Seven Fundamental Facts About Hell
By Glendol McClure

Some consider the subject of hell to be unpopular. The fact that very few preachers in our "wise" society ever discuss hell suggests its unpopularity, as does the false belief on the part of many that hell does not really exist. Many people in our society, because of their immoral conduct and ungodliness, believe that hell does not exist, and they are willing to deny that they or anyone else will go there. Yet, in a rage or fit of anger, they do not hesitate to tell someone to "go to hell!" How many people have you heard admit that they believe a relative, a loved one, or they themselves are going to hell? Please consider with me Seven Fundamental Facts About Hell:

First, hell is a real place. The same Bible that speaks of heaven also teaches that there is a place called hell. If the Bible says it is a real place, doesn't that settle any questions regarding its existence? Since God's "word is Truth" (John 17:17), and God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2), and Jesus warned His disciples about this place, without a doubt, there must be such a place. "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him." (Luke 12:4,5)

Second, hell is a horrible place. More than it uses any other figure of speech; the Bible describes hell as "fire." It is described as "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41); "the fire that shall never be quenched" (Mark 9:43); "a lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15); a place of "everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46). It is not surprising that in speaking of the place described as hell, the Bible says: "And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:42)

Third, hell is a place where anyone can go. There are many places I cannot go. Neither you nor I can go into a Mormon temple, because we are not Mormons. But, anyone can go to the place called hell. Because God is a God of love, many refuse to believe that He will allow anyone to go to hell (1 John 4:8). But, God is a God of wrath, as well as a God of love. Paul taught, "Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." (Romans 11:22)

God will deal severely with those who disobey him (Romans 11:20). Listen to Paul's words, "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) The disobedient will all go there.

Fourth, hell is a place that will last forever. It has no end. In hell, time stands still. It is difficult for man to fathom eternity. Why? In this life, everything has an end. Just as heaven is never-ending, so is hell--it is eternal. "As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 7) Also read Mark 3:29 and Hebrews 6:2.

Fifth, great classes of people, even angels, abide in hell. The immoral will be there:

Will you or I be there? We choose whether to be with God or Satan.

Sixth, hell is a place from which one cannot escape. In this life, prisoners often escape from prisons and end up back in the outside world. But in hell, there is no place of escape; the world and all things therein will be burned (2 Peter 3:9-12). There will be no way to cross "the great fixed gulf." (Luke 16:26) Remember, it is the place of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Seventh, hell is a place to be avoided. God is rich in mercy and grace; He sent His Son to die on the cross for those who were lost in sin. Where does this place all men?

Therefore, to avoid this terrible place, all men must believe the saving gospel of Christ.

The Hebrew writer expressed it well when he wrote,

We must avoid, at all costs, this place. God left us the information we need to warn us and teach us how to make sure that we don't end up in the terrible place called hell. Men must choose where they wish to spend eternity.

Brother McClure has provided a wonderful overview of hell. Please read his article very carefully. Can you see one positive quality about hell, or think of one reason why a person would desire such a home throughout eternity? Unfortunately, the majority of the world is headed toward spending eternity in this awful place. The question that begs to be answered is why? Sadly, many have dismissed hell's reality from their minds. Even among us, some have begun to question whether it is a real place. From the sinner 's standpoint, I can understand why he tries to convince himself that this place does not exist. But why would brethren want to dismiss it as just a myth? How can we believe in, and desire to go to, heaven and feel confident that it is real, when the Scriptures speak about Heaven and Hell on the same pages? How can one be a myth and the other real? (KMG)


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