrew means "destruction." Apollyon in Greek

means "destroyer." This name is significant to tell us something about this

bottomless pit. It is ruled by a destroying angel.

Let's take a moment to consider this illustration of a bottomless pit. There is

no bottom to this pit. This means that when someone is thrown into it he or

she continues to plunge deeper and deeper into its depths. With each

passing moment, the individual plummets farther and farther away from the

surface and from all hope. The picture of a bottomless pit gives us a sense

of things plunging deeper and deeper into hopelessness, despair, and

darkness. Things do not improve in hell. If there were a bottom to this pit,

there might be hope that things would stabilize and not get any worse but

this is not the case. We have the sense that with each passing moment its

inhabitants are dragged farther from God, and deeper into evil and despair.

The New Testament pictures hell as a place of eternal furious fire, a place

so dark that all light of God is removed and a place so deep that those cast

into it, plunge farther and farther into its despair and evil. Words and

illustrations do not describe adequately the reality of this place but they are

sufficient to warn us of the great danger that lies ahead for those who turn

their back on the only hope we have of escape—the Lord Jesus Christ and

His work on the cross of Calvary.

For Consideration:

Hell is described as eternal fire. What does this illustration teach us about

hell and its conditions?

Hell is also described as deep darkness. What does this teach us about the

nature of hell? What does this darkness of hell teach us about the conditions

of hell?

The book of Revelation speaks of hell as a bottomless pit. What does the

fact that it has no bottom imply to you? What does this teach us about the

conditions of hell?

Take a short moment to reflect on the three illustrations we have examined

in this chapter. How would you summarize what hell is like?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to help you to accept more fully the teaching of Jesus and the

apostles about hell as a place of eternal fire and darkness.

Ask God to give you deeper compassion for those who have refused His

offer of forgiveness.

Take a moment to recognize that hell was your destiny until the Lord Jesus

revealed Himself to you. Thank the Lord for rescuing you. Ask Him to

enable you to be His instrument to snatch others from the flames and

darkness of hell.

5 - THE INHABITANTS OF

HELL

n this study of the New Testament teaching about hell, it is important

that we examine one other prominent theme. Jesus and the apostles

speak in numerous places about the inhabitants of this place of eternal

fire. Let us now take a moment to examine what they tell us about the

inhabitants of hell.

Those who do not Know God or Obey the Gospel

The first group who will be in hell is referred to in Scripture as those who

"do not know God or obey the gospel." Listen to what Paul said in 2

Thessalonians 1:7-9:

(7) ... the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

(8) in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know

God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (9)

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from

the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. (2

Thessalonians 1)

There are two groups of people referred to here by the apostle. First, there

are those who do not know God. Second, there are those who have not

obeyed the gospel of our Lord.

In Romans 1:18-20 the apostle Paul said:

(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all

ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their

unrighteousness suppress the truth. (19) For what can be known

about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (20)

for his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine

nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the

world, in the things that have been made. So they are without

excuse.

Paul makes it quite clear that creation shows us that there is a God. Not

only does creation show us there is a God but it also shows us something of

His character and attributes. God reveals Himself to all His creation through

His works and actions on the earth. Paul's reference in 2 Thessalonians to

those who do not know God is to those who have never taken the time to

get to know Him as their Creator and God. He speaks about those who have

"by their unrighteousness suppressed the truth (Romans 1:19). In other

words, they have chosen to ignore the truth of the existence of God and

their lives as they please.

The second group in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 is referred to as those who do

not obey the gospel. Could it be that these individuals have not only had

creation as their witness but also the message of the gospel that has been

preached to them? They have not only turned their back on the truth of God

in creation but they have also rejected the person and work of the Son of

God as proclaimed in the gospel. Both those who have heard the message of

the Gospel and those who have not heard are guilty. Those who have heard

are guilty because they have rejected the message they heard and those who

have never heard are guilty because they have rejected the knowledge of

God as revealed to them in creation.

The first inhabitants of hell are those who have rejected God. These are

people who have chosen to turn their backs on God and His Word to live

their own way. They want nothing of God or His plan of salvation. They do

not want to be governed by God. They are proud people who have chosen

to ignore the call of God.

