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Archive 2023

JESUS IDENTIFIED HEAVEN AND HELL AS REAL PLACES (JOHN 5:19-30)

Raymond Sieg / 2023-05-31


​Introduction:

         1. In these verses Jesus talked about some very important matters.
             a. He talked about honoring Him and hearing His Word.
             b. He talked about His return.
             c. He talked about the resurrection.
             d. He talked about the judgment and the fact that He will be the judge.
         2. In His teaching about the judgment, Jesus talked about the 2 eternal destinies [places where people
             may spend eternity].
             a. One is a place of "life" [heaven].
             b. The other is a place of "damnation" [hell].
         3. In our lesson we are showing from the Bible that "Jesus identified heaven and hell as real places."

Discussion:

I.           JESUS  IDENTIFIED  HELL  AS  A  REAL  PLACE

         A. Jesus described hell as:
             1. a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12)
             2. the furnace of fire for the wicked where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:47-50)
             3. a place to be avoided "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48).
         B. Jesus taught that the devil and his angels will be in hell (Matthew 25:41).
         C. Jesus also taught that "many" will be condemned in hell (Matthew 7:13).
         D. According to Revelation 20:10, the many will suffer greatly.

II.          JESUS  IDENTIFIED  HEAVEN  AS  A  REAL  PLACE

         A. In Matthew 6:9 Jesus taught that the Father is in heaven.
         B. Jesus said in John 14:2-3 that He was going to His Father's house [heaven] to prepare a place for
             His followers.
         C. As Jesus called upon His followers to enter in at the strait gate and travel the narrow path, He stated
             that "few" will find "life" (Matthew 7:14).
         D. The few will enjoy great blessings (Revelation 14:13; 21:1-4; 22:1-5).

Conclusion:

         1. Today, people have various ideas about heaven and hell.
         2. If we honor Jesus and hear His Word, we must accept His teachings.
         3. Jesus identified heaven and hell as real places.
         4. Our response to His invitation will determine where we spend eternity.