Oh but it is real

I visited a church with some good friends the other day and to my delight heard an excellent sermon on Hell. Many preachers shy away from this important subject these days, preferring instead to safely preach the “feel good- everything is going to be just wonderful- God is love” Joel Olsteen approach. We should not however ignore something of such importance just because it makes us uncomfortable.

This young preacher said something that struck a note with me that I have been noticing in my Bible study for years. Namely that the person who talks the most about hell in the Bible is none other than Jesus Christ. If our goal is to be more Christ-like, then shouldn’t we talk about hell too?

The preacher also made the point that surveys indicate that most people including Christians do not believe that hell is a real place. Hmmm Jesus describes hell in detail and He does not sugar coat it. How do these people, or perhaps “you” if that is your belief system, ignore what Jesus plainly states about this subject? If we deny the existence of hell aren’t we saying Jesus is a liar or the Bible is flat wrong?

Hell was originally created for satan and the angels in heaven that joined him in open rebellion against God. It will also house those among us who reject Jesus Christ. Jesus said it contains fire and brimstone and that its inhabitants will weep and gnash at their teeth. Matthew 25:30 says that the lost will be thrown “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Being thrown out into the darkness symbolizes being excluded from the glorious light of God’s presence, the absence of all good. The gnashing of teeth symbolizes the extreme suffering and remorse. Seven times it is said that “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; and Luke 13:28). The weeping signifies deep crying in terrible sorrow, which results from the deep regret.

So many people make fun of this fire and brimstone verbiage that some lose sight of the fact that it was originally authored by Jesus Christ Himself.

These same people paint a ridiculous picture of satan, (the devil), running around with a pitchfork and horns in a red suit with a cool looking sardonic smile on his face with an Errol Flynn mustache.

The Bible describes him as being an angel of light, beautiful, and incredibly intelligent and powerful. It states that he was created higher than any of the angels and was actually in charge of tending to God’s holy mountain, (caretaker of His private residence, the ultimate position in heaven).

Satan uses all of his attributes to bring us down because he hates us. The Bible makes it clear that he is a murderer, liar, deceiver, and is intent on being the destroyer of anything good. He knows our weaknesses and uses them and he uses his horde of fallen angels against us in an attempt to destroy us and take us with him to hell for eternity. Many mistakenly believe satan will rule hell. No he will be suffering alone in eternal darkness, no doubt enduring th worst of the worst.

Jesus died to save us from hell and bring us into the everlasting enjoyment of His glory. All we need to do is turn to Him in repentance and faith and He will give us eternal life.

There is no question that is of more importance in this life than where we will spend eternity.


I have mulled it over for some time and I know why Jesus talked about hell so often. The answer is because of His pure love for us. God does not desire for anyone to end up in that place of horror. He is warning us repeatedly of the awfulness of it and He wants it ingrained in our hearts and minds.

If you enter hell, you should enter it with your eyes wide open and know what will be facing you. It will not be time to party down with all of your drinking buddies

God has done everything necessary to rescue us from the penalty of our sins. We have the responsibility to respond to God’s free offer of forgiveness by turning from our sin and relying on Jesus to forgive us and give us eternal life. The penalty for our sins must be paid. Those who do not accept Jesus and His work at the cross must pay this penalty themselves in hell for all eternity. It won’t be pretty…


Matt. 5: 29
If your right eye causes you to
sin. Pluck it out and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you
that one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast
into hell.
And if your right hand causes
you to sin, cut it off and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you
that one of your members perish
than for your whole body to be cast
into hell.