I derive no particular joy from crafting this article. Yet, the reality of hell persists, and individuals are destined for it. Therefore, let's briefly examine the Bible's stance on hell.
--In the New Testament, the term most frequently translated as "hell" is Gehenna, the Greek equivalent of "the valley of Hinnom." This valley, situated southwest of Jerusalem and still visible from the Mount of Olives, was historically associated with pagan rituals, including human sacrifices to the deity Moloch (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6; cf. Jer. 7:31-32; 19:5ff.).
It is debated whether the Valley of Hinnom functioned as the "city dump" or "garbage heap" of Jerusalem. While the evidence appears questionable, the undeniable historical link to pagan child sacrifice makes Gehenna an understandable reference for the place of eternal torment.
--The most detailed depiction of hell is found in Revelation 14:9-11, where worshippers of the beast endure torment with fire and sulfur, and the smoke of their torment ascends forever.
--John further expands on the duration of this punishment in Revelation 14:11. It is there that the "smoke" of their torment ascends forever and ever, signifying a lasting testimony to the consequences of sin and God's wrath. The phrase "forever and ever" is repeated in Revelation (1:6; 4:9-10; 5:13; 10:6; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5), denoting eternal aspects related to praise, glory, dominion, life, and punishment.
WE HOLD TO...
In short, personal preferences and feelings do not dictate the truth of the matter.
Why?
Because in biblical Christianity, we firmly:
--Believe every word in the Bible is true and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)
--Have learned to appreciate God's holiness and the seriousness of sin (Isaiah 6).
--Hold that if hell seems unfair, it's because we might not fully grasp God's holiness or the seriousness of sin (Revelation 20:11-15; Isaiah 6).
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HELL
--People in Hell don't repent; they continue to rebel against God (Revelation 16:9, 11, 21).
--Hell isn't Satan's kingdom; it's where Satan and his demons suffer punishment (Matthew 25:41).
--Everyone in Hell deserves to be there according to God's perfect justice (Romans 6:23).
--Hell isn't a fun place to hang out with friends; it's a lonely and painful existence (Matthew 8:12).
--Hell isn't a temporary stop; there's no universal salvation (Matthew 25:46).
--Nobody who truly seeks God's forgiveness is rejected by him (John 6:35, 37b, 40).
--In Hell, people feel God's justice and wrath, not His love and grace (Revelation 14:10).
--Satan and his demons don't torment people in Hell; they suffer punishment themselves (2 Peter 2:4).
SOME SELECTED REMINDERS ON HELL....
- Salvation is not just getting man out of hell and into heaven, but getting God out of heaven and into man (Gal. 2:20).
--There are many roads to hell, but only one way to heaven. This one-way street is Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
--Not over any door in hell is found the word exit (Matt. 25:46).
--If we really believed in hell, our preaching and witnessing would be far more persuasive (Luke 16:31).
--The one who minimizes the gravity of hell minimizes the gravity of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18).
--God is truth, the Author and Judge of all truth. Sin, salvation, judgment, heaven, and hell are what God says they are. Period. Paragraph (Psalm 19:7).
HOW SHOULD WE FEEL ABOUT HELL?
--Sad for those who may end up there (Luke 16:19-31), and
--Grateful for God's mercy in saving us from such a fate through Jesus Christ's sacrifice (John 3:16-17).
