Is There A Burning Hell?

Shall We Ask?

This question is the most important matter of your life – even much more important than death.
Who cares about death? It is nothing. But what about after death (Luke 12:4-5; Rev 15:4)?
Is hell no longer preached because we have proven it does not exist? Or we want to ignore it?
Some try to deny it exists. And I cannot blame them. But it is only foolish, wishful thinking.
It has become a common swear word; it is used to describe the most insignificant difficulties.
Paul knew the terror of the Lord and therefore persuaded men by it (II Corinthians 5:10-11).
You can ignore me and the question this morning, but I love the Lord Who will show you soon.

Who Shall We Ask?

If we ask the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), we hear his anguished and desperate scream, “Yes!”
1. This is no parable: it is not called a parable, it is a certain rich man and a certain beggar.
2. The very next thing he knew after his death was exceeding great torment in fire (16:23).
3. The fire is so hot that a fingertip dipped in water might cool a parched tongue (16:24).
4. The memory of good times in this life are possible but don’t bring any comfort (16:25).
5. A great gulf fixed between heaven and hell eliminates escape or deliverance (16:26).
6. His brothers’ deceitful hearts were so wicked no warning would be of value (16:27-31).
If we ask Sodom and Gomorrha, from eternal fire they say, “Yes!” (Jude 1:6; II Peter 2:4).
If we ask Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12:14), we hear his wise and solemn studied answer, “Yes!”
If we ask devils (Matt 8:28-29), we hear them crying out in fear and dread of torment, “Yes!”
If we ask the Lord Jesus (Matt 23:33), we hear Him denying any escape from hell for sinners.
If we ask Paul (II Thess 1:8), we learn of flaming fire, vengeance, and everlasting destruction.
If we ask Peter (II Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13), he warns of the mist of blackness of darkness forever.
If we ask our consciences (Rom 1:18-20), we know for certain there is a terrible burning hell.

Is God Able to Create a Burning Hell?

He made the heaven and the earth by His great power – nothing is too hard for Him (Jer 32:17).
He set the earth’s orbit at 67,000 mph, rotating at 1000 mph, at 93,000,000 miles from the sun.
If the sun created for profit and pleasure can burn your skin off, He can make a burning hell.
He quenched the violence of fire for His saints – He can fan it for His enemies (Heb 11:34).

Is God Willing to Create a Burning Hell?

He wants to show His wrath and power on sinners, fitted to destruction (Rom 9:22; Prov 16:4).
He needed a place to torment the devil and the rebellious angels (II Pet 2:4; Jude 6; Mat 25:41).
There are ungodly men who have been created and predestinated to this punishment (Jude 1:4).
Why did He name it the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15)? Why not Prison? Or Trouble? Or the End?
Why did He name it the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15)? Drowning and burning are our worst fears.
God Revenges. He repays His enemies with great anger and wrath (Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30-31).
The LORD will judge hypocrites with devouring fire and everlasting burnings (Is 33:10-14).

Is Sin a Sufficient Cause for a Burning Hell?

He drowned the earth with a worldwide flood in the days of Noah (Gen 7:11-24; II Peter 2:5).
1. The suffocation and oxygen starvation of drowning is a very horrible way to die.
2. Knowing you are going to die by drowning for several days adds greatly to its horror.
3. Little babies drowned in the flood! Young married couples! Retirees! The handicapped! Precious little girls! Widows! S.S. teachers! And kind nurses!
Should we ask Sodom? The Canaanites? The Egyptians? Korah? Disobedient Israel?
Disobeying parents brought capital punishment – by painful stoning (Deut 21:18-21; 27:16).
He has brought judgment so great that delicate women will eat their children (Deut 28:56-57).
The devils – much more glorious creatures than you – tremble at the coming torment (Jas 2:19).
Just when we think He overlooks our sins, He is ready to tear us in pieces (Psalm 50:16-22).
Anger against a brother without just cause – murder to God – can bring it (Matthew 5:22).
Annihilation? It has no fear. It doesn’t match sin. It is relief or reward for sin. It is Satan’s lie.

Is God So Just and Angry that He Cannot Acquit?

He cannot by any means clear the guilty or acquit the wicked (Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; Nahum 1:3).
He will not clear or acquit, for He wishes to see His vengeance over His enemies (Nahum 1:2).
God in fierce indignation and furious vengeance pours out fury like fire (Na 1:1-6; Re 6:16-17).

But the God of the New Testament Is Different?

God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Stop playing games.
The New Testament declares, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29; 10:27; 6:8).
The glorified Jesus Christ in appearance only can cause old friends to fall as dead (Rev 1:17).
Rejecting Christ will exceed any Old Testament sin (Hebrews 2:2-4; 10:27-29; 12:25).
Jesus described it as a furnace of fire with wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt 13:30,42,50).
Jesus told Israel’s religious leaders, “How can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matt 23:33).
The judgment of wicked men is not lingering and the damnation is not slumbering (II Pet 2:3).

How Else Does the Bible Describe It?

As everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord – horrible enough (II Thess 1:9).
The fire is not quenched – it burns continually – there is no end – no hope of relief (Mark 9:43).
The worm does not die – you will live on – you will feel – no death to bring relief (Mark 9:44).
It is everlasting punishment – it does not end and it does not comfort or relieve (Matt 25:46).
It is everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels – fire without relief (Matthew 25:41).
It is outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13; 25:30).
There shall be torment without rest forever and ever and ever and ever (Revelation 14:10-11).
It is a lake of fire burning with brimstone and eternal smoke (Rev 19:10,15,20; 21:11; 19:3).
The great God is storing up indignation, wrath, tribulation, anguish for you (Romans 2:8-9).
An official day of judgment is coming for sentencing (Ro 2:5; I Th 5:9; Mark 6:11; II Pet 2:9).

But Don’t I Have Time?

“There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God” (Jonathan Edwards, 1741).
1. God does not lack the power to cast you into hell, as human enemies may lack power.
2. You surely deserve to go there, so there is no question about whether you should or not.
3. You are already under a sentence of condemnation to this judgment and punishment.
4. At the present time God is as angry with you as He is with those already in hell.
5. The Devil stands ready to seize any soul turned over to him to take it to hell with him.
6. You have hell in your very soul that would spring forth into flames but for God’s grace.
7. Your inability to see any visible means of your death is no security at all against it.
8. Prudence in matters of health and safety will not stop or defer the inevitable fact of it.
9. Flattery or self-deception that you shall escape it is sheer folly and wishful thinking.
10. God has not placed Himself under any obligation or promise to deliver you from hell.
A horrible disaster as the eternal torment of your soul doesn’t allow for more time or delays.

What Shall I Do?

A certain appointment has been made for you already (Heb 9:27). Just make sure you don’t die.
Fear God and keep His commandments – this is our whole duty before judgment (Ec 12:13-14).
Jesus Christ has been appointed Judge, you had better repent and worship Him (Acts 17:30-31).
Felix trembled when he heard about it, but he didn’t repent and beg for mercy (Acts 24:24-27).
It is better to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand that tempts you to sin (Matthew 5:29-30; 18:8).
What if you were to gain the whole world, but lose your own soul (Matt 16:26)? Forsake sin!
“Because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).