In Matthew 25:31-46 the
Bible teaches that at the final judgment while the righteous will enter heaven
to enjoy everlasting life, the wicked will go into eternal punishment. The
thought of everlasting suffering is repulsive to many. No doubt this aversion
lies at the bottom of much of the unbelief to what the Bible teaches about
hell.
Hell, despite the denials
of many, is real. Sin demands it. Sin is a violation of the law of God (1 John 3:4). If
there were no punishment for sin, then there could be no law for law without
penalty is null and void. If there is no law, there would be no sin. That would
make the death of Jesus useless because if there is no sin there is no
responsibility to save anyone from it.
The reality of life after
death also demands the reality of hell. Jesus taught, in Matthew 22:23-33,
that there was life after physical death. In the account of the rich man and
Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), two
distinct destinies are presented: comfort for the righteous but punishment for
the wicked.
Hell was originally
prepared for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Jude 6 states
that fallen angels are placed in chains awaiting judgment. Yet, when men and
women join the devil in his work and live in servitude to him, they must suffer
the same fate that will befall him.
Hell Not Contrary To The Nature of God
Many people find it
difficult to accept the reality of hell because they cannot believe that a
loving and merciful God could create such a place. But hell is not contrary to
the nature of God. If no punishment were given for violation of His law, then
God would not be just. Being a just God, He will reward the righteous and
punish the wicked. Hell is to punish the wicked.
What Hell Is Like
Hell is eternal. It is
described that way in Matthew
25:46. In Romans
16:26 God is said to be eternal. The Holy Spirit, in Hebrews 9:14, is
also described as eternal. The same word in the Greek language in which the New
Testament was originally written was used in all three of these passages. The
word means eternal, everlasting, without end, never to cease. Hell and the
punishment meted out there will last as long as God forever.
Hell is a place of
darkness. Jude 13 speaks
of "the blackness of darkness" to which false teachers will be
confined forever. God is light (1 John 1:5) and the
Father of lights (Jas. 1:17).
Hell is described as darkness because it is the place farthest removed from
God. There will be no God to listen to pleas for mercy or give hope of release.
Hell is a place of
fire. Matthew 13:42 speaks
of it as a furnace of fire. Matthew 25:41 calls
it an everlasting fire. Mark 9:44-45 says
the fire is never quenched. Revelation 21:8 refers
to it as the lake of fire. There will be no relief from its fires because Revelation 14:11 says
the smoke from the fires of torment ascends forever and ever.
There is no rest
there. Revelation 14:11 says
the wicked will have no rest from their torment day or night.
As there is no rest, there
will be no relief. The rich man in Luke 16, even while awaiting the final
judgment in Tartarus, wanted a drop of water to cool his tormented tongue but he
did not get it.
Who Will Go There
As already noted, Satan and
his angels will be there (Matt.
25:41). Revelation
21:8 says the "cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars" will be
there. Those who do not know God and those who will not obey the gospel of
Christ will be punished with everlasting destruction (2 Thes. 1:7-9). In
short, all sinners who choose to remain in their sin will be found in hell.
Why People Will Go There
God desires that all be
saved (1 Tim. 2:1-4). God
is all-powerful and the gospel, His power to save (Rom. 1:16), can save
to the uttermost. People will not be in hell because God will not save
them. God sent His Son into the world so
that all might have salvation (John 3:16) and He
has extended His invitation to all who would come to Him (Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17).
If a person ends up in
hell, he is lost by his own free choice. He has no one to blame but himself.
Many see no need to be interested in spiritual things and are indifferent to
the pleas of the gospel. Others refuse to obey the gospel or submit to the will
of God. Some refuse to believe. Others just love sin more than righteousness.
Some become unfaithful in service. Many put off obeying until it is too late.
Conclusion
Hell is real. The suffering
of it is waiting for the sinful. You can escape the torments found there by
giving obedience to Christ now. He will wash away the guilt of your sins and
grant you hope of a life of eternal bliss in His presence.
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