A
GLIMPSE INTO ETERNITY I
Rev. 21:1-8, 22-27
An intelligent study of Scripture will reveal
the reality of eternity. Though we don’t
fully comprehend everything about eternal matters, we cannot deny the fact that
every individual will spend eternity somewhere.
ETERNITY, in the Bible,
refers to the future condition of mankind which will have no end or
consummation.
It is hard for us to comprehend an eternal
existence because all we know is time.
Only as a person becomes familiar with the eternal God, as portrayed by
the Word of God, can he begin to realize the true meaning of eternity.
ETERNITY is the final act
in God’s prophetic plan as it relates to man.
It is described in the last two chapters of Revelation. Here we see the destiny of the saved, but we also
catch a glimpse of what is in store for the unsaved.
PART I – THE ETERNAL STATE
OF THE UNSAVED.
I. THE UNSAVED WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF
FIRE
Rev.
20:15; 21:8
A. “The Lake of Fire” is the place for the devil and
involves eternal punishment.
B. It is also designated as the “second death.”
1. The unsaved
dead will find themselves facing a “second death” which is eternal separation
from God.
2. Spiritual
death does not mean physical death but separation from eternal life.
3. The “second
death” does not mean annihilation, but eternal separation from eternal life
with God.
II. THE
Lk.
16:22-28
A. Those in Hell are in a place of torments. vv. 24-25, 27-28.
1. This man
desired a drink of water…
2. The Lord frequently
warned of the eternal torments of the lost.
B. There is conscious suffering.
1. The rich man
could speak, he could express his desires.
2. He was not
annihilated, neither was he unconscious.
3. Hell is an
eternal place of conscious suffering.
C. Those in Hell are able to remember.
1. The rich man
remembered his brothers who were still on earth.
vv. 27-28.
2. He remembered
how they could escape this eternal torment.
3. The lost will
be able to remember the opportunities they had to be saved but rejected.
D. The state of those in Hell is unchangeable. v. 26.
“There is a great gulf fixed…”
1. Once a person
is in Hell, he is there for eternity.
2. There is no
such thing as purgatory spoken of in the Word of God.
III. THE
INHABITANTS OF THE LAKE OF FIRE
A. The Devil will be there.
1. The lake of
fire is the eternal abode of Satan. Rev. 20:10.
2. Along with him
will be the Beast, the False Prophet and, no doubt, the hosts of Satan’s
kingdom.
B. Various classes of individuals will also be in
the lake of fire. Rev. 21:8.
1. The fearful…
a. These feared
to be saved because of what it might cost them in terms of money, influence,
and friends.
b. “The fear of man bringeth a snare”(Prov.
29:25).
c. This is the
greatest hindrance in people getting saved.
2. The unbelieving…
- This is the
great sin that will keep many out of Heaven and will send them to an eternal
Hell.
3. The abominable…
a. These are the
blasphemers, the filthy-minded, those who make light of God.
b. They may be
very respectable outwardly but corrupt inwardly.
4. The murderers…
- These die in
their sins because of their hatred for Christians or for Christ Himself.
5. The whoremongers…
- These preferred
their sin of immorality to the Savior.
6. The sorcerers…
a. These
attempted to get to Heaven by means of satanic substitution.
b. This includes
the various cults and perverted religious philosophy.
7. The next class
involves the idolaters…
a. These have
substituted something in the place of God.
b. This can be
money, fame, prestige or power.
8. Last we see
the liars…
a. These are
those who profess but do not possess.
b. They are also
called “hypocrites.”
The Lord has
given us a very clear picture of the inhabitants of the lake of fire.
The
only way to miss Hell is to turn from your sin and believe on Christ as your
Lord and Savior.
You must be born again…Jn. 3:3, 5-7, 14-18, 36.