Theology 101 No.15

Is hell for real? Or is hell just a state of being? Would a loving God really send anyone to hell? These are common questions concerning hell. Many today do not either accept that there is a hell or that only very few (only the worst people) go there. In fact I knew a Nun who once declare she was confident that hell is mostly empty! Many tend to think that most people are “good enough” to go to heaven. Scripture says otherwise.

Scripture does not ascribe a fixed geography to hell, but it is very real. And it stands as a stern and dreadful reality for those who sin against God. It is the place reserved for the devil and his minions and for all who die in unbelief. Scripture describes it as an everlasting fire (Matthew 18L8,9; 25:41), a place of everlasting punishment away from the presence of God (II Thessalonians 1:9), and a place of “weeping and the gnashing of teeth” (used six times in Matthew alone).

Those who are in hell will be fully aware of what they have lost by their eternal punishment. They will know the blessings those in heaven enjoy; all of which they are forbidden. They are tormented in body and soul and utterly forsaken by God. It is a torment that is without relief, without end, and without escape. All those in hell are without hope of any kind.

Hell is also more “full” than most would think. Jesus is clear concerning the relatively few in number who will enter heaven versus the many who will enter hell. He said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:12,14). Most of the world finds the path that God has laid out for salvation too hard, too undesirable, or too contrary to their way of thinking.

Others discount God’s resolve in sending people to hell. They think that a “loving “ God would not do such a thing. But God is also a God of justice. Throughout Scripture He has made it clear that the penalty for sin is death and hell. God’s justice is not over-ruled by His love for those who refuse Christ and His teachings and commands.

Since He is a God of justice, it must also be recognized that not all punishments in hell are equal. There will be varying degrees of damnation. For instance, Jesus teaches that it will be far worse in hell for those who have heard the Gospel and have rejected it as compared to those who have never heard it. (Matthew 11:16-24). Judgement will also be according to privilege. Those who been entrusted with much by God and have misused or have squandered it will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement. Jesus also gives stern warning to those who would lead others away from the true faith and cause “His little ones” to sin.

The purpose of Scripture in telling us of hell and damnation is to warn us to “flee the coming wrath” (Matthew 3:7, 12). Just as God’s Ten Commandments show us our utter sinfulness and point us to our need for Jesus Christ, so the very real threat of hell is to urge us to pray that we might to escape all that God has promised according to His justice.

God can and will temper His justice with His love and mercy, but only for those who follow Jesus Christ and keep His commands. It is only through the person and work of Christ that anyone can escape God’s everlasting punishment. We should never take the threat of hell lightly. We know that all people eventually die. That is a result of sin in the world. So it should likewise follow that God has laid out an appropriate course of action for all people after they leave this world and enter the next. Whether we believe hell exists or not does not alter the reality of whether we go there or not. And God only gives us one way out – true faith in Jesus Christ.