by Chris Reeves
Synopsis: The present attitude of some religious people, including brethren, is that the reward of the righteous is a restored earth and the punishment of the wicked is annihilation in hell.
At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus taught that all humanity is traveling the road of life toward one of two destinations: reward and punishment. He spoke of the narrow way that leads to life and the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). At the end of His ministry, Jesus taught that the cursed will go away into eternal fire and eternal punishment, and the righteous into eternal life (Matt. 25:31-46).
Heaven and hell, as the eternal destiny of all men, is a basic Bible doctrine that many have rightly learned from their childhood up. According to a 2014-2015 Pew Research Poll, surprisingly, 73% of Americans still believe in heaven as a place of eternal reward for people who live good lives, and 58% of Americans still believe in hell as a place of eternal punishment for people who live bad lives.1 However, as with all Bible doctrines, many today would attempt to change basic Bible truths concerning heaven and hell.
Let us examine two errors concerning heaven and hell that have circulated with evangelicals and some of our brethren over the past 35 years or so. First, we consider the error that teaches heaven will be a place of reward on a restored earth. Second, we analyze the error that teaches hell is a place of punishment where the wicked will suffer for a while then be consumed and annihilated. Due to space limitations, I will briefly state the error and the scriptural answer to it, but will not be able to address all the arguments of each.
According to some evangelical scholars and a few brethren, the answer to this question is "Yes." These people have changed Bible truth about heaven, saying that heaven will be on a restored earth. This contemporary teaching is called "New Creation Theology" and "Renewed Earth Eschatology" by some of its advocates.
The idea of heaven being on a restored earth was first made popular among evangelicals in 1979 by Anthony A. Hoekema in The Bible and the Future. He wrote:
"Are we to spend eternity somewhere off in space, wearing white robes, plucking harps, singing songs, and flitting from cloud to cloud while doing so? On the contrary, the Bible assures us that God will create a new earth on which we shall live to God's praise in glorified, resurrected bodies. On that new earth, therefore, we hope to spend eternity, enjoying its beauties, exploring its resources, and using its treasures to the glory of God. Since God will make the new earth his dwelling place, and since where God dwells there heaven is, we shall then continue to be in heaven while we are on the new earth. For heaven and earth will then no longer be separated, as they are now, but will be one (see Rev. 21:1-3)."2
Since the publication of Hoekema's book, more evangelicals have accepted the error that heaven will be on a restored earth. One popular evangelical, N.T. Wright, espouses this error in his books.3 Numerous journal articles have also been written by evangelicals like Douglas Moo promoting this theory.4
Sound brethren have fought this error in the past regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses, but apparently, in more recent years, some have changed their minds on the matter. A few institutional brethren such as John Mark Hicks of Lipscomb University teach this error5 as does Jack Cottrell, who is associated with the Christian Church.6 A few non-institutional brethren have also taught this. In 2014, I saw on Facebook where some among us were expressing their restored-earth ideas. (Note: I would encourage our readers to examine the articles in the March 2015 issue of Truth Magazine which answer some of the errors of this doctrine).
What does the Bible teach concerning heaven?7 It does not teach that the righteous will be "flitting from cloud to cloud" as Hoekema jeers, but it does teach that heaven is a place other than, and outside of, planet earth. Let us consider three basic Bible facts.
First, heaven is a place other than, and in contrast with, planet earth. Heaven is separate from earth. Heaven is not earth; heaven is not on earth; heaven will not come down to earth; earth will not turn into heaven, etc.
The Bible is clear that heaven is separate from earth. God's kingdom is "of" (from and belonging to) heaven (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 5:3; etc.). God is in heaven and spoke from heaven (Matt. 3:17; 5:45, 48; cf. 2 Pet. 1:18). Heaven is different from earth (Matt. 5:18, 33-34; 6:10; 16:19; etc.). Our treasure is to be in heaven (Matt. 6:20; 19:21). Jesus was received up into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:10-11; cf. Rom. 10:6; Eph. 4:10; Heb. 4:14; 8:1; 9:24; 1 Pet. 3:22).
