Where is this "Outer Darkness"?

[will]

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that The Lord mentioned the term "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) which is distinctly different than the other term "fiery furnace" (Matthew 13:42, 13:50). The context for the term "outer darkness" is always reserved for unfaithful servants. As far as I know, The Lord never refers to unbelievers as His servants.

But I know there are several different takes on what the "outer darkness" means:
1. It is hell
2. It is not hell, but a place in the Millenial Kingdom for believers ("servants") who are not faithful in their earthly lives
3. It is not hell, but a place like a purgatory where both unfaithful believers *and* unbelievers wait for the final judgement at the end of the Millenial Kingdom

I'd like to hear from those who has done study on this, or from those whom The Holy Spirit have taught regarding this.

Thank you!

 

[faithfulservant]

I believe we can trust Jesus when He speaks plainly, and He did in this passage. A number of years ago, when I knew God was real, but wasn't taking Him seriously and walking in rebellion and sin, He gave me a dream to warn me of my destination.

In the dream, I was shot by someone. Then, I died and my soul began to rise up, out of my body, out of the room out of the building, up into the air, out beyond the clouds, beyond our atmosphere, beyond the solar system, beyond our galaxy, beyond our universe. I just kept propelling further and further and it got colder and darker. Eventually, the universe looked to me as if it was just specks far beyond my comprehension of distance. There was nothing out where I was going. As I continued on the stark, cold, frightening prospect of utter loneliness covered me. There was nothing, and that scared me more than anything, even more than this cretin who shot me dead. I knew I was all alone.

I awoke from this dream in a cold sweat. Mind you, I wasn't into the Bible at this point in my life. I didn't know about the "outer darkness" as described by Jesus. But, praise be to God, He eventually broke through my hard heart and drew me into His marvelous light. Thank You, Jesus!

So... I believe there is an "outer darkness" just as Jesus proclaimed. :crazy:

 

[RJ]

It is hell!
The Bible teaches that God is light and hell will be void of God and light.
Man understands darkness and I suppose "outer darkness" is even more remote and seperated than he can understand.
I can't even imagine how terrible it will be to be thrown into total darkness but burn as in a fiery furnace for all of eternity, now that would be hell.
Who knows for sure but what could be worse than a place totally void of God and love.

The actual term "Outer Darkness" comes from the parable of the wedding feast. Any non-believer trying to get into the banquet will not only be thrown out into the dark but far out to the outer darkness or hell!...The analogy is the same as a non-believer saying "Lord-Lord" and then be thrown in hell. Matthew 22:12-14

 

[DHC]

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that The Lord mentioned the term "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) which is distinctly different than the other term "fiery furnace" (Matthew 13:42, 13:50). The context for the term "outer darkness" is always reserved for unfaithful servants. As far as I know, The Lord never refers to unbelievers as His servants.

But I know there are several different takes on what the "outer darkness" means:
1. It is hell
2. It is not hell, but a place in the Millenial Kingdom for believers ("servants") who are not faithful in their earthly lives
3. It is not hell, but a place like a purgatory where both unfaithful believers *and* unbelievers wait for the final judgement at the end of the Millenial Kingdom

I'd like to hear from those who has done study on this, or from those whom The Holy Spirit have taught regarding this.

Thank you!

Both destinations have similarities.

Both cause weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Both involve rejection by the Lord.

Both are judgements.

Regardless of whether there is a real difference, these people are in serious trouble.

 

[Brighthouse]

Brother Will What I am about to say, is only for you to consider,I have no chapter and verse upon which I am going to tell you which for me is truly rare to speak on something when I do not have chapter and verse! Upon myself receiving Jesus as my Savior,they were casting out an evil spirit prior to this,it is a very long story, so I will make this as short as I can,answering your question directly. I was taken out of my body,i saw what was going on as they were commanding the spirit to depart in Jesus name, kind of like picture picture on your tv screen.

I was in a place called paradise,or better know before Jesus as outer darkness, meaning before Jesus died and rose. It dwelt in the very center of the spirit realm, to my right i saw the gates to heaven, and they at the time were closed,and to my left a very evil terrible smell,with great smoke and lighting coming from the cloud towards me. A welcoming party of evil perhaps?? unknown. But the smell was really foul! The gates of heaven opened,and Jesus came forth from them. he did not look towards me,but knew i was there,I remember falling upon my knees at once,not even doing it by will.