Those who Refuse To Be Changed By the Gospel

Listen to what the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 10:26-27:

(26) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the

knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

(27) but a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will

consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10)

Those who deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the

truth will be judged by the fury of God's fire. This refers to those who have

heard the truth of the gospel and have chosen instead to remain in their sin.

They may have even understood the truth of the gospel, but they did not

allow that truth to change their hearts or their actions. They have refused to

surrender to Christ despite their knowledge of His way.

The apostle John speaks of this when he says in Revelation 21:8:

(8) But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for

murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars,

their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which

is the second death. (Revelation 21)

The list John gives in Revelation 21:8 is a list of those who have never

allowed the message of the gospel of forgiveness through Jesus Christ to

change their lives. They have refused the gospel, and have deliberately

chosen to continue in their sinful ways. These inhabitants of hell are proud

and evil. They have refused to change or leave their evil ways. Instead, they

are governed by their lusts and evil desires.

The Unfruitful

John the Baptist used an illustration to present the ministry of the Lord

Jesus to those who had come to be baptized. Listen to what he tells those

listening to him in Matthew 3:12:

(12) His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his

threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he

will burn with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3)

John compares these people to chaff. The chaff was what was left over after

the grain was separated. This chaff was useless for anything. While the

wheat was stored in the barn, the chaff was burned with unquenchable fire.

The chaff speaks of those whose lives have been unfruitful and

unproductive for the Lord. These individuals, says John, will be cast into

the unquenchable fire.

Jesus would say the same thing in Matthew 7:19:

(19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown

into the fire. (Matthew 7)

He repeats this in Matthew 13:40 where it says:

(40) Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it

be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13)

Jesus speaks about weeds and fruitless trees. There is a growth of a sort in

fruitless trees and weeds, but not the kind of growth that the Lord Jesus is

seeking. The fruit Jesus seeks is a work of His Spirit in our lives. The only

way this kind of fruit can be produced in the life of an individual is through

a close connection with the Lord Jesus.

(6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch

and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire,

and burned. (John 15)

There is a difference between human religious effort and spiritual fruit.

Human beings can discipline themselves to be religious, but only those who

abide in Christ can produce the fruit Jesus speaks about here. The unfaithful

Jesus speaks about here fall into two groups. First, there are those who have

no desire to follow him and live sinful lives governed by their own lusts and

desires. Second, there are those who may attempt to do good things, but

have no connection with the Lord Jesus, nor are they dependent on His

Spirit to lead and empower.

Hell will be populated with people who have chosen to do things their own

way; people who have never submitted to the Lordship of Christ or

surrendered to the work of His Spirit in their lives.

The Religious

This leads us to the next group of people who will populate hell. Jesus, in

particular, speaks of this group. Listen to what He said about the Pharisees

and scribes, the religious leaders of His day:

(15) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel

across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he

becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as

yourselves. (Matthew 23)

He would go on in this same chapter to address these religious leaders by

saying:

(33) You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being

sentenced to hell? (Matthew 23)

Speaking about the religious Jews of His day the Lord would say:

(11) I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at

table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

(12) while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer

darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 8)

Notice here that "the sons of the kingdom" would be thrown into the outer

darkness. The phrase "sons of the kingdom" refers to those who were

religious but who were not in a right relationship with God. They contented

themselves with their traditions and customs but did not truly know God or

honor Him in their hearts and lives. Their faith was an outward show, but

they were not in a relationship with their Creator.

Jesus teaches us that there will be many religious people in hell. These

individuals are strong on tradition, customs and practices, but have never

received the forgiveness offered by the Lord Jesus. In fact, many of them

believe they are good enough to make it to heaven on their own. They pride

themselves in their good works and religious practices but they will be

surprised when the doors of heaven are barred to them, for they have

refused to realize that all their "righteous" acts were insufficient to cleanse

them of their sin.

The Beast and the False Prophet

Revelation 11:7 tells us that a great beast rose from the bottomless pit to

make war on the two servants of God who will witness in the last days. This

beast would kill these witnesses and leave their bodies to lie in the street.