There are heavenly hosts of angels (Luke 2:13, 15; 22:43; etc.). God is Lord of heaven and earth (Luke 10:21). There is joy in heaven (Luke 15:7). One can sin against heaven (Luke 15:21; cf. Rev. 18:5). There is peace in heaven (Luke 19:38). Jesus descended out of heaven (John 3:13, 31; 6:32-33; etc.; cf. 1 Cor. 15:47). Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven to pray to His Father (John 17:1).
Heaven is God's throne and earth is His footstool (Acts 7:49). Stephen looked up into heaven (Acts 7:55-56), Peter saw a vision from heaven (Acts 10:11-16; 11:5-10), and Saul experienced a heavenly vision (Acts 22:6; 26:13; 26:19). Paul was "caught up even to the third heaven" (2 Cor. 12:2). Jesus created all things in heaven and earth (Col. 1:16). The Holy Spirit was sent forth from heaven (1 Pet. 1:12). The Devil was cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-12). Clearly, heaven is separate from earth and two different spheres.
Second, the righteous are promised rewards that are fulfilled in heaven, not on earth. They have a reward in heaven (Matt. 5:12). Their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20; Heb. 12:23). They will have a heavenly body that will be different from their earthly body (1 Cor. 15:47-49). This resurrected body is "eternal, in the heavens" and "from heaven" (2 Cor. 5:1-2). They have spiritual blessings now in heavenly places (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; etc.). Their citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Their hope is laid up in heaven (Col. 1:5). They wait for the Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7). Like Paul, they will be saved to the Lord's heavenly kingdom (2 Tim. 4:18). They have a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1). They taste the heavenly gift (Heb. 6:4). They desire a heavenly country and heavenly city (Heb. 11:16; 12:22; cf. Rev. 3:12). They have an inheritance reserved in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4).
Third, we are told in God's word that one day, our present heavens and earth will pass away and be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10-12). God will make a "new heavens and a new earth" (2 Pet. 3:13), which is synonymous with heaven elsewhere in Scripture (Rev. 21:1-2, 10).
Heaven will not be on a restored earth, because (1) heaven is located somewhere other than earth, (2) the various heavenly rewards of the righteous are fulfilled somewhere other than earth, and (3) our present physical heavens and earth will burn up and completely pass away one day.
Again, according to some evangelical scholars and a few of our brethren, the answer to this question is "Yes." These people have changed the Bible truth about hell. They say the wicked will suffer for a while in hell and then be completely consumed and annihilated. This teaching is called "Conditionalism" by some of its contemporary advocates.8
Some of the more prominent evangelicals advocating this error are I. Howard Marshall, John Stott, John Wenham, Michael Green, Anthony Thistleton, Richard Bauckham, and Clark Pinnock.9 (One place where evangelicals present this error is the "Rethinking Hell" website: www.rethinkinghell.com.)
Among brethren, the most prominent proponent of this error has been Edward Fudge.10 He writes:
"The fact is that the Bible does not teach the traditional view of final punishment. Scripture nowhere suggests that God is an eternal torturer. It never says the damned will writhe in ceaseless torment or that the glories of heaven will forever be blighted by the screams from hell. The idea of conscious everlasting torment was a grievous mistake, a horrible error, a gross slander against the heavenly Father…"11
Other brethren who have advocated this error are F. LaGard Smith,12 Samuel G. Dawson,13 Curtis Dickinson,14 Al Maxey,15 Dyrel W. Collins,16 and the late Homer Hailey.17
What does the Bible teach concerning hell? God's word, not the "traditional view" as Fudge suggests, teaches us that hell's torment is eternal. "Hell" (Greek gehenna), the place of final punishment for the wicked, is found 12 times in the NT: Matthew 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; and James 3:6. From these and other passages, we can learn the biblical answers to three important questions about hell.
What is hell like? Hell is a lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Matt. 5:22; 13:42, 50; 18:9; James 3:6; Rev. 14:10; 19:20; 20:10, 14; 21:8) and where body and soul are punished (Matt. 5:29-30; 10:28; Mark 9:43-47; Luke 12:4-5). In hell, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22;13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28), judgment (Matt. 23:33; John 5:29; Heb. 10:27), and outer darkness (Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; 2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13). Hell is a place of punishment (Matt. 25:46; Jude 7), suffering, and torment (Rom. 2:5-9, 12; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:10-11; 21:8). Hell is the "second death" (Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8) where the devil, his angels, and the wicked are separated from God and from all that is good (Matt. 5:29; 7:23; 8:12; 13:42; 25:46; Luke 13:28; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 22:15).
