The Issue is, Really: The Nature of Man!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Recently it has been called to my attention, again, what men are teaching about
eternal punishment. Some say there is no eternal
torment, or a conscious existence for the wicked in a place called HELL! I have
know that the Jehovah Witnesses have taught this for years. They say that for
there to be continuous torment for man eternally or without ceasing would
manifest that God is a
CRUEL being. After studying with them many times on this subject, as well as
other factors, it is my belief that their REAL
PROBLEM is with the nature of man rather than the concept of hell. The idea is
that man being a material being, when placed in the fire, he'll be burned up,
completely, and there'll be nothing of him to suffer pain.
At the base of their teachings is that man is something that he isn't:
Completely material! That is their basic problem. People who take this position
are in reality MATERIALIST! They have the wrong concept of man's total being.
Yes, he has a material side or
aspect, to be sure and that is what we are able to observe with our physical
eyes and touch, etc. But believe, he IS NOT completely mortal, material,
and nothing more (2 Cor. 4:16-18). He has been created in the image of God and
has an inner of "inward man," a spirit, that when he is placed in fire, he will
NOT be annihilated, "burned up." There will be that consciousness (Cf. Lk.
16:19-31; Rev. 20:10). To be tormented, remembering what was done and not done
in his "lifetime." There will be "torment" of the devil and those who follow
him, allowing him to be their guide and deceiver (Rev. 12:9). So, beloved,
please get the Bible's presentation of Man, and don't be takes astray by men and
women who have developed this concept of man! Charging God falsely and viewing
man in his totality wrongly!
I submit to you that IF SUCH WERE THE CASE, (complete annihilation for all the
wicked, unsaved) it would in FACT be better for them. Because many people (Matt.
7:13-14), millions are not going the right way. Jesus says I am The Way, The
Truth and The Life, and none can come to the Father but by Him (Jn. 14:6) Thus
the "everlasting punishment" is the only alternative to having everlasting life
(Matt. 25:34, 41, 46). However, as Jesus proclaimed: that it would have been
better for some to never have been born (Matt. 26:24; Mk. 14:21). Yes, a short
time enjoying the "pleasures of sin" will be paid in the price of eternal
suffering, pain and agony. How much better would it have been for them NEVER TO
HAVE EXISTED!
How sad it is, however, to find that not only the Jehovah Witnesses and others
materialist groups exist and teach this view about men. Now, there are men who
at one time were faithful gospel preachers, who have taken up this view, too. I
find it so extremely
difficult to understand how one can get so side tracked to take this view after
studying the Bible and preaching the truth for years.
Yet, as one pointed out to me recently, when one goes off on one Bible subject,
and accepts an erroneous views, such as dealing
with "fellowship" loosely and Marriage Divorce and Remarriage, etc. they are
likely to continue down that road of digression. We
see it in God's book, we observe it around us in religious circles today!
As we look back and observe the actions of the people in the nations of Israel
and Judah, as they would depart in one way, then
they would continue to get worse and worse. Finally, they'd seek and find those
who would tell them what they wanted to hear and persecute those who are trying
to get them to turn around! (Cf. Jer. 6:16; 18:18; 2 Tim. 4:3). We ought to be
forewarned and thus forewarned; take heed that no man deceive you (Matt. 24:4).
Beloved, understand that man is more than what can be seen, the outward man (2
Cor. 4:16--5:11). When this life ends, we shall
have to stand before the Judge (Heb. 9:27) to give and answer for what we have
done in this life, and the time to correct the wrongs will have passed! I'll not
have to account for you or you for me (Rom. 14:11-12). Each will have to account
for his/her actions. I want you to KNOW that I KNOW there is more to man than
the outward man, and we will all continue either in heaven or hell. We make the
choice NOW! Opportunity and options are clearly set out before us. I challenge
each of us to be
alert (1 Pet. 5:8-8), because there is a great deceiver working to distract, and
destroy our souls in an place prepared for him and his angels (Matt. 25:41; 2
Cor. 2:11). Beloved, stay with the book, the New Testament in al that you
believe, practice , teach and demonstrate in your everyday activities.
I'm going to heaven, and I'd like for you to go with me, and we can be there eternally. But if you choose to accept the ideal that man is totally material, the concept of materialistic view of man, that is your option at this time. I can assure you will be disappointed ultimately.
By William C. Sexton
From Expository Files 10.7; July 2003
