HELL: IS IT REAL?
UK
Reading: Psalm 9
“The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.” –  Psalm 9:17
We are certainly going through a heatwave, so to speak, as we experienced at the beginning of this month. Including a lack of water, with hosepipe bans and fires in various locations throughout our nation and Europe too. Last month temperatures reached 40 degrees in some areas, which fortunately for us lasted only a couple of days; and what a relief when it came to an end: not like that of the portrayal of hell in the Bible, which is endless with continuous torment.
Hell, as a subject, is not normally what Christians wish to talk about or hear from the pulpit. Many Christians do not believe God could have made such a place and to show such an unloving attitude toward non-believers, or even the wicked that deserve the full penalty of the law. In their way of thinking, how can there be such a place where punishment and torment will never end for those finding themselves in that dreadful place without any way of escape. They reason: could God be so unloving?
If there is the possibility of the existence of such a place, wouldn’t it be wise to give it serious thought as to how to avoid it and consider the remedy to escape God’s righteous judgement. Instead the world mocks at the very thought of the existence of such a place; and if it does exist, why should they care. They live carelessly, with little thought of the possible reality that because of their own deliberate neglect they may find themselves there; lost and without hope or means of escape.
Hell, whether it is true or not is well known throughout the world. Our people may not know a great deal about Jesus and the Bible, but they know about hell. Hell has a certain attraction to the common man in the street, or man of the world.
They are not so much attracted to the Lord Jesus Christ, because of the restraints they know that will be placed upon them. They want the freedom to steer their own course; do what pleases them; go where they want to go; be free of rules and regulations: even though these rules are good for the benefit society in general; and especially anything that might relate to the law of God and God’s requirement for us all.
Hell, to those worldly minded is a place of ridicule. Even if it did exist, any thought of the goodness of the Lord and the truth of the Holy Scriptures they laugh to scorn in unbelief.
How often have you heard it frivolously said by those that have no heart for God: “I’m going to hell with my mates.” If only they had an insight as to what this place is really like, assuming the biblical account is true and to be believed, I wonder then if their ways and attitude would change; or would the cost of believing and following the Lord be too high a price to pay for their deliverance.
Three times lately I have seen a tee shirt being worn with a large picture of the Devil and message saying: Hell-Fire Club. One was being worn by a neighbour of ours. I am told there is a programme on TV/or a film with that same message, which is not too surprising, for anything seems to go with little opposition to the contrary.
The Devil is well advertised in this world: but how many Christians are willing in a similar way to advertise our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Think about it: is it that they are afraid to step out of line with the general thinking of the world, or afraid to stand up for Jesus in the public square? even though there is much tolerance in our nation as compared with many countries of the world. Let us not be ashamed, but proud to be a Christian and to bear the name of the Lord, so that all may see regardless as to what others may think about us! Let us be proud to be a Christian!
It thrilled my heart during my last trip to London when meeting a cleaner in the Tavistock Hotel where I often stay. She made it known she was pleased to see the Christian message on my placard and sweatshirt. She said, she is from the Philippines and a Roman Catholic; and told me she is “proud to be a Christian” and looks forward to meeting me again when I return. I shall certainly be looking for her when I return at the end of the month and prayerfully have some influence over her RC belief. May God bless her for her unashamed testimony!
There are many Christians that do not believe in hell. I conversed recently with a Methodist minister about his beliefs. He told me he did not believe in hell; that people would end up in such a place of torment and have no way of escape. He also revealed he does not believe in much of the Bible, including the 6 day creation and even the virgin birth. One would wonder how he can remain a minister of the gospel and what message he has to offer. other than the love of God. Yet, he is a likeable person and can conduct a good service and give a good message when these matters are hidden from view.
I have recently been in conversation with Jehovah Witnesses on the streets of Chester-le-Street. I have quizzed some of them regarding their belief in hell. I have had friendly discussion with several of them but have found it difficult to understand their reasoning; though I will pursue the matter, which is ongoing. They talked about hell being the grave; and those ending up there would be unconscious, with no pain or suffering. They were all singing from the same hymnbook, so to speak; perfectly agreeing with each other, without deviation. Reasoning with them was difficult.
One verse they came out with in their defense was 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God bath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse they obviously twist to suit their own argument while concentrating on the word “wrath,”; that God has “not appointed us to wrath.” Nor has he, if we are believers, which is what the chapter is about.
