It is always important to approach the Bible with humility and a desire to properly understand it. Matthew 10:28 is a permament reminder to me of how easy it is to misunderstand something if you don’t read carefully.
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The first time I zoomed through the Bible and saw that passage I inferred that the one who could “destroy both soul and body in Hell” was Satan. I was using the stereotype of Satan being in charge of Hell. Of course, the passage refers to God, not Satan, and Satan isn’t in charge of Hell. He will get thrown there against his will along with other unrepentant sinners.
But notice my error: I mixed up God and Satan! It doesn’t get any worse than that. So we find two lessons there:
- Read carefully
- Be teachable
The problem with many of us isn’t our initial errors, but our refusal to be corrected when the evidence shows we are wrong. If we find ourselves disagreeing with God then we are the ones who need to change views.
Back to the verse: This is a very powerful statement by Jesus. Some people try to dismiss the concept of Hell, but it is a non sequitor to say that Hell is “just” [fill in the blank], when this passage is so clear: Whatever / wherever Hell is exactly, it is a place where body and soul are destroyed. It is something to legitimately fear.
The way to avoid it is by trusting in what Jesus did for you, so that your sins are transferred to his account and his perfect righteousness is transferred to your account. You should take this offer very seriously, because eternity matters.
Amen, Neil. I know I had thought that Satan was ruling over Hell. I later learned that he will be cast there along with his minions and unrepentant sinners. I think it is two-fold here: seeing how powerful God is (that he controls Hell too), and how much power Satan has compared to God. It is somewhat of a refreshing verse to know that God is in control.
thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing out the truth. God is in charge of hell, not the devil. hell is a place of judgment for all who dwell there eternally. you will not be tortured for eternity by satan if you refuse to believe. you will be justly punished by God. please believe!
Yes. When I read Revelation the first time I noticed how anti-climactic it was in a sense. There is this classic build up of of good vs. evil, but in the end the battle wasn’t even close. God is in control and just banishes Satan forever. Praise God for that! But it wouldn’t make much of a movie, because people are used to closer fights.
Thanks Neil for commenting on my blog! I appreciate it a lot. I’ll be checking out the rest of your blog too.
On topic, I have a friend who has gotten completely turned upside down, has no trust in the Bible, and doesn’t know what he wants to do. He used to be a strong, active Christian! But talking to Him really pushes me to know what I believe and why I believe it. It’s troubling at times, but worth the pursuit and a great reminder that we never stop discovering and learning about God and His word.
Blessings!
Thanks, Jason. I enjoyed your blog.
You have the right attitude with your friend. Addressing the objections of others can strengthen our own faith and hopefully be a witness to them.
Hello Neil:
Question, is hell a place where the body and soul will be destoryed or is it a place of eternal torture? I ask this as someone who admittedly hasn’t given much thought to the issue, but have haeard it descirbed in the later way for quite sometime.
Hi DJBA,
The main thing I like to emphasize in answering that question is that it isn’t torture but punishment commensurate with the sins of the individual.
I’d have to dig into the Greek more to be sure but I’m pretty sure that “destroy” doesn’t mean annihilation. There is definitely an eternal aspect to it.
Other may be able to answer more specifically. I would point folks to Jesus words, and He talked about Hell twice as much as He did Heaven.
I offer verse 31 Brother,
The Father reveals when we are ready. I would like to offer my opinion to DJBA question–Hell is total separation from God. I would venture to say, because it is after death it is not bodily but spirit.
All of us are given eternal life because we are children of the Father. Do you wish to spend that eternity with Him or exiled?
“The problem with many of us isn’t our initial errors, but our refusal to be corrected when the evidence shows we are wrong. If we find ourselves disagreeing with God then we are the ones who need to change views.”
Definitely my problem. Teaching High School Sunday School has been good for me though. My students make me look at the evidence.
Good point Neil. From the movies and literature, we get this picture that there’s actually going to be a fight between God and the Diablo.
God won’t have to do much of anything. He just has to say the word and it will all be done.
p.s. I’ve been listening to Matthew (I think it is Matthew 8) where the Roman colonel says:
Lord, just say the word and my servant shall be healed.
At the Romand Catholic Church we used to say: Lord, I’m not worthy to receive you but just say the word and I shall be healed.
Now that I know where it came from, I love it.
I think a common misunderstanding is the view that hell is a place where you are totally separated from God. However, what makes hell truly hell is that it is a place where God is present and His wrath is being poured out constantly on sinners who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ. I remember the first time I ever saw in Revelation 6:16 where it says “the wrath of the Lamb”.
I believe it was Paul Washer who commented boldly about the fact that God’s presence in hell is what makes it such a horrible place. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God – who is a consuming fire.
Edgar, I was just reading Matthew 8 last night and thinking about just how many different miracles were recorded in one chapter. I love the story of the Centurion.
Jay, good points! Thanks for visiting and commenting.
there it go… Centurion… that’s the word. I could’ve googled it but I’m trying to exercise my brain… old school…
Great post Neil!
Often times – especially in our modern times, we are inclined to take the Hell out of hell – no fire and not everlasting. Jay makes an interesting point about God being present in Hell, but theologically hell is indeed the absence of God – no hope, no more promise, and eternal. Biblical prophesy was always fullfilled right down to the tiny detail – thus when Jesus spoke of Hell I suspect His details are indeed True, if not utterly literal as well.
Zero grace for anyone outside of Christ – including angels who only sinned once as best I know. Sobering thoughts…for a reason.
Dr Eric Mason (Epiphany) had a recent sermon emphazising that its not Satan that condemns us….but the wrath of God…..opened my eyes quite a bit.
Thanks Neil, for what you do and also for the advice on Alcorns Pro-Life book…we passed them out today.
Stay Whole
Hey Bret,
Good point, and thanks for the follow up on the Alcorn books. Do you know many you gave out? That is great news. I pray that pro-lifers read ‘em and are prepared to give convincing arguments and get more involved, and I pray that pro-choicers read ‘em twice and change their views.
I could only afford fifty, but all of them were snatched up. I doubt there are many pro-choicers in our little SBC congegration….but there certainly is an abundance of those who are lukewarm to the holocaust. I pray it serves as a catalyst.