Is Hell a Literal Place, Figurative, or Both?

[irishcowboy]

here are a couple places to check out if you like.....

this first one even has an audio link to listen to if you have the nerve to.

http://www.av1611.org/hell.html

http://www.biblehelp.org/hell.htm?source=overture

there are many others if you wish to do a search for them...

mike

[Marilyn777]

If Lucifer's fall is described in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, are there any references in the Bible to the fall of numerous angels who became demons? I believe there are some hints in Scripture that help us answer this question.

Many scholars believe that the first five verses of Revelation 12 contain a mini-history of Satan. In keeping with this, it would seem that Revelation 12:4 refers to the fall of the angels who followed Satan: "His {Satan's} tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth." It has long been recognized that the word "stars" is sometimes used of angels in the Bible (Job 38:7). If "stars" refers to angels in Revelation 12:4 , it would appear that after Lucifer rebelled against God, he was able to draw a third of the angelic realm after him in this rebellion. When he sinned, he apparently led a massive angelic revolt against God.

If you're wondering whether God's angels can still "fall" today, the answer is no. Following this angelic revolt, God "elected" or permanently confirmed the holiness of the angels who chose to remain loyal to Him (1 Timothy 5:21). God has apparently given them a special grace of perseverance to enable them to permanently retain their positon as holy angels.

Does Satan still have access to God's Presence in Heaven?

Apparently so. It is clear from the events that took place in the Book of Job that Satan has the freedom tot appear before God and engage in discourse with Him (see Job 1:6; 2:1). We are told in Revelation 12:10 that Satan is the "accuser of our brethren," which probably involves Satan going before God's throne and making slanderous statements about the saints. In the future Tribulation period, we are told that the devil will be decisively cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). So his time is definitely limited.

What can Satan and demons do to Christians?

Satan and his host of demons are very active in seeking to harm belivers in various ways. Satan tempts believers to sin (Ephesians 2:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), to lie (Acts 5:3), and to commit sexually immoral acts (1 Corinthians 7:5). He accuses and slanders believers (Revelation 12:10), hinders their work in any way he can (1 Thessalonians 2:18), sows weeds among them (Matthew 13 :38, 39), and incites persecutions against them (Revelation 2:10).

Satan seeks to wage war against believers (Ephesians 6:11,12), opposes them with the ferociousness of a hungry lion (1 Peter 5:8), seeks to plant doubt in their minds (Genesis 3:1-5), seeks to foster spiritual pride in their hearts (1 Timothy 3:6), and seeks to lead them away from "the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3) .No wonder our Lord found it so necessary to provide us with spiritual armour to protect us from these insidious fallen angels (Ephesians 6:11-18).

What defenses does the Christian have against Satan and the power of darkness?

We as Christians should be thankful that God has made provision for our defense against Satan and his fallen angels. What does this defense consist of?

To begin, we must ever keep in mind that twice in the New Testament we are told that the Lord Jesus lives in Heaven to make intercession for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). I like to refer to Jesus as "Our Lawyer In Heaven!!" Certainly Christ's intercession for us includes the kind of intercession He made for His disciples in John 17:15, where He specifically asked the Father to keep them safe from the evil one.

Beyond this, God has provided spiritual armour for our defense (Ephesians 6:11-18). "Wearing" this armour means that our lives will be characterized by such things as righteousness, obedience to the will of God, faith in God, and an effective use of the Word of God. These are the things that spell defeat for the devil in you life.

Effective use of the Word of God is especailly important for spiritual victory. Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil during His wilderness temptations (Matthew:4). We must learn to do the same. Obviously, the greater exposure we have to Scripture, the more God's Spirit can use this mighty sword in our lives.

Of course, Scripture specifically instructs us that each believer must be informed and thereby alert to the attacks of Satan (1 Peter 5:8). A prerequisite to defeating an enemy is to know as much as possible about the enemy---including his tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We are also instructed to take a decisive stand against Satan. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" he has to by the authority of the name of Jesus. This is not a one time resistance. Rather, on a day-to-day basis we must steadfastly resist the devil. And when we do, he will flee from us. Ephesians 6:13,14 tells us to "stand firm" against the devil.We must not give place to the devil by letting sunset pass with us having unrighteous anger in our hearts toward someone (Ephesians 4:26,27). An excess of wrath in our heart gives opportunity to the devil to work in our lives.

We are instructed to rely on the indwelling Spirit of God, remembering that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

We should pray for ourselves and for each other. Jesus set an example for us in the Lord's Prayer by teaching us to pray. "Deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). Jesus also set an example of how to pray for others in His prayer for Peter: "Simon, Simon Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:31,32). We should pray for each other that we will maintain a strong faith in the face of adversity.

Of course, the believer should never dabble in the occult, for this gives the devil opportunity to work in his life (Deuteronomy 18:10,11; Romans 16:19).

Finally, we must remember that Satan is "ON A LEASH." {Do I hear an Amen for that!!! ) He cannot go beyond what God will allow him (the Book of Job makes this abundantly clear). Hence, we should rest secure in the fact that God is in control of the universe and realize that Satan cannot simply do as he pleases in our lives!!! {WHOOHOO GO GOD!!! }.

Our God Is Pure Power!!

Marilyn