FAQs Mondays: What Will Happen to Those Not in Christ?

"FAQs Mondays" is an ongoing series of posts based on an adaptation of The Baptist Catechism.  You can view the original documents from which it is drawn: here, here, and here.  The most recent posts include: "How Is Redemption Applied", "What Are the Benefits of Effectual Calling", and "What Other Benefits Come from Being in Christ?".  The previous post explored the benefits of being in Christ that extend beyond this life.  This post will explore the question, "What will happen to those not in Christ?"


What shall be done to the wicked at death?

 The souls of the wicked shall at death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves until the resurrection and judgment of the great day.  Jesus related this story, "The poor man [Lazarus] died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.  The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame" (Luke 16:22-24, ESV).  Elsewhere Jesus states, "Do not marvel at this, for all who are in the tombs will hear his [the Son of God] voice, and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29, ESV).  Daniel states, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2, ESV).  John shares this vision:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it.  From his presence the earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 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.  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, according to what the had done.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone's name is not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15, ESV).

What shall be done to the wicked on the day of judgment?

At the Day of Judgment, the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels forever.  Paul states, "They [the wicked] will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thes. 1:9, ESV).  Jesus warned, "Then he [the Son of Man] will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" (Matt. 25:41, ESV).

Conclusion

Those outside of Christ will be judged and condemned for their sin.  They will be cast into the lake of fire, away from the merciful presence of God.  The tortures and torments of hell are to penalty for sin.  But what exactly is sin?  Sin is the active or passive violation of God's will.  If sin is the violation of God's will, what exactly does God require of us?  Next week, we will seek to answer that question.