Jesus and the Fact of Hell
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
How can it be that Jesus Christ, who taught so strongly the importance of love and forgiveness, could speak such words as these? Actually, Jesus had more to say about hell and eternal punishment than any other speaker or writer in the Bible. Since He is the Creator (Colossians 1:16), the coming Judge (John 5:22), and the only man who has died and risen permanently from the dead (II Corinthians 5:14-15), we would do well to believe and heed His warnings. He knows whereof He speaks!
Listen to these prophecies, for example: "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:49-50). "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:47-48). There are other such warnings from Christ, but how can we reconcile such threats of everlasting doom with His own nature of love?
The fact is, however, that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for people. The devil has been a rebel against God since the beginning, wanting to be his own god. When people follow the devil in this same rebellious path, rejecting God's Word, they are showing they would be more comfortable with Satan than with Christ in eternity. Therefore Christ, because of His great love, has repeatedly warned them of what is coming, and so should we. "Of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23).
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
How can it be that Jesus Christ, who taught so strongly the importance of love and forgiveness, could speak such words as these? Actually, Jesus had more to say about hell and eternal punishment than any other speaker or writer in the Bible. Since He is the Creator (Colossians 1:16), the coming Judge (John 5:22), and the only man who has died and risen permanently from the dead (II Corinthians 5:14-15), we would do well to believe and heed His warnings. He knows whereof He speaks!
Listen to these prophecies, for example: "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:49-50). "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:47-48). There are other such warnings from Christ, but how can we reconcile such threats of everlasting doom with His own nature of love?
The fact is, however, that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for people. The devil has been a rebel against God since the beginning, wanting to be his own god. When people follow the devil in this same rebellious path, rejecting God's Word, they are showing they would be more comfortable with Satan than with Christ in eternity. Therefore Christ, because of His great love, has repeatedly warned them of what is coming, and so should we. "Of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23).
posted by kennyo at 11:29 AM
4 Comments:
That IS the question which defines all others. If there is a heaven and a hell, and if all people go to one or the other FOREVER, then how you get to heaven IS the question that becomes the elephant in the room. Gain the whole world and lose your own soul - you've lost eternity. The emergent movement is nothing more than the fellow prisoners playing orchestral music to the prisoners walking into the Nazi ovens. It might take their minds off their destination for a while, but their destination remains the same - DEATH.
The emergent mantra is The Journey is the Destination... I have seen it on billboards outside these new kind of Churches.
V
Vee,
You're right, they love to use that word journey. Whenever I hear that I start to become skeptical.
I should come up with a list of Emergent buzz words as a warning to unwitting church members.
By the way, I enjoy reading your encouraging comments, thanks.
-Kenny
I believe that we should speak with boldness concerning the Word of God and Pray for one another:
Eph 6:19 Pray also for me, that to me may be given speech in the opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Phi 1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but as always in all boldness even now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death.
And as you are a slave to our Lord God I pray this for you:
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings and give to Your slaves to speak Your Word with all boldness,
2Co 3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward.
Heb 10:39 and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. .
Jam 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
And I pray that we shall remember to...
1Th 5:21 Test all things, and hold fast the good.
This I pray!
V
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