HELL: Suppose It's True After All? ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Two Friends were discussing the possibility of life after death.

"Hell is a myth," one argued. "How can God of love condemn His

creatures to everlasting punishment?" His friend nodded in

agreement, and the matter seemed to be settled.

The two sat silently for a moment until one of them looked up and

said, thoughtfully, "Supposed it is true, after all?" Suppose it is

true after all that Hell exists? Jesus Christ Himself described

it as a place of "darkness" and a "furnace of fire" where there

shall be "wailing and gnashing of teeth." (1) Some say there is no

consciousness after death. But from Christ's words, it's evident

that a person in Hell is just as aware of himself and his

surroundings as when he was on earth! The Bible, God's Word, says

Hell is an everlasting burning for the punishment of sinners and

hypocrites,(2) a bottomless pit(3) where men have no rest, day or

night.(4) It's a place where people pray, but their prayers are

not heard,(5) where they gnaw their tongues and at the same time

curse God.(6) Hell is a place where no one would want their loved

ones to go.(7)

Suppose it is true after all that God will punish sin? The Bible

says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the

judgment."(8)

Suppose it is true after all that we cannot get to Heaven on the

basis of good things we've done? The Bible says,"we are all as an

unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."(9)

Supose it is true after all that Jesus Christ is the only Savior?

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh

unto the Father, but by me."(10)

Be assured that God is holy and must punish sin. But He is also a

God of love, "not williing that any should perish."(11) Therefore,

He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins: "God commendeth

His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died

for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall

be saved from wrath through Him."(12)

But we must first recongnize that we have sinned, ask God's

forgiveness and receive Christ as our Savior. Then we can have the

joy and peace of God's forgiveness, and the assurance that when we

die we will be with Christ forever in Heaven.

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? "He that believeth

on the Son hafh everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son

shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."(13) The

choice is your. (Robin Sheffield)

Bible References: (1)Matt. 13:42; (2)Isaiah 33:14; (3)Rev. 20:1;

(4)Rev.14:11; (5)Luke 16:27; (6)Rev. 16:10,11; (7)Luke 16:28; (8)Heb.

9:27;(9)Isaiah 64:6; (10)John 14:6; (11)2 Peter 3:9; (12)Romans 5:8,9;

(13)John 3:36.