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

Hell is a place created for Satan and his angels

“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)

We have already read Jesus’ words about hell being a place of eternal punishment. Today, let’s unpack the phrase about hell being an eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

The devil is a fallen angel, also called Satan (meaning ‘accuser’ or ‘adversary’). He once was a servant of the Lord God, but he rebelled and now is at enmity with God. Some other angels followed him in his rebellion.

Very early on in human history, the devil came to lure people away from God. Sadly, he succeeded. The first humans rebelled against their Creator as well. By doing so, they took sides with the devil and actually became his slaves. From that moment on, all humanity became enslaved to sin, which leads to death.

Now Jesus says that the devil will ultimately be thrown into an eternal fire. In Revelation 20:10, we read that he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. That’s dreadful! But it’s also just, since the devil has caused unspeakable suffering and harm to God’s good creation.

Jesus urges all of us to no longer take sides with the devil, but to repent. For He does not want us to share in Satan’s fate, but to “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). Do you want that, too? Why?