Jesus eyes became red like a flame of fire towards the smoke and he waved his hand, and when he did a very sweet fragrance fell upon me,and the smoke left as if it had never been there to start with! The aroma that came forth was as best I can put i,t life giving brother!! I know no other way to say it.( 2 cor 2:14-16!!) As close as I can get to it bro. Then I came back to my body,delivered, and well in both my mind and body! Hope this helps bro.

 

[Davy]

Hi will, it seams to me, the best way to answer this question it to let the Bible lead the way.

In the Parable of the marriage feast, Matthew 22:11-13, (NASB) says: "11-But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12-and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. 13-"Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" The man without a marriage garment pictures fake Christians. These God has never recognized as having the proper identification for being invited into the marriage feast. So they are thrown outside into darkness where they will suffer destruction. (Matthew 7:21-23)

It is interesting to note, the apostle Peter said something very similar. In 2 Peter 2:4, (NASB) Peter wrote: "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment." God threw these disobedient angels into Tartarus--this pits of darkness, in Noah's day, and they will remain in that condemned and rejected status until they are destroyed in the lack of fire. (Revelation 20:10, 14, 15)

This seams to indicate that "the outer darkness," and the "pits of darkness," are referring to the same thing. They are symbolic terms of rejection by God.

 

[james1523]

Outer darkness is for believers who are unfaithful. It means to be cast out from the presence of the Lord, in a state of suffering. It is temporary death.
Hellfire is for unbelievers. It means to perish forever and ever, the "second death". It is eternal death.

 

[NoHype]

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that The Lord mentioned the term "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) which is distinctly different than the other term "fiery furnace" (Matthew 13:42, 13:50). The context for the term "outer darkness" is always reserved for unfaithful servants. As far as I know, The Lord never refers to unbelievers as His servants.

But I know there are several different takes on what the "outer darkness" means:
1. It is hell
2. It is not hell, but a place in the Millenial Kingdom for believers ("servants") who are not faithful in their earthly lives
3. It is not hell, but a place like a purgatory where both unfaithful believers *and* unbelievers wait for the final judgement at the end of the Millenial Kingdom

I'd like to hear from those who has done study on this, or from those whom The Holy Spirit have taught regarding this.

Thank you!

The short answer is here...

Rev 22:14-15
14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
(KJV)

That "city" is the holy city per the Ezekiel 40 through 48 layout. It is to cover an area in the holy land of 60 mi. x 60 mi. to include the Millennium temple and oblation and abodes of the priests. It will be right here, on earth, per those Ezekiel chapters. And it certainly will not be any temple that today's Jews plan to build in Jerusalem.

One of today's dangers is how orthodox Jews in Jerusalem today already have the materials ready to build another temple in Jerusalem and start up the old sacrifices. That one they will build in prep for the coming false messiah prior to our Lord Jesus' second coming, and He will destroy that one and instead build this Ezekiel temple instead.

Per Ezekiel 47 the River of the waters of life will flow from out of the Millennium sanctuary of Ezekiel, and feed other rivers upon the earth, healing them. And on either side of this River will be the Tree of Life. Thus there's more detail of this Rev.22:14-15 description in the Book of Ezekiel. No doubt our Lord Jesus assumed we had already read that.

 

[RJ]

Outer darkness is for believers who are unfaithful. It means to be cast out from the presence of the Lord, in a state of suffering. It is temporary death.
Hellfire is for unbelievers. It means to perish forever and ever, the "second death". It is eternal death.

I am thinking that would be the "outer Darkness" is for non-believers!

 

[RJ]

The short answer is here...

Rev 22:14-15
14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
(KJV)

That "city" is the holy city per the Ezekiel 40 through 48 layout. It is to cover an area in the holy land of 60 mi. x 60 mi. to include the Millennium temple and oblation and abodes of the priests. It will be right here, on earth, per those Ezekiel chapters. And it certainly will not be any temple that today's Jews plan to build in Jerusalem.

