Love — Lesson 3

HOW CAN A GOD OF LOVE ALLOW HIS CREATURES TO BE FOREVER MISERABLE?

INTRODUCTION:

1 We have seen:

1 God is love.

1 John 3:16. [1]

2 Rom. 5:8. [2]

2 Christianity is the only religion in which love is a necessary component.

2 Today we look at whether there is a conflict between God as love and the Biblical doctrine of hell.

3 The question simply put:

1 How can a God of love inflict an infinite penalty on finite creatures?

2 How can a good, benevolent, loving God allow his creatures to be forever miserable?

BODY:

1 Basic principles related to the discussion.

1 Principles related to God and His nature.

1 It is just as impossible for God to do a little wrong as a great one.

1 If he has permitted sin and misery to exist in this world, how is it inconsistent to allow them to continue in the next?

2 The permission of sin in the universe by a sovereign, holy God who hates sin to an infinite degree, the damage that it does to uncounted multitudes of beings whom He loves with a Creator’s love, and the fact that sin must demand of God the greatest sacrifice that He could make, all this only tends to enlarge the mystery involved. [3]

2 God expresses his own reluctance to allow men to enter hell.

1 2 Pet. 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 1 Tim. 2:3-5 – 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,

3 There is no greater expression of that reluctance than in the death of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21. Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

2 Principles related to man and his ignorance.

1 Man is an incompetent judge of the penalty that sin deserves.

2 If it is inconsistent with the justice of God that men should perish for their sins, then redemption is not a matter of grace or undeserved mercy. Deliverance from an unjust penalty is a matter of justice.

3 While man is finite, his soul is eternal and the God against whom the sin is committed is infinite and eternal.

2 Beginning place is to seek the Biblical teaching on the nature of sin and of hell.

1 Biblical doctrine of sin.

1 Sin is a very serious matter, taken seriously by God, even though man often makes light of it.

1 It is not only a transgression of the law of God (Rom. 4:15 [4] ; 1 John 3:4 [5] ), but an attack on the great Lawgiver himself, a revolt against God.

2 It is an infringement on the inviolable righteousness of God, which is the very foundation of his throne. Ps. 97:2. [6]

3 It is an affront to the spotless holiness of God, which requires that we be holy in all manner of living. 1 Pet. 1:16. [7]

2 In view of this, it is but natural that God should visit sin with punishment, with both natural and positive penalties.

1 Natural – cannot escape because they are the natural and necessary consequences of sin.

1 Not saved from them by repentance and forgiveness.

2 May be mitigated and checked by means that are at our disposal, but they often remain and serve as a constant reminder of past transgressions.

3 The slothful man suffers poverty; drunkard brings ruin on himself and his family; fornicator may suffer disease; the criminal is imprisoned.

2 Positive – punishments in the more ordinary and legal sense of the term.

1 They presuppose not merely the natural laws of life, but a positive law of the great Lawgiver with added sanctions.

2 The penalties are not the natural result of the transgression, but are penalties attached to the transgressions by divine enactment.

3 They are superimposed by divine law, which is of absolute authority.


2 The Biblical doctrine of Hell.

1 Hell is:

1 A place.

1 Hades – Mt. 11:23 [8] ; 16:18 [9] ; Lk. 10:15 [10] ; 16:23 [11] ; Rev. 1:18 [12] ; 20:13-14 [13] .

2 Gahenna – Mt. 5:22 [14] , 29-30 [15] ; 10:28 [16] ; Jas. 3:6. [17]

2 A place of torment. Luke 16:28 [18] ; Mt. 8:12 [19] ; Rev.14:11. [20]


3 A place of everlasting fire. Mt. 25:41 [21] ; Mk. 9:44 [22] ; Rev. 21:8 [23] ; Lk. 3:17 [24] ; Mt. 13:42. [25]

1 Aion and aionios are urged as not denoting eternal, infinite, forever.

2 The first is used of Christ. 1 Tim. 1:17 [26] ; Rev. 1:18. [27]

3 The second is used of the persons of the Godhead. Heb. 9:14. [28]

4 The second describes both the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the blessed. Mat. 25:46. [29]

1 If one is restricted, so must the other be.

2 Attested by the words of Christ:

1 fire is not quenched.

