An Unpopular Subject
An Unpopular Subject
He will also say to those on the left, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!” (Matt. 25:41)
What’s It Like?
It may surprise you, but Jesus said more about hell than all of the rest of the Bible put together. Jesus was serious about hell. It is not metaphorical but factual; not symbolic but logical. You can’t have a heaven without a hell. You may try to deny its existence or rationalize it away, but Jesus said hell is real separation and eternal banishment from the most beautiful being (God) and the most wonderful place (heaven). It is a departure from everything that’s right, true, wonderful, and good.
Who Will Be There?
According to Jesus, hell was made for those who deserve it—“the Devil and his angels” and the “cursed.” Who are the “cursed”?—“Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed” (Gal. 3:10). That means everybody.
But Jesus went to the cross for us. He was cursed so that we who deserved the curse could receive blessing instead. Jesus went through hell so we wouldn’t have to go to hell.
Those who ignore the gift of eternal life He offered will be eternally separated from Him. Hell is the natural consequence of a life that has been lived in a certain direction—for self, rather than for God. But those who have run to the cross of Jesus for mercy and forgiveness no longer need to fear hell. They are heaven bound.
Bottom Line
Make sure you’ve received Jesus’ gift of salvation. Make sure that you’re heaven bound.