Dennis L. Finnan Commentator
"The World, the Word & You! Broadcast"

THE FORBIDDEN SUBJECT

“Recent studies and polls seem to indicate that in religious circles the most unpopular and out-of-vogue subject that can be brought up these days, is Hell! IN FACT, At some point in the 1960’s Hell disappeared from the minds and lips of Christians…”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this “Forbidden Subject” …

…Friends, “Hell” seems to have fallen on hard times. Recently, polls taken in the last quarter of the 20^th century, show that beginning in 1978, more than 75% of the American public believed in a place in the after life called, “Hell.” But, eleven years later, Newsweek came out with a dynamic issue that devoted much of its attention to American beliefs in a place called Hell. It reported that this 75% figure drastically went down to just 58%! In other countries it was worse. For instance Australia ’s beliefs in a place called Hell dipped to a low of 39% and Great Britain showed no more than 24% of the populous even considered belief in Hell’s existence. These indeed, are very bad ratings, and as John Blanchard, and internationally known British evangelist and Bible teacher aptly said, “Hell disappeared at some point in the 1960’s!”

Well my friend, I want you to know that although this subject has fallen out-of-vogue in the politically correct world of humanity today, it has not in the Word of God, nor from the lips of its founder, Jesus Christ. So after our second musical pause, I’ll return to share with you important knowledge about this “FORBIDDEN SUBJECT,” stay tuned…

…You know friends, I believe that even in evangelical and fundamental circles of Christianity, the last bastion of the faith once delivered to the saints, preaching on Hell has fallen on hard times. It’s just not popular, and worse, not acceptable any more to speak on such a distasteful subject. Why one time I myself was preaching on the subject of Hell, and after the service I was rebuked by a family there for horribly scaring little children! It seems many just do not want to hear about the negative side of the afterlife, and assume by dismissing it from their minds and attention, it will either cease to exist or just go away and never trouble them again. But my friend, do you know that Jesus Christ spoke m ore about Hell, in the afterlife, than any other subject? In fact, when He spoke of Hell, He did so in the most serious and captivating terms to get the full attention of every listener. So let’s begin today by finding out what is this place called Hell, and what God wants us to know about it. In addition to doing this, we’ll dispel the false ideas and teachings that have circulated about this place in the afterlife too.

Now, in the beloved King James translation of the Bible, the word “hell” is mentioned 54 times, in the NIV and the NAS it is mentioned 13 times. The question “right off the bat,” is why such a discrepancy? The answer theologically is, the translators of the King James Bible, for the sake of simplicity, translated differing words in the Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages with the same English word “Hell,” whereas the NIV and the NAS were a bit more careful to differentiate and give the finer meanings of words that described the afterlife apart from the eternal place called Heaven.

Now, Doctor Charles Ryrie, a contemporary conservative theologian of note, says in his wonderful Book. “A Survey of Bible Doctrine,”

“The English word hell is quite unspecific in comparison with the biblical words which it often translates. In the Old Testament the word hell translates the Hebrew word sheol, which sometimes means the grave and sometimes the place of departed people in contrast to the state of the living. However, it was also regarded as a place of horror (Psa. 30:9; Num. 16:33 ), weeping (Isa. 38:3), and punishment (Job 24:19). In the New Testament there are three words which relate to the doctrine of hell. “Hades” is the equivalent to “Sheo”l and is the place where unsaved people go when they die to await their resurrection and judgment at the great White Throne. Hades is temporary in that it will be cast into final “hell” or better known as, the Lake of Fire . Another word we find for Hell is “Tartaros” (2 Pe 2:4) it occurs only one time and describes the place where certain fallen angels are confined. Still another is the word “Gehenna” (2 Ki 23:10 and Mt 10:28) an actual word for what was a common refuse dump and a place of perpetual fire and loathsomeness in Israel, and illustrates the fire and awfulness of the coming Lake of Fire. Yes friends, “Hell” is conceived of as a place of outer darkness (Mt 8:12 ), eternal torment, and punishment ( Rev 14:10 –11).”

So this explains the different numbers of renderings in our good Bible translations which all attempt to give us, in the English language, an understanding that there is an afterlife and every one of us will go there when we die. The question is, which place in the afterlife will be our home? Will it be heaven with the gift of eternal life, as the Bible offers, or will it be a place best known as “hell” for all those who neglected or refused to accept God’s loving offer of Heaven.