2 Wrath of God abideth upon them. John 3:36. [30]

3 The smoke of the torment of those who worship the beast ascendeth up forever and ever. Rev. 14:11. [31]

4 A place of darkness. Rev. 9:2 (bottomless pit) [32] ; Jude 1:13 (blackness of darkness). [33]


2 Figurative language is not a reason to deny the reality. Rather it is to be recognized that a figure of speech is a feeble attempt to declare in language that which it is beyond the power of words to describe.

3 Scripture does teach that there will be degrees of punishment. Mt. 11:22,24 [34] ; Lk. 12:47-48 [35] . (But, see Mt. 18:8 [36] ; IIThess. 1:8-9 [37] ; Rev. 14:11 [38] ; 20:10 [39] ).

3 Man’s reaction to the Biblical doctrine of Hell.

1 Uninstructed minds revolt at the doctrine of eternal perdition, and the more sympathetic they are by nature the more they revolt; however, the doctrine does not originate with human reason nor is it influenced by human sympathy.

1 The root difficulty of all human speculation is that man knows the meaning of neither holiness nor sin, and that is about all that is involved in this discussion. So long as the distinction remains between the finite and the infinite, Deut. 29:29 [40] and Isa. 55:8-9 [41] still apply.

2 In no way does man reveal both his ego and his ignorance more effectively that when he exhibits his surprise over the fact that there are realities in the universe that he does not understand.

2 The second reaction of the sincere human mind – after acknowledging the indisputable truth that retribution is an actual place of suffering, is to entertain the hope that this distress of the lost is not eternal or everlasting.

1 Theories relating to a future state.

1 Cessation of existence – animalism, atheism.

2 Transmigration (reincarnation) of the soul.

3 Conditional immortality.

1 Drawn somewhat from the Bible, in that immortality is recognized, this theory, which embraces the atheistic notion of the cessation of existence at death for the unregenerate, originates in mere human reason.

2 Some modify the view to permit resurrection of the unregenerate, but contend that they are then annihilated, and that such is the meaning of the second death. (cf. Rev. 20:14-15 [42] ; 21:8. [43] )

2 Terminology.

1 Annihilationism – broadly designates a large body of theories that unite in contending that human beings pass, or are put, out of existence altogether. These theories fall into three classes according as they hold 1) that all souls, being mortal, actually cease to exist at death; or that, 2) souls, being naturally mortal, only those persist in life to which immortality is given by God; or that 3) souls are naturally immortal and persist in existence unless destroyed by a force working on them from without by which wicked souls are actually destroyed.

1 Pure mortalism – human life is bound up with the organism, and that, therefore, the entire man passes out of being with the dissolution of the organism.

2 Conditional immortality – agrees with pure mortalism in teaching the mortality of man in his entirety, but separate in maintaining that this mortal may, and in many cases does, put on immortality as a gift from God. Generally contends that the material man, including the soul, dies with the body, and identifies life beyond death with the resurrection, conceived of as essentially a re-creation of the entire man. This resurrection is in dispute as to whether all are raised and the wicked destroyed by the second death, or whether the wicked simply perish at death and for whom there is no resurrection.

3 Annihilationism proper – (Adventists and Millenial Dawnism) – The soul may be immortal, but it becomes extinct as the result of punishment or as the gradual dying out of the personality under the enfeebling effects of sin. In either event we are no longer looking at the soul as naturally mortal and requiring a new gift of grace to keep it in existence, but as naturally immortal and suffering destruction at the hands of an opposing force.

4 Universalism – All men are lost by sin, but that the death of Christ avails for all men, as a result of which all are saved regardless of faith and obedience. (The fundamental tenet of Universalism is the one divine attribute of love.)

