Society laughs at the concept of Hell, people use it as a adjective of condemnation and many theologians even deny it's existence in the false perception that if we deny something long enough it becomes truth. I think of the “Seinfeld” episode when the “liar” George (Satan), tells Jerry “It's not a lie if YOU believe it!” That's the way it is with the concept of Hell.
I've heard others explain why they don't go to church. It usually goes something like this “I don't go to church because when I was a kid all they did was preach on Hell-fire and damnation”. Then there are others who say “A loving God couldn't possibly send a person to Hell!” These are all tricks and lies of Satan! The thought of eternal punishment was the catalyst a sinner such as I needed to find the love of Jesus. It's not a scare tactic ...it's Truth!
Malachi (KJV) 4:1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”
Truth tells is that someday that those who rebel against God shall be as the stubble of wheat who will burn to the ground at the end of the harvest. Those who are harvested (the righteous) will be put in the storehouse where they are saved. That part that was harvested was productive and was to be nourishment. That portion of the stalk of wheat is little in comparison to the whole. However, the stalk (stubble) which is not part of the harvest, is the majority of the plant, and that portion will be burned to the ground (just like the unrighteous). Hell is real, Hell is hot and Hell is for those who haven't claimed Jesus as their Savior. “Unfair you say! God couldn't possibly send me to Hell, I've been good?” This is the popular refrain of those who have not submitted to God and are too proud! They will burn with the rest of the chaff.
Jesus explained the parable of the tares (weeds) in Matthew Chapter 13:
Matthew (KJV) 13:36 “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
You're a “tare” (weed) if you are wicked, a sinner in this world, called the field in the parable. You are the son of the Satan because the devil planted you. Jesus will send forth the angels to collect the tares (sinners) and they shall be burned in the fire (Hell). Hell is described as a fiery furnace and those in Hell will suffer profusely. There will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Our loving Savior, Jesus will be vengeful! It is Jesus who will send his angels to carry you to the fiery furnace. He doesn't care how “good” you've been for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Most of us are idolater, fornicating, thieving, lying, jealous, disrespectful, blasphemous, murderous sinners. So you did a few “good” things! God isn't impressed. You are evil unless …
That “unless” is grace! You deserved to be burned as tares in Hell, but before the angels carry you to the furnace you can stop it. Instead of carrying you to be eternally destroyed the angels will rejoice!
Matthew (KJV) 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Luke (KJV) 12:8 “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:”
If you turn your life to Christ (the Son of Man) will reward you based on your work of faith. If you confess him earnestly to be your Savior, Jesus will tell his angels to spare you. Rather than a fiery furnace they will carry you off to your new heavenly home!
Luke (KJV) 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Rather than the angels carrying you to eternal death, they have joy in your salvation! You are saved if you repent and accept your undeserved gift from Jesus ...eternal life. It's there for the asking ...”ask and you shall receive”!
God to Seinfeld: “Remember, Jerry, if you don't believe it, doesn't change a thing! Hell exists whether you believe it or not!”
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