Christians and non-Christians alike are often quick to believe in heaven. As Dr. Tommy preached this morning, we read many obituaries and tons of social media posts when a loved dies with phrases like: "God gained another angel," "I know you're looking over me," "Fly high," etc. We all want there to be something better out there than this earth, something better after this life. And there is. I absolutely believe with all of my heart and mind that heaven is real. I don't know all there is to know about it, but I do believe that it exists.
And if heaven is real, then its counterpart must be real as well. I'm talking about hell. We don't like to talk about it, think about it, or hear about it. We'd rather it just go away but the Bible tells us that there is a hell, it describes it to us, and tells us how to avoid it. The existence of hell cannot be denied. Matthew 10:28 reads, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Ask yourself right now, "Do you believe the Bible?" If the answer is yes, then you must believe that hell is a real place.
Now that we know hell exists, what's it like? Mark 9:43 describes hell as an "unquenchable fire," even advising the reader it would be better to go through life crippled without hands than to wind up in hell. Revelation 20:10 tells us that hell is a lake of fire and sulfur where torment is ever-present. In Luke 16, the rich man died and was buried in Hades in torment and asked for a drop of water to cool the anguish of his tongue. Hell is an awful terrible place, period.
And unfortunately, even before they begin the rough draft of your obituary, or everyone starts posting R.I.P. emojies on your profile page, hell may have become inescapable. Luke 16:26 speaks of a "great chasm" between those in hell and those not. Revelation 20:10 again reads that those in hell "will be tormented day and night forever and ever." This is eternal fire and punishment, not a temporary sentence or timeout. There is no escaping hell once sent there by judgment.
But it is possible to avoid it. Think back to that loved one who died suddenly, who was taken at a young age and as a healthy person. Sadly, if they were not a believer in Jesus Christ, if He was not their Savior, then their fate had been sealed. We don't know when death and judgment are coming. The only way to ensure that you, those you work with, those you hang out with, those you love, will avoid hell is to place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. That's the only way to avoid hell, is by going to heaven. There are many paths we all walk through life, but there are only two final destinations, heaven or hell. And yes, they're both real.
And if heaven is real, then its counterpart must be real as well. I'm talking about hell. We don't like to talk about it, think about it, or hear about it. We'd rather it just go away but the Bible tells us that there is a hell, it describes it to us, and tells us how to avoid it. The existence of hell cannot be denied. Matthew 10:28 reads, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Ask yourself right now, "Do you believe the Bible?" If the answer is yes, then you must believe that hell is a real place.
Now that we know hell exists, what's it like? Mark 9:43 describes hell as an "unquenchable fire," even advising the reader it would be better to go through life crippled without hands than to wind up in hell. Revelation 20:10 tells us that hell is a lake of fire and sulfur where torment is ever-present. In Luke 16, the rich man died and was buried in Hades in torment and asked for a drop of water to cool the anguish of his tongue. Hell is an awful terrible place, period.
And unfortunately, even before they begin the rough draft of your obituary, or everyone starts posting R.I.P. emojies on your profile page, hell may have become inescapable. Luke 16:26 speaks of a "great chasm" between those in hell and those not. Revelation 20:10 again reads that those in hell "will be tormented day and night forever and ever." This is eternal fire and punishment, not a temporary sentence or timeout. There is no escaping hell once sent there by judgment.
But it is possible to avoid it. Think back to that loved one who died suddenly, who was taken at a young age and as a healthy person. Sadly, if they were not a believer in Jesus Christ, if He was not their Savior, then their fate had been sealed. We don't know when death and judgment are coming. The only way to ensure that you, those you work with, those you hang out with, those you love, will avoid hell is to place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. That's the only way to avoid hell, is by going to heaven. There are many paths we all walk through life, but there are only two final destinations, heaven or hell. And yes, they're both real.
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