The Silence from the Pulpit
Many pulpits today avoid preaching on hell, fearing it may scare people or seem outdated. But ignoring the truth of hell doesn’t make it go away.
Jesus Himself spoke of it more than anyone else in Scripture—not to frighten us unnecessarily, but to warn us lovingly and give us the opportunity to avoid it.
Romans 11:22 – “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”
We need to understand both God’s goodness and His justice. If heaven is eternal, then so is hell—and we must take it seriously.
Hell According to Scripture
A Place of Everlasting Punishment
Matthew 25:46 – “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The same word for “everlasting” (aionios) is used for both punishment and life. That means hell is just as eternal as heaven.
A Place of Unquenchable Fire and Suffering
Mark 9:43–44 – “...to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”
A Place of Outer Darkness and Weeping
Matthew 8:12 – “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
A Place Prepared for the Devil and His Angels
Matthew 25:41 – “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
Hell was not created for mankind but for Satan. However, those who reject God and refuse His mercy will share in this eternal punishment.
Literal or Figurative?
Some debate whether the biblical descriptions of hell are symbolic.
Whether literal flames or figurative language, Scripture is clear: hell is a real, conscious, eternal separation from God, and it is worse than any image we could imagine.
Revelation 20:15 – “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
“What’s the Difference?”
A common objection is, “If I’m already separated from God now, why does it matter?”
The answer is simple: While we live, we are still under the blessings of God’s goodness, grace, and the opportunity to repent. We are not yet fully separated from Him.
Acts 17:27 – “...so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise... but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
After death, there is no second chance.
Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
No Purgatory. No Do-Overs.
There is no biblical support for purgatory or any opportunity after death to make things right with God. That is a man-made doctrine offering false comfort.
Jesus described this truth clearly in the account of the rich man and Lazarus.
Luke 16:26 – “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.”
God Does Not Want You to Be Lost
God does not want anyone to go to hell. He sent His Son so we could be saved.
John 3:16–17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
What Must You Do to Be Saved?
God has clearly laid out the plan of salvation:
Believe in Jesus Christ
John 8:24 – “...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Repent of your sins
Luke 13:3 – “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Confess your faith
Romans 10:9–10 – “...with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Be baptized for the remission of sins
Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Live faithfully
Revelation 2:10 - “…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Application and Challenge
If you have never obeyed the gospel, ask yourself:
Why would you risk losing your soul to hell?
Is anything in this world worth eternal separation from God?
Acts 22:16 – “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
If you have obeyed the gospel, reflect sincerely:
Are you living faithfully to Christ?
Are you showing daily thankfulness for the salvation He has given you?
Are you telling others about Him, warning them of hell and offering the hope of heaven?
1 Corinthians 10:12 – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Jude 23 – “But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 – “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
Hell is real. Eternity is certain. And the time to respond is now.
Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”