The Forgotten Doctrine

March 5, 2008 by Administrator.

It is really a shame that so many “Christian” churches have completely forgotten, or purposely forgotten, to inform the lost about their eternal punishment to come. It seems that they are intentionally ignoring this doctrine because it seems harsh and can be a turn off to unbelievers. Of course this should be preached lovingly, not with hatred. Instead of trying to compassionately tell people the truth, many groups are altogether throwing out any mention of it. Unbelievers are warned not to sin, but they are never told what will happen to them after death. The wages of sin is death… eternal death. There will only be weeping, pain, sorrow, anguish, and torment for those who die in their sins separated from Christ. John MacArthur very bluntly describes with Scripture what is to come for the lost after death:

“The punishment of the wicked is never ending as the bliss of the righteous. The wicked are not given a second chance, nor are they annihilated. The punishment of the wicked dead is described throughout Scripture as ‘eternal fire’ (Mt 25:41); ‘unquenchable fire’ (Mt 3:12); ‘disgrace and everlasting contempt’ (Da 12:2); a place where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched’ (Mk 9:44-49); a place of ‘torments’ and ‘flame’ (Lk 16:23-24); ‘eternal destruction’ (2Th 1:9); a place of torment with ‘fire and brimstone’ where ‘the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever’ (Rev 14:10-11); and a ‘lake of fire, and brimstone’ (Rev20:10). Here Jesus indicates that the punishment itself is everlasting—not merely the smoke and flames. The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. They consciously suffer shame and contempt and the assaults of an accusing conscience—along with the fiery wrath of an offended deity—for all of eternity. Even hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God (Ps 76:10); those who are there will know that their punishment is just and that they alone are to blame (cf. Dt 32:3-5).”

How do you think your church congregation would respond if they were to hear “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards this Sunday morning? Let’s not assume that God is infinitely patient. He is love, but He is also justice. Though this doctrine is becoming more and more unpopular, it is still real as ever. Let’s never be accused of only preaching half truths. We are born depraved, incapable of doing good. Only Christ can save us from our sins and the jaws of Sheol.

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