Hell Is Real
John King
Back in Basic Training for Uncle Sam’s Army, I was issued a gas mask. I kept it clean and carried the bulky thing everywhere. It soon became a nuisance, and, besides, we hadn’t used it, anyway.
Then one day we were told to put it on and enter a tear gas field building where we met a sergeant also wearing a gas mask. The sergeant said, “When I say, ‘Now,’ remove your gas mask and say your name, rank, and serial number.” The instant I removed my mask, my eyes burned and watered intensely. My nose burned and ran intensely. My throat burned and my stomach heaved. I was, instantly, a very dysfunctional person. After that drill, a whole new reality existed between my gas mask and me.
By comparison, today, sermon after sermon is preached about God’s love, mercy, and grace. To many, the reality of the horrors of hell seem remote and almost nonexistent. Some may think that, with all of God’s mercy and love, why live a fully committed life to Christ? Such a life might be good, but like my earlier described gas mask, it kind of gets in the way.
I have often said that the best thing that man could experience would be a mere ten minutes in hell, then return to this life. Man would have “A whole new reality” on life and judgment.
Mark 9:44 says hell is “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
Matthew 13:50 tells us hell is filled with “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Obviously, a place of pain.
Luke 16:24 calls hell a place of “torment.”
Second Thessalonians 1:9 says the punishment of hell is “everlasting.” My tear gas experience lasted 10-15 seconds. A sergeant then pushed me out of a door to fresh air. There is no end to hell and there are no doors leading out.
A preacher was telling of the crucifixion of Jesus. A mother noticed her child crying as the child listened to the sermon. The mother leaned over and told the child, “Oh, don’t take it so serious.” You see, the mother was listening to just a story, but the child was listening to reality.
Brethren, do not let God’s words concerning hell be “just a story” to you.
Let it be reality, because it REALLY is! -9137 Prunty Rd., Berea, WV 26327.