Hell is a very real place that many people can have very wrong ideas about. It's not a fun place by any means. And if people thought about it correctly, they would more than likely do everything they can to avoid it.
So for people who are curious about what kind of place hell actually is. Here's everything that you need to know. Point number one.
Hell currently has no people in it. Revelation chapter 20, verses 13 to 14. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.
And they were judged. Each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death. it's important to note here that this passage occurs at the end of the age when the world and everything in it will be put away, and then God ushers in a new heaven and a new earth that won't have any sin, pain, or death. But before God does this, he'll judge people.
And death was cast into the lake of fire, and then those in Hades were cast into the lake of fire. And this lake of fire is known as Gahanna, or Hell. And before the people in Hades were cast into this lake of fire.
Only two people were already there. And that's the Antichrist and the false prophet. So if the Antichrist and false prophet aren't there right now, it would mean that as of yet, this place is not habitable by any people.
And this raises the question, where are the people who aren't in heaven if they're not in hell? And we have the answer. And point number two, hell is the final destination for those in Hades.
Luke chapter 16, verses 22 to 24. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am tormented in this flame.
In this passage, Jesus spoke of a beggar named Lazarus and a rich man. And when they died, Lazarus went to a place called Abraham's bosom. And the rich man went to a place called Hades.
And it's important to note here that this passage is not a parable where Jesus tells a story that has a spiritual meaning. Rather, this passage is about Jesus giving an account of what actually happened. And the reason why we know this is because Jesus named Lazarus specifically, and this man Lazarus, interacts with Abraham, who is also a real person.
And from Luke chapter 16, verses 19 to 31, we learn that Hades is a place that some people go to after they die. We learn that people who are there are tormented in flames. That those who are in Hades right now cannot escape Hades, and that people who go there will have memories of their past life.
So see the connection here. Jesus tells us that this rich man died and went to Hades. And then later in revelation chapter 20, we learn that those who are in Hades are thrown into the lake of fire.
So Hades is like a temporary holding cell until the final judgment, and then those who occupy Hades will go to hell. and what's interesting too, is that hell may not look the same for everyone else. Because according to point number three, hell may have different degrees of punishment.
Luke chapter ten, verse 10 to 14. But whatever city you enter and they do not receive, you go out into the streets and say. The very dust of your city which clings to us.
We wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you. But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
Woe to you! Chosen. Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tire and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tire and Sidon at the judgment than for you. In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples about the fate of the cities that reject his disciples, and that they'll have it worse on the Day of Judgment than Sodom.
And Jesus goes on to say that children in Bethsaida will have it worse than tire. And Sidon. So please note that while Hades and hell are horrible places of torment, there's a possibility that these places may not be the same for everyone and some people may experience worse punishment than others.
On the day of judgment. And the reason why we speculate that is because Jesus says that certain people here will have it worse than others. This theory is further seen in Luke chapter 12, verses 47 and 48, which reads.
And that servant who knew his master's will and did not prepare himself, or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given from him much will be required, and to whom much has been committed of him they will ask the more.
In this passage, Jesus explained to Peter that there's differences and punishment, and a servant who knew what to do but chose not to do it will be beaten with many lashings, but someone who's in ignorance will only be given a few. So it seems that hell and Hades may have varying levels of punishment that might be based on how much someone rejected God and his truths. But again, this is only speculation.
And while the idea of there being levels of hell is up in the air, I should make it very clear that hell is a real place. So, point number four, hell is a real and eternal place of punishment. Matthew chapter 25, verses 41 and 46.
then he will say to those on the left hand. depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
In this passage, Jesus speaks about the future and how he will judge the nations. And he says that he'll judge some people and that they'll go to everlasting fire and punishment. But there are those that are righteous that will go into eternal life.
Now, there's some people who believe that once you die, your soul is destroyed and you enter into this void of nothingness. And there's other people who believe in reincarnation, and that upon death, your soul is placed into another body here on earth. And both of these views are incorrect because according to the Bible, when people die, the soul will either be put away to everlasting punishment or will be brought into eternal life.
and I should mention that this everlasting punishment is a place that's devoid of any rest. Look at revelation chapter 20, verse ten. the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever.
This passage describes the fate of the first two people that were cast into hell. And it says that they're going to be tormented day and night forever. and as hard as it is to talk about this, I need to say that hell will be forever.
And people that go there will never have rest. And they'll burn in a body that does not decay. And they will feel unimaginable pain every second of every day, of every week, of every month, of every year, for all eternity.
This is the place that Jesus warns us against. And if this place scares you, I need to tell you that there's a way out. So point number five.
Hell is deserved, but it can be avoided. Romans chapter six, verse 23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In this passage, Paul explains that the punishment for sin is death, but there's eternal life in Jesus. And we learn in revelation chapter 20, verse 14, that the lake of fire is the second and final death. and now look at John 316 to 17.
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. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. In this passage, Jesus is talking to a religious leader by the name of Nicodemus.
And Jesus tells him that God the Father gave his son, and that whoever believes in this son would not perish. And Jesus goes on to say that God sent his son not to condemn the world, but to save it. So according to Romans, it says that the wages or punishment of sin is death and hell.
And the reason why is because God is a holy and righteous judge, and that means that he can't allow any sin to go unpunished. so he's going to judge every lie, every theft, every bad thought and everything that was ever done that was wrong. And God says that the punishment for such actions is death.
