In the bible, outside of the book of James there are 10 places in the New Testament where the Greek word Gehenna is used. The would be Matthew 5:22; 29,30; Matt. 10:28; 18:9; Matt. 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43,45,47. Originally in the time of Christ Gehenna was a trash dump south of Jerusalem where the trash and refuse of the city were always burning. During the millennium where the New Jerusalem will act as a satellite above the earth; Gehenna will be down (south) in the center of the earth in the region of Hell. As you study these passages in context it becomes apparent that Jesus was warning His disciples and other saints about the possibility of going to Gehenna during the millennium. At the end of the 1000 year millennium all lost people and unfaithful Christians will come out of death and Hell. At this time unfaithful Christians are found written in the post-millennial book of life.
The word “hell” in the New Testament is used 23 times in the King James Version. In the Greek copies it is translated from 3 Greek words: Hades, Tartaroo, and Gehenna. The KJV translates these three words with the word “Hell.” In the NIV, NKJV, NASV, and ESV the word “hades” is transliterated in these versions Hades and Gehenna is translated as “Hell.” This might be confusing because this leaves the reader with the impression that the two words represent different places. In my opinion Hades, Gehenna, and Tartaros are used interchangeably to refer same place in the center of the earth. The KJV appropriately translates these three words with our English word Hell.
Notice a few definitions regarding Hell from various Bible Dictionaries:
Easton Bible Dictionary: “Derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place.”
“(2.) The Greek word Hades of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as sheol of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1Pe_3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Mat_16:18; Rev_1:18), and it is downward (Mat_11:23; Luk_10:15). The righteous and the wicked are separated. The blessed dead are in that part of Hades called paradise (Luk_23:43). They are also said to be in Abraham’s bosom (Luk_16:22).”
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
The English word, from a Teutonic root meaning “to hide” or “cover,” had originally the significance of the world of the dead generally, and in this sense is used by Chaucer, Spenser, etc., and in the Creed (” He descended into hell”);
The first occurrence of the word “Gehenna” in the New Testament is in Matthew 5:22. Vincent’s word studies of the New Testament contain this information regarding this particular passage:
Hell-fire (τήν γέενναν τοῦ πυρός)
Rev., more accurately, the hell of fire. The word Gehenna, rendered hell, occurs outside of the Gospels only at Jam_3:6. It is the Greek representative of the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom, or Valley of Hinnom, a deep, narrow glen to the south of Jerusalem, where, after the introduction of the worship of the fire-gods by Ahaz, the idolatrous Jews sacrificed their children to Molech. Josiah formally desecrated it, “that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech” (2Ki_23:10). After this it became the common refuse-place of the city, into which the bodies of criminals, carcasses of animals, and all sorts of filth were cast. From its depth and narrowness, and its fire and ascending smoke, it became the symbol of the place of the future punishment of the wicked. So Milton: “The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence
And black Gehenna called, the type of hell.”
As one studies the English bible it is not difficult to prove that Hades, Tartarus and Gehenna are all referring to the same place in the center of the Earth:
Yet we also know that Tartaroo is down in the center of the Earth:
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them DOWN to hell, (Tartaros) and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, (Hades) neither his flesh did see corruption.
Ephesians 4:9-10 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Carefully notice that Tataros and Hades are in the center of the Earth. Jesus Christ did not suffer in Hell because He already suffered the penalty of our sins on the Cross. He went down to the paradise section in the Heart of the Earth after His death. After His resurrection He carried paradise to the third Heaven. Before the cross there was a section in the center of the earth known as paradise where Old Testament Saints were kept in safety from the punishment of the wicked. This is made clear in Luke 16:23-24:
Luke 16:23-24 And in hell (hades) he LIFT UP his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) 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.
