The Sobering Reality of Hell

The Sobering Reality of Hell

MATTHEW 13:36–43

Matthew 13:42 (NASB)

42 “And will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

    The doctrine of eternal punishment, though unpopular and frightening, is found as a part of the confession of every branch of the historic Christian church. It has only been in the last century that under the influence of liberalism some have denied the doctrine of hell. The fact is, however, that virtually every statement in the Bible concerning hell comes from the lips of Jesus Christ. We cannot take Jesus seriously without also taking seriously what He said regarding eternal punishment.

There is very little about hell in the Old Testament, and very little in the epistles. It is almost as if God decided that a teaching this frightening would not be received from any lesser authority than that of His Own Son.

Jesus chose the most dreadful images He could find to describe the reality of hell. One is the image of darkness, which emphasizes separation from God. Another is that of fire, or a lake of fire. I believe that the lake of fire is a symbol, whose reality is far worse than the symbol. The wicked who are now experiencing the wrath of God would do anything to jump into a mere lake of fire. The reality is far worse than the symbol.

It is very difficult, even as Christians, to accept the reality of hell. For the most part, we would rather stand with our wicked fellow men than rejoice in the vindication of God’s righteousness and justice. That is because we as Christians still have far more in common with Adolf Hitler than with Jesus Christ. We are not consumed with the righteousness and holiness of God, and we are still bound with much unresolved inner guilt. Thus, it is much easier for us to sympathize with sinners and excuse them than it is for us to sympathize with the Judge of all the earth.

CORAM DEO (Before the face of God)

    Christians who warn unbelievers about the reality of hell are often accused of being cruel and primitive. However, Satan, the cruelest being in existence, has fooled many people into believing that there is no punishment for sin. The next time you are accused of being ignorant and mean because of your belief, remind your accuser that the most loving Man to ever live spent more time warning others about the torment of hell than He did talking about heaven.

Matthew 10:24–42