Question: Dear Greg,

I was having a conversation with someone and they were saying that they believe something about various "crowns" that one will receive for good works and about different levels of hell that one will be consigned to, depending on how evil one was. I have never heard of either thing.

My understanding was more as found in Ephesians, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast." Out of our love for the Lord we do good works because we WANT to honor and show our respect to him in that way – but not because we HAVE to.

God bless,

Sheila

Answer: Dear Sheila,

Different levels of hell is not suggested by any direct biblical reference of which I am aware, but probably more so by the popularized view that "Dante’s Inferno" gave to hell. There is an indirect reference which might be made, and that would be the description that Paul gives of the resurrected and glorified body. In 1 Corinthians 15:41, he notes that there are different splendors of heavenly created bodies (sun, moon, and stars) -–and in vs. 42, "so it will be with the resurrection body…" We do not know exactly what he means, but he does seem to suggest different levels of splendor or glory, whatever that may mean.

Different levels of hell are not suggested by any direct biblical reference of which I am aware, but probably more so by the popularized view that Dante’s Inferno gave to hell. There is an indirect biblical reference to different levels of rewards that would be the description that Paul gives of the resurrected and glorified body. In 1 Corinthians 15:41, he notes that there are different splendors of heavenly created bodies (sun, moon, and stars) -–and in vs. 42, "so it will be with the resurrection body…" We do not know exactly what he means, but he does seem to suggest different levels of splendor or glory, whatever that may mean.

If , using laws of logic, we assume that the good and the bad of the afterlife are equal and parallel, then some might reason that there are/will be "levels" in hell, just as Paul seems to imply of "heaven" in 1 Corinthians 15. On the other hand, the reference to eternity with God is vague, and to transfer it to the reality of eternal separation from God is even more of a stretch. It is not an essential matter, but merely interesting speculation – certainly not something Christians should argue and divide over, for no one knows with any degree of accuracy – and we will not until the other side of eternity.

References to crowns are found in Revelation, and in terms of a reward – just as the parables about the talents and pounds seem to imply some "levels" of differences in reward. But what does this tell us – and what does it not?

1. The message of the gospel remains clear and absolute – we are saved by grace. That’s it. Not by our works or merits. We do not earn our salvation. Period.
2. But, if there is a reward beyond salvation, (David said he would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house, for example), does the Bible seem to be saying that salvation is by grace, and our reward is by our works? NO – nothing in the Bible would support that we earn anything – not even a reward, by doing things, obedience, performance, etc. So – what is this reward, if there is one, based upon? It could be based on how we pass on and share God's grace – that is, not our deeds of righteousness and virtue, but our love and help to others (see Matthew 25:31-46 ).

Hope this helps, Sheila. May God bless you.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht