The Reality Of Hell….

The reality of Hell couldn’t be more clear than here in Mark chapter 9. Jesus tells his disciples that it would be better to be maimed here on earth and enter Heaven with less of a body or missing an eye, than to go into Hell healthy, with all bodily functions working. What does that say? It says whatever you think suffering really is, it won’t compare to the suffering in Hell. It says that whatever you sacrifice here on earth for the Gospel’s sake, Heaven will be worth it (for your godly suffering is only temporary). Hell will be like the worst possible suffering you can imagine magnified 10 trillion times worse. When Jesus says, “where maggots never die, and the fire never goes out”, He means there will be no end to the anguish. Imagine being exponentially angry. The Adrenalin pumping through your veins. The heightened awareness of pin-point focus of retaliation. The gritting of your teeth. The elevated blood pressure. All of this will go on, and on, and on, with no relief, ever. You will be in that constant state, never being able to relax and take a breath. And the worst part is you will know the regret of your decision, and yet never be able to reconcile it. You’ll have to live out the consequences forever, with no relief. So my question to anyone out there living a habitual, sinful, God-absent lifestyle: is it worth it? Is the trade off of the temporary high and excitement of sin, worth the eternal (never-ending) suffering worth it? And to think it’s God’s love for us that gives us the choice to choose Him or reject Him, leaving us with no excuse with our decision. God only grants Hell to those who choose it (by rejecting Him). It’s what real love does. Hell exists because the absence of real love on our part. It won’t be a pretty place. It’s our responsibility to paint this accurate picture of Hell to all of humanity. If we leave it out of the Gospel presentation, then we are not really presenting the gospel. I mean why did Jesus die on the cross? To save us from what? The reality of Hell is paramount in the presentation of the Gospel. Leaving it out of our witness only hurts the recipient of our presentation. Hell is real, we don’t need to sugar-coat it for the sake of our own preservation. I’d rather make someone feel a little uncomfortable now, then have them suffer immensely forever with no relief. Wouldn’t you?

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.44 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.46 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’49 “For everyone will be tested with fire.50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” Mark 9:42-50