Does HELL 🔥🔥🔥 Exist? 😱

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

OK friends, today’s topic is FIRE … no, like LITERALLY. In fact, I’m straight talking today about HELL 😱

Well, what are your thoughts on it. Let’s be honest. It’s UNAVOIDABLE 😬

It’s popular in some Christian circles today to avoid the topic all together and understandably so. However, what if I told you that hell was a MAJOR part of the early church’s theology?! You heard me right! If it’s unclear for you just reread our opening Scripture. What does this passage say about the afterlife and the fiery flames that will one day be a REALITY for many people?? Does everyone live happily ever after? Will we all just live in a never-ending Hallmark movie once we close our eyes for the last time?

This verse and others seem to indicate otherwise. Though the afterlife was a little complicated (in modern terms) for ancient Jews, one thing is clear: They believed we would ALL be judged by Jesus and some wouldn’t make the cut. The place they would go to is referred to as the “second death” … YIKES! 💀

You heard me right. That’s why Jesus talked about hell and so did ALL of the Apostles. In fact, Paul brought up the topic of Jesus’ judgment in his sermon to a bunch of PAGANS in ancient Athens! Talk about rude! Don’t believe me? Check out Acts 17.

Here’s my point. The reality of a LITERAL hell, where unbelievers are punished eternally, is ESSENTIAL to God’s holy character. It’s also, quite literally spelled out in the Bible AND the early church REGULARLY spoke about it, even to unbelievers. So, what’s our problem today? And if we’re NOT talking about it, why? Could we be doing far more harm than good for a world that so DESPERATELY needs to understand the cultural stakes of rejecting God?

No … I’m not saying you need to wear “hell” like a new pair of shoes. But I am saying that we should NOT shy away from the threat of God’s judgment when we tell others about his LOVE knowing the judgment is one of the precise reasons the Gospel smells so sweet! Think about that this week while you serve our wonderful Savior!

Application:

What are your thoughts on hell and why?

Do you think hell and God’s judgment need to be a more regular part of Gospel presentation in the modern church?

How can learning about hell help the world come to know Christ better?