One of today's dangers is how orthodox Jews in Jerusalem today already have the materials ready to build another temple in Jerusalem and start up the old sacrifices. That one they will build in prep for the coming false messiah prior to our Lord Jesus' second coming, and He will destroy that one and instead build this Ezekiel temple instead.

Per Ezekiel 47 the River of the waters of life will flow from out of the Millennium sanctuary of Ezekiel, and feed other rivers upon the earth, healing them. And on either side of this River will be the Tree of Life. Thus there's more detail of this Rev.22:14-15 description in the Book of Ezekiel. No doubt our Lord Jesus assumed we had already read that.

I am not sure what this has to with a discussion about the "Outer Darkness" or Hell?

 

[NoHype]

I am not sure what this has to with a discussion about the "Outer Darkness" or Hell?

How can you not be sure of what those two Rev.22:14-15 verses show about a place of separation in that time outside the gates of the holy city? That's the Matt.25 separation between the 'goats' and Christ's 'sheep' for after His return. But that's not the only Scripture about that, the OT Books covered it too.

 

[NoHype]

I am thinking that would be the "outer Darkness" is for non-believers!

Not only for the wicked and unbelieving, but those like the unprofitable servant also (Matt.25). That's who the 'nations' of Rev.20 are that will dwell outside the "camp of the saints" in that Rev.20 chapter.

 

[RJ]

Not only for the wicked and unbelieving, but those like the unprofitable servant also (Matt.25). That's who the 'nations' of Rev.20 are that will dwell outside the "camp of the saints" in that Rev.20 chapter.

Matthew 25:30
You think there is any difference between the wicked, unprofitable servants and the unbeliever?

 

[RJ]

How can you not be sure of what those two Rev.22:14-15 verses show about a place of separation in that time outside the gates of the holy city? That's the Matt.25 separation between the 'goats' and Christ's 'sheep' for after His return. But that's not the only Scripture about that, the OT Books covered it too.

No sure where you're going there...The "Outer Darkness" or Hell is for all of those who have been separated and cast into Hell. Separating the Intruders into the Wedding Banquet, Sheep / Goats, Wheat / Tares, Wheat / Chaff, and etc. are all metaphorically the same as separating all believers from non-believers and the non-believers going to Hell.

 

[james1523]

No sure where you're going there...The "Outer Darkness" or Hell is for all of those who have been separated and cast into Hell. Separating the Intruders into the Wedding Banquet, Sheep / Goats, Wheat / Tares, Wheat / Chaff, and etc. are all metaphorically the same as separating all believers from non-believers and the non-believers going to Hell.

This idea that believers are sheep and unbelievers are goats is not strictly correct in the context of Matt 25. Most Christians miss this completely.

Sheep and goats are "the nations" that are before Christ, at Christ's second coming (Matt 25:32). They are not Christians (brothers and sisters of Christ), as verse 40 indicates:

Matt 25:40
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Christ is saying if the unbelievers help the brothers and sisters of Christ (the believers), they did it for Him and will receive a reward. They will even be called righteous (Matt 25:46).

The idea of unbelievers helping believers and being declared righteous by God is not a new idea. For example, Rahab the prostitute helped the Israelites capture the city. She was not an Israelite, but was justified by her works, and considered by God as righteous (James 2:25).

There are 3 kinds of people on Earth during the Tribulation. Goats, sheep, and believers. Goats and sheep are both unbelievers. The Tribulation will be a terrible time, where believers are severely persecuted. They will be naked, hungry, homeless, and in prison (Matt 25).
Goats are unbelievers who don't help the believers.. and so persecute the believers by default.
Sheep are unbelievers who help the believers:
Matt 10:42 "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.""

and these sheep are rewarded in Christ's 1000 year kingdom:
Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Similar verse is:
Matt 10:40 "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me."


In fact, these righteous nations get to dwell outside of the city of New Jerusalem and walk by its light (Rev 21:26), and the nations will be healed by the leaves of the Tree of Life (Rev 22:2). But the believers will be inside the New Jerusalem with Christ. Rev 22:3 "The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him."

The believers will rule cities of the nations, (Luke 19, Rev 2:26), but the people of the nations that believers rule over, will be those who helped the persecuted believers on Earth.

