Why will hell be horrific?

As I interact with people from all over the world, I have noticed that whenever someone shares their religion, they talk about a dark world, evil or hell. In their minds, how people live their lives hinges on some sort of eternal destiny, either a happy or sad one.

Except for many Christians.

We don’t talk about heaven and hell in our normal conversations, and many churches no longer speak about hell, demons, or Satan.

Because of this trend, we have a problem.

We lose our focus on eternity. 2 Peter 3:4 describes how as time passes, people stop believing God is coming back: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Peter answers that perspective a few verses later in 8-9:

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Do you know why the sun came up again this morning on July 12, 2020?

Because heaven is not complete yet.

You might be thinking the world is horrible, hateful, chaotic and evil, so Jesus can return any day! But I would argue good can still be found because God can still be found. The world is not without God’s presence.

God’s presence is near to us right now.

• He provides rain and sun for all people.

…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45)

• He is kind to the ungrateful and evil.

…because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35)

• He sets limits on evil so His Story remains undeterred.

Yes, Satan has room to operate right now, but only here in earth’s history. He is unable to deter God’s overall plan for the world’s history and eternity.

…But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”  (Revelation 12:12)

• He is within reach.
  

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

…though he is not far from any one of us. (Acts 17:27)

One day, God’s holiness will be able to bear the sin of this world no longer. Evil will have become so pervasive that no one will be found reaching out for Him.

The curtain will close.

Matthew 13:42 tells us all those who live independently of Christ will be thrown into a fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for all of eternity. The Greek word for weeping. klauthmós “audible grieving” or (“wailing”), usually accompanied by shrieks, brought on by uncontainable emotional (psychological) pain. The Greek word ‘Gnashing of teeth’ means to means to grind one’s teeth together or set them on edge, or to bite down in pain, anguish, or anger.

Why such horrific pain? God’s presence will no longer be found.

• No more sun and rain for all people.
• No more kindness toward all people.
• No more boundaries on evil.
• No longer there when we reach out.

It will be hell.

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:10)

Picture Explanation: Well, I have turned 59. I want heaven to be larger because I lived.

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