No 9

(Hell)

If we believe the Bible, we cannot avoid the conclusion the some will receive eternal blessing and some will receive severe eternal retribution after death. The idea that sinners will be punished in the fires of hell is not very popular; even the mention of the word “sin” is repulsive to some. However, Jesus was very specific when He said : “…they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5 29b). Hell exists and the one who spoke about it the most was Jesus Himself. Sin must always be punished because God is a holy god and He cannot endure sin. In Old Testament times, sin was covered by the slaughter of animals but the New Testament is different; Jesus went to the cross to take away our sin. However, in both covenants, grace through faith has always been the vehicle of redemption. God never intended us to go to hell; it was made for Satan and his angels : “..depart from ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25 : 41b). God’s attributes work in harmony – His love, mercy and goodness go hand in hand with His justice, holiness and truth. What His Holiness condemns, His love cannot embrace. At the end of the age, at the Great White Throne judgment, God will :“..whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20 : 15). They will join the unholy trinity, the devil, the false prophet and the beast who were already there :“..the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are, and they shall be tormented for ever and ever” (Rev 20 : 10). The words that the apostle John used in these passages are very clear; there is no getting around them. We have a loving heavenly Father who is infinitely patient and is waiting for us in our eternal home – let’s get out and tell everyone about this good news.