WHY DOES HELL EXIST?
HELL EXISTS FOR GOD TO DEAL RIGHTEOUSLY WITH SATAN AND UNBELIEVERS.
…Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:3 NIV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 2:9 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! 12 The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the Lord, Nor consider the operation of His hands. 13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself and opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, and he who is jubilant, shall descend into it. 15 People shall be brought down, each man shall be humbled, And the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
Isaiah 5:11-15 NKJV
WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO NEVER HEAR
?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:18-20 NKJV
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:19-21 NIV
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
Luke 16:22-24 NIV
HELL IS A PLACE OF
SUFFERING.
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matthew 5:29 NIV
…will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”
Revelation 14:10-11 NIV
Gehnna (gheh’-en-nah); valley of Hinnom; place of everlasting punishment.
…’Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
Luke 16:27-28
LESSONS FROM THE OTHER SIDE
• THE RICH MAN WAS FULLY CONSCIOUS.
• HIS ETERNAL DESTINY WAS IRREVOCABLY FIXED.
• HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS JUST.
• HE PLEADED FOR SOMEONE TO HELP HIS LOVED ONES KNOW JESUS.
“Sir, I do not share your faith. But if I did—if I believed what you say you believed—then although England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would crawl the length and breath of it on hand and knee and think the pain worthwhile, just to save a single soul from this eternal hell of which you speak.” —Charles Peace
GOD DOESN’T WANT ANYONE TO GO TO HELL.
… (The Lord) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9