Hell is a subject rarely discussed, but when it is it is either hotly debated or lightly dismissed. All kinds of arguments are given against it, both by laymen and theologians alike, as if denying the concept of hell, therefore destroys the reality of hell.
The world scoffs at the idea of hell. Men of God who dare to preach the truth of the Bible concerning this terrible place, are sarcastically labeled "hell fire and damnation preachers." Even many church members squirm in their seats and get a little embarrassed when the pastor preaches on hell.
Sometimes people say, "I think all the hell you are going to get is in this world." That is only partially true. If you are saved, the only hell you will ever know is in this world. But when you die you are going to go to heaven and be with Jesus forever and ever. No more sorrow. No more heartache. No more grief. No more pain. All the hell saved people ever experience is what they experience on this earth. But if you do not know Christ as your Savior and you die in that lost condition, whatever misery you have experienced on the earth will be just the beginning and then in hell forever and forever. No rest day or night.
Someone dies and they say he's out of his misery. Is he? Is he really out of his misery? No. If you die without Christ you are not out of your misery, your misery is just beginning. Tormented. No rest day and night.
I have people tell me, “I don't like everlasting punishment." Then take your scissors and cut it out of the Bible. The Bible teaches it. The same Bible which teaches everlasting life and a place of everlasting bliss in heaven is the Bible that teaches there is an everlasting place of wrath-forever and forever. It says they have no rest day or night. No rest.
Do I believe that there is fire in hell? Jesus talked in terms of fire in hell. Either the fire in hell is literal or it is something so more serious, something more drastic that fire is the only thing that can even begin to describe it. Whatever it is-you don't want to go to hell. Whatever it is-you don't want to face this torment of fire and brimstone.
An Indiana Cemetery, I am told, has a tombstone over 100 years old that bears this epitaph:
Pause, stranger, when you pass me by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you will be,
So prepare for death, and follow me.
Well some unknown passerby read those words and scratched this reply below them:
To follow you, I'm not content,
Until I know which way you went.
---JKP3