In Revelation 17, the apostle John saw a great scarlet beast with a woman

riding on him. This beast was full of blasphemous names. The woman he

carried on his back carried with her a golden cup full of abominations and

sexual impurities. This woman was drunk with the blood of "the martyrs of

Jesus" (Revelation 17:6). John tells us in Revelation 17:8 that this beast was

also from the bottomless pit:

(8) The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from

the bottomless pit and go to destruction. (Revelation 17)

The beast spoken of here did much damage on the earth. He stood against

God and waged war on those who loved His name. Listen to what John tells

us will happen to this great beast:

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies

gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and

against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the

false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he

deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those

who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake

of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:19-20)

There in the flames of hell will be found the great beast who blasphemed

the name of the Lord God and who fought against the saints of Jesus,

seeking to destroy them.

Demons and Satan

In Matthew 25, Jesus was teaching about the coming judgment. He told

those listening to Him that in the day of judgment the sheep would be

separated from the goats. The sheep would be placed at the right hand of

favour, while the goats would be placed to His left.

(41) Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you

cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

(Matthew 25)

What is important for us to note here is that Jesus tells us that this eternal

fire was prepared for the devil and his angels. This being the case, they too,

will be inhabitants of hell.

Peter tells us:

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into

hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept

until the judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)

Notice again that Peter tells us that God cast the angels who sinned

(demons) into hell where they were committed to chains of gloomy

darkness. Hell will be filled with demons.

The apostle John describes the day when Satan would be captured and cast

into the lake of fire:

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of

fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they

will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation

20:10)

Satan and all his demons will be in hell tormented day and night forever

and ever. There in that lake of fire, the screams of their agony will also be

heard.

Death and Hades

The final inhabitants of hell are described in Revelation 20:14:

(14) Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is

the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20)

Death and Hades were great enemies. They would be rendered powerless.

The gates to this lake of fire would be closed for all eternity. Never again

would death or the grave have any impact. There in hell, death and the

grave would lament their powerlessness. Those who suffered the torment of

hell would look to them for relief but find none. Death, the great saviour of

the inhabitants of hell would be powerless and unable to satisfy its thirst or

ease the suffering of hell's victims.

Someone once said, "If the flames of hell do not scare you, think of those

you will be living with." Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here.

This is not meant to be a joke. In fact, it is not funny at all. It is a very

sobering and fearful thought. There in the eternal flames of hell, we find

men and women who have turned their back on God. They are a proud and

rebellious people filled with selfishness and greed, given to satisfying their

own lusts and no longer governed by principles of godliness. With them are

the beast and the false prophet filled with blasphemy and hatred for all that

is godly. Beside them stand Satan and his demons with all their vulgarity,

immorality, blasphemy and hatred for God. Finally, death rendered

powerless sits helplessly in the corner unable to relieve the sufferings and

torment of eternity.

For Consideration:

What kind of people will inhabit hell?

What is the difference between being religious and bearing fruit for the

kingdom of God? Can we serve the Lord and not belong to Him?

What would it be like to live in the presence of the Beast of Revelation,

Satan, and his demons?

Why do you suppose the teaching of Scripture about hell is so difficult for

even Christians to understand? Does our lack of understanding change the

reality of what these Scriptures teach?

For Prayer:

Ask God to help you to accept what He teaches us in the passages of

Scripture we have examined here. Take a moment to thank Him for the

victory of Christ over hell.

Ask God to give you the assurance that you have escaped the torments of

hell through the work of Christ on your behalf.

Ask God to give you the grace to live for Him and serve Him out of

gratitude for what He has done for you in forgiving you and changing your

destiny.

6 - THE POWER OF CHRIST

OVER HELL

his study would not be complete if we did not take a moment to

examine the power of the Lord Jesus Christ over hell. As we begin

this final chapter, let me quote Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew

16:18:

(18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my

church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew

18)

This is a very important passage of Scripture because of what it tells us

about hell and the power of Christ over it. Jesus told Peter that He (Jesus)

was going to build His church and that not even the power of hell could

prevail against it. This is the promise of the Lord Jesus to those who belong

to Him. Satan has no ultimate power over them. Let me take a moment to

examine this statement in greater detail.

The Work of Christ is Sufficient for our Salvation

Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell could not prevail against the church

He was going to build. As we consider what Jesus meant by this, the first

thing we need to understand is that Jesus came to die so that we could be

forgiven of the sin and rebellion that sentenced us to an eternity in hell.

