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 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.
