Heaven And Hell
I. In this lesson we want to learn what happens after death, what hell is, and what heaven is. We will begin with a study of hell.
- Read Matthew 13:37-43. This is the interpretation of the parable of the tares recorded in 13:24-30.
Questions:- From verse 41, what two kinds of people will be cast into hell?
- How is hell described?
- Read Matthew 22:1-14. This is the parable of the marriage feast. The first seven verses talk about the Jewish rejection of the gospel. The last seven verses talk about the rest of the world given the opportunity to come to Christ.Questions:
- What did the Jews do wrong in verses five and six?
- What was the man doing wrong who came to the wedding without a wedding garment?
- What picture is Jesus giving us about hell in verse 13?
*Notice in verse 14 that many (the whole world) receives the gospel call, but few are chosen because few will respond by preparing themselves properly for the occasion.
- Read Matthew 25:31-46. Questions:
- Who did God originally prepare this everlasting fire for?
- How long does the punishment last? How long does heaven last?
- Read Mark 9:43-48. Notice that this passage teaches us that no matter how dear something is to us, if it causes us to stumble we must cut it off rather than enter into hell. The word Jesus uses for hell is GEHENNA, meaning the valley of Hinnom. In Jesus’ day this valley was a virtual garbage dump south of Jerusalem. The valley had a history of child sacrifice and much uncleanness. Bodies of animals, criminals and the poor were dumped there. Fires constantly burned and worms constantly fed on the flesh. Jesus says in this passage that hell will be a place like this but different in that the fire will not be quenched and the worm will not die. THIS CERTAINLY SHOWS THE ETERNAL NATURE OF HELL.
- Read Revelation 14:10-11. This passage speaks of the idolaters of the Roman Empire. How long is hell in this passage?
- Read Revelation 20:10-15. Here is a picture of the final day of judgment. Who is cast in the lake of fire in these verses?
*Notice from this passage that death and Hades (hell, KJV) will be cast into the lake of fire. We will now study about Hades.
II. Contrary to popular belief, when one dies he does not go straight to heaven or to hell. Instead a person goes to Hades (meaning “the unseen”). The Old Testament called it Sheol.
- Read Luke 16:19-31. Notice in this story that Jesus tells us that both Lazarus and the rich man are in Hades but one is being comforted and the other is being tormented.Questions:
- Why could not Lazarus come over and give the rich man water?
- What did the rich man wish for his five brothers? Would not anyone we have known wish the same for us?
- Now read Acts 2:27. When Jesus died, where did He go? Read Luke 23:43. Where does this passage say Jesus would go when He died?
*Note: Though when we die the Bible teaches we will go to Hades, if we have been righteous, there is some sense in which we will be with the Lord in Paradise (Philippians 1:23-24; II Corinthians 5:6-8).
- Now it is important to understand more clearly what Judgment Day is since it appears that when we die we are already judged as to whether we will go to heaven or hell. Judgment Day is actually a sentencing day in which all the rewards and punishments are handed out. It does appear that there could be varying degrees of punishment in hell, though hell is still eternal for all who go there. Read Luke 12:47-48 and Matthew 11:23-24.
III. It is difficult for us to understand exactly what heaven is like since we cannot visualize a spiritual place. From the following passages, discover for yourself a picture of heaven.
- Read John 14:1-3. What does this passage make you think of in heaven?
- Read I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Questions:
- What exciting picture do you get of heaven from this passage?
- Will we know one another there? (Notice in Matthew 17:1-5 Peter knew Moses and Elijah though they had been dead for hundreds of years.)
- Read Revelation 7:13-17. What is appealing to you about heaven from this passage?
