Ministers Blogs
“Hell is real”
This past week we had a daily reminder of smoke and fire from the old Ames plant fire. The billowing smoke could be seen and smelled for miles. The fire, I am told was very hot and difficult to put out due to chemicals stored there. The Ames fire comes on the heels of the fires in California where many people lost their houses and loved ones. Fire is very devastating.
Although these fires have been tragic and caused a lot of destruction the Bible tells us about another fire that will be even more destructive. The fire of Hell.
God describes Hell in the Bible, so we can understand it and avoid it. God uses our five senses to help us to understand Hell as a real place of punishment. We may not understand every aspect of Hell, but we can understand the following:
- Sight- I can understand darkness, can’t you? Hell is described as: blackness of darkness, 2 Peter 2:17; chains of darkness, Jude 6; and outer darkness, Matthew 8:12.
- Hearing- We can understand and know what pain sounds like, correct? Hell is described as something we hear: weeping and gnashing of teeth, Mt. 8:11, Mt. 13:42, and Mt. 25:30.
- Feeling- One of the worst injuries one can receive is having our body burned. We have all touched a hot pan, or hot part on a car. I know what pain feels like, don’t you? Imagine your whole-body day in and day out full of the feeling of burning. This is also how Hell is described: Unquenchable fire, Mt. 3:12; Eternal fire, Mt. 25:41, 46; and agony, Lk. 16:23.
- Smell- I know what foul air smells like, don’t you? (How many of us smelled the Ames plant fire?). Hell has a smell of burning sulfur: Rev 21:8, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
- Thirst- I know what is to be thirsty, especially after working in the sun on a hot day. Hell is waterless: Zec. 9:11, and Lk. 16:24 the rich man wanted to quench his tongue.
Then add to the fact that the Bible states that this torment will last forever and ever as we see in Revelation 20:10. Hell awaits all who live a Christless life.
Hell is no joke. Hell is real. Hell is hot. Hell is horrible. Hell is for eternity. But we do not have to go there. Christ has provided the way of escape and has provided the forgiveness of our sins. If you are uncertain where you will spend eternity, will you search the scriptures and listen to what they have to say. Will you believe in Christ, confess his name, repent of all your sin, and be baptized for the remission of sins into Jesus Christ and live for Him? (see: Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Rev. 2:10, and Acts 22:16). Think about it! Mark T. Tonkery
