tormented – Auriesville Tubthumper

Hell Yes It’s Real, Part 1

In the last couple months I have working on a few theological items. Some of the main topics have been Hell, Heaven and Faith along with a few others. I wrote about Hell previously but this time I did some research and pulled the views of some others into my package of thoughts and knowledge.So I think I will work through these items starting with Hell.

In a series of posts I will show how the authoritative words of Jesus Christ and the clarity of the Bible cause us to have no other choice but to believe that Hell is for real.

The subject we are considering is extremely heavy as we look at the reality of Hell. Hell is an awesome thing. Who could ever possibly take it all in? To admit that Hell is real is to say that it is possible you or I or both of us might end up in eternal anguish separated from God and separated from other humans to be tormented in darkness. It is important to know if Hell really exists and it sure would be nice for a lot of people if it didn’t. [1]

There is a very different opinion of Hell now from back at the time when Edwards or Spurgeon were thumping the “Hellfire and Brimstone” from the pulpit. Any discussion regarding Hell today is sure to bring a rash on someone. The doctrine of Hell has never been challenged as much as it is now in our time.[2]

Hell is certainly for real and even Jesus Christ went there. He went to Sheol (Greek Hades) at His death on the cross (Acts 2:27, 31). He visited briefly because He was resurrected on the third day and came back in victory. Because of His resurrection from death Jesus has in His possession “the keys to death and Hades” and He will reign over them (Rev. 1:18). In the end both death and Hades will be cast into the “lake of fire” along with the devil, fallen angels and all the lost sinners (Rev.20:13-15).

The views have changed over time. The doctrine of Hell is almost never addressed in Christian theology today because it is so controversial. You don’t hear any ‘Hellfire and Brimstone’ sermons any more like was part of the ministry of Jonathan Edwards so long ago. Jonathan Edwards was probably more closely associated with the concept of Hell than any other preacher. Many called him sadistic because he concentrated on Hell so often. Jonathan Edwards was a man that truly believed in the reality of Hell. Because he was concerned about the spiritual well-being of his congregation, and he rightly should have, he preached passionately about Hell. He certainly had no desire for any of his people to experience that dreadful place.[3]

The Doctrine of Hell stands alone. Of course Hell is for real. The doctrine stands alone based on the history of Christianity. If you were to take away Hell the entire scope of Christian theology would be altered. Men and women dreamed of going to heaven and they had nightmares about going to Hell. Now days there is distaste for hell and it shows up in the watered down sermons. There cannot be any room for doubt on this. We must make a choice to admit that the endless misery of Hell is real or we need to give up the thought of eternal happiness in heaven.[4]

There is both scientific and biblical evidence that Hell is for real. Evangelical Christians believe the Biblical sources are the only ones truly reliable to determine what our eternal destinies will be like. They (we) want to seek out God’s truth for the answer. Evangelical Christians also believe that Hell is for real and any thought of a postmortem second chance or an afterlife is preposterous. Consequently, evangelicals believe the most horrible fate any human being could ever face is the reality of Hell.[5]

The views have changed over time. Regardless of the issue that people do not want to think seriously about hell, everyone needs to be aware. Human beings need to understand the place that Christ’s death on the cross saved them from. All unbelievers should be warned of the eternal judgment that will become them if they do not turn to God, repent of their sins and find salvation through Jesus Christ.

This is real serious stuff because we are talking about the eternal future and destination of real people. People that you and I know and see every day. People that could spend the rest of eternity in a horrible place. Anyone persistently rejecting the Lord throughout their life can expect to one day face God in judgment and likely get the verdict to be cast into Hell. Hell is for real. Anyone ending up in Hell can never come out again and Hell is frightening beyond any human imagination.

Yes, Hell is for real… join me in the next post as I continue with defining hell and getting into the nitty-gritty dirty details.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2

Click here to jump to Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Conclusion.

Have a Godly day,

“The Tubthumper”

[1] Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle, Erasing Hell.

[2] R.C. Sproul, Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, angels and Demons.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Timothy Keller et al., Is HELL for Real or does Everyone go to Heaven.

[5] Edward William Fudge, and Petersen, Two Views of Hell.

[6] Sproul, Unseen Realities.

Life is but a Vapor: Know for sure

Part 2 of 3 part series.

You can know for sure. That should be comforting. You can do something about it. This day is rushing toward you. Make certain of your destiny.

What are you thinking? Come on… put some thought into this important subject. I am sure you have done some good and you have done some bad. You may be thinking God will grade you on a curve like the teachers do in school. You may think you can get to heaven on your own because you are not as bad as others. Here is the truth: If you are going to heaven it is because you repented and embraced Christ by faith. If you have not done this you are going to hell. For it is written.

There are people in hell right now. How sad but true this is. What about you? Hell is predominately occupied by two groups. 1) Those that have never done it (repented and embraced Christ by faith) and 2) those that thought they had but did not.

(Luke 16:19-35- There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.)

It is written: Hell is eternal torment for the impenitent.

The subject of Hell is obstinately ignored by all. It is ignored primarily because of a move in our country toward universalism and health and wealth theology. Most religions won’t touch it because it is not popular and won’t make people feel good. You need the truth! Can you handle the truth? Truth doesn’t always feel good. Will it be heaven or hell for you? You can know for sure. This day is rushing toward you. Make certain of your destiny.

I have done it, I repented, I could not gain my own way to heaven. I humbled myself before God. I embraced Jesus Christ as forgiveness for my sins. I did not deserve it, but, I got it. Through God’s grace I am saved from hell.

This is your chance! Right now! You can turn from sin and embrace Christ and be changed. Every day is your day of opportunity.

But… when time comes to a close… it is over. Today, if you hear Him… please respond? I am talking about things eternal.

It is almost impossible today to get a person to think seriously for even a moment about where they are going when they die. I fear you do not comprehend what a huge deal this is! We are talking about eternity separated from God! We don’t want to go there (hell). We don’t want anyone we know to go there. We want to keep people from going there!

(Hebrews 9:27- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment).

(Matthew 8:12- But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

(Matthew 25:30- And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

The Bible gives direct terms of fire, weeping and gnashing of teeth, outer darkness, torment, anguish, isolation and eternal destruction.

Every day of your life God calls out to you!

(2 Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)

He wants all to come to repentance. God wants everyone rewarded with salvation. God provided a way out of hell but it is up to you to take up the opportunity!

Hear His voice! Hear it today!

You must be sure… the way to hell is wide and easy. The way to heaven is narrow but not complicated. Repent and acknowledge you deserve hell. Embrace Jesus Christ now by faith and ask Him to come into your life and forgive you. Ask him to save you!

Come back for part 3 and know how to know for sure.

“The Tubthumper”

Click here to go toPart 3