Are There Degrees of Punishment in Hell?

8/14/2019 Are There Degrees of Punishment in Hell?

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Are There Degrees ofPunishment in Hell? By Paul Tatham

tatham47@hotmail

Most evangelical Christians have a fairly clear understanding of the

concept of varying degrees of reward in Heaven.They are familiar with Scriptures which speak of crowns, and the like,

that will be awarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ and seek to live their

lives with that prospect in mind.

Not as many evangelicals, however, grasp the reality that there exist

similar variations of punishment in Hell for the lost.

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Although Hell will be a place of horrific anguish for all its residents,

some will suffer worse than others.

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Without delving into the exact meaning of the following Bible

passages, it is clear that they all speak to the fact that there are degrees

--perhaps literally - of punishment in Hell.

The degree of punishment seems to be predicated on just two factors:

the amount of gospel light, to which one was exposed, and ones works.

If someone, during his life on earth, had the privilege to be presented

with a clear presentation of Gods plan of salvation, and dismissed it, his

punishment will be greater than for someone who had no such exposure.Furthermore, although only one sin is needed to condemn a person to a

lost eternity in Hell, some sins are worse than others and will be punished

accordingly.

Where is the Biblical Evidence?

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Luke 12:47-48

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself,

neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall

be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of

him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much,

of him they will ask the more.

Romans 2:12

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and

as many as have sinned in the law shall bejudged by the law.

Luke 10:14

But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than foryou.

Matthew 10:15

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and

Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

2 Peter 2:20-21

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the

knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled

therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

For it had been betterfor them not to have known the way of righteousness,than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment

delivered unto them.

Hebrews 10:26-29

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the

truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful

looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the

adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or

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three witnesses: Of how muchsorerpunishment, suppose ye, shall he be

thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath

counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy

thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Mark 12:40

Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these

shall receivegreaterdamnation.

Matthew 23:15

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and

land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold

more the child of Hell than yourselves.

Matthew 18:6-7

But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it

were betterfor him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he

were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of

offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by

whom the offence cometh!

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Deuteronomy 25:2-3

And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge

shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to

his fault, by a certain number. Forty stripes he may give him, and not

exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with manystripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

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1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your

mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are

weighed.

2 Samuel 3:39

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of

Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil

according to his wickedness.

Ezra 9:13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great

trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities

deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.

Psalm 28:4

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness oftheir endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them

their desert.

Hosea 4:9

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their

ways, and reward them their doings.

Hosea 12:2

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob

according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

Obadiah 1:15

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it

shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

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Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man

according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this

man hath done nothing amiss.

Revelation 20:13

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered

up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according

to their works.

John 19:11

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it

were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath

thegreatersin.

1 Peter 4:17

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it

first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel ofGod?

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Proverbs 24:12

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart

consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not

he render to every man according to his works?

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Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were

opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the

dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,

according to their works.

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Are There Degrees of Punishment in Hell?