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Lesson #7

Will There Be Good People In Hell?

     Many times we hear people say or read in an obituary that, "My mother was a good person and she went home to be with her Lord in Heaven". This is only wishful thinking if the individual had not obeyed the gospel and was not a faithful member of the Lord’s one true church. The individual may have been a "good person", but being a good person is not the only requirement for one to go to Heaven. We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." Even though one is a good person, if he has not obeyed "the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ", he will be eternally lost in Hell.

     Also notice that “those who do not know God” will also be lost in Hell. What does it mean to “not know God”? "He who says, ‘I know him’, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4). To not know God is to not keep his commandments. Those who do not know God include those who once obeyed the gospel but fell away and quit keeping his commandments. We cannot be good enough, on our own, to go to heaven. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). What must we do, as Christians, for the blood of Christ to continue to forgive of our sins? “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). This was written to Christians. We have got to continue to be faithful to the Lord if we are to continue to get forgiveness of our sins. If one, as a Christian, does not continue to get forgiveness of his sins, he will be eternally lost in Hell.

     Also we see from the Bible that if one has obeyed the gospel but forsakes the assembly and was not faithful until death, even though he was otherwise a "good person", he will be in Hell. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is…For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation” (Hebrews 10:25-27). Many who did obey the Lord and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins have become unfaithful and "having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith" (1 Timothy 5:12). If they remain in this situation they will be lost. Let's make sure that we and our loved ones have obeyed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and are faithfully serving Him in his church. For all those who are lost, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). We cannot wish ourselves or our loved ones out of Hell and into Heaven. It will be too late when one dies.

     The Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is a change of heart which results in a change of our actions in obeying and following God’s will. Jesus says, "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Those who will not repent and obey the Lord will be lost. Even though the Lord doesn’t want anyone to be lost, the vast majority of people have chosen the broad way which will lead them to be eternally lost (Matthew 7:13). The vast majority have chosen to be lost.

     All those who will not repent but practice the works of the flesh will be lost. We are warned, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21). Notice it says "and the like". This is not a complete list. A child of God will be lost if he continues to practice such things. The main reason people will be lost is they don’t believe God and His warnings. Because of this "they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:12). If there is any sin of which we have not repented, let’s repent of it now.

Questions Lesson #7
Will There Be Good People In Hell?
(Click on the button of the answer of your choice)

1) (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) When Jesus comes

      He will take all "good" people to Heaven.

      He will take vengeance on those that know not God and that obey not the gospel.

      He will save all people.

2) (1 John 2:4) He who says he knows God but doesn't keep His commandments is a liar.

3) (1 John 1:7) What must Christians do to continue to be cleansed from sin?

      Nothing.

      Go to church once a year.

      Walk in the light of God's word and have fellowship one with another.

4) (Romans 3:23) Some accountable people have not sinned.

5) (Hebrews 10:25-27) What happens if we sin willfully and do not repent?

      God will forgive us anyway.

      God will scold us.

      There no longer remains a sacrifice for our sins.

6) Those who will not repent have a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation.

7) (1 Timothy 5:12) People who cast off their faith in God

      Will still go to Heaven.

      Will be condemned to the eternal damnation of Hell.

      Will not be held accountable.

8) (Luke 13:3) Good people who do not repent will perish in Hell.

9) (Galatians 3:19-21) Those who practice sin and don't repent

      Will not inherit the kingdom of God.

      God will overlook their sin.

      Will still go to Heaven.

10) (2 Thessalonians 2:12) Those who do not believe the truth of God's word will be saved.

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