And the sentence will be fully paid in hell. So the reason why people go to hell is to pay for the punishment for their own wrongdoings. Because at the end of the day, we've all messed up and deserve to be punished.
But God didn't want that to be the end. Because even though he's a holy and righteous God that must judge every wrongdoing. He's also a loving God that desires to give mercy and grace.
So God came in the form of a man. Jesus. And Jesus lived a perfect life without any sin.
And Jesus looked at the wrath and punishment that people deserved because of their sin. And then he took it upon himself. And that's why Jesus died on the cross.
To take away our punishment of death and satisfy the wrath of God that we deserved. In John 316 to 17 tells us that God loved us, and that whoever believes in Jesus, His son won't perish in hell, but will have ever lasting and eternal life. So how do you avoid hell and go to heaven?
Easy. You know in your heart that you're a sinner deserving of death, and believe that Jesus died to take away your punishment? That's all.
And for those of you who are thinking why must hell be eternal? Why is God punishing people who lie with everlasting fire? And the answer is found in point number six.
Hell is God's wrath on people. Romans chapter one, verse 18 and 32. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death. not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. In this passage, Paul is telling the Roman Church that God's wrath is against all those who are ungodly and unrighteous, and that those who practice ungodliness are deserving of death.
So please understand that the reason why people go to hell is because God is angry with them for their sin. And to help you understand just a little piece of God's wrath. Imagine if your best friend or cherished loved one was killed because of a drunk driver.
and if you really put yourself in that headspace, you'd think of the fact that you'd never hear your friend's voice again. And that you'd never embrace them. And that all of this was taken away because someone could not control their drinking.
And let's just say the person who killed your friend lived. How would you feel? Because I'd say that a normal person would feel incredible anger, and that they'd feel the desire for justice.
So God, being completely just, is absolutely angry with every sin that's ever been committed. because sin is disobedience and it abuses his creation. And it says in Romans that those who practice sin are deserving of death and deserving of God's wrath.
But why must hell be forever? This is a tough question, but here's my thinking. if someone stole $500 in order to make things right, the person who stole it would probably need to pay back the $500 and maybe a little extra.
And if someone borrowed money and they didn't pay you back, what would need to be done to make things right would probably to pay them back with just a little bit of interest. The idea is that there needs to be some kind of equal exchange. And the issue is that Jesus gave his life to people.
Remember back in John 316 that God loved the world so much that he gave his son? And his son being the son in the Godhead has infinite worth. His life, his love, his grace, his mercy, his kindness was given so that through his blood a road could be paved out of hell into heaven.
It was a sacrifice that cost God His Son and cost Jesus his life. So the reason why I believe that hell must be forever is because the punishment for rejecting Jesus's sacrifice of infinite worth must also be infinite. And for those who think, well, that's not fair.
God still made hell to you. I'd say that God did everything he could to make a way out for you. And if God did everything he could so that you could avoid that place.
Could you say the same thing? You see, God gave people a choice. Either have his wrath taken care of by Jesus, so that by faith in him you can go to heaven or you bear the penalty of God's wrath yourself in hell.
And what's sad is that despite God doing everything he could for people to avoid hell. Many people will still go there. And we see that in point number seven.
Hell is a place that many people will go to. Matthew chapter seven, verses 13 to 14. Answer by the narrow gate, for why does the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction.
And there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. In this passage, Jesus says that the way that leads to destruction is broad, and that many people will walk that path, and that the way that leads to life is narrow and only a few people will find it. And this is the reason why we as Christians need to do everything in our power to preach to as many people as we can, because Jesus, being the righteous king and judge, will judge everybody.
You see, God has wrath on sin and one of two things will happen when he comes back. Either people can believe and trust in Jesus, whose death on the cross satisfied God's wrath, or people will have to endure God's wrath themselves through hell's fire. And this is the reason why we preach God's love.
Because Jesus didn't have to die. He didn't have to pay or penalty. He didn't have to take God's wrath upon himself, and he didn't have to make a way out of hell for us.
what he did, And he did more than that, too, because he made it to where we can become his friends, and that by faith we can become his adopted children. And he grants us access to all that is his. So know that Jesus dying on the cross was a choice that he made because he loves people.
And this is the message that we as Christians must preach. That we are sinners deserving of death. But Jesus took our punishment by dying on the cross, and that by faith in his sacrifice we can have eternal life.
Okay, so when it comes to health, there are seven points that all Christians should know. Hell currently has no people in it. Hell is the final destination for those in Hades.
Hell may have different degrees of punishment. Hell is a real and eternal place of punishment. Hell is deserved, but it can be avoided.
Hell is God's wrath on people, and hell is a place that many people will go to. to close. Please know that Jesus taught people often of hell.
And the reason why is because it's a very real danger, and the reality of its existence doesn't change just because someone doesn't believe in it. And as you think of hell, always remember Second Peter chapter three, verse nine, which reads, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. in this passage, the promise that Peter is speaking about is the promise of God's coming judgment and the reason why God is holding off on his judgment is because he's being patient and he doesn't want people to perish.
Rather, he wants them to repent and to be saved. And please note that our love for people can take multiple forms, and one of the most important forms it takes is that of protection. So if any of our loved ones doesn't have faith in Jesus like God, let us do everything in our power to warn them of the danger of hell and to tell them about the love of our God.
So I hope this helps. And may you always remember Jesus loves you.
