By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Does the word “damnation” always refer to hell?
Answer:
NO, It DEPENDS on how the word is used and the CONTEXT of the verse that it is found in.
In verses such as Romans 13:1,2, and 1 Corinthians 11:29 the word “DAMNATION” is used in the sense of “JUDGEMENT” for breaking the law, or a command – Galatians 6:7, but NOT eternal damnation or punishment in hell.
(Romans 13:1,2) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(1 Corinthians 11:29-32) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (32) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
(Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
If the MEANING of the word “Damnation” is meant to be in reference to hell, USUALLY the verse that the word is used in WILL bare this out.
TAKE FOR INSTANCE in Mark 3:29
(Mark 3:29) But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
AGAIN IN Matthew 23:33
(Matthew 23:33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
The Word “DAMNATION” can mean either JUDGEMENT but NOT eternal judgement or IT CAN mean eternal punishment in hell the CONTEXT of the verse and how the word is used NEEDS to be considered.
Hell IS REAL regardless if believed in or not, and TRUTHFULLY most people are going there.
(Matthew 7:13,14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (HELL), and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (HEAVEN), and few there be that find it.
(Matthew 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
The WILL OF THE FATHER is believing ( Trusting in ALONE) the Gospel, which is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
(Acts 16:31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
There are NO unbelievers in hell, and the SADEST thing of it all is that EVERY person that is in hell ALL have their sins COMPLETLY PAID FOR. So why are they in hell?, very simple, they believed one second TO LATE, They CHOSE not to believe (Trust in ALONE) in Christ as their saviour, then one second AFTER they died and entered hell they believed.
The Rich Man in Luke chapter 16 MADE this mistake and he has been in hell for 1900 + years.
(Luke 16:19-28) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (20) And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
(21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (23) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
(24) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (25) But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (26) And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: (28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins. the MOMENT you believe(TRUST in Christ ALONE) you recieve eternal life.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH