Articles
Hell
Hell is one of my least favorite subjects. I am sure I am not alone in that sentiment. Nevertheless, it needs to be mentioned from time to time. Some folks have the idea that God is so kind and loving that He will save everyone. Others theorize that what the Bible describes as hell is not actual torment without end, it is merely a complete cutting off. The idea is, one’s punishment consists solely of missing out on the blessings God will graciously give to the righteous. As with any spiritual topic, the truth is found by listening to God, not man.
Some who say they believe in hell take it much too lightly. A favorite vulgar expression is “___ as hell,” the blank filled in with everything from A to Z (I even heard one man fill it in with fun!). Others say, “I’d burn in hell before I’d do such and such.” How sad. Have we failed to get across the truth on this vital subject? Surely no one convicted of the awfulness of hell would make such statements.
If you do not believe that such a place exists, or if you believe that spending eternity there would not be too bad, listen soberly to God’s word as it describes hell.
► “These will go away into eternal punishment . . .” (Matthew 25:46).
► “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
► “If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:47-48).
► “. . . the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
► “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 . . . . then the Lord knows how to . . . keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:4, 9-10).
► “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:11).
► “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
► “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
Are all these descriptions intended to be taken literally? Likely not, any more than we should expect heaven to have literal gates of pearl and a gold street. Clearly these are intended to depict the most agonizing, miserable existence possible. Forever. Surely that is sufficient to seize our attention!