Listen to what Jesus said in John 10:27-29:

(27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

(28) I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one

will snatch them out of my hand. (29) My Father who has given

them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them

out of the Father's hand. (John 10)

What is important for us to note in this statement of Jesus is that He gives

His sheep eternal life. Not only does He give them this gift of eternal life

but He goes on to tell us that no one can snatch them from His hands. The

Father is greater than all forces of earth and hell. No one can take those who

belong to Him from Him. The Father keeps and protects those who belong

to Him. Hell itself is not powerful enough to rip us from His powerful

hands.

The apostle Paul told the Romans that if Jesus justified them (placed them

in a right standing with the Father) then no one could condemn them:

(33) Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who

justifies. (34) Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died

—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God,

who indeed is interceding for us. (35) Who shall separate us from

the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or

famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8)

The apostle makes it quite clear in Romans 8:1 that there is no

condemnation for those who belong to Jesus:

(1) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in

Christ Jesus. (Romans 8)

This is a powerful truth. All condemnation is gone for those who have

received the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus. The forgiveness of Christ sets us

free from the power of hell.

(16) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that

whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life

(John 3)

Jesus makes it clear in this passage that those who believe in Him (put their

trust and confidence in His work) will not perish but have eternal life. The

salvation Jesus offers is a salvation from the eternal judgment of hell. The

writer of Hebrews tells us that this salvation is a complete and perfect

salvation:

(23) The former priests were many in number, because they were

prevented by death from continuing in office, (24) but he holds his

priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. (25)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw

near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession

for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)

Jesus saves to the uttermost. The salvation of Jesus is absolutely complete

and sure. There could be nothing more sure than this salvation. It sets us

free from the power of hell and brings us into the presence of God where

we will live forever in His forgiveness.

The clear teaching of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ came to offer

us victory over sin, death, and hell. Only in Him is this forgiveness

possible. Those who draw near to Him and receive His forgiveness are

saved to the uttermost. The gates of hell will have no authority over them.

Satan and his Demons are Subject to Christ

We have seen that the gates of hell cannot prevail against those who belong

to Christ because the work of Jesus is sufficient to completely save them

from hell. There is another important point we need to make here. The gates

of hell cannot prevail against those who belong to Christ because Satan and

his demons are ultimately subject to Christ and have no power over Him.

From the very beginning of Jesus’ life as a man, Satan did his best to

destroy the work that God was doing in sending His Son to earth. He

attempted to kill Jesus through Herod when He was a baby. He caused the

religious leaders of the day to persuade the people to resist His teaching. He

entered one of His disciples and used him to betray Jesus so He would be

killed. He caused Peter to deny Jesus and all the other disciples to run away

from Him in His hour of need. In Luke 4:1-13 Satan tempted the Lord

Jesus, seeking to distract Him from His mission on this earth. Despite these

many efforts of Satan, Jesus overcame. Even in His death He overcame the

power of Satan and destroyed his hold on the lives of countless men and

woman who would come to Him for salvation and forgiveness.

The apostle Paul said:

(8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by

becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (9)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the

name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

(11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory

of God the Father. (Philippians 2)

Notice that because Christ Jesus overcame, God exalted Him and gave Him

a name that was over every name. This name is not just a word; it is a

position of authority and power. That power and authority are over every

power in heaven, earth and under the earth. The phrase "under the earth" is

a reference to Hades and hell. The authority of Christ is greater than all the

powers of hell. Hell has no authority over Christ. He has conquered its

power and offers pardon to those who will come to Him.

In His ministry on earth, we see how even the demons of hell feared Christ.

Jesus set people free from the power of evil spirits who troubled them (see

Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 8:28; 10:8). All the great enemies of hell are subject to

Christ. The Beast and the False Prophet of Revelation were thrown into the

lake of fire, as was Satan (see Revelation 20:10). Death and the grave were

also cast into that same lake (Revelation 20:13-14). In fact, Revelation 1:18

tells us that Jesus now holds the keys of death and hell. He who holds the

keys has authority over death and hell.

Satan, the demons of hell, the beast of the bottomless pit and his prophet are

subject to the greater power and authority of Christ. He will judge them and

lock them in the pit of hell forever. The Lord Jesus has authority over hell

and all its forces. He alone is able to conquer. He alone is our security and

guarantee of victory over its flames.

Those who are in Christ have Power over Hell

There is one final point we need to make in this reflection. The Lord Jesus,

who has power and authority over hell, has extended His authority and

protection to all who belong to Him. Those who are in Christ, have power

over hell.

