Peter said, in 2 Peter 1:3, that God has given
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the
knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has given us the knowledge
of hell. Therefore, the knowledge of hell certainly pertains unto
life and godliness. In this second epistle, Peter refers to the
coming day of judgment and of the coming damnation of the wicked
at least 28 times. Truly, we need to know what the Bible teaches
about hell.
Jesus warned of hell. In Matthew 23:25-33, he
asked the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, "... how can
ye escape the damnation of hell?" Earlier, he warned we could
lose both body and soul in hell. (10:28)
Hell is a prepared place. Jesus said it was a
place prepared for the Devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41. It
is real.
Hell is a place of consciousness. In his story
about Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus taught that those in hell
could lift up their eyes, speak, and remember! Luke 16:19-31.
Hell is a place of torment. There will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12). It is outer darkness
(25:30). It is a lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
Hell is a place full of wicked inhabitants. There
will be no comfort in being in the large, great multitude of hell:
the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41); Sodom and Gomorrah (2
Peter 2:6); the reprobate and unrighteous of all ages (Romans
1:26-32); the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers,
sorcerers, idolaters and all liars (Revelation 21:8); all who
did not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9); Judas (Acts 1:25);
fornicators, adulterers, effeminate and abusers of themselves
with mankind (homosexuals and sodomites), thieves, covetous, drunkards,
revilers, extortioners (1 Corinthians 6:9-10); and all unfaithful,
unrepentant Christians (2 Peter 1:10; 2:20-22).
Hell will last for eternity. The fire is everlasting
(Matthew 18:8); the punishment will be everlasting (25:46); the
fire will never be quenched (Mark 9:47-48); the destruction will
be eternal (Matthew 10:28; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9); the judgment
will be eternal (Hebrews 6:2); the torment will be forever (Revelation
14:11).
We can escape the damnation of hell. The wages
of sin is death, but, the gift of God is eternal life! Romans
6:23. Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided for our escape from hell through
his sacrifice upon the cross and the shedding of his blood. Romans
5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
Jesus said we would not die in our sins if we
would believe that he is the Son of God. John 8:24. He said we
would not perish if we would repent of our sins. Luke 13:3, 5.
He said he would confess us before the Father if we would confess
him before men. Matthew 10:32. He said we would be saved and added
to his church if we would believe and be baptized. Mark 16:15-16;
Acts 2:36-47. He said he would give us a crown of righteousness
if we would fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep
the faith. 2 Timothy 4:4-6; Revelation 2:10.
Friends, we can escape, but many will not. Why?
They will not accept God's way of escape. "How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to
be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that
heard him ...?" Hebrews 2:3. No, if we will not listen to
him who is speaking from heaven, we cannot escape the condemnation
of hell! Hebrews 12:25. Rt 5 Box 1468, Salem, WV 26426.