What Is Hell Like? - 2021-06-22

 

What Is Hell Like?

Study by Pr. Michael Wilson

 

The Bible obviously employs figurative language to characterize both Heaven and Hell. Heaven is described in terms of the most beautiful and precious things of which humans can conceive – golden streets, gates made from costly gems, colourful rainbows, crystal-clear rivers, joyful singing, etc. Yet Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 2:9 that these things do not even come close to describing the real glories and blessedness of Heaven.

Hell, on the other hand, is described in terms of the most horrible things we can imagine – continual loneliness, utter blackness, fire, pain, burning, separation from God and loved ones, and unending remorse. These are horrors to which we can relate. However, we must ask ourselves: If Heaven will be much better than the Bible describes, might Hell be much worse? It is worth considering. So, exactly how is Hell described in Scripture?

·         A lake of fire. Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15

·         A horrible storm with fire and brimstone and burning wind. Psalm 11:6

·         Consuming fire with unabated burning. Isaiah 33:14

·         A place of outer darkness with weeping and great sorrow (“gnashing of teeth”). Matthew 8:12

·         A furnace of fire. Matthew 13:41-42; Luke 16:24

·         A place of torment. Luke 16:23

·         A place of immortality. Revelation 14:10-11

·         A place of memory and remorse. Luke 16:19-31

·         A place of agonizing thirst. Luke 16:24

·         A place where people blaspheme God continually without repentance. Revelation 16:11

·         A place of frustration and anger. Matthew 13:42; 24:51

·         A place of eternal destruction. 2 Thessalonians 1:9

·         A place of absolute darkness. Matthew 25:30; Jude 13

·         A place of misery and pain where there is no comfort or rest. Luke 16:25; Revelation 14:10-11

·         A place where people beg for help and mercy. Luke 16:24, 27

·         Eternal separation from God’s presence. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9

·         A place of undiluted divine wrath. Revelation 14:10-11

·         A place originally prepared for Satan and his host of demons. Matthew 25:41

·         A place of torment that will last for all eternity. Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Jude 7

·         A place populated by murderers, sorcerers, liars, fornicators, and the like. Revelation 22:15

·         A place where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:48

·         A place where no one wants to see his loved ones go. Luke 16:28

 

In Psalm 103:1-2 the psalmist says: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” What does he mean by that? The person who knows the Lord and belongs to Him also receives the benefits and blessings that God bestows upon His children. Conversely, the person who rejects the Lord is also saying “no” to all the good things that go with Him. The Bible says in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights.” James here is talking about all those benefits that come when we know the Lord and trust in Him. What are some of those things? Things like joy and happiness, laughter and friendship, beautiful sunsets, fellowship, the feel of sunshine on your face, breath-taking panoramas, etc. These are all things that God has given for His children to enjoy, and I believe they will all be part of our experience in Heaven.

Hell, on the other hand, has been described as “the absence of God.” The unbeliever rejects God in this life, demanding that God leave him alone to live by his own rules. He rejects the gracious offer of salvation. Many even refuse to acknowledge God’s existence. They do not realize that in Hell not only will God not be present, but none of the good things, His “benefits,” will be there either. Think about that. Hell will be black because light is a gift from God. Hell will be lonely because friendship, fellowship, and companionship are some of God’s benefits. Hell will only have cacophony because music and harmony are part of God’s creation. Hell will provide no peace because peace is the gift of God.

In Hell, people will simply receive what they have been demanding. God will withdraw Himself from them for all eternity, leaving them to forever consider their poor choices. That is the true horror of Hell – the absence of God.