Is Hell a real place of eternal suffering? Part Four
This is the final section of this four part series on hell (Gehenna). If you have any questions about how to be rescued from your sins and judgment of Gehenna, consult the columns on the right hand of the screen that are full of Scripture how to become a Christian.Gehenna is a place for those who are religious hypocrites (Matthew 23:15; Matthew 23:33)
The Lord in this passage is speaking against the Pharisees and those who are religious hypocrites (plays the part). The Pharisees were the religious leaders during the time of Christ’s ministry on earth. They held to a body of traditions that they added to the Scriptures, believing that by keeping these traditions, they would be righteous in the sight of God. Of course, in their keeping of their rules, they didn’t care about whether their heart was right with God, only that their rules were kept. In fact, often they didn’t keep their rules, but expected everyone else to do so! These people caused many to miss God’s righteousness found by faith in Him. This is why the Lord was so hard on these people and called them hypocrites. See Christ’s description of them in Matthew 23:1-12.
The Lord in this passage is speaking against the Pharisees and those who are religious hypocrites (plays the part). The Pharisees were the religious leaders during the time of Christ’s ministry on earth. They held to a body of traditions that they added to the Scriptures, believing that by keeping these traditions, they would be righteous in the sight of God. Of course, in their keeping of their rules, they didn’t care about whether their heart was right with God, only that their rules were kept. In fact, often they didn’t keep their rules, but expected everyone else to do so! These people caused many to miss God’s righteousness found by faith in Him. This is why the Lord was so hard on these people and called them hypocrites. See Christ’s description of them in Matthew 23:1-12.
- Those who seek to convert others to their self-righteous, man made religion (Matthew 23:15).
A “proselyte” has the understanding of a Gentile person who would convert to Judaism because he believes that Jehovah is the only God. He would be persuade to be circumcised, and to keep the Law of Moses.
“A son of Gehenna” has the understanding of one having a character of hell, one that is like the parent. The condemnation from the Lord is that the one who followed the Pharisee’s beliefs was twice as wicked as they were. They were more of a hypocrite than their Jewish parents were. They kept the Pharisee’s rituals, but their heart was the same as the heathen who knew nothing of God’s Word.
- Those who are self-righteous in their heart (Matthew 23:33).
Verse 33 falls within the section from verses Matthew 23:28-36 which the Lord describes the Pharisees as equal to those who killed the prophets. The prophets Christ is referring to is the Old Testament prophets who were killed by Jew in history to this time who didn’t follow God’s Word but their own religious plans.
“Brood of Vipers” refers back to verse 31 where the Lord calls them “sons of those who murdered the prophets.” The Pharisees committed the same wicked acts as those who killed the prophets, therefore, because of their sins; it is impossible to see any way that they could escape the same result of those who proceeded them.
In the phrase “damnation of hell,” “damnation” should be better understood as “judgement” because of the Greek word “krisis.” The Pharisees received the judgement of Gehenna because they were wicked like those who before them were enemies of the Gospel.
Final Conclusion of this study: The Lord presents Gehenna in the Gospels as a place of tremendous torment, far beyond our comprehension. Truly, the Lord does not take sin of any kind lightly! If you do not know the Lord right now as your Savior, today ask Him to save you from your sin, and from the terrible sentence of Gehenna! It is a place you do not want to go to when you die! If you ask the Lord to save you, He will give you eternal life. The Lord shed His blood so that you might be free from the power of sin, and rose from the grave to give you eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Place your trust into Christ today for the salvation of your eternal soul!
Pastor Steve
Psalm 119:89
