Subject: Hell
JESUS BELIEVED IN HELL

Yes, hell is a frightening and sobering topic, a topic millions quickly shy away from and/or totally dismiss. Because it is such a taboo subject many churches today deliberately soften its eternality, reinvent it or avoid it all together! But the reality is…everlasting hell DOES exist and there is no greater proof than Jesus’ own belief in hell’s actual existence! We should be eager to learn the truth from the very One (Jesus) who holds the keys to hell! “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys (power and authority) of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)

Having spoken more about hell than heaven, Jesus issued grave warnings and terrifying descriptions to inform us that hell is real and everlasting! We had better listen! Since Scripture informs us that God CANNOT lie (Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19), His frighteningly explicit and harsh words can be nothing short of absolute truth! For this reason, we MUST heed Jesus’ warnings and adamantly ignore man’s distorted and dangerous views on eternity! (Psalm 118:8)

Our full attention must be given to Jesus’ mind-boggling warnings. “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” (Mark 9:43-48; Matthew 5:29-30)

Jesus’ descriptions are bone-chilling! He depicts hell as a “furnace of fire” whose flames never cease (Matthew 13:42, 50; Mark 9:43,45). He also depicts hell as “outer darkness” (Matthew 8:12; 22:13) A place where light will never penetrate the blackness that encircles evil (John 3:19, 20), and separation from God will be eternal! (II Thessalonians 1:9)

‘Wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth’ (Matthew 13:42, 50; 25:30) are, according to Jesus, the sounds of hell! Propelled by remorse, grief, pain and anger, these chilling cries will forever echo in outer darkness.

Since hell is “everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46), the unsaved will suffer agonizing torment as the memory repeatedly reruns one’s sins and missed opportunities to come to Christ. (The rich man was fully aware of his surroundings! Luke 16:20-28) Obviously, if the lost are forever in a state of tortured awareness, soul-sleep is impossible, as is total annihilation! (Revelation 14:11; 20:10)

Despite Jesus’ warnings, too many of us still want to believe hell is non-existent. After all, God is love, so how could He condemn anyone to such a horrific and everlasting punishment? He doesn’t! Stubbornly we shut our eyes to the brutal reality that it is OUR choice that dictates our place in eternity. It is our choice, and not God’s choosing, which determines our eternal destination! If we choose to truly accept and believe in Jesus Christ, we will have eternal life. (Acts 16:31) If we reject Him, we have chosen hell, and ultimately, the Lake of Fire. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the Lake Of Fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15) “And these (unbelievers) shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous (believers) into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46) There is NO in-between; no temporary, compartmentalized area in which pardons can be gained over an indefinite period of time! Only Heaven and Hell exist!

Judgment for the unbeliever IS coming (White Throne Judgment), bringing with it damning consequences. (Revelation 20:11-15) But, not wanting any to perish (II Peter 3:9), God gave humanity the most magnificent gift of love this world has ever witnessed – His Only Begotten Son! God sent His Son to pay our sin debt. “Who his (Jesus) own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” (I Peter 2:24) God sent His Son into the world not to condemn it, but to save it; to save us from the Lake of Fire! (John 3:17) We have only to believe! “…whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Truth is, anyone can call upon the Lord for salvation, but there are millions who didn’t, don’t and won’t. Revelation 21:8 provides a shocking introduction to the diversity of those who do and will inhabit hell. Be forewarned! Unbelievers are listed among those who will suffer everlasting punishment! Satan and his angels will also suffer the eternal flames of torment! (Revelation 20:10; Jude 6; Matthew 25:41) What horrors must lie in wait!

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation”? (Hebrews 2:3) WE CAN’T!