WHAT ABOUT ETERNAL PUNISHMENT?

• An Excellent Article  By Wayne Jackson

The fact that human beings were made in the very image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27) should suggest, to those who contemplate issues seriously, that we are more than mere temporal creatures passing through time toward oblivion. The concept of an eternal future, which involves punishment for those who choose not to serve God, is one that strikes a note of terror in the heart. Given the arrogant disposition of mankind in general, the idea of eternal punishment has met with considerable resistance, even though it is plainly taught in the Scriptures.

Skepticism and Eternal Punishment

Naturally the world of skepticism has repudiated the idea of everlasting punishment. Although Albert Einstein believed in some sort of a “God” who revealed himself “in the orderly harmony” of the universe (Jastrow 1978, 28) he did not believe in the God of the Bible, for, said he, “I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation” (Free Inquiry 1996/97, 31).

Bertrand Russell, Britain’s celebrated agnostic, suggested that one of the reasons he could not be a Christian was because Jesus Christ “believed in hell.” (At least he knew what the Lord believed!) Russell charged that no person “who is really profoundly humane can believe in everlasting punishment” (1957, 17). In other words, the concept of eternal punishment was not consistent with his sense of justice. Though he acknowledged that some punishment was justified in the case of criminals, he opined that eternal punishment was unjust. Of course no one complains that eternal happiness is unjust in the case of those who have served God only briefly on this earth.

Religious Materialism

One aspect of “materialism” is the theory that man is wholly mortal. He thus does not possess a “soul” (or “spirit”) that will inhabit eternity. Companion to this, of course, is the belief that there is no eternal punishment for those who reject God. Even some religionists, who profess a reverence for the Bible, repudiate the proposition that there is a part of man that survives death, hence, may be subject to punishment forever.

For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses allege that the concept of everlasting punishment is an “unreasonable doctrine” that “contradicts the Bible” (Make Sure Of All Things 1953, 154-55). To these misguided folks, “hell” is merely “a place of rest in hope” (Ibid., 68). Does it not seem strange that Christ would speak of the “danger” of hell (Matthew 5:22), if this state were merely “a place of rest in hope”?

Similarly, Seventh-day Adventists argue that the idea of eternal anguish in hell is not biblical; rather, they surmise that the wicked simply will be annihilated after an appropriate punishment (Seventh-day Adventists Believe… 1988, 369-72).

Materialism and the Restoration Movement

Churches of Christ have not been without their own problems when it comes to a denial of the doctrine of eternal punishment. In 1844 Dr. John Thomas, a physician from England, broke with the Restoration Movement. He organized a group that eventually became known as the Christadelphians. One of the major doctrines of this apostate faction was the belief that unbelievers will remain eternally dead.

Jesse B. Ferguson came to work with the church in Nashville, Tennessee in the winter of 1846. H. Leo Boles described him as a “meteor that flashe[d] across the horizon . . . leaving nothing but darkness in its wake” (1932, 186). Ferguson taught, among other errors, that there is no punishment for evil men after death (West 1949, 261-65). His influence devastated the churches in Nashville.

In 1982, Edward Fudge, who now serves as an elder for the Bering Drive church in Houston, produced his book, The Fire that Consumes. In this volume Fudge denies what he calls the “traditionalist view” of eternal punishment. He asserts that unrighteous people will be raised to judgment, punished for a while, and then banished to “total, everlasting extinction” (1982, 435-36). Though Fudge’s position has been thoroughly discredited, by writers both in and out of the church (Workman 1984, 492-508; Morey 1984, 102,124-25,206), some, nevertheless, have been charmed by it.

Pepperdine University invited Fudge to present his “conditionalist” doctrine at the 1991 spring lectureship. John Clayton, a popular speaker among churches, gave Fudge’s book an enthusiastic recommendation, while himself confessing: “I have never been able to be comfortable with the position that a person who rejected God should suffer forever and ever and ever” (1990, 20). Others also have toyed with this ideology.

During the April, 1988 Pepperdine University Lectureship, F. LaGard Smith argued that God “will destroy [the soul]. Not punish it. Not dangle it. Not torture it. Destroy it.” After some communication with brother Smith on this matter (see the printed Christian Courier, October, 1992), it is my devout prayer that our friend will study himself out of this position eventually, though I must say that, at this time, I have no indication of any inclination in this direction (see Jackson 1998, 18-19).