Who will be in hell? The devil and his angels will be there (Matt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 20:10) along with all humanity who do not obey God and remain faithful to him till death (Matt. 5:29; 7:13-14, 21-23; 8:12; 13:41, 49; 22:13-14; 23:15, 33; 24:36-25:46; Mark 9:42-48; Luke 13:27-28; 2 Thess. 1:8; James 3:6; Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 15; 21:8, 27; 22:15).
How long will hell last? Hell is a place of "eternal fire" (Matt. 18:8; 25:47; Jude 7), "eternal punishment" (Matt. 25:46), "eternal destruction" (2 Thess. 1:9), "eternal judgment" (Heb. 6:2), and "unquenchable fire" (Matt. 3:12; Mark 9:43, 48; Luke 3:17). Hell is where "the worm dies not" (Mark 9:48; cf. Isa. 66:24), the "smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever" (Rev. 14:11; 20:10), and where there is "no rest day and night" (Rev. 14:11). How long will hell last? This is not a difficult question to answer. Hell will last for as long as heaven will last, for eternity. The eternal punishment of hell will last as long as the eternal life of heaven (Matt. 25:41, 46). While the righteous are worshipping God in heaven "day and night" and "for ever and ever" (Rev. 4:8; 7:15; 22:5), the wicked will be suffering with the devil in hell "day and night" and "for ever and ever" (Rev. 14:11; 20:10).
Brethren, many errors on various Bible truths abound today. Consider how many religious people today, including brethren, are "rethinking" this or that Bible doctrine. It seems like everything in God's word is fair game for "rethinking" these days. Let me encourage you to remain true to all those basic Bible truths that are not difficult to understand and that most of us were taught as children.
1 http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/10/most-americans-believe-in-heaven-and-hell.
2 The Bible and the Future. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979. Page 274.
3 Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. Harper One, 2008.
4 See Moo's article "Nature in the New Creation: New Testament Eschatology and the Environment." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. 49.3 (September 2006): 449-488; and "Creation and New Creation." Bulletin for Biblical Research. 20.1 (2010): 39-60.
5 There are several articles espousing this error on Hicks' website: johnmarkhicks.com. See also Hicks' book with Bobby Valentine, Kingdom Come. Leafwood Publishers, 2006. Page 187.
6 The Faith Once for All. College Press, 2002. Pages 561-572.
7 Because of space limitations, the OT passages that deal with heaven and hell will not be referenced in this article.
8 Various forms of annihilationism go back as far as the 4th century AD. Conditionalism (or conditional immortality) is the view that immortality ("eternal life") is a gift of God conditioned upon belief in Jesus Christ. If one does not meet this condition, then he does not have immortality. Therefore, the unsaved who have not met the condition of belief, have not been given immortality by God and so will be ultimately destroyed and annihilated. They will not suffer unending punishment in hell.
9 Pinnock defended the "Conditional View" in Four Views on Hell. Zondervan, 1996.
10 "Putting Hell in Its Place." Christianity Today. 20 (August 6, 1976): 14-17; The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of Final Punishment. Providential Press, 1982; "The Final End of the Wicked." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. 27 (September 1984): 325-334; and, Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue. Inter-Varsity Press, 2000.
11 Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue. Inter-Varsity Press, 2000. Page 20.
12 After Life: A Glimpse of Eternity Beyond Death's Door. Cotswold Publishing, 2003.
13 Jesus' Teaching on Hell. Gospel Themes Press, 1996.
14 What the Bible Teaches About Immortality and Future Punishment. Privately Published, 1984.
15 The Maxey-Thrasher Debate, 2002 (www.zianet.com/maxey/MxThrshr.htm).
16 Immortality: Only in Christ. Star Bible Publications, Inc., 2002.
17 God's Judgments & Punishments: Individuals & Nations. Nevada Publications, 2003.
Author Bio: Chris Reeves preaches for the Warfield Blvd church of Christ in Clarksville, TN. His website is thegoodteacher.com. He can be reached at chrisreevesmail@gmail.com.