Then when you carefully compare scripture with scripture you can discern that Tartarus, Hades, and Gehenna are used interchangeably to refer to the prison in the center of the Earth:
1Peter 3:19 By which also he went (Jesus Christ) and preached unto the spirits in prison;
It is also very interesting to note that Gehenna is also referred to as a Prison:
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell (Gehenna) fire….vs. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
As you study the above scriptures you should be able to discern that Gehenna, Tartaros, and Hades are all referred to as a prison in the center of the earth. Both Gehenna (Matthew 5:22) and Hades (Luke 16:23-24) are in a place where wicked people are punished with fire. When one does this he can learn to appreciate the simplicity of the Authorized Version (KJV) in simply referring to all three places as Hell. The New King James Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, and the New American Standard have caused much confusion on this subject by making a sharp distinction between Hades and Gehenna.
Another important point of reference about this subject matter is at Great White Throne Judgment. In the Greek copies people are delivered out of Hades at the end of the Kingdom age. Yet when you come to the Gospels, Christ warns his disciples of Gehenna in 12 different places. An observant bible student should notice that Christ uses this word in all 12 places in contrast with the Kingdom of God. Therefore Gehenna and Hades are used interchangeably to refer to the same prison in the center of the earth.
Earlier in this book we considered scriptures that teach a Christian could be temporarily hurt of the second death:
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
The obvious conclusion is that Christians who do not overcome can be hurt of the second death. Another passage is found in Romans 8:13:
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
The death spoken of in this verse cannot refer to the death that is common (first death) to all men; including very righteous saints. The death spoken of in this verse must refer to the second death for those Christians who live after the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Another important reference is in Rev. 3:5:
Rev 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (5) 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.
The obvious conclusion is that Christians who have their garments defiled can be blotted out of the book of life. In Rev. 20:15 those who are not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. The two may not be the same book of life. The book of life in Rev. 20:15 is post-millennial and it is 1000 years after the first resurrection. There are those who are found written in the post-millennial book of life after they come out of death and Hell. This would indicate they were blotted out of the pre-millennial book of life in Rev. 3:15 and found written in the post-millennial book of life in Rev. 20:15. There are three uses of the book of life in scripture:
Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
This mention of the book of the living pertains to everyone that has lived on this earth. When they die they are blotted out of the book of the living. Those who are written with the righteous are all those who are saved through Jesus Christ; this would pertain to the book of life mentioned in Rev. 20:15. It would include everyone who is saved. This has to do with the salvation of the spirit of man (John 3:16; John 6:47). The third use of the book of life is in Rev. 3:5 and was discussed above. This has to do with the salvation of the soul. It is possible for a Christian to lose his soul (James 5:20). Even though a Christian can be blotted out of the pre-millennial book of life pertaining to his soul he shall be found written in the post-millennial book of life in Rev. 20:15.
1Corinthians 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet SO AS BY FIRE.
The phrase “shall be saved” is a future verb tense. The carnal Christian will not be saved at the Judgment Seat. His salvation will take place in the future at the Second resurrection (Revelation 20:15). Yet, before he is ultimately saved at the Great White Throne, the scripture says he “shall be saved (future tense); yet so as by fire.” The second definition under the word “by” in Webster’s third International Dictionary is “through the medium of.” Every Christian who suffers loss at the Judgment Seat is going to pass through the medium of fire before he is ultimately saved.
The first judgment in regard to Gehenna (Hell) we will look at is in Mark 9:31-50. In order to fully comprehend the full force of this warning passage we need to back up and look at the whole context in order to remove any possibility that the Lord was dealing with unbelievers.
Mark 9:30-31 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. (31) For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
First, notice how Jesus Christ arranged the circumstances in order to make sure his disciples where the only one’s present for the important information he was about to give. This must have been a very important teaching he was about to disclose to His disciples and future saints (1st to 21st century) of Jesus Christ who would read this warning:
Mark 9:33-34 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house (he is alone with His disciples and his followers) he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
When Jesus asked His disciples this question there was no other people present. They were already inside the House at this point. Other than the women and the children that they traveled with, His disciples were the only people present for the discourse that follows. There is absolutely no way Jesus was addressing anyone else other than His disciples and true saints of Jesus Christ:
Mark 9:35-37 And he sat down, and called the twelve, (Christ is only talking with his disciples) and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (36) And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, (37) Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
In the above scripture Jesus Christ called the twelve disciples to himself. In the warning that follows (vs. 39 to vs. 50) there is no way it could apply to anyone other than the apostles of Jesus Christ and real saints of Jesus Christ who would read this warning passage in future centuries (1st century to the 21st century).
