Unpleasant Endings – the hard questions about hell
I was sitting in a coffee shop discussing some questions a friend had about Christianity.
He asked me, “Do you believe in a real place called hell?”
I answered that Jesus certainly believed it, and that was good enough for me. We discussed some of the verses in which Jesus spoke about hell.
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment; whoever insultshis brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell Matthew 10:28
There are many more verses on the subject.
Then my friend asked the question that was really on his mind, “How can a good and loving God send people to hell?”
It’s a fair question and one that many people struggle with.
The first thing to think about is that hell was never designed for people. It was designed for Satan and the angels that chose to follow him in His rebellion and outright war against God.
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41
Secondly, God never “sends” anyone to hell. People get there based on their own choice to rebel against God, as did Satan and the demons.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God… John 3:16-18
God created us in His own image and He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on our behalf so we could avoid the torment of hell. He takes no pleasure in our suffering. Scripture tells us that He would much rather we turn to Him and be set free.
I don’t know what you picture hell to be like. Jesus certainly didn’t think of it as a “party place” where we could hang out and indulge our favorite sins. I’m not sure if the fires are real or metaphorical. I’m not particularly fond of either, to be honest; neither one has any appeal for me to spend eternity in.
An eternity of separation from God is an unpleasant ending to this life that I wish to avoid.
I don’t know the exact physical location of hell. Nor will I ever because I’ve given my life to Christ. To be honest, I have no desire to go there, even for a visit or to see where it is.
According to Jesus (and in my mind, there is no better source), hell is real; hell is eternal; and hell can be avoided. All it takes is heartfelt repentance, belief in Christ, and surrendering Lordship of our lives to Him.
Until next time, rejoice that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to keep us out of the fiery pit for all of eternity.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.