Hell

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41)

A recent study stated that over 88% of all homes in the United States have at least one copy of the Bible in it. Because of modern technology, we have more accessibility to the Bible than ever before and can always carry the Bible with us. Although many have a copy of the Bible and claim to study it on some type of regular basis, some do not believe there is a place called “hell”. Many, based on their actions, live a type of life that says they do not believe in hell or that they do not fear hell. The Bible has given us fair warning about what will take place in hell, and it is a warning that we must take heed to and a warning that must be given to all that are not living according to the Scriptures. What does the Bible say about this place that is “prepared for the devil and his angels”?

The Bible clearly warns us that hell exists. Jesus states that hell is a place that is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Jesus states that hell is a place where the disobedient will be cast and describes the pain and suffering and the eternal nature of hell as a place “where the fire is not quenched, and the worm does not die” (Mark 9:43-48). The redemption of mankind through the blood of Christ that was shed for the remission of sin implies that hell exists. If hell did not exist, why would Christ have suffered for our forgiveness? Christ suffered on the cross for man to be freed from sin and the wages of sin, which is death, not be paid by man (Rom. 3:21-23). The price was paid on the cross so the righteous would be able to enter eternal life and not enter eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46). Heaven’s existence suggest the existence of hell. If there was no such place as hell, why would heaven need to exist? By implication, if the righteous are told to enter eternal life, then the unrighteous will be told to enter something different. The Bible gives multiple passages that teach that hell exist, and there will be some that will be sent there on the Day of Judgment (Matt. 25; Matt. 7:21-23; Ecc. 12:13-14).

Hell is a literal place of eternal punishment where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 8:12). Hell is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the abode of evil spirits”. The Bible gives plenty of descriptions of what hell will be like. Jesus says there will be fire in hell (Matt. 5:22), and that it is a place of outer darkness (Matt. 22:13). The book of Revelation speaks of a lake that burns with fire (Rev. 20:15) and refers to hell as a bottomless pit (Rev. 22:13). There are several other descriptions of what hell is like but through the descriptions it is easily seen that hell is not a place anyone should desire to go. The Bible also states what hell is not, as it will not be on this earth (2 Peter 3:10) and is not a place of pleasure but is a place of torment (Luke 16). Hell is a place of eternal punishment or “everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:46). Hell is a place of continual condemnation (Matt. 23:33; John 5:29; Matt. 10:28; 2 Thess. 1:8-9). As one preacher stated, “hell might not be as bad if it only lasted for one million years, because with each passing day one could be one day closer to being released from hell” but hell is never ending/eternal and just as the pleasures of heaven will never end, the pain and sufferings of hell will never end.

The road that leads to hell is the easiest road to take. The road to hell (life that leads one to hell) is not filled with a bunch of “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not” but is a road that gives the opportunity for one to enjoy the temptations and pleasures of the world. Jesus stated that the gate was broad, and the way was wide (Matt. 7:13-14), indicating how easy it is to enter everlasting torment. Sadly, the road to hell is one that is traveled often as Jesus stated, “many there be that go in thereat”. The Bible teaches there are things that will cause one to enter hell (1 John 3:4; Gal. 5:19-21), and it seems as if the list of sins that will lead one to hell are infinite as man continually invents ways to transgress God’s Law. As the founder of the Church of Satan, Anton Lavey, boldly claimed years ago, “There is nothing that you have to do in order to be a member of the church of Satan” and there is nothing that you must do to enter hell.

The one thing that must be understood about hell is this: God has provided a way to avoid hell! God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so man might be saved from sin (John 3:16-17). It is the Lord’s will and desire that all men repent of sin and not perish eternally (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and offered Himself on the cross in order that we might have eternal life in heaven (John 10:10).

Hell is a terrifying place where no person should desire to be. It is not the Father’s will that anyone enter hell. Jesus was sent to keep us from hell. It is the whole duty of man to obey God, keeping His commandments (Ecc. 12:13) and in so doing avoid the eternal punishment of hell.