However, from evidence from the rest of the Bible, God has appointed unbelievers and the wicked to wrath, which is what the final judgement is all about: those who enter into the joy of their Lord and others to be cast off into outer darkness, which is the implementation of the wrath of God.
Another scenario as regards Hell, which is the belief of some Christians, including some friends of mine, is that Hell is not as it is depicted in the Bible but is more like the purgatory of the Roman Catholics. It is a place of cleansing, as fire and brimstone do in burning up and transforming into something new.
They that hold this belief, believe that hell is not the end: as those confined therein will eventually be released, after having their lives transformed. This includes all the wicked of the earth and the Devil and his angels.
I am yet to understand the thinking behind this doctrine as I see no evidence in the Bible to support it.
After all this, let me remind you of the title of my message, Hell: Is it Real?
So now, if it is, what is the evidence to support it?
Hell is portrayed in the Bible as a place of permanent agony, where there is never any relief. Where the suffering continues, not just for days, weeks, or years, but forever. For eternity!
For the answer to this question Hell: Is it Real? we can go to no higher authority on the subject than to the Lord Jesus Christ. Did Jesus believe in hell; or was his teaching in this respect merely allegorical; that is, to get a point across: much like the parables he taught.
Terry Watkins, who wrote a brilliant paper called The Truth About Hell says, “The Bible continually warns of a place called hell. There are over 162 references in the New Testament alone which warn of hell; and over 70 of these references were uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ!”
In Luke 16 Jesus tells the story of a rich man who had fine clothes and fared well for himself. A certain beggar sat at his gate hoping to be fed with the crumbs from his table and the dogs licked his sores. Eventually the beggar died and as we are told, was “carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom.” The rich man also dies and is buried.
Jesus then in verse 23 says: ”And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus (the name of the beggar) in his bosom.”
The rich man was in hell and tormented with the flame, while Lazarus was in a place of safety. Though the rich man cried out to Abraham for mercy, nothing could be done to help him, for, as is mentioned, there was a “great gulf fixed” that separated the two. I am inclined to believe that was an actual occurrence.
Jesus undoubtedly believed in hell and from the description given, it is not a nice place to end up.
How then does he describe it in other places in the Bible?
In the parable of the tares in Matthew 13, Jesus says in verses 40-42: “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
 This is another description of hell: where the occupants will wail and gnash their teeth while in agonising pain. Remember! these are the words of Jesus.
From Matthew 25:31 it tells us of the “Son of man (Jesus) … coming in his glory” and will “sit upon the throne of his glory.” An interesting point here is that he is sat upon the “throne of his glory” on the earth: that is, on David’s throne; and he is judging the nations. Those classed as goats, he puts on his left hand: these are those that offend. Then he says, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels …”
 The fire is “everlasting”: that means it will never go out; and for those on the left hand of the Lord, there is no way of escape.
Jesus obviously believed in hell; and these are a few additional things he mentions as regards hell; “everlasting fire” Matthew 18:8; “eternal damnation” Mark 3:29; “where their worm dies not“ Mark 9:44; “outer darkness” Matthew 8: 12; “everlasting punishment” Matthew 25:46.
Hell is obviously not a nice place to end up where you might celebrate with you friends. Those entering will be too concerned about their own pitiful situation than to give a thought for friends, which more than likely will be nowhere to be found.
Jesus gives indication as to where hell is when he mentions about Jonas in the belly of the whale for “three days and three nights” in Matthew 12:40. He says: “so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Where is hell? According to this, it is in the heart of the earth.
Confirmation that “the heart of the earth” means Jesus went to hell, we find in Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:27 where he says: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
 The centre of the earth is reported to have a temperature of approximately 6,000 degrees C: similar to the temperature of the sun’s surface. Much more than the heatwave we are presently experiencing. This is where Jesus went and took our burden of sin with him: and aren’t we grateful he went there in our place to earn our eternal salvation.
My conclusion is, that Hell is real: and if Jesus is right in what he says about it, which I have no doubt he is, then we should do all in our power to escape it; and to encourage others to do the same.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matthew 8:36.If you go to hell, you have lost everything.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.“ Hebrews 2:3. Jesus came to save our soul from hell. Are you saved? Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
God loves you so much, he gave his only begotten Son Jesus to die in your place on the cross: to go to hell for you, that you might be saved and have everlasting life.
Will you receive Jesus into your life today, as your Lord and Saviour?
