Mike Demory
Atheists, materialists and some religious people believe that man is composed of a body and life force. They contend that there is no soul that is separate and distinct from the physical body; a soul that will live on eternally after the body has died. However, the Bible says that we are composed of two parts. First, the physical body (flesh and blood), which God formed from the dust of the earth, and is destined one day to so return (Gen. 2:7; 3:19, 27); and secondly, we are composed of the “inward man,” which is the soul or spirit given to all men and women by God at conception (Eccl. 12:7; Zech. 12:1; Heb. 12:7).
Hell is no longer as frightening a word as it once was. Society in all its skepticism refuses to believe that a loving God could possibly condemn anyone to an eternal realm composed of eternal torment. In a poll taken among Americans only 58% said they believed in hell. Irreligious people flippantly use the word “hell” in their daily conversation to add profanity, emotion or force to what they are saying. This casual use of the word does nothing more than desensitize us to the eternal punishment awaiting all that fail or refuse to turn to God through Jesus Christ.
There will come a day when Christ will return to judge the wicked and the righteous; separating the sheep from the goats, and casting ungodly souls into everlasting fire, where there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 20:12-15; Mark 9:44-48). It is important that we understand why God would condemn to hell for all eternity every person that sins and refuses to repent and serve Him.
God is infinitely holy (pure; undefiled), hating with a perfect hatred everything that is morally evil (Isa. 6:3; 57:15; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). Having given each of us a free will to choose right or wrong (Gen. 1:26-27), we are accountable for our own sins (Rom. 3:23). God’s holiness, mercy, love, goodness, wrath, justice and fairness demands both punishment as well as reward. Paul said, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:..” (Rom. 11:22, emph. MD). His love and goodness is unwavering toward all that conform to His will (Psa. 100:5). All who refuse to obey God and live ungodly must face His wrath and punishment (Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:6).
God’s justice was right and perfect when Cain was punished for murdering his brother Abel (Gen. 4:10). God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He treats everyone fairly and according to their own actions, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7; Col. 3:24-25). According to the Word of God, eternal punishment of the soul is justified. The choice is yours to make—will you obey God and miss Hell, or will you continue to rebel and suffer the consequences?
The Word of God teaches us that hell is eternal (Matt. 25:46). If this is true—and it is—then is it not reasonable to conclude that there will be no escape or second chances? God created the earth as our one and only probationary period. It is here in this life that we have been given the opportunity to make the right choice—to serve God. The author of Hebrews wrote, “and inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Jesus taught, “we must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). As good as the doctrines of Purgatory, Reincarnation and baptism of the dead may sound, they are totally foreign to Scripture. No, there are no second chances after we pass from this life into the next. If you fail or refuse to obey the gospel while still alive in the flesh, you will have missed your chance to escape eternity in torment (Rom. 2:4-9; Matt. 25:34-46; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Jesus warned, “Enter ye in by the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). Our Lord believed in the eternal abode of punishment to which He said many would enter in. Those who do believe there is an eternal hell, tend to believe that only “really bad” people (i.e. Hitler, serial killers, etc.) will be the only inhabitants in such a place. Most believe that the average person, who doesn’t take part in “really bad or evil” things, will not qualify or deserve the punishment of hell. Yet the Word of God (the Bible) does not draw such a line of distinction between “really bad” or “little” sins. God considers all sin as “really bad or evil.” From out right serial killers to the common gossip or liar, God sees them all as evil people who deserve the fires of hell for all eternity (Matt. 25:31). It is God’s will that no one be sentenced to the pits of hell, but it will be our own fault if Hell becomes our eternal dwelling place (2 Pet. 3:9).