Mark 9:38 And John (1st person singular) answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
As your reading through our Lords response remember that the pronouns “thee, thou, thy, and thine are always second person singular and that “ye, you, your, and yours” is always second person plural in the King James Bible. Let us proceed forward with Christ’s serous response which leaves NO room for miss-application:
Mark 9:39-42 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. (40) For he that is not against us is on our part. (41) For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye (plural-disciples) belong to Christ, (the disciples were already saved) verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (42) And whosoever shall offend (cause to stumble) one of these little ones that believe in me, (Christ is referring back to John’s statement in vs.38) it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
In vs. 41 of our text Jesus Christ makes it clear that the disciples were saved men when He used the phrase “ye belong to Christ.” The warning in vs. 42 cannot apply to anyone else other than the disciples of Jesus Christ and other genuine disciples of Jesus Christ in future centuries who would read this warning. The warning is definitely directed at genuine disciples because in vs. 41 when Jesus Christ was talking about causing little ones to stumble He was referring back to John’s statement in vs. 38. Then in the warning that follows Jesus Christ addressed John by using the second person singular pronoun:
Mark 9:43-50 And if thy (singular-John from vs. 38) hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (44) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (45) And if thy (John) foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (46) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (47) And if thine (John) eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: (48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (49) For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. (50) Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
There is absolutely no way that Jesus Christ was dealing with unbelievers in this passage. In verse 43 to 48 Jesus Christ was definitely addressing John by using the second person singular pronoun. He was warning John about the Judgment of Gehenna if he kept causing others to stumble. We know this is true because John is the one who made the boastful statement in vs38. of the context. John (and the other disciples) forbid a man to cast out devils in the name of Christ. Likewise, Jesus Christ used the second person singular pronoun (thy, thee, and thine) in vs. 43-48 when addressing John about the the Judgment of Gehenna (Hell) if he (John) did not cut things out of his life that would cause him and others to stumble. There is no other conclusion other than the fact that Jesus Christ was warning His disciples and other real saints of Jesus Christ about the judgment of Gehenna (Hell) if they made a practice of causing themselves, or others to stumble.
Therefore, on biblical grounds I must emphasize that Jesus Christ was giving genuine Christians a warning about Gehenna (Hell). Others only apply the warning to a Physical garbage dump (Gehenna) that was located south of Jerusalem during Christ’s day. They believe the warning about going Gehenna is only valid up till about 70 A.D. when the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem. However, Jesus refutes this idea in vs. 47 when he makes a contrast between “entering the kingdom of God” and being “cast into Hell.” Obviously, the possibility of “entering the kingdom of God” must apply to every real Christian living from the 1st century till the second coming of Jesus Christ. Therefore this warning about Gehenna (Hell) must apply to every genuine Christian who lived from the 1st century to till the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Observation by G.H. Pember:
“For everyone shall be salted with fire.” (Mark 9:49) These words, we are often told, refer, in a figure to the afflictions of the present world. But glance at the context, and you will find that the statement is joined with the conjunction “for” to the previous verse, and that the previous verse contains a description of Hell. If, then, there be any logical sequence in the passage, the salting must take place in Hell. And, since the Lord is here dealing with the faults of believers, what can the salting with fire mean except the burning away of corruption. (The Great Prophecies of the Centuries concerning the Church; G.H. Pember; Pg 111)
There are some bible students who believe the warning passages regarding Gehenna (Hell) apply to believers except they do not believe a Christian can be a Christian can be physically cast into the place of Gehenna (Hell). They believe that the fires of Gehenna are applied metaphorically to Christians who suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Joseph Dillow, in his book the Final Destiny seems to hold this viewpoint. This view point does not take the statement in Matthew 5:30 at face value: “thy whole body should be cast into hell.” I think it is clear from the statement that some unfaithful believers can physically go (temporarily) into Hell.
