Is Hell Real?
As human beings, we're really good at creating narratives that excuse us from doctrines or beliefs that make us uncomfortable. Hell definitely makes people uncomfortable. The idea that we would be eternally separated from God and receive active judgment in a place of burning and gnashing of teeth makes people want to run from that truth. But we can't run from this truth because the Bible teaches about hell. No matter what somebody tells you or what ideas they come up with, you cannot remove the doctrine of hell from a biblical Christian worldview.
Let's look at Revelation and then work our way backward. One of the first passages that comes to mind is toward the end of the book. Revelation 20:14-15 says, "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Another passage that comes to mind in the gospel of Mark. In Mark 9:43, Jesus says, "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire."
Hell is real and it's a final and eternal judgment.
I've been reflecting quite a bit on the doctrine of hell as I've been preaching through the gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 3, John the Baptist is preparing people for the Lamb of God to come and says that He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. This is referring to fire judgment. In verse 12, he says "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This idea of burning chaff after sifting the wheat refers to eternal judgment in hell. Hell is referred to again in Matthew 7:19, which reads, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." It then goes on to say, "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"
Depart from Me where? To the party in hell?
No.
Into a place of gnashing of teeth, fiery judgment, and burning torment.
In Matthew 10:28, Jesus says to His disciples, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." No one can touch the soul but God. We are to fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body. He doesn't end the sentence there, though. It ends with "in hell." Hell is real.
God offered His Son Christ as a sacrifice for His people. There is a real heaven and there is a real hell. We don't believe in Christ only because we're scared of hell, but rather because He saved us from it, from our sin and from wrath. Therefore, what do we do? Respond to Him in love and affection, saying, "Thank you, my Savior, Lord, and Master. You gave me Your life and I give you mine."
Hell is real, which is why we preach the gospel.