Now if the nations will walk by the light of the city (New Jerusalem), and Christ and His servants (Christians) are inside this city, then where is the outer darkness?
The answer should be obvious, because we know what the light source is.
The outer darkness is the place on the New Earth that is far away from the city of the New Jerusalem.
The outer darkness is the place of punishment for the unprofitable servants who do not get to rule over the cities of the nations or enter the New Jerusalem.
Outer darkness is not hellfire. Outer darkness is a place which is away from the light and presence of the Lord and the saints. Hellfire is the dumping ground outside the New Jerusalem which is used to burn all the trash. The word for hellfire is Gehenna, and was the place where the false Israelites and pagans sacrificed their children by fire.

 

[RJ]

Sheep and goats are "the nations" that are before Christ, at Christ's second coming (Matt 25:32). They are not Christians (brothers and sisters of Christ), as verse 40 indicates:

• There are Christians in every nation, U.S., China, Russia, Middle Eastern Countries and the list includes all nations.
• If you think God will separate out entire nations to be destroyed instead of individual believers and non-believers, then we have nothing further to talk about.

 

[lawrenceb]

Sheep and goats are "the nations" that are before Christ, at Christ's second coming (Matt 25:32).

nation = from Greek ethnos = ethnic group (not a reference to geographical location)

Today, there is no physical/national/ethnic "Jewish nation" in existence.

Today, nations don't become born again - people do, via the bloodwork of JC, via case-by-case, convert-by-convert - no ethnicity criteria, no nationalism, no manmade "dispensations."

 

[NoHype]

The sheep Christ separates on His right hand are HIS SHEEP, which means those of His Church. And yes, Jesus did use the idea of sheep as a label for His many membered Body (John 10).


Matt 25:31-34
31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:
32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"
(KJV)

Who's on His right hand there? The sheep of verse 33.

 

[amadeus2]

For me is not the "outer darkess" the part within me that is completely outside of God? Is it not the part within me that has not yet been both cleansed and filled with the Light which is Jesus? If anyone of us has ever quenched the Holy Spirit in the work of God within us, have we not at the best slowed the work of God and at worst gotten ourselves cast out of the Presence that we already had? At the end of our course, each of us needs to have Light within us. Anything else will be darkness and will revert to that which it really is in the eyes of God: nothing. Now there may be twilight zones, but in the end there will be only Light and darkness. Where will we be?

 

[james1523]

Sheep and goats are "the nations" that are before Christ, at Christ's second coming (Matt 25:32). They are not Christians (brothers and sisters of Christ), as verse 40 indicates:

• There are Christians in every nation, U.S., China, Russia, Middle Eastern Countries and the list includes all nations.
• If you think God will separate out entire nations to be destroyed instead of individual believers and non-believers, then we have nothing further to talk about.

I did not mean that God will destroy entire nations. I meant that the believers will be with Him when He returns (having been already raptured), and before them will be the nations , whom God will divide people individually into sheep and goats. The sheep and goats are not believers, they are the righteous and unrighteous unbelieving people of the nations. They are righteous in the eyes of God, based upon their works - particularly in how they treated His people during the tribulation period. Reading verse 40 and 42 carefully, those giving cups of cold water, or visiting those in prison, or visiting the sick, are not Jesus's brothers and sisters, or His followers. It is the believers who will need cold water, and will be in prison, and will be sick and homeless. Who will provide this help? The answer is the righteous unbelievers, who are declared righteous by God because they helped His people, just like Rahab the prostitute. As James 2:25 says, Rahab was a prostitute (immoral person), who was not part of God's people, but she was blessed and protected because she helped God's people.

The Bible teaches that the unbelieving people of the nations who help the believers will become the nations that live outside of the New Jerusalem in the New Earth (Rev 21:26). The believers are those justified by Christ's blood , and get to enter and dwell in the city of New Jerusalem. However there are unbelievers living outside the city on the New Earth which are those justified by their works (James 2:25). It is the cities of these "unbelieving yet justified by works" nations that the faithful Christians will rule over (Luke 19:19). The Christians will be those in resurrected and immortal, spiritual yet physical immortal bodies, like the body of Christ,. The people of the nations will be restored to their physical and mortal bodies, but will be sustained by eating of the Tree of Life:
Rev 22:2 On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.