But that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.- Revelation 20:15
I know too many people who’s names are not currently written in that book.
Too many.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.- 2 Corinthians 5:20
Am I taking this seriously enough?
#1 by Matt Harner on December 9, 2009 - 10:46 am
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Taking hell seriously is part of what it means to understand that Jesus is Lord. When Peter spoke to the crowds in Acts 2, he didn’t even have to mention hell. He just had to tell them they joined wicked men in putting Jesus to death on the cross and then to tell them that Jesus’ resurrection showed that He’s the Lord (and He’s alive with full awareness of men’s sins). Their response?
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” – Acts 2:37
If Jesus is Lord, then sin has consequences. So no, I don’t think we can take hell too seriously, because not taking hell seriously means not taking Jesus seriously.
Thanks for the reminder.
#2 by Sterling Brown on December 11, 2009 - 6:53 pm
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What did Paul say in 2 Cor.5:11-”Therefore, knowing the TERROR of the Lord, we persuade men.” don’t know that we can ever take it serious enough.
One night in college I was praying for God to give me a vision of what hell was like, to stir my heart to pray for my family. Later, I experienced what I can only described as palpable blackness like I’d never experienced, and heard innumberable screams I could have never imagined. It may have been a dream. It may have been a vision. All I know is I wept for hours following and prayed more earnestly than I ever had for my family and friends for weeks after that.
God miraculously stirred my heart to pray and witness. Sometime later, God miraculously saved some of my family members without me “praying the prayer” with them. May God so stir all our hearts again to live for what really matters…eternity.
Much love.