Why Hell is Like a jail

I've written before about the purpose of hell as a quarantine centre for sin. This is because sin is like a communicable disease. But hell has another use, namely as a jail.

We can understand this from Hebrews 9:27 (BBE) which says, "And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged;" Therefore those who die are sent to hell until the day of judgement.

God has arranged a future mass-trial of sinners which we call the Judgement Day. John tells us in Revelation 20:11 and 12 (BBE), "And I saw a great white seat, and him who was seated on it, before whose face the earth and the heaven went in flight; and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, taking their places before the high seat; and the books were open, and another book was open, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by the things which were in the books, even by their works."

This begs the question of what these works are. I believe the answer is found in John 6:28 and 29 (BBE). "Then they said to him, (Jesus) 'How may we do the works of God?' Jesus, answering, said to them, 'This is to do the work of God: to have faith in him whom God has sent."

Obedience to God's command to believe is what saves people from eternal punishment. In fact, the gospel itself is a command. As we read in 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and 8 BBE), "And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus comes from heaven with the angels of his power in flames of fire, To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our Lord Jesus:"

God himself gave approval of his son. When Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see his glory, Matthew 17:5 and 6 (BBE) reports, "While he was still talking, a bright cloud came over them: and a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased; give ear to him'".

Is it any wonder then that God takes the dismissive or rebellious attitude of sinners toward Christ as a gross offense? I plan on emphasizing the importance of obeying the gospel in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? What we do in respect to Christ is the factor which determines our eternal destiny.

On Saturday, I hope to post about a song referencing Christ's crucifixion.