Question: Will there be different punishments in hell.
(Jeff Unsworth)
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone 's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
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After the 1000 years Millennial reign of Christ on the earth, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment of God.
Note: Christians will not stand before this judgment seat, for they have already been judged at the Judgment seat of Christ, after the Rapture of the church, 1 Thess 4.
The Christians work will be tried, as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:15 says, "If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire".
At the Judgment seat of Christ, (The Bema Seat), there is no condemnation but reward for Christian living.
This is derived from the judgment seat (Bema seat), at the Olympic games. Judgment for performance.
According to Christian belief, Christians receive rewards in heaven for their faithfulness and service to God. These rewards are given in the form of crowns.
What are the rewards?
Crown of life: Given to those who remain faithful through trials and persecution.
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.".
Crown of righteousness: Given to those who love God and look forward to his return.
2 Timothy 4:8.
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing”.
Crown of glory: Given to those who have loved and cared for God's people.
When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
Crown of rejoicing: Given to those who bring others to Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?".
How are rewards given?
Rewards are given according to the believer's labour.
Rewards are given for using the gifts God has given well.
Rewards are given to show how much God values the believer's love.
The Bible encourages faithful stewardship of our talents and abilities to serve others and glorify God, with the implication that such actions will be recognized and rewarded by Him.
1 Peter 4:10 "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Using your gifts responsibly and diligently for the benefit of others, not just for personal gain.
While the exact nature of rewards is not explicitly detailed, they are often understood as spiritual blessings, a sense of fulfillment, and recognition from God for faithfully using your gifts.
What the Bible say about rewards.
Matthew 5:12 speaks of a great reward in heaven.
2 John 8 speaks of a full reward.
Only unbelievers will stand at the Great White Throne judgment of God.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.
At this judgment, people will be judged on the life they have lived and the fact that they rejected the Gospel.
The eternal destination of these souls is determined by their rejection of Christ.
Matt 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
2Thess 1: 8,9 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Matt 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
The ultimate destination of the unbeliever, is hell, (the Lake of Fire).
However, the question is, will they all suffer the same punishment?
E.g. Will the person who has lived a relatively decent life but has rejected Jesus Christ, receive the same punishment in the same way as someone like Adoph Hitler or a serial killer?
The answer is that all of these souls will be condemned to eternal punishment for the rejection of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him, should not perish but have eternal life.
However, the scriptures tell us that unbelievers will be judged according to what they had done.
Rev 20:12 says: And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
It appears that the punishment will fit the crime. (Judged according to what they had done).
They will be condemned to hell, but will the punishment be the same?
In contrast to condemnation of the dead, there are those who are in Christ who will be rewarded according to their works done (in Christ).
Note: These Are not works for salvation but work from salvation.
Eph 2:8,9 tells us, that it is by grace alone through faith, not of works.
Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
The Bible does not make it clear what these rewards are but they will be obviously different, according to what they have done as believers.
If the dead are also judged according to their works, then it is logical to believe that these works too, are judged differently.