Notice I said “refused,” or “neglected” to accept God’s offer of Heaven. You see, contrary to popular opinion today, no one goes to a place called Hell, except they personally choose to do so. Sound strange? Well really, who would want to go to Hell, regardless of differing names the Bible gives this eternal state? Although most do not really know what Hell is like, or what one will experience there, most understand if it exists, it is not a nice place! So let’s again dispel the false teachings about Hell, and find out what the Bible says about it. You’d be surprised to learn how far off many are. For instance, Holy Scripture tells us about the very “nature” of Hell: For starters,

1. HELL Is an Everlasting PERMANENT Place – Yes, those who go there will never die, be released or cease to exist there. Indeed, there is no escape from Hell, nor is it a temporary place as Roman Catholic doctrine has invented in their place called “Purgatory.” Yes, Purgatory, which is defined by them as an intermediate place between Heaven and Hell, simply doesn’t exist. Why? For Jesus Christ, the Lord God and Creator Himself, in human flesh, never once mentioned it, while He often spoke seriously about Hell as the final end destiny of the lost and unsaved upon death; Nor do the canonized books of the Bible ever mention it either; Nor did the early church ever speak of it. No, Purgatory was invented by the popes and cardinals of Romanism, to scare people and manipulate them to believe that after death, one could be rescued from suffering there, by the prayers and petitions of Roman priests and popes. Of course, to do this, one had to give money or other valuables to the church. Rome use to have a slogan,
”A coin in the coffer rings, and a soul from purgatory springs..”

How despicable a practice, yet it built Rome and its fortunes that exist today. All that is unbiblical and it is condemned by God. No, once one dies, the Bible says unequivocally we either go to a place called Heaven, or the opposite a place we’ll call Hell, and once there it is a fate and destiny that remains for all eternity. This is why Jesus warned people, time and time again, to realize the awfulness of it and to turn away by accepting God’s loving offer to rescue all humanity from its grip and future disaster that awaits all humanity. Now, listen to the Word of God on this matter,

Mark 9:47-48 (NIV)  "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where "'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Rev 14:11 (NIV)  "And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.""

Rev 20:10 (NIV)  “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Rev 20:15 (NIV)  “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he [too] was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Indeed, Jesus was not trying to scare people with the teaching that such a devastating afterlife awaited them. He knew the truth that Hell exists, and was created by God to house all the unrepentant, rebellious souls and spirits of sinners and fallen angels. But the most startling and needy thing to understand about it is – it is eternal! Soul sleep as 7^th Day Adventist teach, or “annihilation on death, “ as liberals and others teach, are  figments of the imagination. Listen, God created you and me as eternal everlasting creatures, in His image. Although our bodies die, the real you and me, within, that is the soul and spirit must of necessity live on forever and ever. So God designed a place for all those who do not want to be with Him, and enjoy His pleasure and company forever. That place, friend, is HELL! Now here’s a second thing about Hell in the Bible,

2. It Is a Terrible Place of Immense Suffering – Make no mistake about it. God tells us plainly what Hell will be like. Listen to the Word of God which says,

Mat 8:12 (NIV)  "But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.""

Mat 10:28 (NIV)  "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Mark 9:43 (NLT)  “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better to enter heaven with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.”

To sum it up, the Bible says

1. Hell will be a place of unquenchable fire that will never go out, nor consume its victims - Matt. 3:12 ; 13:41 –42; Mark 9:43

2. It will be a place of TORMENTING  memory and remorse - Luke 16:19–31

3. It will be a place of unquenchable thirst - Luke 16:24

4. It will be a place of constant misery and awful suffering and pain – The suffering in Hell is indescribable, so God gives the awful illustration it is better to cut off your own hand or pluck out  your own eye if possible to avoid it - Rev. 14:10, 11

5. It will be a place of terrible frustration, and flaming anger –In Hell you will rage on in your hate and anger, and never find rest for it -  Matt. 13:42 ; 24:51

6. It will be a place of complete separation. No one in Hell will see or hear the voice of another. Complete aloneness and darkness will be their forever state - Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 15

7. It is a place of undiluted divine wrath – God’s punishment will never cease there. His rage against you for rejecting His loving offer of His only Son’s death for you will never cease - Hab. 3:2; Rev. 14:10

8. It was originally prepared for Satan and his hosts, but includes all the unsaved, unrepentant souls who refuse God’s offer of salvation through Christ will join the wicked evil demons there- Matt. 25:41

9. It is a place created for all eternity – As long as God exists, He will keep all the residents of Hell apart from Him. As God is eternal, so will be a place called Hell - Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:46; Jude 7

Now the great question is, who of us will go there? Surely not “good” people who do so many wonderful things here on earth? The answer is being good or even religious has nothing to do with the criteria of who will go to Hell. In fact, do you know that in Hell right now are many good people, kind generous, many faithful religious people too, along with those whom we all have no problem being there such as murderers, rapists and thieves. Why are such differing people there? The answer is, they have one overwhelming thing in common.

