On numerous occasions, Jesus tells us that hell is a place of fire (Matt. 5:22; 18:9; Mark 9:43, 48; Luke 16:24) and that it is a place of torment (Luke 16:23-28). What makes this all the more terrible is that the suffering in hell will be eternal The fire of hell shall never be quenched (Mark 9:48). And there is no escape from hell (Luke 16:26).
These are all shocking facts that Jesus warns us about. But none of this is what is most amazing to me.
What's so amazing about hell is that it is God's JUST punishment for sinners.
I believe this is what most people and even most Christians - including myself - have the hardest time understanding. People ask themselves, "Isn't God supposed to be a God of love? How can He then send people to hell? And why is there such extreme suffering in hell and why does it need to be eternal?"
Before I attempt to point out a few truths that will help us deal with these questions, let me say that I do not have the ultimate answer. I do not understand the mind of God. And I don't expect anyone else to do so. God Himself tells us:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Take this as a starting point for dealing with the difficult doctrine of hell. God assumes that you will not understand all of His thoughts and all of His ways. And if you are honest, you will have to admit that this is true.
But I do believe that there are three truths that we need to understand better and that will also help us understand why hell exists and why it is just:
1. God's holiness is much greater than you can imagine
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy." (Rev. 15:4a)
Even though some people and angels are called holy, there is none who is holy like God. God is in a category for Himself. His holiness is incomparable. In Job 15:15 we read, "Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight". For example, what we regularly watch on TV - even if it is only the news - is an abomination to God: war, murder, abuse, deceit, pride, lies... God cannot even look at it - His eyes are too pure to behold evil. We have gotten used to these things. It is the world we live in and we consider it normal. But God has not gotten used to it. He cannot accept any of it, because it goes against His holy character.
2. Your sin is much greater than you can imagine
"O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens." (Ezra 9:6)
It seems that Ezra had a better picture of his own sin than most of us do. Generally speaking, we do not consider our sins - or even those of others - to be that great. That is why we are prone to think that hell is an unfair punishment for sinners. But the fact that hell is God's just punishment for sinners should make us realise that the problem is not with God, but with us. The just punishment you would have to pay for your sin is an eternity of torment in hell. How great must our sin be in the eyes of God! Much more than we can imagine!
There are no innocent people. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and on numerous, even countless, occasions. And even though you might think that your sins are against other people or against yourself, the truth is that every sin is against God. And since God is infinitely worthy, any sin against Him requires an infinite penalty. That is why hell is eternal. Besides that, who says that people stop sinning once they enter hell? From what I can see, they will continue in their sin even in hell and add more guilt and punishment on themselves.
3. God's love is much greater than you can imagine
"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
There actually was one innocent person in this world. Jesus Christ, the holy, pure, perfect Son of God, came to this earth as a man and was judged and condemned to die on the cross - for us who were sinners and enemies of God. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross.
Now the question: What is more unjust - hell or the cross? The punishment for sinners who rebel against and reject God, their Creator, or the punishment for the sinless Son of God who did nothing but good?
Jesus Christ was not punished for our sins against His will. He voluntarily died in our place. Therefore, even His death on the cross was just. God did not reduce the penalty once His Son stepped in as our substitute.
The cross therefore shows us the ultimate expression of God's justice and of God's love.
Because God is just, He will punish all sin. But because God is love, He saves people from an eternal hell. God offers this salvation freely to all who will have faith in Christ.
Don't ask yourself, "Why does God allow people to go to hell?" Rather ask yourself, "Why does God allow people to go to heaven?" This is the real question. This is amazing grace.
But I do believe that there are three truths that we need to understand better and that will also help us understand why hell exists and why it is just:
1. God's holiness is much greater than you can imagine
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy." (Rev. 15:4a)
Even though some people and angels are called holy, there is none who is holy like God. God is in a category for Himself. His holiness is incomparable. In Job 15:15 we read, "Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight". For example, what we regularly watch on TV - even if it is only the news - is an abomination to God: war, murder, abuse, deceit, pride, lies... God cannot even look at it - His eyes are too pure to behold evil. We have gotten used to these things. It is the world we live in and we consider it normal. But God has not gotten used to it. He cannot accept any of it, because it goes against His holy character.
2. Your sin is much greater than you can imagine
"O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens." (Ezra 9:6)
It seems that Ezra had a better picture of his own sin than most of us do. Generally speaking, we do not consider our sins - or even those of others - to be that great. That is why we are prone to think that hell is an unfair punishment for sinners. But the fact that hell is God's just punishment for sinners should make us realise that the problem is not with God, but with us. The just punishment you would have to pay for your sin is an eternity of torment in hell. How great must our sin be in the eyes of God! Much more than we can imagine!
There are no innocent people. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and on numerous, even countless, occasions. And even though you might think that your sins are against other people or against yourself, the truth is that every sin is against God. And since God is infinitely worthy, any sin against Him requires an infinite penalty. That is why hell is eternal. Besides that, who says that people stop sinning once they enter hell? From what I can see, they will continue in their sin even in hell and add more guilt and punishment on themselves.
3. God's love is much greater than you can imagine
"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
There actually was one innocent person in this world. Jesus Christ, the holy, pure, perfect Son of God, came to this earth as a man and was judged and condemned to die on the cross - for us who were sinners and enemies of God. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross.
Now the question: What is more unjust - hell or the cross? The punishment for sinners who rebel against and reject God, their Creator, or the punishment for the sinless Son of God who did nothing but good?
Jesus Christ was not punished for our sins against His will. He voluntarily died in our place. Therefore, even His death on the cross was just. God did not reduce the penalty once His Son stepped in as our substitute.
The cross therefore shows us the ultimate expression of God's justice and of God's love.
Because God is just, He will punish all sin. But because God is love, He saves people from an eternal hell. God offers this salvation freely to all who will have faith in Christ.
Don't ask yourself, "Why does God allow people to go to hell?" Rather ask yourself, "Why does God allow people to go to heaven?" This is the real question. This is amazing grace.
