Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” – Matthew 25:41 (NIV)

In our journey through the Scriptures, we encounter both the breathtaking promises of heaven and the solemn warnings of hell. Today, we embark on a reflective exploration of a challenging topic: hell. Let us delve into the pages of the Bible to understand what hell looks like, what happens there, who will be there, and how the Word of God guides us to avoid its devastating reality.

It’s important to begin by acknowledging the gravity of the subject. The Bible presents hell as a place of eternal separation from God, characterized by torment and darkness. Jesus Himself used vivid imagery to convey its seriousness, reminding us in Matthew 25:41 that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels.

Scripture describes hell as a place of unquenchable fire and outer darkness. Mark 9:48 (ESV) says, “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” While these descriptions may be difficult to fully grasp, they point to the gravity of the consequences for those who reject God’s offer of salvation.

Who will be in hell? The Bible makes it clear that those who reject God’s grace and salvation through Christ will face the reality of hell. Revelation 21:8 highlights those who will be there. This list underscores the importance of choosing life in Christ.

While the reality of hell is challenging to grapple with, it serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of choosing life in Christ. Let’s delve into additional Scriptures that shed light on the nature of hell and the hope of salvation.

Matthew 10:28 (NIV) – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” This verse emphasizes the eternal consequences of rejecting God, highlighting the importance of fearing Him who has authority over both body and soul.

Revelation 20:15 (ESV) – “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” The imagery of the lake of fire underscores the finality of judgment for those whose names are not found in the book of life.

Matthew 13:41-42 (NIV) – “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This imagery emphasizes the separation of the wicked from God’s kingdom and the anguish that awaits them.

While these passages offer insight into the nature of hell, they also reinforce the urgent call to choose life in Christ:

John 14:6 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” This foundational verse reiterates that salvation is found exclusively through a personal relationship with Jesus.

Acts 4:12 (NIV) – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The exclusivity of Christ as the Savior is a central theme in Scripture.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God’s desire is for all to turn to Him and find salvation, underscoring His mercy and grace.

Luke 16:19-31 contains the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which Jesus told to convey several important messages and lessons.

The parable begins by introducing two characters: a wealthy man who lived in luxury and a poor beggar named Lazarus who was covered in sores and lay at the rich man’s gate, hoping for scraps of food. This contrast between their living conditions highlights the extreme disparities in wealth and well-being.

The parable underscores the importance of compassion, care for the less fortunate, and the ethical responsibility of sharing one’s resources with those in need.

Both the rich man and Lazarus die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s side, indicating his entry into paradise. The rich man, on the other hand, is tormented in Hades (hell), experiencing agony and longing for relief.

The parable touches on the concept of an afterlife and the consequences of one’s choices in this life. It suggests that earthly status and wealth are not indicators of one’s spiritual standing.

In torment, the rich man looks up and sees Abraham with Lazarus. He pleads for mercy, asking Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and alleviate his suffering.

The parable underscores the urgency of addressing spiritual matters in life and the realization that one’s choices have lasting consequences. The rich man’s plea for relief highlights the contrast between the comfort he enjoyed in life and the agony he now experiences.

Abraham explains that there is a great chasm fixed between the two realms, preventing anyone from crossing over.

This imagery emphasizes the permanence of one’s state after death and the inability to change one’s fate after passing away.

The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus back to the world of the living to warn his five brothers about the torments of hell, hoping that they might repent and avoid the same fate.

This part of the parable highlights the desire for a direct, miraculous intervention to persuade people to change their ways. Abraham’s response suggests that if people do not heed the teachings and wisdom already available to them (symbolized by “Moses and the Prophets”), even an extraordinary event like someone rising from the dead would not convince them to change.

As we contemplate the reality of hell, let us be reminded of the boundless love and mercy of our God. He desires that none should perish but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The path to salvation is open before us, and the choice is ours. Let us embrace the hope of eternal life in Christ and share this life-transforming truth with a world in need.

As we conclude our reflections on the reality of hell, let us approach this topic with reverence and humility. The Scriptures reveal not only the consequences of rejecting God’s grace but also the profound love that seeks to draw us into His embrace. May we heed the call to choose life, to embrace the salvation offered through Christ, and to share this message of hope with a world in need.

We don’t quit on the time we have left together, whether it is two minutes, two days, two years or more. We don’t know how long we have to live on this earth so we need to make the most of what time we do have. Spend it showing love, compassion, asking questions and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It ends this way, death for everyone. For some it is sooner than others but regardless of when it ends the same for all. We should do our part to tell others about the choice that they have and give them the facts to make the choice of Jesus and heaven.