Biblical Evidence for Eternal Punishment

The biblical doctrine of eternal punishment is as clear as a teaching can be; it is naught but human emotionalism that obscures the issue for some. Let us pursue this study under several categories.

The Incorruptible Spirit

Some allege that the idea of man possessing a “soul” (or “spirit”) that survives the body in a conscious state, is a relic of paganism. That is not true. Consider the following:

• Though an enemy may terminate one’s bodily existence, he cannot destroy his soul (Matthew 10:28). This could not have been said if human beings were entirely mortal.
• Peter spoke of the need to clothe one’s “spirit” with “incorruptible” apparel (1 Peter 3:4). This imagery would hardly be appropriate if the human spirit itself were corruptible.
• In Revelation 6, John saw a vision of martyrs underneath the altar of God. The text specifically affirms that John saw “the souls of them that had been slain” (v. 9). “Soul” cannot be a figure of speech for the entire person, because John saw the “souls of them” that were slain. Moreover, these souls were under the altar of God, but their dead bodies were still on earth. The resurrection had not transpired. Additionally, these souls were conscious, as evinced by the fact that they: spoke (crying out to the Lord); wondered (“How long, O God?”); remembered (their fellow saints still on earth); reasoned (concluding that the punishment of evil men is just); and, received a preliminary reward (white robes) in anticipation of the final victory (vv. 10-11).

The Consciousness of the Wicked

While it may be granted that the faithful survive the death of the body, does that premise hold true for the lost? Are they conscious in their estrangement from the Creator?

• The Psalmist once described a particularly distressing time in his life as being like “Sheol,” which, in this context, represents the state of punishment for lost people immediately following death. He noted that it was an existence of “pain” where he “found trouble and sorrow” (Psalm 116:3). Each of these terms suggests consciousness.
• Similarly, Jonah characterized his tormenting hours in the great fish’s belly as like being in “Sheol.” He observed that it was an environment of “affliction” (Jonah 2:2).
• Daniel wrote concerning the condemned who are raised from the dust to a state of “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
• Jesus declared that those who die unprepared will be subjected to “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46). “Punishment” clearly implies awareness; this is why the New World Translation (Watch Tower Society) changes “punishment” to “cutting-off.” Observe also that the punishment of the unbeliever is as enduring as the “life” (fellowship with God) of the believer.
• Paul does not hesitate to affirm that those who “know not God,” and those who “obey not the gospel,” will “suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The term “destruction” does not connote annihilation. Rather, it is “the loss of a life of blessedness after death, future misery” (Thayer 1958, 443).
• The book of Revelation describes the anguished fate of those who experience the “wrath of God.” They are tormented forever and ever (14:10-11).

Biblical Descriptives

There are numerous figures of speech in the New Testament that are designed to stress both the conscious nature of hell’s punishment, and its abiding duration. The ultimate fate of the wicked will be like an “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41); indeed, their “worm dies not [i.e., the gnawing anguish continues on and on] and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48). Hell is a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and the gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30), as God treads the winepress of his holy wrath (Revelation 19:15).

Surely it should be obvious that these are symbols intended to convey the horrors of eternal rectitude. The actual punishment will be greater than any figure of speech can portray. A recent writer observes:

A summary of all Scripture that speaks of hell indicates that there is the loss and absence of all good, and the misery and torment of an evil conscience. The most terrifying aspect is the complete and deserved separation from God and from all that is pure, holy, and beautiful. In addition there is the awareness of being under the wrath of God and of enduring the curse of a righteous sentence because of one’s sins that were consciously and voluntarily committed (Powell 1988, 953).

Eternal Punishment and Divine Justice

Many have a difficult time reconciling the doctrine of eternal punishment with the character of a benevolent God. Over against this emotional reaction is the sobering testimony of the Bible. Moreover, when all factors are taken into consideration, the problem is not insurmountable. Reflect upon the following points.

