Huntington Church of Christ

Hell is just as real as Heaven! The same Bible that reveals the eternal reward of heaven also reveals the eternal punishment of hell. Many people want to believe in one (heaven), but immediately reject the reality of the other (hell). Such is merely wishful thinking, along with a warped belief in God's Word. Jesus taught:

"And These shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).

Jesus teaches of hell (eternal punishment) and heaven (eternal life) in the same verse. Do we really believe Jesus?

Hell (Gehenna) is the eternal state or condition of the wicked. The term Hades refers to the place of waiting where the departed souls of men await the final judgment of our Lord (Luke 16). The Hadean world is divided into two great sections, Paradise and Torment. Each designate an eternal destiny of the soul. While the Hadean realm of Torment is temporary, Hell will be the place of eternal punishment "which is prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). This will be the eternal destiny of the wicked -- "...the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murders, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars..." (Revelation 21:8). This is the eternal destiny of all who "know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:7,8).

Certainly, no one enjoys thinking about the Divine judgment and wrath, which will be poured out against sinful disobedience, but this is as much a part of the Divine justice as the reward for righteousness. We must fully trust in Divine eternal retribution. Paul wrote "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Hell is real -- it is not a joke. It is a place prepared for those who neglected their souls and rejected the great gift of redemption. Hell will be an eternity of regret and anguish for those who rejected the spiritual provisions offered by Christ Jesus. Hell is a prepared condition for those who have not served Christ According to His will. A place of utter darkness, for God will not be there. Please do not ignore Hell or deny its existence. Enter into Christ, live for him and avoid the wrath of God and everlasting punishment.

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