~ DO YOU BELIEVE IN HELL ? ~
The reality of a never-ending place of punishment is generally rejected by the wicked world, because hardened sinners don’t want to believe in Hell. But, it is far more disturbing is to hear those who believe in Jesus and His teachings to say they no longer believe in Hell. Has God’s Word changed? Did Jesus make a mistake? Did He deliberately mislead His followers in His teachings about Hell? If there is no eternal place of conscious punishment for the unrepentant wicked, then Jesus lied. Since it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), we must conclude that the mistake is on our part. Our inability to understand fully the place called “Hell” in God’s plan may be due, in part, to the deficiencies of human reasoning compared to divine reasoning. God’s thoughts and ways are unlike those of mankind (Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 92:5-6). However, the failure of man to understand, appreciate, or to comprehend does not nullify or change the reality of what God says or does (II Peter 2:4-9).
Is Hell real? What did Jesus have to say about Hell? Read prayerfully His plea and His warnings in the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:22, 29, 30). Jesus also taught further on this subject (Matthew 10:28; 13:42, 49-50; 18:8-9;24:51; 25;46). For one to state that they do not understand Hell is one thing, but to deny that Hell exists is a serious matter. Jesus taught the reality of consciousness after death, involving continuous pain (torment) in a place called “Hell” (Luke 16:19-31). These plain teachings of our Lord must not be rejected (John 12:44-50), and one who truly believes in Hell will live life in such a way as to avoid it!
God’s Word has not changed. Hell is real. It is eternal. It is a place of suffering. Jesus said so. We may not fully understand, but spending time in a study of God’s Word will help us to truly believe! Those who fully obey God will be saved from this awful fate -- God has promised that through faithful obedience, we will receive eternal life, and spend it with Him in Heaven (John 3:16-17; 5:39; Romans 6:23; I Timothy 2:4; I Peter 4:17-19). The choice is up to you: if you refuse to choose Heaven...the only remaining alternative is Hell. There is no middle ground. Jesus pleads with you:“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Which road are you traveling? Does it lead to Heaven, or to Hell? Is Hell truly where you want to spend eternity? Think about it -- and then do something about it!