WHAT IS OUTER DARKNESS
Q: What is the "outer darkness"?
A: The phrase "outer darkness" is mentioned three times in the Bible. These
three times are:
Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into
outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and
foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
First, I look for parallel passages that would help define outer
darkness. An interesting connection is found in the phrase, gnashing of
teeth, which occurs exactly seven times in the Bible. Here they are.
3 times the phrase is found in the verses that mention outer darkness.
1 time in Luke 13:28. This passage (Luke 13:28-29) is a parallel passage
to the outer darkness reference in Matthew 8:11-12. In Matthew, the
children of the kingdom are cast into outer darkness. In Luke, Jesus
refers to His audience and states, "and you yourselves thrust out." Both
passages are referring to the kingdom when people will come from all
directions to meet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But these hypocrites
who consider themselves a part of the kingdom will be cast out. So, the
"outer" in "outer darkness" probably refers to being outside the kingdom
of God.
1 time when the unfaithful servant is appointed his portion with the
hypocrites (Matthew 24:51).
2 times when the wicked will be gathered from God's kingdom and cast into
a "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:42, 50). Evidently, outer darkness can
also be called a furnace of fire.
All evidence points to outer darkness being identical to hell. It is
called "outer" because it is outside God's kingdom. Those in outer
darkness have been thrust out of the kingdom. It is called darkness
because it is a place of darkness. But how can a place of fire be a place
of darkness? Does not fire emit light?
First, the Bible teaches that the places of jugement (whether hell of the
lake of fire) are also places of darkness. Consider these verses:
2Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgment;
2Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with
a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under
darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame;
wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Second, experimental science demonstrates that the purer the flame and
the hotter the fire, the less light will be emitted from the fire.
Certainly, this is the case with hell. Even the appearance of God on
Mount Sinai combined a burning fire with great darkness (Deuteronomy
4:11; 5:22, 23; Hebrews 12:18).
I conclude therefore that "outer darkness" is yet another synonym for
hell. It is a place of darkness. It is also outside the experience of
God's grace. For, although God bestows His grace on both the just and the
unjust while on earth (Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17), none of the gracious
presence of God is to be found in the place of outer darkness. May we
trust in the Son of God who can and will deliver us from this place. May
we warn others of the evil of this place.
Till He comes,
(Article written by) David F. Reagan
