What does the Bible teach about HELL? Is it a REAL place? How can Hell be a reality if God is a God of love and mercy? What if any of our loved ones or friends are there? HOW can Hell be a just destination? WHO truly sends people there? And WHY? We all have done both good and bad - are some just more good than others - thus meriting them Heaven? And the rest - NOT so good - and thus Hell?
See the links at the bottom of the page, that cover the following issues:
. Apologist, Dr. Frank Turek, addresses whether Hell is fair / God is unfair in allowing a place of punishment for those who reject Jesus
. Turek also examines some of the false beliefs and myths asserted in the culture about Hell.
. And, Turek discusses whether Hell is God's own torture chamber? Are the punishments of hell individualized?
Hell is a topic that most pastors and churches stay FAR away from! Let's face it, the topic doesn't make for a "feel-good" sermon. Because the Bible describes Hell as being a deeply disturbing destination for those who forever remain unsaved, and one that Jesus and His apostles spoke of as a reality to be avoided at ALL costs! In fact, Jesus spoke more about Hell than any other figure in the Bible. He said it is a place of separation from God and a place of "outer darkness” in which “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12). In other words, all id the joys that we associate with beauty, love, hope, and contentment will withdrawn from those in Hell. And all fearful things we associate with of darkness will abound there. While we only know of brief descriptions of Hell from Scripture. It's certainly is described as a horrible fate one wants to avoid. Of course, the good news is Hell certainly IS completely avoidable, but ONLY for ALL those who place their faith in Jesus Christ!
One must realize that Scripture teaches things that God has revealed are simultaneously true:
For those who EMBRACE and believe in Jesus:
. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
. Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)
. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
But for those who REJECT God / Jesus:
. "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
. 16 “For God so loved the world, 9 that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
. As a Christian - and for most of us - Hell is a disturbing topic to contemplate - but one NO Christian ever has to fear. Because, in Romans 8, the Apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear, as for CHRISTIANS, "There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." And Paul ends chapter 8 by saying, "38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So, how encouraging is it to learn that we can realize what God says through Scripture - that ALL (but ONLY) Christians will be with Him forever because they have believed in His resurrection and submitted to and received Him into their hearts and minds as THEIR Lord. But for NON-believers who have NEVER submitted themselves to following God the Bible says another, but terrible and AVOIDABLE, fate awaits them if they forever fail to do so.
And we all have loved ones, friends and family who we know, with fair certainty, have likely died having never submitted themselves to Jesus. What of these - and how should we feel about this probability? Is God fair to keep our loved ones from Heaven? Is He just? Did He not love them as well? There are many disconcerting and difficult feelings surrounding these questions. Because all Christians desire their loved ones to one day join them in eternal joy with the Lord, amongst the beauties and majesties of the Heaven to come. And yet, we know many of them are forever lost and separated from God FOREVER. Yet, ultimately, WHOSE choice was it for them to have rejected Jesus?
Philip
Also, related to the theological realities of Hell, SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKED VIDEOS!
SEE HERE to gain a more theologically accurate and BIBLICAL understanding of Hell.
SEE HERE as apologist, Dr. Frank Turek, addresses whether Hell is fair or God is unfair in allowing a place of punishment for those who reject Jesus.
SEE HERE as Turek addresses whether Hell is God's personal torture chamber for the unbelieving dead? Are the punishments of Hell the same for all, or are they individualized punishments?