Hell: The Terrible Truth

Hell is the forgotten word in American preaching.

Heaven is sometimes addressed. Hell almost never.

It seems like almost weekly I get a card advertising a new sermon series from one local church or another. Inevitably, the series is on one of four topics: sex, stress, marriage or parenting. Each of those is a valid concern and there is plenty of biblical guidance for each. But the Bible addresses other topics as well - more eternal topics. Ultimately, the Scripture communicates to us about ultimate things, eternal things.

There are only two ultimate destinations: heaven and hell.

Hell was not a marginal topic for Jesus. He mentioned it more than heaven. Of 1850 verses which record the words of Jesus, 13% are about hell. Over half of the parables are on the topic of God’s judgement. Clearly, Jesus was unafraid of the topic.

Jesus came to earth because of hell.

He has already seen hell. He has seen it’s flames and sensed it’s fury in that it was created by God as a dwelling for the devil and his fallen angels, the demons. Jesus also knew that people who separated from God will also be sentenced to hell at the final judgment.

Jesus birth, life and death comprise the greatest rescue mission of all time!

Jesus came to this earth not just to invite you to live in heaven but first to rescue you from hell. This is why the Bible refers to the new birth as being ‘saved.’ You can be saved from the wrath and judgment to come.

For more on how to be saved, see “The Good News” in the column to the right.

What did Jesus say about hell?

Jesus illustrated hell in one of His most famous teachings. It’s the story of “the rich man and Lazarus.” Luke 16:19-31. In this graphic story, we learn the following truths about hell:

Hell is a REAL place. (vs 23)
Hell is a TERRIBLE place. (v 23 ‘torment,’ v 24 ‘agony’)
Hell is a CONSCIOUS place. (v 23-24 ‘looked’ ‘saw’ ‘called’)
Hell is a PERMANENT place (v 26 - ‘great chasm fixed’)
Hell is an AVOIDABLE place (v 27-28)

It is interesting that the rich man in torment in hell was concerned for the eternal well-being of his brothers who were still alive on earth. People in hell deeply desire that their loved ones and friends avoid their fate. The inhabitants of hell hope and pray that those of us who know the gospel will tell their families before it’s too late.

There are no atheists in hell.

Who goes to hell?

Jesus tells us - following the most famous verse in the New Testament.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.” John 3:16-18.

What lessons does hell teach us?

1. Hell highlights the holiness of God.

I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
- Lev. 11:44

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
- Rev 4:8

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. Mal 3:2

2. Hell vindicates the justice of God.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you. Ps 89:14

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal 6:7

3. Hell underscores the seriousness of sin.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you. Isa 59:2

The wages of sin is death. Rom 6:23

4. Hell explains the harshness of the cross.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21

5. Hell urges the necessity of witnessing.

At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Ez 3:16-18

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. 2 Cor 5:11

6. Hell stresses the urgency of decision.

"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
Heb 4:7

If the Spirit of God is speaking to your heart today about being saved - escaping hell and enjoying heaven - see “The Good News” in the column to the right.

The topic of hell is the most sobering topic of the gospels and of the New Testament in general. The reality of eternal loss should be a powerful motivator both for your own decision of faith and your active prayerful witnessing to others.