Matthew 5:21-26 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
In this passage we are given a clear warning not to use degrading and insulting words against another brother or sister in Christ. Any Christian who uses degrading and insulting words against another brother or sister in Christ is in danger of the judgment, and in some cases is in danger of hell. We are given a clear warning in James chapter three that the tongue “is a fire, a world of iniquity, and is able to defile the whole body, and is set on fire of hell itself” (James 3:6). In many cases insulting words are used when there are unresolved grievances among Christian brethren:
(23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; (24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. (26) Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, TILL thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
The word “therefore” in vs. 23 ties verses 21 and 22 with verses 23 to 26. Brothers and Sisters in Christ who have grievances against each other must seek reconciliation before the Judgment Seat. If these grievances are not resolved than the guilty party is in danger of being sent to prison at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The word “prison” in vs. 25 has reference back to “hell” fire in vs. 22. The phrase “till thou has paid” teaches us that the punishment of hell for the guilty brother is temporary. This phrase “till thou has paid” might also indicate that believers who suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ could spend different amounts of time in hell.
The word “till” under the third entry in Webster’s Third International Dictionary is defined as “near or at a specified time.” This phrase in no way shows us the judgment of hell is always permanent. The Rabbinical Jews just before and during the time of Christ divided mankind up into three different classes:
Leaving aside the teaching of the Apocrypha and Pseudepigraphic Writings (to which Dr. Pusey has sufficiently referred), the first Rabbinic utterances come to us from the time immediately before that of Christ, from the Schools of Shammai and Hillel (Rosh haSh. 16b last four lines, and 17a). The former arranged all mankind into three classes: the perfectly righteous, who are ‘immediately written and sealed to eternal life;’ the perfectly wicked, who are ‘immediately written and sealed to Gehenna;’ and an intermediate class, ‘who go down to Gehinnom, and moan, and come up again,’ according to Zec_13:9, and which seemed also indicated in certain words in the Song of Hannah (1Sa_2:6). The careful reader will notice that this statement implies belief in Eternal Punishment on the part of the School of Shammai. For (1) The perfectly wicked are spoken of as ‘written and sealed unto Gehenna;’ (2) The School of Shammai expressly quotes, in support of what it teaches about these wicked, Dan_12:2, a passage which undoubtedly refers to the final judgment after the Resurrection; (3) The perfectly wicked, so punished, are expressly distinguished from the third, or intermediate class, who merely ‘go down to Gehinnom,’ but are not ‘written and sealed,’ and ‘come up again.’ (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah: book 6 appendix 19; Alfred Edersheim).
Matthew 5:27-30 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: (28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Observations from Robert Govett:
But a difficulty arises here. Is the eye the cause? Is the right eye more engaged in the sin, than the left? No! the eye is the instrument of the sin. The soul is the primary cause. But Jesus speaks of the eye as the instrumental cause, and of the right eye as the more precious of the two. “Pluck it out and cast it from thee.”
Is this to be literally taken? I suppose not: any more than we are to regard the eye as the efficient cause of the sin. The Savior did not command the literal plucking out of the eye to the adulteress (John 8:1), or to Magdalen (Luke 7:48). But it may be said that these are cases where the sin committed before discipleship began. The Saviour did not bid Peter to cut of his hand, after he had offended by drawing his sword, and cutting off the right ear of Malchus: Matt. 26:51.
I suppose the meaning of the words to be,–‘Let sin be so hateful and fearful thing to you, that you voluntarily remove from yourself not only what is evil, but what is harmless, and even most dear and useful, if it lead you into sin. Cut off occasions of transgression—whatever would induce you to it, let it not belong to you. Disavow your partnership in sin, by the sacrifice of whatever would attach you to its service.’ It is related, I believe, if Cecil, that his love of music, after he entered into the ministry of the Gospel, led him to devote to much time to his violin. Perceiving what a snare to him it was, he cut across its strings, and never touched it again. So, if a Christian, possessed of a fine voice and ear, found that these gifts led him into worldly company, and in danger of intoxication, better it were never to sing again, than to be drawn into the vortex of sin….If the believer seek to cut off the occasions of sin, and keep under his body, and bring it into subjection, it shall be well with him in the Great Day.
