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

Hell is a place of punishment

“Then He [=Jesus] will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matthew 25:41)

Jesus’ message was relevant for people’s everyday lives, their relationship with God and with one another. But it also had a strong emphasis on the future.

Jesus told His followers that one day, He will come in glory and sit on His glorious throne. Then He will judge all people. Some are welcomed into His kingdom. Others are told to go away from Him, into a fire that will burn forever. This is a vivid description of hell.

Jesus’ words are very sobering and there is a lot to unpack here. For now, let’s focus on the fact that hell is not a place where random innocent people happen to be. It is a place of “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46). People are sent there based on God’s judgment of their lives. This is where Jesus’ teachings about everyday life and the (distant) future meet. Life here and now has consequences for our final destination: we will either spend eternity in God’s kingdom or away from Him, in hell.

Do you seriously consider the fact that God will one day pass judgment on your life? How does that affect you?