Hell Series

 On June 12th, 2024, I started teaching at our church on the subject of hell. At the time of this post, it is now January 14th, 2025, and I'm still not finished.

I didn't realize there were differing orthodox views on the subject until my study. Coming from the bible belt of an evangelical fundamentalism background I held to the traditional view of hell without questioning it. However, though I held to that view I never preached on the subject before, nor did I ever leverage the fear of hell trying to persuade men to come to Christ. It just wasn't in me to do that, and I didn't even know why.

As I began my research on the subject of hell it became clear as to why I had never preached on the subject. Did you know in the book of Acts we have recorded eighteen sermons that never mention hell at all? Are you aware that the Apostle who wrote over two-thirds of the New Testament never preached on hell, no, not one time? So, I figured my heart to be in good company.

And in the religious circles I traveled (we all have them) I always heard that Jesus preached more on hell than he did on heaven - later I discovered this is simply not true, He actually preached more about the kingdom of God than any other subject.

 As I began to discover these truth's and many more, little by little a new picture of God began to emerge in my understanding. I saw Him as kinder and more loving than I ever dreamed or imagined. 

It almost didn't happen because I was afraid to ask the question "what about hell?" I think many times we allow fear to rob us of hidden truths that's been layered over by years of religious tradition. If we fear listening to voices outside of our own echo chamber, we will never discover new realms of limitless possibilities presented by God. If fear is holding us back, that fear is certainly not of God. Many times, our religious traditions will tell us, "You better not go there" but we should be asking the question why not.

Our biblical understanding should be able to stand under the scrutiny of honest questions, especially when it comes to questions about God. We shouldn't be afraid to ask the difficult questions; it's the questions that we think are outside the parameters of our religious traditions that hold the keys to new discoveries that could break religious strong holds off our minds. 

And so, it has been with my study and research of hell.

- I discovered the word hell is not mentioned in the original language at all.

- I discovered the word hell is nowhere in the Old Testament anywhere. Instead, we find the word Sheol or grave, which is simply the abode of the dead both the wicked and the righteous.

- I discovered what I had been taught about eternal conscious torment was nothing more than Greek mythology.

- I discovered that Paul who wrote over two-thirds of the New Testament never one time preached on the subject of hell. And he by his own witness he declared that he preached the whole counsel of God.

- I discovered the parables of Jesus, such as Lazarus and the rich man are not literal in their interpretation but are metaphoric in their language addressing a change of Covenants in which the gentile nations of the earth would be included with the nation of Israel in the blessing of redemptive grace.

On and on my research went exposing the breadth, the length, the depth, and the height of God's immeasurable love for all humanity.

My study of hell has totally changed my world view and especially the way I see other people. I see people as loved and included in the big plan of God. Mostly, it has changed my perception of who God is and the way I view Him. I now see him as a loving Father rescuing His children from the blindness of sin; not by punishing them but healing them. 

Jesus is the federal head of all humanity which is a big deal. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. This knowledge of origin reorients our posture in absolute truth, we no longer live in the shadow of Adam's fall but in the glory of a risen Christ, revealed in us. In Christ we see ourselves truly as light.

As He is, so are we in this present world. Not as filthy lowdown dirty rotten sinners, but as loved of God and having value as created in His likeness and image. We are His offspring and any other identity trying to strap itself to us is just an illusion.

Most of our life is lived in the valley of the shadow of death - until we behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord and see our reflection in him. What do you see when you look in a mirror? You see yourself, your true self, a radiant reflection of the beauty of Christ. 

Jesus in the incarnation is the true identity of all mankind. We, or should I say I, am beginning to see this for the first time in my life. What a revelation of "Christ in us" the hope of glory.

He, Jesus is the desire of the nations.

Is it any wonder!