We all have the most diverse ideas of what happens when we die. Some believe that everything is over then, others think that we will all go to heaven. Again, others believe in a place where the souls of sinners are being purified for heaven. However, none of this can be found in the Bible.
God’s statements are completely different and clear.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once and after that comes judgement. (Hebrews 9:27) Whosoever is in the right relationship with God, will be accepted into heaven to spend eternity in God’s glorious presence. For all the others, there is a different eternal abode. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. (2. Thessalonians 1:9) The Bible usually uses the word "hell“ for this state.
Hell is real.
It is not something invented by the Church. The Bible talks even more about hell than about heaven. Jesus once asked the religious people of his time: How will you escape God's Judgement and being sentenced to hell? (Matthew 23:33) This was not just a rhetorical question. Jesus talked about this in a another part of Scripture: But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. (Luke 12:5)
Hell is a horrible place.
Many images are used to describe this place - images of a place filled with suffering. They speak of darkness and fire. ...and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:42) Those are harsh words, but nevertheless true. The people who are there, are under the curse of God. There is nothing good to be found there – not the slightest help or relief.
Hell is a final place.
There is no exit or return from hell, no escape. This means that man can not go from hell to heaven after death: And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. (Luke 16:26) The horror, the loneliness, and the anguish of hell are not for man's reeducation, but for eternal punishment.
Hell is a self-imposed place.
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works. (Romans 2:5-6) Accordingly, there are only volunteers in heaven and hell. The wrath of God will hit those who rejected Jesus Christ in their lifetime and lived in injustice. They refused God’s saving offer. They wanted to live without God her on earth; He accepts their decision. Injustice is therefore something God can not be accused of.
Scaremongering or love?
Christians are often accused of scaremongering for using words like „sin“ or „hell“. What should God do? Should He let mankind run headlong to it‘s doom? Is that love? The Bible tells us God’s motive: Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)
In the face of hell you should carefully think about your life.
You can download all 12 lectures as PDF – Files for free.