• No one will be in hell who does not deserve to be there. God is loving (1 John 4:8), good (Psalm 145:9), and merciful (Ephesians 2:4). He will only do that which is right (Genesis 18:25). The Lord does not desire that a single soul should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but when men choose to live alienated from him, and cast their eternal welfare toward hell, he will honor their decision. Paul wrote concerning those who are “vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction” (Romans 9:22). Arndt and Gingrich, viewing the verb as a middle voice form, suggest that these “prepared themselves for destruction” (1967, 419; see also Vine 1991). When folks thrust from them the Word of God, they judge themselves unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13:46). Atheists somehow feel that the Lord is obligated to force rebels into his eternal, holy presence, even when they have despised him their entire lives!
• Because Jehovah is holy, he cannot simply overlook sin as if it does not exist (Habakkuk 1:13); and so, because the Lord is just (Psalm 89:14), evil must be punished (cf. Revelation 16:5). That is why the Father gave his Son as a sacrifice for sin—that he might remain just, and yet be a justifier of those who obey Christ (cf. Romans 3:24-26; Hebrews 5:8-9). No man can complain about the injustice of hell in the face of the cross!
• Even in hell the judgment will be fair. The Scriptures teach that punishment will be proportionate to the degree of one’s guilt (cf. Matthew 10:15; 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; Hebrews 10:29; Revelation 20:12-13). One will be judged according to his knowledge, ability, and opportunity. God will be equitable!

Conclusion

The doctrine of eternal punishment was taught by Jesus Christ (who said more about hell than heaven), it was acknowledged by the early church, it was endorsed by the “church fathers” (Buis 1957, 53-67), and it was defended by the theologians of the Middle Ages and the Reformation period. However, beginning with the eighteenth century a new wave of “clergymen” within the ranks of “Christendom” began to deny this fundamental tenet of biblical doctrine, and today a significant segment of American society (almost half) no longer believes in hell.

Further, the evidence is mounting that there is a weakening posture on this theme within the church. It is time that faithful gospel preachers give more diligence to teaching the truth regarding eternal retribution. Ignoring the truth changes no reality.

 

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?

Heaven: A place you want to spend eternity!

A boy stood on a windy hillside, flying a kite. He continued to release the string of the kite and it went higher and higher until it was completely out of sight. One of his friends walked up and asked how he knew there was still a kite on the other end. He replied. “I know it’s there I feel it tugging on the line.” Like the kite, we can’t see heaven with our eyes, but we feel it tugging at our souls!

I. Different views of Heaven:

A. PHYSICAL RESTORATION OF EDEN:

• The garden of Eden was originally intended to be the eternal dwelling place of man. When man sinned against God, Man was cast out of the garden. The entire hope of mankind it to be permitted to live once again in the physical garden paradise. God will restore the garden on a global basis and there “the faithful” will live a physical existence forever upon the earth. Advocates of this view deny that man has a soul. Their physical view of heaven is therefore a logical outgrowth of their doctrine on the soul. (Jw’s, Armstrong, Adventists, Christadelphians etc.)

B. CONTINUOUS DIVINE PROGRESSION:

• The Mormons believe in polytheism and assert that God has flesh and bones like a man. As man is, God once wee as God is, man may become. They teach that at one time God the Father was Just a man like Adam. They also teach that any man can “evolve” or progress to become equal with God. The hope of a Mormon is to be raised from the dead, fly off into some distant galaxy with his many wives, (polygamy) and populate a planet with “Adams” who can become God’s. This process is happening right now on thousands of other planets, just like it is now happening on earth. This is “heaven” to a Mormon.

C. BIBLE TEACHING:

• Heaven is the destination place of the faithful. It is not physical but spiritual, being in the very presence of God. God is a spiritual being that is impossible for human eyes to see. Heaven, also is outside the boundaries and understanding of man as he lives in the physical universe.

II. Where is heaven:

A. Two basic views:

1. Heaven is physical upon the earth
2. Heaven is spiritual in the presence of God

B. Heavenly places, lit: “IN THE HEAVENLIES” Used 5X in Ephesians

1. Eph 1:3 all spiritual blessings IN THE HEAVENLIES
2. Eph 1:20­23 God made Christ to sit at His right hand IN THE HEAVENLIES
3. Eph 2:6 Christ raised us up to sit with him IN THE HEAVENLIES
4. Eph 3:10 God’s wisdom made known through the church to the rulers and authorities IN THE HEAVENLIES
5. Eph 6:10­12 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness. against the spiritual forces of wickedness IN THE HEAVENLIES.

