Yesterday we spoke about Heaven, today I want to think about Hell. For most Christians Hell is difficult to come to terms with – many decide that they don't believe in the existence of Hell because surely a loving God cannot have created such a place?
There are a lot of different thoughts about Hell and what it might be like. Perhaps some of the "fire and brimstone" preachers are making claims about Hell that are not totally biblical. I have not studied the proof or disproof of Hell, but it is clear that Hell is not being in Heaven and I think it is fair to say that Hell will be:
- eternal separation from God
- a place of sin, regret, pain and suffering, anguish, torment and loss
- a place without love, hope or joy
Personally, I believe that Satan and Hell will be extinguished when Jesus comes again and a new Heaven is established. Ultimately, I don't want to research too much about Hell as I don't find it helpful or necessary to understand it and be able to explain it. But I do believe it exists and that there will be judgement (by a perfect Judge God) and separation of the "sheep and the goats" or the "wheat and the chaff".
Why am I talking about this? I don't want to people turn to God because of fear of Hell, rather because of an aching to experience Heaven and a knowledge and love of God and Jesus - I also know that the way of the world is like a 4 lane motorway where the flow of traffic is heading for a cliff and a Highway to Hell.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13 [NIV]
Doing nothing about that seems to be an option we are not allowed! I certainly don't believe that the "everyone will go to Heaven" philosophy is a justifiable position.
Can you make the most of an opportunity to steer people through the "narrow gate" today?
Lord, help us to reveal the truth to a world based on lies and untruth. Thank you for giving us a gateway to Heaven. Amen.
Dave MacLellan
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