Proverbs 15:11, On Hell And Heaven

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September 17, Proverbs 15:11

Mark 9:38-50 “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (Lk. 16:26).

On Hell And Heaven

Hell and destruction are before the Lord (15:11). He who sees into hell, can most certainly see into our hearts. The KJV is said to mislead when it translates sheol as hell (Kidner). Much as some want to believe that the dead are out of God’s mind and memory (Ps. 88:10-12), they really know better (Job 26:6, Ps. 139:8)!

1. The Disappearance: John Blanchard wrote the book, Whatever Happened To Hell? (1993). He gave some comparative poll statistics. Over 70% believed in the existence of hell in U.S.A. in 1978, but under 25% in Britain by 1989! “At some point in the 1960’s hell disappeared. No one could say for certain when it happened.” “Hell disappeared and no one noticed,” Martin Marty! Another “expert” asserts, “I don’t think there is any future for hell!” Blanchard says there is only one reliable source for knowledge of hell – the Bible (p.20), and Jesus taught that the Bible was the Word of God. In the AV, Sheol is translated hell 31 times. The NASV leaves sheol untranslated. The reader must decide what it means. The NIV (1979) reads grave and death. Thus those using modern versions may never see or hear the word hell anymore! Does this not answer, in large part, the question, “Whatever happened to hell?” It is all but eradicated from the versions because of unbelief! Yet Jesus believed in Hell and warned of it, too!

2. The Destruction: Hell and destruction are before the Lord (v.11a). The Omnipotent Eye of God sees everywhere, even into the depths of Hell. He sees into the darkest places of the underworld. Job says, Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering (26:6). Job describes this place as, A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness (10:22). How dreadful is that place (Eccl. 12:14)! It cannot be limited to the grave or the state of all the dead. Why are only the wicked, never the righteous, warned of its terrors? In a moment they go down to the grave (sheol). The fuller revelation came with the New Testament.

3. The Deliverance: How much more the hearts of the children of men? (v.11b). The God who thoroughly knows the abysses of Hell knows the depths of the hearts of men (Ps. 139:23). Fearful as is Hell, there is deliverance. Hosea cries, I will ransom them from the power of the grave (sheol); I will redeem them from death (13:14). But how, you ask? Paul, the apostle, answers. First, he quotes from Isaiah (25:8), Death is swallowed up in victory! Then, he quotes from Hosea, O death where is thy sting? O grave (sheol) where is thy victory? Finally, comes that triumphant shout, Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57). That victory can be yours.

The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns the mighty Victor’s brow.

Thought: “God fits our souls here to possess a glorious body after” (R. Sibbes).

Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart, I pray.”