06/16/2026
A very insightful teaching from the Bible about heaven and hell.
ETERNITY: HEAVEN OR HELL
📍 Key Text: 📖 Matthew 25:46
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
■ INTRODUCTION
Every person living today is moving toward eternity.
📍 Life on earth is temporary.
📖 James 4:14
“For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Yet beyond this brief life lies an eternal destiny.
The Bible teaches that after death and judgment, every soul will spend eternity in one of two places:
● eternal life with God,
● or eternal punishment separated from God.
There is no middle ground.
There is no second opportunity after death.
Therefore, every person must seriously consider where he will spend eternity.
I. MAN IS AN ETERNAL BEING
Man was created with an eternal soul.
📖 Genesis 2:7
“...and man became a living soul.”
📖 Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
● The body dies.
● The spirit continues to exist.
● Death is not the end.
● It is the doorway into eternity.
■ II. DEATH IS NOT THE FINAL DESTINATION
Many fear death because they do not understand what lies beyond it.
The Bible teaches:
📖 Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
✔️ After death comes accountability before God.
✔️ No person escapes this divine appointment.
■ III. THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION OF ALL MEN
The dead will not remain in the grave forever.
📖 John 5:28–29
“...all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.”
📖 Acts 24:15
“...there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
Both the righteous and the wicked will be raised to stand before Christ.
■ IV. THERE WILL BE A FINAL JUDGMENT
Following the resurrection comes judgment.
📖 2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
📖 Romans 14:12
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
● Every thought,
● every word,
● and every deed will be brought before God.
■ V. THE RIGHTEOUS WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE
God has prepared an eternal home for the faithful.
📖 Matthew 25:34
“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you...”
📖 Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes...”
Heaven is described as a place of:
●eternal joy,
●peace,
●holiness,
●and fellowship with God.
The faithful shall dwell with the Lord forever.
■ VI. HEAVEN IS THE HOPE OF THE SAVED
Jesus promised a place for His followers.
📖 John 14:1–3
“I go to prepare a place for you.”
📖 Philippians 3:20
“For our conversation is in heaven...”
The Christian's hope is not centered upon this world. It is centered upon eternity with Christ.
■ VII. THE WICKED WILL FACE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT
The Bible also teaches the reality of eternal punishment.
📖 Matthew 25:46
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment...”
📖 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9
Punishment is described as:
● exclusion from God's presence,
● everlasting destruction,
● and eternal separation from divine blessing.
The same Bible that teaches heaven also teaches hell.
■ VIII. HELL WAS NOT PREPARED FOR MAN
God does not desire the destruction of mankind.
📖 2 Peter 3:9
“Not willing that any should perish...”
Jesus taught:
📖 Matthew 25:41
“...everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels.
Yet those who reject God's salvation choose the same destiny.
■ IX. THE DIFFERENCE IS OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST
The dividing line between eternal life and eternal punishment is man's response to Christ.
📖 Hebrews 5:9
“...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
📖 2 Thessalonians 1:8
The issue is not:
● popularity,
● wealth,
● education,
● or religious tradition.
The issue is obedience to Christ and His gospel.
■ X. THE SAVED ARE THOSE WHO OBEY THE GOSPEL
The gospel reveals God's way of salvation.
📖 Romans 1:16
📖 Mark 16:16
📖 Acts 2:38
📖 Acts 2:47
Those who obey the gospel and remain faithful in Christ receive the hope of eternal life.
■ XI. ETERNITY IS FOREVER
One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is the permanence of eternity.
📖 Matthew 25:46
“...everlasting punishment... eternal life.”
The same word describes both destinies.
As eternal life has no end, so everlasting punishment has no end.
Therefore, the choice made in this life has eternal consequences.
■ XII. NOW IS THE TIME TO CHOOSE
God continues to offer grace and salvation.
📖 Isaiah 55:6
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found...”
📖 2 Corinthians 6:2
“Behold, now is the accepted time...”
The opportunity to obey Christ exists now.
After death, the opportunity is gone.
■ CONCLUSION
The Bible clearly teaches that every person will spend eternity in one of two destinations.
According to the Scriptures:
● Man possesses an eternal soul.
● Death is not the end.
● There will be a resurrection.
● There will be a final judgment.
● The righteous will inherit eternal life.
● The wicked will face eternal punishment.
● Christ is the Author of salvation.
● The difference is obedience to the gospel.
📖 Matthew 25:46
📖 Hebrews 5:9
📖 John 14:1–3
Therefore:
● obey the gospel of Christ,
● remain faithful in His Church,
● continue in His doctrine,
● and prepare for eternity.
For every person will spend eternity somewhere.
The question is:
Where will you spend eternity?
☆ FINAL EXHORTATION ☆
Life is brief, but eternity is forever. Choose today to follow Christ and obey His gospel.
📖 Matthew 25:46
“...the righteous into life eternal.”
📖 Hebrews 5:9
“...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
📖 Revelation 2:10
“...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Let the Bible speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent.
— Sabwag sa Kamatuoran —
Church of Christ
