Seven Fundamental Facts About Hell
Glendol McClure

The subject of hell is often considered an unpopular subject with some. The fact that very few preachers of our “wise” society ever discuss the subject, suggests its unpopularity, or the false belief on the part of many that hell does not exist. Many people in our society believe, because of their immoral conduct and ungodliness, that hell does not exist and would deny that they or anyone else could go there. Yet in a rage or fit of anger, they would tell someone to go there! How many have you ever heard admit that they believe a relative or loved one or they themselves are going there? Please consider with me, then,  Seven Fundamental Facts About Hell:

First, it is a real place! The same Bible that teaches of heaven, teaches there is a place called hell. If the Bible says it is a real place, then that settles it! Since God’s “word is Truth” (Jn. 17:17), and God “cannot lie” (Tit. 1:2), and the fact is that Jesus warned His disciples of this place (Lk. 12:4-5), without a doubt, there is such a place!

Second, it is a horrible place! It is described more in terms of “fire” than any other figure of speech. It is described as an “everlasting fire” (Matt. 25:41); “the fire that shall never be quenched” (Mk. 9:43); “a lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15); a place of “everlasting punishment” Matt. 25:46). It is not surprising that in this place “there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 13:42).

Third, it is a place anyone can go to! There are many places I cannot go. For example, I cannot go into a Mormon temple because I am not a Mormon and neither can you if you are not a Mormon. But, anyone can go to the place called hell! Because God is a God of love, many refuse to believe that He will allow anyone to go there (1 Jn. 4:8). But, God is also a God of wrath as well. Paul wrote, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off (Rom. 11:22). God will deal severely with those who disobey him (Rom. 11:20). Listen to the words of Paul, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). All the disobedient will go there!

Fourth, it is a place of eternal duration! This place has no end; time stands still in this place. It is difficult for man to fathom eternity. Why? To everything in this life there is an end. Just as heaven is never ending, hell is never ending — it is eternal (Mk. 3:29; Heb. 6:2; Jude 7)!

Fifth, it is the abode of great classes of people, even angels! The immoral will be there (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8)! Children of God or unfaithful brethren who become “again entangled” in the “pollutions of the world” will be there (2 Pet. 2:20-22; Heb. 6:1-6; 10:23-31)! The “devil and his angels” and all sinners will be there (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 21:8)! Will you or I be there? We make the choice whether to be with God or Satan!

Sixth, it is a place of no escape! In this life, prisoners can escape from a prison to the outside world. But in hell, there is no place to escape; the world and all things therein will be burned up (2 Pet 3:9-12). There will be no way to cross “the great gulf fixed” (Lk. 16:26). Remember, it is the place of “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:9).

Seventh, it is a place that can be avoided! God is rich in mercy and grace, in that He sent His Son to die for those lost in sin. Since “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23; 5:12), then all men must believe and obey the saving gospel of Christ to avoid this place (Rom. 1:16; Acts 10:35). The Hebrew writer expressed it well when he wrote, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9).

Hell is a place everyone should want to avoid!