“And not that thy whole body be cast into hell.” ‘Either cast away a part, to keep the rest pure. Or you will be cast wholly into fire.’ The time supposed is after the resurrection. The “body” has been raised. To whom is this spoken? To a disciple. (Sermon on the Mount: Robert Govett; Pgs. 81-83)
There is absolutely nothing in the passage mentioned above regarding the Gospel of Grace. On the contrary, the entire passage gives true disciples of Jesus Christ some “works” they have to do (plucking out the eye and cutting off the hand) in order to prevent themselves from stumbling into sin. If they do not do these kinds of works (plucking out the eye and cutting off the hand) in order to keep them-selves from sinning than they will be in danger of being temporarily cast into Hell.
Obviously the phrase “plucking out the eye or cutting off the hand” are not meant to be taken literally. We are dealing with hyperbolic expression with these phrases. Our Lord is showing us the necessity of cutting things out of our life if we are to escape chastisement a the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a STUMBLINGBLOCK before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The modern day doctrine of Balaam is nothing less than down playing the chastisement that will occur at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Another passage dealing with the Judgment of Gehenna (hell) is found in Matthew 10:25-28:
Mat 10:25-28 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? (26) Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. (27) What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. (28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The context of this warning is dealing with Christians being persecuted for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 14-24). If one is able to endure till the end then he will be saved at the Pre-millennial Judgment Seat; If a disciple denies Jesus Christ during times of persecution without repentance than he will have his soul in “outer darkness” or in “hell.” There is nothing in this passage about believing in the gospel in order to escape final damnation in the Lake of Fire. Notice the verses that follow about losing one’s soul:
Mat 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:36-39 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
In order to lose one’s life one must stay faithful to Jesus Christ during times of persecution. Second, one must avoid a lifestyle that would cause him to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17). Third one must stop living his life for himself and serve Jesus Christ with his whole heart. If a Christian is overcome by the world than he will be blotted out of the pre-millennial book of life (Rev. 3:5) and will suffer loss in either the “outer darkness” or for some it could be temporarily spending time in hell. There would be a different degree of chastisement for transgression or disobedience. This is certainly different than believing in Jesus Christ as one’s only savior in order to receive eternal life as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Notice another warning passage in regard to hell:
Mat 18:1-10 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven….. (7) Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (8) Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. (9) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into HELL FIRE. (10) Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Wow! What a warning. In the last vs. Jesus Christ told his disciples to take heed in order that they do not despise one of the little ones? This is not how we are saved in eternity because we are saved by Grace through faith in eternity. Yet, in the warning passage in Matthew 18:7-10 one must actually do some works (cutting of the hand, cutting of the foot, and plucking out the eye) in order to avoid the damnation of Hell. There are three parts of the body used in this warning in order to represent some things one must do in order to cut sin out of one’s life. First, cutting off the hand has reference to the things we do. Second, cutting off the foot has reference to the places we go. Third, plucking out the eye has reference to the objects we look at. The phrases “cutting off the hand” and “plucking out the eye” were not meant to be taken literally. They are used to resemble things we should be cutting out of our life. In order to avoid having our work burned and suffering loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ than we need to cut things out of our life in order to avoid sin and iniquity.
In order to avoid the fate of unfaithful Christians at the pre-millennial Judgment Seat than we must be converted from the power of the old man (Romans 6,7, and 8) and abide in Jesus Christ so he can produce the right kind of spiritual fruit through us (Gal. 5:22-26). There is no contradiction! In order to be saved at the second resurrection on the last day, one must stop trusting in himself and believe in Jesus Christ alone as his only savior (John 6:39-40). In order to be saved at the pre-millennial Judgment Seat one must have both faith and works (James 2:14-26). Notice an observation by Joey Faust:
There are those who mix saving faith with works and they use James chapter two as there basis. Then they argue that all the warnings apply to professors, and that the Christian must continue to bring forth fruit to prove that he is truly saved. Yet, James chapter two is addressed to people that are already saved: James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
These Jewish believers are exhorted in regard to their Christian walk. Therefore, the judgment seat of Christ is the context of this chapter, not eternity. To be saved at the judgment seat (i.e. escape chastisement), the Christian must add works to his faith. Faith alone saves us in eternity. Faith and works saves us at the judgment seat (Hebrews 6:12).
