Scripture for Today, 8-22-19: Hell Degrees of Woe

Are There Different Degrees of Punishment in Hell?
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”

James 3:1-2

5-29-14, * -- Our sins (regardless of severity) expose our imperfection and separate us from the perfect God who created us. Even the smallest moral failing disqualifies us from the perfection of God.
• Are all sins the same in the eyes of God? 
• Is lying just as bad as murder?

God recognizes some sins more heinous than others. When He gave the Law to Moses, He prescribed different levels of punishment for infractions based on the nature of the offense. The punishments were “according to guilt” and no more (Exodus 21:23-25).

 “…then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt. He may beat him forty times, but no more, lest he beat him with many more stripes than these, and your brother be degraded in your eyes.” Deuteronomy 25:2-3

God applies this equitable principle in the next life as well corresponding to the crimes committed:

“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” 
Revelation 20:12-13

Clearly there are degrees of punishment in the earthly life and the next life 

Those who should know better are judged more harshly having a higher degree of accountability and responsibility. Those who know the truth about God and reject it will be punished more harshly than someone who doesn’t yet know. The Lord Jesus affirmed this truth; He said:

• “that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:47-48
• “Woe to you, Chorazin. Woe to you, Bethsaida. For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.” Luke 10:13-14
• “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Matthew 10:14-15

Even those who haven’t heard the Gospel have enough knowledge to know better. The created world demonstrates the existence of the Creator, and their own consciences acknowledge God’s moral law. (Romans 1:20)

We are at peace knowing God’s nature will prevail when He decides what to do with us. The good news:

1. God is just and loving: “Good and upright is the LORD; He instructs sinners in the way. V14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; loving kindness and truth go before Thee. V5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 25:8, 89:14, 100:5
2. God is fair and equitable. Hell is a place where justice is served, but also a place where justice is measured out fairly. 
3. God offers the free gift of salvation for anyone who is willing to repent of their sin and accept Jesus as Lord. No one has to go to Hell. 

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So, when someone says:

“Hey, it’s not fair that my Grandma who doesn’t know much about Jesus and has ‘minor’ sin in her life should be punished the same as a guy like Hitler (who rejected the truth of Christianity and had ‘major’ sin in his life.”

These two people will both be separated from God, but Hitler will face an experience in Hell very different than someone like grandma.

Therefore, because of God’s love, Jesus paid the price for our sin and made it possible for us to be forgiven. (John 3:16) We become righteous in the eyes of God, not because of anything “good” we may have done, but based on what Jesus did on the cross.  Born again Christians are freed from the grip of sin by Jesus’ work on the cross so we can anticipate the rewards of Heaven rather than the punishments of Hell. Matthew 23:33

*Excerpted and adapted full original report from J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University here