Paul Vaughn
One of the most unpopular, unpleasant, unattractive, and politically incorrect topics in the Bible is the subject of hell. It is perhaps the least discussed of all biblical subjects. Some consider it poor taste and others deny its existence. People do not want to speak of it or hear about this most dreadful place. Most prefer to talk about the love of God or the grace of God. God’s love and grace are marvelous topics to discuss and study, but that does not mean that there is no hell.
Hell is real! It is the place of eternal punishment for the unrighteous. It is written, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15). It is a place of pain and sorrow. Jesus, warning about hell, said, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44). Hell is a place where one drop of water on the tongue could bring relief from the pain. Jesus told of a “Rich Man” in torments who begged for just that very thing. It is written: “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). It is a place of eternal punishment (Mat. 25:46).
Hell need not be the eternal home for anyone. God has made provision for man to escape the pain of hell. It is through His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the one and only way to heaven, the one and only way to escape the pain and sorrow of hell. That leaves out everyone and everything else. We must choose to serve God and eventually live with Him in heaven or choose to turn our backs on God and eventually suffer the anguish of hell. God has always given man the right to choose. Joshua said:
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Jos. 24:15).
Dear friend, the choice is ours to make, choose wisely because hell is real.
