Complaint:
Does hell exist? Some texts say that those who don’t go to heaven are tormented forever in hell (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:41-42; 18:8-9; 22:13; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22-24; John 5:28-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 14:10-11; 20:10, 14-15). Some verses say those who don’t go to heaven just die (Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 1:4-6; 34:16; 37:1-2, 20; 69:28; Proverbs 10:25; 24:20; Obadiah 1:16; Romans 6:21, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Galatians 6:8; Philippians 3:18-19; James 1:15; 4:12; 5:20). Some verses say that everyone goes to heaven after they die (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:2). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Yes, hell does exist. As such, there is no need to comment on the list of verses provided by the questioner to say that hell exists. We do need to comment on Luke 16:22-24 though, since it doesn’t belong in the list. This texts is not a description of hell (the eternal abode of the wicked), but rather of torments in hades (the realm of the dead for the wicked).
Let’s look at the other text lists used to say that those who don’t go to heaven die, or that all go to heaven.
DO SOME JUST DIE?
In the list of verses given to support the idea that those who do not go to heaven will simply die, perhaps half of the texts reveal that the ungodly will die physically. Does physical death negate an eternal punishment? It is worth noting that the godly also die physically. Does that negate the reward of heaven? The Lord Jesus said,
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:28-29)
The fact is that all will die, unless Jesus returns first. But, there is something beyond this life; all will be raised from the dead (not physically, but spiritually, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Then, the righteous will go to heaven and the ungodly will go to hell.
I said that about half of the texts supplied by the questioner in this section refer to physical death. Not every verse speaking about death is about physical death. The Bible also uses words like “dead,” “perishing,” etc., to speak about men’s spiritual condition, both in this life and in eternity. Texts such as Romans 6:21, 23; Galatians 6:8; James 1:15; etc. refer to the spiritual condition & destiny of the ungodly. Sin results in death – not physical (though it does at times), but spiritual. James 5:20 reveals the spiritual nature of such verses, as we read:
…he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Both ungodly and godly folks die physically; that does not negate what will take place when the final judgment comes.
ALL GO TO HEAVEN?
The questioner also suggests that some Bible verses reveal that there is no hell, but that all in fact go to heaven. Three texts are put forth to support this idea. We will look at each of them.
1 Corinthians 15:22 says:
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
A verse must always be set in it’s context. 1 Corinthians 15:1 reveals that Paul wrote to those who had received and held fast to the gospel. It is the Christian’s hope that is addressed in the context (v 12-19), and it is the Christian who will be made alive in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:22 and Romans 5:18-19 are similar in their construction. Both identify Adam as the one through whom all died; and reveal the Christ as the One through whom all shall live. We must consider how all died in Adam and how all live in Christ. Neither text teaches universalism, it is a matter of relationship and imitation. All died in Adam’s likeness, even as we are told in Romans 5:12,
…through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned
Death did not spread to all men automatically, but because all imitated Adam in sinning. By the same token, life comes upon all who imitate Christ – those who receive and obey the word of God.
In 1 Timothy 4:10, Paul acknowledged that Jesus is “the Savior of all men.” The question is, did he mean by this that all men are saved, or that salvation is available to all men? John 3:16 tells us that Jesus died for the whole world, but that only those who believe in Him will have everlasting life. Titus 2:11 says “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,” and then the apostle goes on to tell us that we must choose to live godly. Back in 1 Timothy 4:10, notice that He is the Savior of all, “especially of those who believe.” He is available to all, but we must come to Him to be saved.
1 John 2:2 says that Jesus is the propitiation or satisfaction
…for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
This is the same as the previous text, Jesus died at Calvary for all, but only those who come to Him in penitent faith receive the salvation of their souls.
Do all go to heaven? No. Do those who do not go to heaven simply die and cease to be? No. The Bible affirms that there is a hell. There is no contradiction.
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