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One of the most difficult doctrines for people to accept is the concept of an eternal Hell. It’s much easier, of course, to accept that God will provide a place called Heaven than to accept the existence of Hell.

There are those who may say something like this, “I just don’t think a loving God would send people to Hell.” That’s a very popular opinion, but it’s not what the Bible teaches. Unfortunately, that opinion isn’t only held by common church-goers or even someone not very religious. It’s even espoused by denominational preachers. For instance, a denominational preacher wrote a few years ago:

“Recent terrorism in Paris speaks of hell on earth. Hell as a future reality isn’t a place. It’s a theological idea to hold us accountable. As a child, I was taught that the “saved” would enjoy eternal life and the “lost” burn in hell.” He went to say, “But as an adult, I don’t find those different outcomes helpful. The world doesn’t divide that easily. I have a difficult time thinking of eternal punishment. I can’t imagine anything that would separate my children from my love forever. So I find myself in that awkward place of believing in accountable love for the way we live our lives. And believing that there are better ways of considering that accountability beyond the theological construct of eternal damnation.”

Part of the mistake people such as this denominational preacher make, when it comes to the doctrine of Hell, is inserting their opinions and wishes into the equation, instead of simply accepting what the Bible teaches regardless of whether they like it or not. Let us look at what the Bible says about Hell:

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First and foremost, John 3:16 affirms, “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.” In his epistle, John tell us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He is the very definition of love. He is the source of love. And his love extends to each and every one of his creation. He doesn’t pick and choose whom he will love.

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Because of his great love for us, he has done everything in his power to save us. He has provided what we could not – a way in which to escape the consequences of our sins. And he did it by giving himself on the cross in the person of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice to appease his wrath and provide a punishment for sins.

Paul tells us that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

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It follows that if God loves us and wants us to be saved that he doesn’t want us to be lost. Peter wrote that God “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Again, he doesn’t arbitrarily pick and choose whom he loves or whom will be saved or lost. All are precious in his sight, and he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:32).

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Jesus promised a place where we could be with Him and enjoy eternal life (John 3:16; 14:1-3). The Bible calls that place Heaven (1 Pet. 1:4). He also taught that there is a place called Hell (Matt. 5:22, 29-30) and that it is a place of everlasting punishment (Matt. 22:46). The description of fire in Hell, whether literal or figurative, is used to impress upon us the pain and suffering that exists there.

The Bible teaches that when the world ends, Christ will come “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” (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

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The Bible makes it very clear—Yes! But it’s not because God wants to. Rather, it’s because people made a choice not to love God and to rebel against him. In a sense the answer is “No!” Because people send themselves by their rejection of God’s love, grace and mercy.

The eternal hope of Heaven awaits those who will obey Christ. Sadly, the horrible prospects of everlasting punishment in Hell is the end of those who refuse the invitation of Jesus. (Matt. 11:28-30).

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It is our sincere desire and prayer that you obey the gospel today and be saved. Remember the words of Jesus, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

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If you are not a Christian you can be by obeying the gospel. Jesus says, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Paul said; “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The words of Jesus teach us that to become a Christian one must:

• Hear the gospel (John 6:44-45)

• Believe in Jesus as the Christ (John 8:24) • Repent of all sins (Luke 13:3)

• Confess Christ as Lord (Matthew 10:32-33) • And be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16) • After baptism remain faithful to God.

(Matthew 10:22)

If we do just what our Lord commanded we know that our salvation is certain and we will hear Him say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). Let us go back to the Bible, back to Christ and His church and do exactly what He commanded. Please let us help you in your obedience to the gospel before it is eternally too late.

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