* God's Not Willing that Any Should Perish, And Yet MANY Will

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

The unrighteous will be judged by our heavenly Father and punished for their sin. God keeps a record called the "book of life" in which is listed the names of those who have repented, accepted Jesus Christ, and become true believers. Those who have rejected Him will be judged for sin and doomed to eternal punishment. Their names are not in the book of life:  

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation  20:15

It is important to understand that we must live as new creatures in Jesus after conversion. It is possible to be saved and then because of continuing in sin to "backslide" into the old life. The Bible confirms that it is possible to have our name written in the book of life but then have it blotted out because of sin:  

And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.  Exodus 32:33

This is why learning to live a holy life is so important. By overcoming sin in our life, we can be assured God will not blot our name out of the book of life:  

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  Revelation 3:5

Hell is the eternal destiny of the wicked. Hell is a place of:

           ®     Extreme Suffering: 

And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.   Revelation 20:10

®     MEMORY AND REMORSE:

And in Hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom...  

But Abraham said, Son remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  Luke 16:23, 25

®     Unsatisfied Desire:

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water; and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.   Luke 16:24

®     Contempt:

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.   Daniel 12:2

®    Wicked Companionship:

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

®     Hopelessness:

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.  Proverbs 11:7

®     Eternal Punishment:    

Hell was originally prepared for Satan and his angels. However, because of sin, man is also destined for eternity in Hell unless He is redeemed by Jesus Christ:

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into   everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.     Matthew 25:41

Punishment for the wicked is eternal. The same word that is used for eternal life in the Bible -  

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.   John 3:15 

- and the eternal God 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.    1 Timothy 1:17 

- is used to describe eternal judgment: 

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  Hebrews 6:2

If one of these is temporary, then the other two would have to be temporary.  There is no way to escape the conclusion that if God is everlasting and eternal life is everlasting, then so is punishment in Hell. 

God does not send people to Hell.   

He is not willing that any should perish.  Man chooses to go there by rejecting Jesus Christ and living a sinful life. God has provided a way of escape from eternal punishment through His plan of salvation. 

How should the doctrine of eternal judgment affect our lives as believers?  When writing on the subject of future judgment, the Apostle Peter answered this question:

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness... 

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, blameless.   2 Peter 3:11, 14

And how is that accomplished?  Quite simply, by studying the word of God and then applying it to our lives.  

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.   James 1:22

Understanding of eternal judgment should result in spiritual maturity in the life of the believer.

Biblical Studies

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05/10/22