SIX WAYS HEAVEN IS LIKE HELL

JOHN 14:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

When we normally think of the two destinations for the souls of men we think of how they are different. In fact, Lord willing, that will be the message this evening. We speak of the joys of Heaven and the terrors of Hell and rightly so. But there are at least six similarities between the two places and oddly enough, these similarities are part of what makes Heaven a joyful place and the same qualities make Hell a terrible place. Let’s open our Bibles, our hearts and our minds to the SIX WAYS HEAVEN IS LIKE HELL.

I. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE ASSURED PLACES [Jn. 14:1, Luke 16:16-23]

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. There was a certain rich man, which, was clothed in purple and fine linen, and, fared sumptuously every day: : And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Jesus spoke of Hell approximately twice as much as he did Heaven.

II. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE ABUNDANT PLACES [Jn. 14:2, Is. 5:14]

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

III. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE DISTANT PLACES [Jn. 14:2-3, 2 Th. 1:8-9, Rev. 14:10-11]

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

prosopon,  pros'-o-pon;  from «4314» and ops (the visage, from «3700»); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, × before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence. [they won’t see God]

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

enopion, en-o'-pee-on;  neuter of a compound of «1722» and a derivative of «3700»; in the face of (literally or figuratively):--before, in the presence (sight) of, to. [God will see them]

IV. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE PREPARED PLACES [Jn. 14:2-3, Mt. 25:41]

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

V. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE POPULATED PLACES [Jn. 14:3, Rev. 20:11-15, 21:8]

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

VI. BOTH HEAVEN AND HELL ARE RESERVED PLACES [Jn. 14:1-6, Rev. 20:15; 2 Th. 1:8-9; Rom. 2:6-9, 1:16]

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.