C A R L B. G A R N E R
HELL
I guess it is never really the "right time" to preach on the subject of hell. Some say, "I don't ever want to read or hear about hell," a kind of "whistle by the graveyard" mentality. Well, I don't particularly like writing or preaching about hell either, but if any preacher is to deliver "all the counsel of God," he has no choice. The fact is, there are only two places in which our eternal soul will some day abide; either heaven or hell, Matthew 7:13-14; 25:46, Revelation 21:8. Even if there were no heaven, hell is so terrible that whatever it takes to avoid it will be worth it. But there will be a place of eternal existence, and that makes it important that we study this subject so we may be prepared when that day of judgment arrives. When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica he said some will be sad on that day, while others will be glad: "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power," 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. The obvious question here is: Will you be sad? or glad?
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HELL?
All that we know about this subject is found in the Bible. Every tiny detail may not be known, but much can be known and understood by all. Note some descriptive terms:
- A Place of Punishment. But does God have the right to punish those who disobey Him? By what authority can one say He does not? Romans 9:20-21 says that by the very fact of His creative power He has sovereign authority over His creation. "Hath not the potter power over the clay?" If it means anything, atheist Antony Flew admitted in the Warren-Flew debate that a just, omnipotent God would have the right to punish the wicked. Whether man admits it or not, God has authority to punish "with everlasting destruction" those who practice wickedness, and who "obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:8.
- Eternal Punishment. In Matthew 18:8 it is described as "everlasting fire." Jesus warned that there is one who can "destroy both soul and body in hell" [in this text "destroy" is apollumi, defined as "loss, not of being, but of well-being"].
- Others. Terms such as "terror of the Lord," 2 Corinthians 5:11; "chains of darkness," 2 Peter 2:4, "damnation," John 5:29, are used.
WHO WILL GO TO HELL?
The only answer worth considering is God's, not man's, and scripture is full of information regarding that question. These few will suffice:
- Revelation 21:8 "..the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone."
- Matthew 25:41-43 "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not."
- Galatians 5:19-21 "...Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." When the book of Hebrews was written, the Holy Spirit described the condition of those who either refuse to obey the gospel or who live in rebellion to God in the following terms: "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," Hebrews 10:28-31.
CONCLUSION
As clear and devastating as is the threat of "everlasting punishment," there is no need for anyone to endure even one moment of such suffering. It is up to you to decide whether you want to have everlasting punishment or eternal life. Israel had a similar choice as described in Deuteronomy 30:19: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
God's grace has provided the redemptive sacrifice, Titus 2:11. Jesus paid the ultimate price by giving His life for us, Romans 5:6-8. God has given us His inspired Word, by which we may understand His will for us, Ephesians 3:4; 5:17. He made that redemption available to all, Matthew 11:28-29. Christians are praying and hoping that all will choose to come to Christ for salvation. The angels will rejoice if we will but obey Him. But hell awaits those who refuse the loving invitation of Jesus. God wants no one to go to hell. There is no reason for you to go there. Make your life right with Him.
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