The word “saved” is sometimes used in the Bible for escaping physical death in this life (Acts 27:31). Certainly, then, it can also be used for escaping death at the judgment seat and during the millennial kingdom! James refers to Abraham‘s faith and works in Genesis 22. This was years after he was accounted righteous by faith alone in Genesis 15 (which Paul uses as an example of eternal salvation in Romans 4). Therefore, James 2 reveals how a Christian may be justified before God and show forth his work before man in this life. Christians that please God in this life will be rewarded at the judgment seat with the millennial reign. (The Rod Will God Spare It: J.D. Faust; Pgs. 281-282).
Carefully notice another warning in the book of James about losing one’s own soul:
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Notice the definition of the word err from Webster’s 1828 Unabridged Dictionary:
1. To wander from the right way; to deviate from the true course or purpose.
2. To miss the right way, in morals or religion; to deviate from the path or line of duty; to stray by design or mistake.
These verses actually teach us that a real Christian can wonder from the truth! In this book we discussed a number of ways a Christian can wonder from the truth. First, he could be overtaken by the cares of this world, the pleasures of this life or the deceitfulness of riches. If a Christian is overtaken in any of these dangers than he will lose his soul at the pre-millennial Judgment Seat:
Rev. 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (5) 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.
There were only a few names in Sardis who did not have their garments defiled. There must have been many others who did have their garments defiled. In 1 John 2:15-17 we are given a command not to love this world or the things in the world; if any Christian does not obey this command (without repentance) than he will be blotted out of the pre-millennial book of life. At the pre-millennial Judgment Seat apostate Christians will cut asunder and be sent to the prison of Hell. Other Christians who were overcome by the world will be dismissed to the outer darkness. We should not hastily follow the Arminian way of thinking in believing that this blotting out is for all eternity. For they will be found written in the post-millennial book of life:
Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
There will be those present who are found written in the book of life after they lose their soul for 1000 years. This actually proves the doctrine of eternal security! Yet, it completely destroys Calvinism! Even though Christians are eternally secure they are able to receive a punishment worse than death at the pre-millennial Judgment Seat:
Hebrews 10:26 For IF WE (real Christians) sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth NO MORE SACRIFICE for sins,
Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much SORER punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, (real Christian) who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, (real Christian) an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
In the Mosaic Law there were many who died without out mercy under the testimony of two or three witnesses. At the pre-millennial Judgment Seat there will be many Christians who will die a second death because of willful unrepentant sin. Since the phrase “he be thought worthy” has reference to a real person, than the phrase “wherewith he was sanctified” must also have reference to a real person. Therefore the phrase “wherewith he was sanctified” cannot refer to Christ! The use of the word sanctified in Hebrews 2:11; 10:10, and 10:14 rule this possibility out!
If you are a Christian who is currently being overcome by the world than it is not too late; you still have time to repent:
Ezekiel 18:21-23 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (22) All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. (23) Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
God is rich in mercy; yet those who are keeping his statutes should be careful not to presume upon the mercy God because we too could fall back under the power of the old man if we are not careful to stay connected to our vine the Lord Jesus Christ:
Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
1Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This prison in the underworld is a place of fire and is also referred to in various bible verses as a place of darkness. Notice the following verses:
Psalm 88:1 O LORD God of MY SALVATION, I have cried day and night before
thee:
I think the phrase “O LORD God of my salvation” is showing us the person of Psalm 88 is a saved person. In Numbers 16, the sons of Korah rebelled against Moses and so they went down alive into the pit. Likewise, Christians who rebel against the word of God and become apostate will be slain at the Judgment Seat of Christ and be sent to the prison of the underworld. Psalm 88 is actually a description of an unfaithful Christian in the dark prison of the underworld:
Psalm 88:4-6 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: (5) Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. (6) Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, IN DARKNESS, in the deeps.
