by Rod Kyle

Do you have an opinion on hell? It seems that everyone does. But the Bible says we must listen to Jesus on this subject (Mk. 9:7). So what does He say about this prepared place for the unprepared?

He teaches about it through His parables (Matt. 13:39-42), by way of illustration (Matt. 7:19), in His reference to authority (Matt. 7:21-23), in His condemnation of religious error and errorists (Mk. 12:38,39), and in His use of the Old Testament (Mk. 9:48). In fact, no other Bible character touches on it so much.

Jesus describes hell as a place of unspeakable horror (Matt. 8:12; Mk. 9:48). He also clearly teaches that it is a realm of eternal consciousness (Matt. 25:41,46). Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, taught that God made hell for the devil and his angels (Col. 1:16). But the vital message for humanity is this: Hell is a prepared place for the unprepared person (Matt. 24:45-51)! Or to put it another way — everyone in hell will have earned their place there (Rom. 6:23, Rev. 21:8).

Such is the love of the Creator for the created that He was willing to leave heaven to rescue mankind from its sin-induced destiny (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 3:16; Phil. 2:6,7). But the success of His mission depends upon your choice. Are you choosing to go with the majority to hell? Or are you searching for that narrow way home to heaven (Matt. 7:13,14)?

The Good News is this — a redemption price has been paid for your sins (Rom. 5:8; Heb. 5:8,9). But you must accept God’s offer of help through obedient faith (Jn. 3:36)? Hell is prepared only for those who are unprepared for heaven!

(Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 39.)