No, I haven’t been there. I don’t want to go there. I don’t even want to focus on it.
I’d rather focus on Heaven and how to get there. The gospel is paramount for the Christian and we should focus on it. Sharing the good news should consume our time, treasure and talent. In a world filled with bad news presented at an increased pace, the good news is the one thing we can hold on to that reminds us that through belief in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we become worthy in the sight of God and can live for Him on earth and with Him for an eternity.
But the reality is . . . Hell exists
And people are going there. People you love. People you like. People who don’t believe the good news.
It’s the bad news and it’s not good dinner party conversation.
However, if those who are saved will be able to spend an eternity in Heaven, then how disturbing is it that a whole myriad of others will be spending eternity in Hell?
Maybe we should talk about it more.
Here’s a few things the Bible has to say about Hell.
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
“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
“The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” – Psalm 145:20
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” – Luke 12:5
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Matthew 25:46
“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:9
One of the best things about the Gospel is that we don’t know who will hear it and believe. It could be a person you like. It could be a person you love.
What does our awareness of Hell do to hasten our call to share the good news?
Let’s talk about it. Feel free to comment below!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Chris,
1. From your study of the scriptures, what have you understood hell ( Sheol, hades, pit, grave) to be?
2. You mentioned going to heaven. May I ask what you would do once you got there?
3. If it is your understanding that the those saved will go to heaven and live forever and those not going to heaven will go to hell and live forever, what then happens to the earth?
Steve, Thanks for the questions. 1. I understand Hell to be a place of eternal torment where the souls of those who have rejected the claims of Christ reside. (Matt. 25:41; Mark 9:48; Rev. 14:10-11) 2. I understand my role in Heaven will include basking in God’s glory (we actually get to see God’s face, Rev 22:4), devoid of pain, suffering or want because my greatest joy will be the presence of God.Treasure stored up in Heaven are also to be enjoyed. (Matt. 6:20). There might be some singing as well as we continue to increase in the knowledge of… Read more »
I’m glad you broached the subject! Too many avoid it and it’s part of God’s truth. I agree, “Maybe we should talk about it more.”
Thanks for sharing!
Kathleen, thank you for reading and commenting!
Sean, first things first – thank you for reading and commenting. I agree, it should be a powerful motivator and I hope it will be for me going forward!