Why Get Stressed If Hell Has a Thermostat?

In yesterday's post, we noted that Hell can be understood as a realm of existence wholly apart from God. This observation is grounded in 2 Thessalonians 1:9: "These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (NASB). This description of a decidedly negative after-life experience should be associated with a range of other terms and expressions. Here is a NT sampler:

1. Gehenna: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
2. Hades: “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades” (Luke 10:15)!
3. Outer darkness: "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).
4. Eternal Fire: “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels'”(Matthew 25:41).
5. Lake of fire and second death: “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”(Revelation 21:8).

While it is possible that "Hades" may, in a context like Luke 10:15, simply be a synonym for "death," the other terms are unmistakably descriptive of "life AFTER death" for those with abysmal prospects. Taken together, the composite picture these descriptions present is beyond sobering. When a man prefers life wholly apart from God, he is choosing to exist in a place completely devoid of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self restraint. Here is a realm shrouded in utter darkness. Despite some men's boasts, they will not be with their friends, because friendship will cease to exist. A man will live without purpose and without rest since these only come from God. Every good thing comes from God so there will be NO GOOD THING in a place that has cast off all associations with Him.

True enough, hell may have a thermostat. In Matthew 11:24, Jesus declares, “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you [Capernaum].” But this suggestion that some parts of hell may be worse than others must not diminish our apprehension that every level of hell will be pure hell!

As Paul considers the lostness of his countrymen, he confesses great sorrow and unceasing anguish of heart (Romans 9:2). God feels the same way, declaring, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Jesus weeps as He crests the eastern ascent of the Mount of Olives and considers the city of Jerusalem, bathed in morning light but slipping into darkness: "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not" (Matt. 23:38)!  

It can be beneficial to stare into the flames. Get a good look at what a life wholly apart from God looks like. Allow the view to sober you, to unsettle you, perhaps even to disturb you. Then speak up about what you see to anyone who is deluded enough to find life without God attractive.

Comments

[Austin]

I took a "Bible" class in my final year at University of Memphis through its literature department. The professor, as you can imagine, was quite hostile to a believer's perspective on Scripture.

What do you make of the suggestion that "Hell" is strictly a concept that early Christians (or even the Catholic church) "made up?" Are there explicit references to hell in the OT that would refute this view of hell as a scare-tactic that the big bad church came up with to enhance its political power (by making ex-communication more of a deterrent for wayward rulers) during the Dark Ages?

[James Fleming]

As is often the case with Christianity's critics, there are some nuggets of truth mingled with their vitriol. It is true that our understanding of hell is almost exclusively dependent on the teachings of the New Testament. It is also true that the use of "hell" as a prop for "scare-tactic evangelism" is evident in both contemporary preaching and church history.

That being said, one's view of the Bible is the key to evaluating the doctrine of "hell." If the New Testament is a 2nd or 3rd century literary production of the church, as I suspect your professor believes, then his claims might have some merit. But if the NT is a first hand account of the teachings of Jesus (a view for which there is abundant and clear evidence), then any problems we have accepting what the NT teaches about "hell" are simply refusals to receive Jesus' instruction on the matter.

The five NT passages I have cited to provide sample descriptions of hell all come from the lips of Jesus! Our knowledge of this place comes from Him!