Introduction

  A. Several preachers and bible teachers claim/assert that there are degrees of rewards and punishments in the after life.

  1. Does the Bible teach this belief/ doctrine?

  2. Let us examine this claim for Jesus said, " You shall know the truth that shall make us free," John 8:32

  3. " Search the scriptures for in them you have eternal life, John 5:39

  B. The approach in this study shall be as follows:

  1. Jesus and the writers of the Bible used " anthropomorphism."

  2. Examples of anthropomorphism in the scriptures

  3. Rewards and punishments have no degrees but fixed Paradise/ Tartarus and Heaven/ Hell.

Discussion

  A. Jesus and other writers of the Bible used anthropomorphism

  1. Meaning " to treat objects and ideas as if they are human beings."

  2. Thus " using human language to explain spiritual concepts or objects."

  3. Some equate anthropomorphism with personification of abstract ideas including rewards and punishments in the after life.

 B. Examples of anthropomorphism in the Bible

  1. God is described as a man with eyes, ears, hands and feet- Amos 9:3, Daniel 9:18, Isaiah 5:25 and Genesis 3:8

  2. God made man from dust; planted in a garden and took a rest ( sabbath) Genesis 2:3, 7-8.

  3. God speaks, listens; closed the door of the ark and even whistled, Genesis 1:3, Exodus 16:12; Genesis 7:16 and Isaiah 7:18

 4. To make man understand His teachings, Jesus and His disciples used parables, hyperboles and other figures of speech- all forms of anthropomorphism

 5. Angels have their own language, see Corinthians 13:1

 6. The Holy Spirit communicated with the Father in divine language, Romans 8:26-27 ( " groanings too deep for words)

 7. Revelation 10:4 says that " the 7 thunders spoke but John was not allowed to write down their words."

 8. Deuteronomy 29:29 says " Secret things belong to God."

 9. Paul heard things which man may not utter ( God's secret or language), 2 Corinthians 12:4

C. Rewards and Punishments have no degrees in the after life for " anthropomorphic terms were used" in explaining them

  1. Revelation 2:10 " the reward is the crown of life" not in varying degrees or levels

  2. John 3:16 " believers shall have everlasting life" ( no degrees are stated)

  3. The criminal who believed in Jesus was assured of going to Paradise, Luke 23:43 ( no degrees)

  4. In Luke 16:22-23, we learn that the souls of Lazarus and the rich man went separately to Abraham's Bosom and Tartarus ( place of Torments)- no degrees were mentioned

  5. Revelation 21:8 says that the " unrighteous will go to the lake of fire" ( no degrees)

  6. Revelation 22:14 tells us " that those who washed their robes shall have the right to the Tree of Life," ( no degrees mentioned)

  7. John 5:29 reveals that " those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment," ( no degrees)

Conclusion

 A. Summary of the Main Points

 B. The Great Invitation from Jesus to all people,  Matthew 11:28-30