ALL IN HELL ARE THERE, BECAUSE THEY ARE SINNERS,
UNDER THE WRATH AND PUNISHMENT OF GOD!

Yes my friend, the whole reason for the Bible, the whole reason of God coming to earth as a human being, was and is, to prevent anyone and everyone from going to Hell, the eternal penitentiary of the lost and unsaved world of humanity. The Bible says, all humanity is born in the perilous state of sin and under judgment. Listen to God’s Word.

Rom 3:23 (NIV)  "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Rom 6:23 (NIV)  "For the wages of sin is death…”

Eph 2:1 (NIV)  "As for you, you were [born] dead in your transgressions and sins,"

Col 2:13 (NIV)  "…you were [born] dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,

Yes, all humanity are born sinners, under the wrath and judgment of God, headed for an eternal Hell, and separated from the Creator God who loves all whom He created. To prevent this awful state and future of the entire human race, regardless of their own personal goodness and attempts to be religious, God made plans to rescue us, and thanks be to God, He carried it out and completed it!

This is the story of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross and His resurrection unto life. God died for you, my friend, so you wouldn’t have to go to Hell! It matters not, how religious one is, or good and kind in this life you’ve been. You see, we all have a debt of sin to pay to God, be it one lie or a string of murders, it’s all the same. For example, when someone dies, it doesn’t matter if there in the grave for five minutes of five centuries, they are DEAD! Being “in” sin doesn’t matter if you’ve told one white lie, or you’ve murdered, stole, abused, or are a convicted criminal! The Bible says there is one penalty for sin, that is the “wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23 ). This death is the “second death,” where and when God separates soul and spirit from the life of God’s goodness and presence. Yes, Virginia, there is a place called Hell, and you and I, we are headed for there, unless we change paths, get off the road, and get on the right path. Jesus said,

Mat 7:13-14 (NIV)  ""Enter [Heaven} through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to [Hell] destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,[Eternal] and only a few find it."

Jesus was saying, so many people simply neglect to listen to His Word and God’s loving promise to save them. They go on trying to save themselves, by being good, becoming religious, performing righteous acts, and then being proud to says, “OK God, now look at the many good things I’ve done, surely I am worthy of Heaven now.” The answer is no! You still have a debt to pay.

The only way anyone can avoid Hell, is to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ and embrace Him for whom He is – He is your God who has come to save you from your sins.

John 3:16-18 (NIV)  ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

Friends, we must not dismiss Hell, although it is a “forbidden subject,” in many churches and hearts of humanity. Jesus died to keep you and me from going there, and all who give thanks to God for this great gift of His grace, will receive God’s eternal forgiveness and be saved from Hell to come.

Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."

Have you been saved from your sins? That word, “saved” is a good word, and bible word, and it denotes a state and condition before God. You my friend are either saved or lost. There’s no in-between! One is not saved by good works or church membership, attendance or any religious obedience. One is saved from Hell to come, by the blood-death, substitutionary payment of sin by Jesus Christ on your behalf, applied and given to your sin account when you accept Him as your Lord God and Savior. So the real question you must answer is this: “Have you repented of sin?” What that means is have you turned away from ignoring Jesus Christ’s death for you? Have you acknowledged that apart from the grace of God through Christ, you will perish in Hell which you deserve because you are a sinner? Also, it means have you stopped trusting in your own goodness or religiosity to be in a right relationship to God? So again I say, “Have you repented?” If so, the second question is “Have you trusted in and accepted Jesus Christ as your God and Savior?” Again this simply means, do you believe the bible’s teachings that Jesus is God, the Creator Himself, come to earth to die for you? Have you called out to Him to save you and have you received Him into your very life and heart in this manner?

All who do will be saved from the eternal “hell” to come. All who don’t, will die and perish for all eternity for their sins. God’s life preserver is out, now all you need to do is grab on to it and be rescued. Listen in closing to the Word of God on this matter,

Ezek 18:31-32 (NIV)  "Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel ? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"

Well friend, there you have it, the forbidden subject, but also God’s forever love, reaching out to you. It’s your choice. May God bless this talk to your heart today, for Jesus sake. Amen.

·         Radio talk #2402

·         Broadcast date: June 16, 2002

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 40133 Grand Junction, CO 81504

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 22 years, and serves as General Director.

These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.