The phrase “I am counted with them that go down into the pit” shows us that the punishment of Gehenna in down in the center of the earth. It is in hell! It is also a place of complete darkness:
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
The “blackness of darkness” in this passage should not be confused with the “outer darkness.” The “outer darkness” is outside the lighted city of New Jerusalem where unfaithful Christians will lose their soul (by not participating in the kingdom) for 1000 years. The “blackness of darkness” is a further degree of punishment for apostate Christians who totally rebel against the word and fall away from Jesus Christ in doctrine and conduct. Some of them become false teachers who make a business of making merchandise of God’s people (2 Peter 2:1). The blackness of darkness is in the dark fiery prison of hell. This is where Gehenna is located during the millennial kingdom. At the end of the millennium apostate Christians will come out of the dark prison of hell and will be found written in the post millennial book of life (Revelation 20:15). Notice what happens to the person in Psalm 88 after his punishment is over:
Psalm 88:13 But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer PREVENT THEE.
The definition of “precede” in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, under the 2nd entry: 2. To go before in rank or importance. (Webster’s 1913 Unabridged Dictionary: Bible Analyzer Software program).
First Model
All non-overcomers would lose their bodies at the Judgment Seat of Christ, through the baptism of fire. This would necessitate the bodies of the apostates, as well as the wicked and slothful servants, being slain and cast into Gehenna, (Hell) while their souls were being cast into the “blackness of darkness” and the “outer darkness” respectfully. This model may seem to answer many questions for the reader. But, if this be true, the reader may ask, why then did God contrast punishment of the wicked servant with His enemies in the “parable of the pound,” at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Luke 19:12-27)? For this parable tells us that the wicked servant lost everything but was not slain, whereas, the enemies of Christ lost everything and were slain.
Second Model
Only the apostates lose their bodies. Yet, both groups will suffer the second death. The reason for this is as follows: The second death has two aspects of truth. The first aspect speaks of the body and soul dying for a thousand years, while the second aspect speaks of the soul dying for a thousand years. Therefore, both groups (apostates and wicked servants) are under the power of the second death, and are separated from the presence of God (part of the second death) for one-thousand years (compare Rev. 20:6). (Shock and Surprise Beyond the Rapture; Gary Whipple; pg. 245.)
However, in his later work, he slightly refines his view:
From the outer darkness the non-overcoming believers will be hurt of the second death (Rev. 2:11) and go into the regions of gehenna (Hell) during the thousand year kingdom period and then be resurrected into the eternal ages (new heaven and new earth)
The Out-called (everyone who gains a reward) will rule and reign with Jesus Christ—BUT those Christians who lost their reward will spend this period of time in gehenna (Hell) and then be resurrected into the new heaven at the end of the 1000 year kingdom. (Gary Whipple: The Mystery Kept Secret from the Foundation of the World; from his chart in the back of this book).
If the outer darkness during the millennium is in the hemisphere of the earth that is always dark it could be that unfaithful Christians will die at different times during the millennium and after they die in the outer darkness they will be dismissed to Gehenna (Hell). Therefore they would experience the second death for different lengths of time. Some of them would be in Gehenna for a 1000 years (very bad Christians) others might be there for 500, 300, 200, and 100 years, all the way down too some being there for a month or so. Yet at the end of the millennium they all come out of Gehenns (Hell) and are found in the post-millennial book of life (Revelation 20:15).
The best illustration of the above premise is found in Numbers chapter fourteen. In 1 Corinthians chapter 10 the children of Israel are used as an example of what can happen to Christians who rebel against the word of God. In this illustration Egypt is a picture of the world and the land of Canaan of which the children of Israel were to inherit is picture of the coming millennial kingdom. When Moses sent spies into the land to investigate the area 10 of them came back with a evil report because they did not believe they could overcome the Giants because the people of Canaan were of great stature. Joshua and Caleb came back with a good report because they believed they could overcome the Giants of the land.
