Eternal Punishment

Hell is not a popular doctrine today. No one likes to think that a loved one might be suffering in such a place, and certainly we do not wish to entertain the thought that we ourselves might experience such a fate. So, the easiest and most comforting solution is to decide that hell does not exist.

But if hell does not exist, then Jesus is a liar. He said that He has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). In John 5:28-29, Jesus said that the dead who have done evil would come forth to a resurrection of condemnation…. He even asked the hypocritical Pharisees how they hoped to escape the condemnation of hell (Matt. 23:33-35).

If hell is not real, then sin is not worthy of punishment. Does sin matter? Isaiah told Israel that sin had separated them from their God so that He refused to listen to them any more (59:1-2). Paul says that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

Does someone protest that he is not a sinner? "I'm not like Hitler or Charles Manson." Paul wrote, "There is none righteous; no not one" (Rom. 3:10) and, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). If hell is not real, then there is no punishment for sin.

Certainly, we do not think all receive the justice they deserve in this life. How many have practiced evil all their lives and never been repaid for what they have done? What about the person who has stolen, cheated on his wife, or abused his authority? What about corrupt government officials everywhere who have condemned the innocent and, for a bribe, released the guilty? Every major city has unsolved crimes; will there be no justice for them? Will some actually get away with murder?

If hell does not exist, then this life is all there is. Grab everything you can get away with. You're cleverer than most. Live life in the fast lane; this world's pleasures are all you will ever get!

If hell does not exist, the Bible is false because it teaches that hell is a real, spiritual place. If it's wrong about hell, it might also be wrong about, "Love one another" or "do unto others…." If the Bible is not right about hell, how do we know that such a reward as heaven exists?

If hell does not exist, didn't Jesus waste His time leaving heaven and coming to earth to die on the cross? His being crucified for our sins is the central doctrine of Christianity (1 Cor. 15:1-4). But if sins do not condemn us to eternal death, then why did He suffer the excruciating pain of the cross? The crucifixion makes no sense unless through that sacrifice we are saved from something horrible.

The fact is that hell is real. The Bible is accurate. Jesus proclaimed the truth. His sacrifice makes sense. God will punish sins that are not forgiven. Anyone not prepared for eternity should give his salvation serious consideration. It begins with faith (Heb. 11:6), continues with repentance (Luke 13:3), and culminates with baptism (Acts 2:38). Being born again (Rom. 6:3-5), each child of God is added to the church (Acts 2:47) and has the responsibility to grow (1 Peter 2:2) and remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).