We have already examined what Paul told us about nothing being able to

separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-37). We can

be confident in the love of God for us as His children. Beyond this,

however, we need to understand that God has given us the tools necessary

to withstand the temptations of Satan and his demons.

In Mark 3:14-15 Jesus chose twelve apostles to be with Him in His

ministry. Notice what Mark tells us about these apostles:

(14) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so

that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

(15) and to have authority to cast out demons. (Mark 3)

The power of Christ over the demonic forces of hell was given to His

apostles. In Christ, they had the authority to drive these evil spirits out of

those they troubled.

Later in His ministry, the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples to go

in His name. They came back to Jesus after a time of ministry and said:

"Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" (Luke 10:17). As

those who belong to Jesus today, we walk in His authority. In Him, we are

given authority over these evil forces.

Not only did Christ extend His authority over the demons of hell to those

who belong to Him, but he also equipped His people to stand firm against

the attacks of hell. In Ephesians 6:11-12 the apostle Paul reminds us that as

believers our battle is not against people but against the forces of hell. He

challenges us, therefore, to put on the whole armour of God:

(11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand

against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against

flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the

spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6)

Paul would go on in this passage to describe how Christians were to equip

themselves to stand firm against the "flaming darts of the evil one."

(Ephesians 6:17). God has given us the armor necessary to protect us from

the devil. In fact, the apostle James tells us that if we submit to God and

resist the devil he will flee from us:

(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will

flee from you. (James 4)

The apostle Peter warns his readers that the devil was prowling around

seeking to devour. Listen to Peter's advice in 1 Peter 5:8-10:

(8) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls

around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) Resist

him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are

being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (10)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who

has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,

confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Peter makes it clear that the forces of hell will do their utmost to attack

those who belong to Christ. James tells his readers to resist Satan and God

will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish them. He could not have

given this command if believers did not have the power to resist Satan. The

fact that he tells us to resist, shows us that we have been given not only the

authority but also the power in Christ to stand up against the forces of hell

and hold them off.

What do these verses teach us? They teach us that Christ has power over

hell and that He extends this power and authority to all who will trust in

Him and His forgiveness. Christ is the victory over hell. His death brings

forgiveness and pardon. His life in us gives us the authority to resist the

forces of hell. In Him and in Him alone, there is complete salvation from

hell and complete victory over its temptations and power.

For Consideration:

How does the work of Christ set us free from hell? Have you experienced

the reality of this work in your personal life?

How did Satan attempt to destroy the work of Christ when Jesus was on this

earth? Was he successful?

How does Christ demonstrate His power and authority over the forces of

hell in the New Testament?

What does the New Testament teach us about the authority of those who

belong to Christ over the forces of hell? How are we to resist Satan? Have

you ever had to resist the temptations of Satan?

Apart from Christ, could we ever expect to have any authority or victory

over hell?

For Prayer:

Ask the Lord to give you the assurance that you have victory over hell

because of what He has done on your behalf.

Thank the Lord that He has saved you completely and that His salvation

gives you perfect and complete victory over sin and hell.

Ask the Lord to give you the grace to put on the armour He provides so that

you will be able to resist the devil and the forces of hell.

Ask the Lord for forgiveness for any time you have failed to resist the devil.

Ask God to forgive you and give you the grace to learn how to resist in His

strength.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Light To My Path Book Distribution

Light To My Path (LTMP) is a book writing and

distribution ministry reaching out to needy

Christian workers in Asia, Latin America,

Europe, and Africa. Many Christian workers in

developing countries do not have the resources

necessary to obtain Bible training or purchase

Bible study materials for their ministries and

personal encouragement.

F. Wayne Mac Leod is a member of Action

International Ministries and has been writing

these books with a goal to distribute them to needy pastors and Christian

workers around the world. To date, tens of thousands of books are being

used in preaching, teaching, evangelism, and encouragement of local

believers in over sixty countries. Books have now been translated into a

number of languages. The goal is to make them available to as many

believers as possible.

The ministry of LTMP is a faith-based ministry and we trust the Lord for

the resources necessary to distribute the books for the encouragement and

strengthening of believers around the world. Would you pray that the Lord

would open doors for the translation and further distribution of these books?

For more information about Light To My Path Book Distribution visit our

website at www.lighttomypath.ca