The Reality of Hell

Now here is an unpopular topic, one that even very faithful people tend to avoid. In our age when nothing seems permanent, the idea of being permanently separated from God strikes people as too — well, final. We wonder, Shouldn't there be, perhaps, a second chance? No wonder the belief in reincarnation is so popular. It gives people the comfort of believing that if they ruin this life, they will get another chance, and another, and...

This isn't the picture the Bible presents. It presents us with one life per person, a life that can be used in the service and worship of God, or a life that is lived without God. God made us free, able to make moral and spiritual choices. So he can't really be accused of "sending people to hell," as if he took some delight in punishing us. Far from it! But since we are free, we can — finally and forever— say "No" to God.

"As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?" Ezekiel 33:11

"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:13

"I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!" Matthew 13:41-43

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that is thrown into the water and gathers fish of every kind. When the net is full, they drag it up onto the shore, sit down, sort the good fish into crates, and throw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the godly, throwing the wicked into the fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:47-50

Cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars -- their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8

The Book of God's Promises — Copyright, 1999 by J. Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.