C. Heaven is not part of physical universe:

1. Jn 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world . . . this realm”
2. Heb 9:11,24 Heaven is not of this creation
3. 1 Cor 15:50­51,44 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God a. we shall all be changed…we will have a spiritual body

D. Jesus teaches His disciples about the nature of heaven: John 13:36; 14:1­6

1. Jn 13:36 you cannot follow me now but you will follow me later
2. Jn 14:2 Father’s house has many places, I go to prepare you a place
3. Jn V3 I will come and receive you that where I am YOU may be also
4. Jn V5 Thomas asks, “Jesus where are you going?”
5. Jn 14:6 No one comes to the Father but through Me!

III. Physical symbols/word pictures of heaven

Click here to see photo gallery of heaven and hell

A. A City:

1. An eternal heavenly city: Heb 11:16; 13:14
2. a beautiful city: Rev 20:2,10­22:5

• beautiful and glorious: 21:2,10­11
• security: Walls and gates V12­14
• very large: V15­17
• Finest, most valuable materials used to construct: V18­21
• Various other things: V22­27

B. SABBATH REST: Heb 3:12­4:11

1. God has rested from creation to present: 4:3,9­10
2. This is not the 7th day Sabbath: Col 2:14

• Heb 3:17,18 + Ps 95:8­11 (All Jews kept 7th day Sabbath in wilderness)
• Heb 3:19 4:6 Unbelievers could keep the 7th day Sabbath: Ex 20:10 23:12
• Heb 4:11 must strive to enter this rest/7th day rest: merely cease work

1. Rev 14:13

C. NEW HEAVENS AND EARTH:

1. 2 Pe 3:5­7

• The flood destroyed the earth only with water
• Present heaven and earth will be destroyed with fire: V10
• God will create a new heaven and earth: V13

2. The present physical universe is “uncreated” or eliminated:

• Rev 20:11
• Rev 21 :4b The old things hove passed away
• Heb i3:14

3. Rev 21:1.5 I make all things new

• We will watch God create the new heavens and earth!

D. RESTORED GARDEN PARADISE: Gen 2:8­10

1. Rev 2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God
2. Rev 22:2,3 Uncursed tree of life

E. “HOLY OF HOLIES” or “MOST HOLY PLACE” of the Jewish tabernacle:

1. Represented heaven: Heb 9:11,24
2. Jesus entered into the veil: Heb 6:19,20

• Jesus our “forerunner”, Military term, like spies sent into Jericho
• We have confidence to enter the holy place: Heb 10:19,20

F. OTHER PHYSICAL PICTURES AND SYMBOLS:

1. Eternal day: Rev 21:25 ~ 22:5
2. Physical comfort:

• no hunger, thirst or neat: Rev 7:16
• no death or pain: Rev 21:4

1. Emotional comfort: No morning or crying: Rev 21:4

Conclusion

A. Overall heaven is described:

1. Mt 5:11 as a great reward
2. Rom 8:18 present suffering not worthy to be compared with future glory
3. 2 Cor 4:17,18 eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
4. Eph 2:7 surpassing riches of His grace towards us
5. Eph 3:20 beyond all we could ask for or even think of

 

WHAT ABOUT OUR ETERNAL LIFE

• Christ is.
  1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
  1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
• Revealed by Christ.
  John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
  2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
• To know God and Christ is.
  John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
• GIVEN
• By God.
  Psalms 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• By Christ.
  John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
  John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
• In Christ.
  1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
• Through Christ.
  Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
• To all given to Christ.
  John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
• To those who believe in God.
  John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
• To those who believe in Christ.
  John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
  John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
• To those who hate life for Christ.
  John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
• In answer to prayer.
  Psalms 21:4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
• Revealed in the Scriptures.
  John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
• RESULTS FROM
• Drinking the water of life.
  John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• Eating the bread of life.
  John 6:50-58 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. …
• Eating of the tree of life.
  Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
• They who are ordained to, believe the gospel.
  Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
• SAINTS
• Have promises of.
  1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
  2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
  Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
  1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
• Have hope of.
  Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
  Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
• May have assurance of.
  2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
  1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
• Shall reap, through the Spirit.
  Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
• Shall inherit.
  Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
• Look for the mercy of God unto.
  Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
• Should lay hold of.
  1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
  1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
• Are preserved unto.
  John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
• Shall rise unto.
  Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
  John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
• Shall go into.
  Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
• Shall reign in.
  Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
  Romans 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
• The self-righteous think to inherit, by works.
  Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
• Cannot be inherited by works.
  Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
  Romans 3:10-19 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: …
• THE WICKED
• Have not.
  1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
• Judge themselves unworthy of.
  Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
• Exhortation to seek.
  John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