The 10 spies and the congregation was so rebellious against the word of the Lord that they wanted to stone Moses, Joshua, and Caleb (Numbers 14:10). Immediately the Lord appeared to the entire congregation said the following:
Numbers 14:12, I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
We all should take heed because in 1 Corinthians chapter ten the children of Israel are a picture of saved people in the New Testament. If Christians rebel against the word of God in their life than they will be disinherited at the Judgment Seat of Christ and will not be allowed to participate in the activities related to the millennial kingdom. Moses asked the Lord to pardon the children of Israel and God did pardon them at his word. Yet we should take careful notice of the consequences of their rebellion:
Number 14:20-24 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: (21) But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. (22) Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; (23) Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: (24) But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
God did pardon the children of Israel but they were not permitted to enter into the land of Canaan. This is a picture of Christians who pardoned from their sins; yet, they will not be permitted to enter in the millennial kingdom because of their rebellion against the word of God. The 10 spies that were leaders of the people dies immediately from a plague God sent among them. In chapter 16 of Numbers, Karah, Dathan, and Abiram and all the men that appertained to them were sent alive down into the pit. They went down to hell even though they were saved out of Egypt. Others of the children of Israel died at different times in the wilderness. Their punishment was not as severe as the leaders:
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
There will not be an equal recompense for transgression and disobedience. There will be a just recompense. All unfaithful Christians who suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ will experience different degrees of chastisement depending on the severity of their transgression and disobedience. If there is a greater condemnation there must also be a lessor condemnation.
The model given above seems to meet the requirement of the unfaithful Christians coming under the power of the second death. It would also meet the requirement of a lessor and greater condemnation. Therefore every transgression and disobedience will receive a just recompense of reward: Some unfaithful Christians would spend the entire 1000 years in hell and at the end of the millennium they would resurrected into glorified bodies and experience eternal life in the new Heaven and Earth (Rev. 20:15-21:4). Other unfaithful Christians who did not require the same kind of punishment would be sent to the outer darkness for 1000 years and at the end they also would enter the new Heaven and Earth. Then there could be others who would die at different times while in the outer darkness and would then go to hell for different lengths of time. It is my proposal that some of them could be in there for 900 years, 800, and all the way down to one year or even less depending there degree of punishment. This would still meet the requirement that they suffer hurt of the second death; yet each one would be chastised differently.
Gary Whipple in his remarkable book, Shock and Surprise beyond the Rapture has this to say about three types of unfaithful Christians:
The three classes of non-overcomers:
“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?…(24) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no manregarded; (25) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (27) When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. (28) Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: (29) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord” (Prov.1: 24-29).
In this passage, there are apparently three classes of non-overcomers who will be disinherited before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The least of these are called the “simple.” These describe the average church members of today who are spiritually naive. They could represent the antitype of Esau when he failed to value his birthright, and sold it for a mess of pottage. The next, are the “fools” who hate knowledge. These could be the pastors and teachers as well as the layman who desire no further growth in the Word. The last category in this scripture contains the “scorners,” who are apostates (those who have willingly fallen away and are against the Word). They comprise different stratums of believers. They are those who have grown to see “the meat of the Word” and fallen away, and they are those who see no further than the milk of the Word and fall away. They are found in the seminary as well as in the pulpit and the pew. They all reject and make fun of the Word of God by their words and lifestyle, and by that action tell Christ that they do not want Him reigning over them (Luke 19:14).
There is not much mentioned about the “simple” in respect to judgment. Apparently, their punishment in “the outer darkness” will be light as compared to others. The “fools” however, will suffer the promotion of shame and stripes in this place (Prov. 3:35;19:29). The greatest punishment of the three however, will be the “scorners” or apostates. They have a special place reserved for them called the “blackness of darkness” in the realm of Gehenna, where they will be assigned for one thousand years.
(Shock and Surprise beyond the Rapture; Pgs. 157-158).