Hell is Endless

Some Christians believe, as I once did, that hell isn't forever. The cultic house church minister whom I followed taught that everybody would eventually repent and God would then let them out of hell. This doctrine is called Universalism. People like it because they can't handle the truth that most humans will suffer conscious torment for the rest of eternity.

What then does the Bible, our only sure source of truth, say about hell? Those who think their works will save them are in for a rude shock. Christ condemned the ultra-fastidious Pharisees in Matthew 23:33 (BBE) when he warned, "You snakes, offspring of snakes, how will you be kept from the punishment of hell?"

We also learn from Scripture that hell was originally meant for demons. Jude 1:6 (BBE) describes it this way. "And the angels who did not keep to their kingdom but went out from the place which was theirs, he has put in eternal chains and in dark night till the great day of the judging."

But disobedient sinners will also be there forever. Christ warned in Mark 9:43 (BBE) of the endless agonies unsaved people will suffer. "And if your hand is a cause of trouble to you, let it be cut off; it is better for you to go into life with one hand than to have two hands and go into hell, into the eternal fire."

And need I remind those who doubt the eternal nature of hell about Hebrews 9:27 and 28 (BBE), "And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged; So Christ, having at his first coming taken on himself the sins of men, will be seen a second time, without sin, by those who are waiting for him, for their salvation."

The Devil and all those who don't obey the gospel won't ever escape the agony of hell. As Revelation 20:10 (BBE) reads, "And the Evil One who put them in error was sent down into the sea of ever-burning fire, where the beast and the false prophet are, and their punishment will go on day and night for ever and ever.

And as hell is eternal, so is heaven. Revelation 22:5 (BBE) encourages faithful folks, "And there will be no more night; and they have no need of a light or of the shining of the sun; for the Lord God will give them light: and they will be ruling for ever and ever."

On Thursday, if our Lord hasn't returned, I hope to post about how those we call decent will still face hell.

Saturday Song: Cat Stevens, "Matthew and Son"

To some folks, "work" is a four-letter word. It's something we do to keep from starving. There are those blessed individuals whose work is a joy but the majority of humanity does it to earn a living.

This song by Cat Stevens is about work and its relentless grind. Listen to the song here:

I remember how shocked I felt when the school janitor told me and some other boys how fortunate we were to have two whole months off from school in the summer. Nobody warned us that adults only get two measly weeks for the whole year.

There was a long-ago time when work was a delight. God gave Adam the task of looking after the garden of Eden. He could work when he wanted to and he could eat the fruit from every tree except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He and Eve didn't have to worry about what to wear to work either.

Of course things changed once Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Genesis 3:17(BBE) tells us how Adam and his descendents were sentenced to hard labour. "And to Adam he said, 'Because you gave ear to the voice of your wife and took of the fruit of the tree which I said you were not to take, the earth is cursed on your account; in pain you will get your food from it all your life.'"

Even so, the Bible has much to say about hard work. Proverbs in particular lauds diligence. Proverbs 10:4 and 5 (BBE) is just one example of this. "He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth. He who in summer gets together his store is a son who does wisely; but he who takes his rest when the grain is being cut is a son causing shame."

And if a person works well and skillfully, even government leaders notice it. Proverbs 22:29 (BBE)says, "Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons."

And as in the physical world, we must be diligent in spiritual things. Regarding the new heavens and the new earth, 2 Peter 3:14 (BBE) admonishes us, "For this reason, my loved ones, as you are looking for these things, take great care that when he comes you may be in peace before him, free from sin and every evil thing."

A day will come when we won't have to toil under the burning sun for sustenance. Revelation 22:5 (BBE) reminds us, "And there will be no more night; and they have no need of a light or of the shining of the sun; for the Lord God will give them light: and they will be ruling for ever and ever." What a hope that is!

On Monday, I hope to post about Why God wants mercy rather than sacrifice.