 

WHAT ABOUT OUR NATURAL LIFE

• God is the Author of.
  Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
  Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
• God preserves.
  Psalms 36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
  Psalms 66:9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
• Is in the hand of God.
  Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
  Daniel 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
• Forfeited by sin.
  Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
  Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
• Of others, not to be taken away.
  Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
• DESCRIBED AS
• Vain.
  Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
• Limited.
  Job 7:1 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?
  Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
• Short.
  Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
  Psalms 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
• Uncertain.
  James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
• Full of trouble.
  Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
• God’s loving-kindness better than.
  Psalms 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
• The value of.
  Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
  Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
• Preserved by discretion.
  Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
• Sometimes prolonged, in answer to prayer.
  Isaiah 38:2-5 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
  James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
• Obedience to God, tends to prolong.
  Deuteronomy 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
• Obedience to parents, tends to prolong.
  Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  Proverbs 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
• Cares and pleasures of, dangerous.
  Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
  Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
  2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
• Saints have true enjoyment of.
  Psalms 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
  1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
• Of saints, specially protected by God.
  Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
  Acts 18:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
  1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
• Of the wicked, not specially protected by God.
  Job 36:6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
  Psalms 78:50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
• The wicked have their portion of good, during.
  Psalms 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
  Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
  Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
• SHOULD BE SPENT IN
• The fear of God.
  1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
• The service of God.
  Luke 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
• Living unto God.
  Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
  Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
• Peace.
  Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
  1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
• Doing good.
  Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
• Should be taken all due care of.
  Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
  Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
• Should be laid down, if necessary, for Christ.
  Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
  Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
  Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
• Should be laid down, if necessary, for the brethren.
  Romans 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
  1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
• BE THANKFUL FOR
• The preservation of.
  Psalms 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
  John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
• The supply of its wants.
  Genesis 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
• The dissatisfied despise.
  Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
• We know not what is good for us in.
  Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
• Be not over-anxious to provide for its wants.
  Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
• The enjoyment of, consists not in abundance of possessions.
  Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
• IS COMPARED TO
• An eagle hasting to the prey.
  Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
• A pilgrimage.
  Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
• A tale told.
  Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
• A swift post.
  Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
• A swift ship.
  Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
• A hand-breadth.
  Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
• A shepherd’s tent removed.
  Isaiah 38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
• A dream.
  Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
• A sleep.
  Psalms 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
• A vapor.
  James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
• A shadow.
  Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
• A thread cut by the weaver.
  Isaiah 38:12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
• A weaver’s shuttle.
  Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.
• A flower.
  Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
• Grass.
  1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
• Water spilt on the ground.
  2 Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
• Wind.
  Job 7:7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
• Shortness of, should lead to spiritual improvement.
  Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
  Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
• Sometimes judicially shortened.
  1 Samuel 2:32-33 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
• Miraculously restored by Christ.
  Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  Matthew 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

 

WHAT ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

• God is the Author of.
  Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
  Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
• Christ is the Author of.
  John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
  John 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
  John 6:51-53 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
• The Holy Ghost is the Author of.
  Ezekiel 37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
  Romans 8:9-13 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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 word of God is the instrument of.
  Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
  2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
  1 Peter 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
• Is hidden with Christ.
  Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
• The fear of God is.
  Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
  Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
• Spiritual-mindedness is.
  Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
• IS MAINTAINED BY
• Christ.
  John 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
  1 Corinthians 10:3-4 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
• Faith.
  Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
• The word of God.
  Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
  Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
• Prayer.
  Psalms 69:32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.
• Has its origin in the new-birth.
  John 3:3-8 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. …
• Has its infancy.
  Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
  1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
  1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
• Has its youth.
  1 John 2:13-14 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
• Has its maturity.
  Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
  1 John 2:13-14 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
• IS DESCRIBED AS
• A life unto God.
  Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
• Newness of life.
  Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
• Living in the Spirit.
  Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
• Revived by God.
  Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
  Hosea 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
• Evidenced by love to the brethren.
  1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
• All saints have.
  Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
  Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
• Should animate the services of saints.
  Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
  1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
• Saints praise God for.
  Psalms 119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
• Seek to grow in.
  Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
  1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
• Pray for the increase of.
  Psalms 119:25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
  Psalms 143:11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
• The wicked alienated from.
  Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
• Lovers of pleasure destitute of.
  1 Timothy 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
• Hypocrites destitute of.
  Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
  Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
• Illustrated.
  Ezekiel 37:9-10 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army