The Reality of Hell, Part 2 of "Heaven and Hell"Sample

Hell is a fearful reality

“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.” (Matthew 10:28)

When people talk about hell, they tend to use the concept in several different ways.

In the context of climate change and extreme weather events accelerating, the Secretary-General of the UN General Assembly, António Guterres, warned that “humanity has opened the gates to hell”.

Auschwitz survivor Lily Ebert urged the world never to forget the horrors of the Holocaust by saying: “Auschwitz was hell on earth”.

In 2022, Belgian singer-songwriter Stromae wrote a popular song on depression and suicidal thoughts. He sings about “ces pensées qui me font vivre un enfer” — those thoughts that make my life a hell.

All three examples use the concept of hell to denote something terrifying. It is a metaphor for indescribable horrors.

Jesus Christ says hell is a reality that’s worse than being killed, since it destroys both soul and body. So, the hell Jesus is speaking of is even more frightening than the above examples. It’s not a metaphor. It is utterly real.

Over the coming days, let’s unpack what the Bible says about hell, but also how Jesus offers us a way to stay away from it. For He does not want us to be destroyed! He longs for us to enjoy eternal life in His presence.

What emotions does the word ‘hell’ evoke in you?