Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NIV)
Hell! What is it? Where is it? Is it real or is it a figment of many people’s imagination? Does it actually exist? If so, what was it created for? Why would God send people there if He’s loving and merciful? These are some of the questions that come to people’s mind when they think or hear the word “Hell.” There are various theories and teachings on the subject of hell fire. However, how can you distinguish fact from fiction? Let’s dig in so that we can explore what God has to say about this topic.
Hell is a place of fiery flames. Matthew 25:41 “then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (NKJV) Whenever we hear the sound of sirens on a fire truck, we automatically know that it is not a good thing. We know that some building, house, or structure is possibly in flames. What do flames do? They destroy whatever they come in contact with. When a structure catches on fire, there is plenty of smoke, smog, and heat, which requires water in most cases to put it out unless it is an electrical fire. The fire fighters have on protective gear and carry hoses to release water from the nearest fire hydrant onto the burning structure. They also play a role in keeping onlookers back to prevent injuries and/or death. Fire fighters, as part of their job, try to save those who may be trapped inside in order to get them to safety.
Unlike the fire that can be extinguished by way of water, hell fire is quite different. There is no extinguishing of hell fire. Water cannot put it out or any type of man-made solution. Hell is unresponsive to a fire extinguisher. Mark 9:43-44 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘Their Worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’” (NKJV) There is no way to make the fires of hell shut off or cool down. It is a place where destruction is guaranteed, but not in the same manner as a regular fire.
Where is hell located? Isaiah 14:9 “Hell from beneath is excited about you…” (NKJV), Revelation 9:2-3 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (NKJV) Hell is below the inner surface of the earth. The great ‘pit’ would only need to be 100 miles or less in diameter to contain, with much room to spare, all the 40 billion or so people who have ever lived, assuming their ‘spiritual’ bodies are the same size as their physical bodies.” (Henry M. Morris, The Bible Has the Answer, p. 220.) Scientist believe that earth’s center core has a temperature of 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit. So many people feel that hell is not a literal place, but a figment of people’s imagination and/or the condition in which they already find themselves on earth while still alive. However, this does not line up with what the Bible says.
So, what is hell like? Matthew 8:12 “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NKJV) This is not a place that anyone wants to go. It will be the most horrifying experience that anyone has encountered. There will be no fun. There will be no vacation spots. This will not be Party Central. This will be a place of misery, sorry, tears, pain, and anguish. It will literally be a person’s worst nightmare, but in the real sense of the word. Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (NKJV) Can you imagine being turned into hell? What does this mean? I believe that when a person goes to hell, it is so horrible, that it becomes a part of them. They can’t escape. There is not pardon. There is not water to quench their thirst. It likened unto someone who has been in a smoke-filled room and the stench from it is left on their body and clothes. There is no way to get away from it. That’s what hell is like.
Who is going to hell? 2 Peter 2:1,4-7 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked…(NKJV) This scripture is letting us know that if God destroyed those sinning in the days of old, He is going to do the same thing again. Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (NKJV) There are many sins, if left unrepentant, will cause people to go to hell. Sin cannot enter heaven and therefore, we must confess our sins to God in order to avoid eternal damnation.
Who was hell created for? Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 It was never meant to be for the human race. However, due to sin, it will include those who are disobedient to God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) God does not wish for anyone to perish, but wants all of us to be repent and be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(NKJV)
God sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to save us from our sins. We have the option to either choose God or the enemy. He wants us to be a part of His Heavenly family. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (NKJV) Repent and turn your life to Christ. He is knocking at the door of your heart. He loves you and is patiently waiting for you to turn your life over to Him. Why don’t you give Him your life today? Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (NIV)
The Weight of Weights by K L Rich will be available on Amazon.com and Lulu.com June 23, 2014. What Weights do you need to RELEASE?
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