5 Restitutionism or Reconciliationism – implies that all men are lost through sin, but that sometime, somewhere, all men will be reconciled to God, even the fallen angels and Satan. Phil. 2:10-11 [44] ; Col. 1:20 [45] ; see 1Cor. 15:25-28. [46]

6 Purgatory – Christ’s death atones for sin before baptism, but should the baptized commit venial (as opposed to mortal) sin, they must make atonement in purgatory before they can be admitted into the presence of God.

1 If the prisoner gains his discharge by serving out his sentence, where is grace?

2 If the sinner’s suffering can expiate his sin, the most that can be said for the death of Christ is that it opened a short and easy way to the same goal that could be reached by a tedious and painful journey.

3 Unless he is made righteous before he enters purgatory (and then why not enter heaven at once), he will continue to sin. Since every fresh sin involves a new penalty, his punishment can never end.

7 Nirvana – Brahman and Buddhist belief that the immaterial part of man is absorbed into the divine and that this may begin in this life by the renouncement of all personal desires.

3 The most misleading error is that which falls back in blind dependence upon one attribute of God, his love, and ignores the attributes of holiness, righteousness, and justice.

1 Such do not understand the gospel.

1 It is supposed that God is generous and that He forgives sin as an act of clemency or leniency, that He, being a Sovereign, can forgive whom He will when He will.

2 It is assumed that since God is love, His affection for his creatures will prompt him to rescue them from suffering.

2 If the Bible declares that He will not rescue the unbelieving, unrepentant, and disobedient, and that their estate is eternal, then the Bible is rejected and God Himself is classified as the One who cannot be defended.

1 Many are the attempts made by those who understand nothing of the real character of God to save Him from the undesirable reputation He must acquire if He does not in compassion rescue all men from hell.

2 Such is the doctrinal confusion that arises when one truth is stressed without regard for other truths that qualify it.

1 God is holiness and righteousness as well as love.

2 It is the holiness of His Person and the righteousness of His government that preclude Him from any mere generosity that would make light of sin.

3 If God could have forgiven one sin of one person as an act of mere kindness:

1 He would have compromised His own holiness that demands judgment for sin.

2 He could have so forgiven them all and the death of Christ was not a sacrifice, but a slaughter.

3 Having then compromised Himself with sin, He Himself would need to be saved because of the unrighteousness that He had done.

4 It is the fact of unyielding divine holiness that demands either the retribution of the sinner or the death of Christ in his stead.

3 God is love, and that love is demonstrated by the gift of the Son that men might be saved.

1 But love and mercy did not circumvent the demands of holiness to save the sinner.

2 Rather, they paid its every demand.

1 2 Cor. 5:21.

2 Matt. 11:28-30.

3 The riddle was solved – God found a way to be just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. Rom. 3:26. [47]

CONCLUSION:

1 God, because of His holiness, cannot save the lost unless his holy demands are met for the sinner, as they are met in Jesus Christ.

2 To be unsaved, or outside the grace of God as it is in Christ, is to be destined to eternal punishment or retribution.

1 God can do no more than provide a perfect salvation purchased at infinite cost.

2 When love will pay such a price that a sinner may be saved and holiness remain untarnished, it ill becomes finite men to tamper with these immutable realities.

3 Those who resent the doctrine of eternal retribution are in fact resenting divine holiness.


[1] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

[2] But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[3] for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

[4] for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.

[5] Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

[6] Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

[7] because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

[8] And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.

[9] And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

[10] And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt be brought down unto Hades.

[11] And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

[12] and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

[13] And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.

[14] but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

[15] And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.

[16] And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

[17] And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.

[18] for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

[19] but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

[20] and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

[21] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:

[22] where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

[23] But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

[24] whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

[25] and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

[26] Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

[27] and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

[28] how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

[29] And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

[30] He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

[31] and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

[32] And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

[33] Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved forever.

[34] But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

[35] And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; 48but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.

[36] And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

[37] rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: 9who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

[38] and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name

[39] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

[40] The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

[41] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

[42] And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

[43] But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

[44] that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[45] and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

[46] For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 27For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

[47] for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

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God's Plan of Salvation