Yes, Virginia, There is a Hell

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."  Matthew 7:13

While Virginia O'Hanlon may not have been sure there was a Santa Claus in 1897 until writing to the New York Sun, we have something so much greater than a newspaper proclaiming Jesus and every good thing He taught.  It is the Holy Bible.  Sadly, few today read the Holy Scriptures that tell of God's truth, of heaven and hell, answering all manner of questions, and whose answers are proven true—scientifically and otherwise—time after time, and time again.  Along these lines, I find there is a disturbing lie circulating in many churches today, that there is no hell.

As followers of Jesus, we need only examine the Gospels to learn of the many times Jesus addressed the matter.  He loved us so completely that He spoke about hell often to warn and protect us all, and we must warn one another.  Here are but a few of the passages in which Jesus discusses hell:

"But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell." Matthew 5:22

"So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." Matthew 5:29

"And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." Matthew 5:30

"Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!" Matthew 23:15

"If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet." Mark 9:45

One of the most powerful parables Jesus tells about the matter is that of The Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.  It is much too powerful to summarize.  Here is the full parable:

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’  Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home.  For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote’ The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead’” (NLT).

God's truth could not possibly be stated clearer than this.

Peter states in 2 Peter 2:4, "For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment" (NLT).

And you should search the Scriptures for yourself.

The older I become, the more overwhelmed and amazed I am by God's love and faithfulness.  His record is flawless.  He has never once failed me, though time and time again I fail Him.  Oh, that we might join David in thanking God by living as we should (Psalm 119:7)!  That includes warning others that hell is real.

Goodnight, Runners.