Bible Answers Archive

Why should I believe in hell?

The horrors of hell are such that they cause us to instinctively recoil in disbelief and doubt. Yet, there are compelling reasons that should cause us to erase such doubt from our minds. First, Christ, the Creator of the cosmos, clearly communicated hell’s irrevocable reality. He spent more time talking about hell than he did [...]

Are there degrees of punishment in hell?

On the basis of the Bible we may safely conclude that not all existence in hell is equal. First, the unified testimony of Scripture is that God is perfectly just and will reward and punish each person in accordance with what he or she has done (Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 18:20, 30; [...]

Are there degrees of reward in heaven?

Degrees of reward in heaven are not often the subject of contemporary sermons. They were, however, a constant theme in the sermons of Christ. He explicitly points to degrees of reward that will be given for faithful service, self–sacrifice, and suffering. Indeed, the canon of Scripture is replete with references to rewards. While we are [...]

If heaven is perfect, won’t it be perfectly boring?

An all-too-prevalent perception in Christianity and the culture is that heaven is going to be one big bore. That, however, is far from true. Rather, heaven will be a place of continuous learning, growth, and development. By nature, humans are finite, and that is how it always will be. While we will have an incredible [...]

Will there be sex in heaven?

What do you see in your mind’s eye when the word “sex” is mentioned? An image of Madonna on MTV? A James Bond movie? Cosmopolitan magazine? Or does your mind immediately flash from sex to Scripture? Trust me, when it comes to sex, Playboy cannot hold a candle to Scripture. If you think that’s an [...]

Will there be animals in heaven?

Scripture does not conclusively tell us whether our pets will make it to heaven. However, the Bible does provide us with some significant clues regarding whether or not animals will inhabit the new heaven and the new earth. First, animals populated the garden of Eden. Thus, there is a precedent for believing that animals will [...]

How old will we be in heaven?

Scripture does not specifically address the issue of apparent age; however it does provide glorious insights concerning the state of our resurrected bodies. First, when God created Adam and Eve in Eden, he created them with apparent age and in the prime of life. Additionally, Jesus died and was resurrected at the prime of his [...]

When do we receive our resurrected bodies?

When do we receive our resurrected bodies? This is a question I encountered frequently after the death of my father. Family members and friends wanted to know whether my dad had become a disembodied soul or whether he received his resurrection body the moment he died. First, Scripture clearly refers to the moment of death [...]

Is the tithe for today?

Of all the questions I am asked to answer, this is beyond a doubt the most difficult. Not only because the subject of tithing is hotly debated, but because I must confess that I personally have not always been faithful in giving a tenth or more to the work of the Lord. And I am [...]

What is the biblical view of wealth?

I am persuaded that the Bible teaches a form of Christian capitalism—in other words, responsibility associated with wealth. It does not promote the possession of money for the sake of money, but instead encourages us to use money for the sake of the kingdom. In short, a biblical view of wealth involves an eternal perspective. [...]