Question:  Hi Greg,

            I have a few questions.  A couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my house the other day and brought up some stuff I was not sure of.

            They said they believe that if someone goes to hell, they will not burn for eternity.  Is that true?  They did not give my any biblical reference for that belief.  Instead, I found Revelation 20:14 that states if someone’s name is not written in the book of life they will be thrown into the lake of fire.

            Another question is they said that the Bible tells them to go from house to house.  They turned to Acts 20:20 but that did not seem justifiable to me.

            Another question is that I have heard that when I go to heaven I will not know my husband and daughter as husband and daughter.  I would like some clarification on that, if possible.

            Thank you for your time and attention.

            Maria

Answer:  Dear Maria,

            Jehovah’s Witnesses have unbiblical teachings that have unfortunately ensnared many.  Sound biblical study and teaching is the antidote.

            Hell—they seize on this topic, which is not a central teaching of the historic Christian faith, to proclaim their own version of the future, based upon misunderstandings of biblical passages.  The Plain Truth, Sept-Oct 2001,carries the cover story, “The Battle Over Hell.”  I suggest you take a look at that article for a variety of biblically valid ways of viewing hell, God’s judgment, etc.  It is posted under back issues here on our web site.

            Their use of Acts 20:20 is a proof text—not a justifiable use of what Paul describes as his teaching ministry.  Paul does not say that he went to houses making “cold calls”—he is probably referring to going to houses of those who were already believers.

            What we “look like” in our glorified resurrected bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15) is a subject of speculation.  The only reference to someone that had and has a glorified body is of Jesus—and there were times after his resurrection when he was not recognized, and other when he was.  It appears that there were reasons for the times when he was not recognized (see Luke 24:31—“then their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”).  Most believe, based on Jesus’ own resurrection, that we will recognize each other “in heaven.”

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht