Understanding Hell: Why the Gospel Matters for Eternity
The question about the existence of hell can be an old-school thought for some in the millennial age group. Some won’t be bothered to think or talk about it. Some would go with the motto of a feel-good generation that avoids discussing subjects like hell.
Other religious movements like Hinduism and Buddhism teach reincarnation, presenting an alternative way of escaping the unpleasant doctrine of hell—a false hope in the context of the Christian faith, which explicitly mentions eternal punishment in the lake of fire for the wicked. Therefore, Christians who believe in Sola Scriptura shouldn’t avoid the topic of hell. They must give themselves to investigating the biblical scriptures that frequently talk about the existence of hell.
Jesus on Hell: Jesus, in his most famous sermon, spoke about hell, which is Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom, a place where human sacrifices were made to the Ammonite god Molech during the reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh. [1] So, Jesus used this well-known designation for hell so that when he mentioned Gehenna, his audience would understand that he was figuratively explaining the destiny of the wicked.
Matthew 5:22 ESV: “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
“Hell is the destiny of the wicked who will reject God.” J.I. Packer
Spiritual Experience of Hell: It is also quite evident that in our contemporary settings, some people explain hell through visions they have seen, and we may not be able to claim them wrong. However, such visions have no authority to form any doctrines on the suffering or descriptions of hell. But we could certainly express hell from a spiritual perspective in the context of resisting God because of our ongoing sinful nature that rebels against Him. In those times, we experience separation from God’s peace. This separation may not be permanent because God does restore His relationship with us when we confess our sins with true repentance. In the meantime, that separation makes us feel miserable because of our sins, certainly because the peace of God is no longer evident in our lives. We also lose joy and divine rest that works through the presence of God when we are obedient to the work of the Spirit that gives life. Thus, for some people, this phrase may sound familiar: “My life is like hell without God.”
Suffering in Hell: We have all experienced suffering to some extent. However, some sufferings are not meant to last forever. Medically and divinely, we can all experience healing that can restore these elements of suffering. Some suffering can last forever in our earthly bodies, for instance, in the case of a person who was chronically ill and suffered sickness until his death. However, the eternal blessings or eternal sufferings won't be seasonal or temporary. Both will last forever.
So, in that context, it becomes critical to understand that hell will be a place of eternal torment, where there will be darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matt 8:12, 22:13; 25:30). The “darkness” in hell reflects that God will completely withdraw His joy from the people who will be punished there. [2] Also, “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in the text reflects grief, pain, and distress because of separation from God, which would eventually lead to sorrow and anguish.[3]
“Hell is a place where we do not want to go because it's a place of unpeaceable pain and torment.” R.C. Sproul
In another text, Revelation 20:10, “They will be tormented day and night forever and ever,” the expression of being tormented in hell can be seen concerning a person suffering from severe distress in hell. Another expression in 2 Thessalonians 1:9, “away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might,” reveals the wicked not receiving any more benefits from God, which means they will suffer the absence of God’s benevolence. [4] But this doesn’t mean that God’s presence will be completely withdrawn (Ps 139:7-8). R.C. Sproul would explain that God would be present in hell with His judgment, and He is there with His punitive wrath. [5]
Louis Berkhof points out that hell may include:
(1) A total absence of the favour of God
(2) An endless disturbance of life because of the complete domination of sin
(3) Positive pain and suffering in body and soul
(4) Punishments as pangs of conscience, anguish, despair, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. [6]
On the other hand, we can’t provide a more detailed description of hell without biblical evidence. Even with the biblical images of hell, it would be right to conclude and reflect that we can’t be overly descriptive about hell. We know one thing for sure according to biblical truth: hell exists and is a place of everlasting torment.
Critical Analysis of the Doctrine of Annihilationism
Denial of Eternal Suffering: The doctrine of Annihilationism denies the perspective of eternal suffering for the wicked with the understanding that they will simply disappear after their eternal consequences.
Clark Pinnock suggested that the God of love can’t continue to torture people forever for their sins, as this doesn’t make any sense. So, he urges evangelicals to consider that it’s appropriate to believe that the doctrine of hell is annihilation, not eternal punishment. [7]
One of the influential forefathers of Annihilationism who supported this doctrine was Irenaeus of Lyons, who also emphasized that the righteous will inherit eternal life because of Christ, but the wicked would face death and eventually disappear. [8]
Biblical Evidence on Eternal Punishment: These arguments support Annihilationism are attractive. They reveal human sympathy toward a group of people who reject God forever, believing that because of God’s goodness and love, they will not face eternal punishment. This is certainly not a bad reflection. However, if that were the case, then the doctrinal position of hell wouldn’t be interpreted in the light of biblical truth. The doctrinal position of Annihilationism would sound more like an emotional exegesis of the text. Therefore, it is important to interpret the biblical scriptures in a more literal way that highlights the eternal punishment of the wicked.
Revelation 14:11 is one of the most graphic pictures of the everlasting punishment for the wicked: “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
Also, the word “destroy” used in Matthew 10:28 shouldn’t naturally imply Annihilation. We need to be aware of the context that gives meaning to the word used in the text. For instance, in the scriptures where the word “destroy” or “destruction” is used, it may not mean destroying something because that thing would still exist.
During the time of Noah, when the flood destroyed the world, we can note that the world was not destroyed completely. Because it still existed “and that through these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished” (2 Peter 3:6). So, it’s important to understand the author’s intention with an interpretation that supports the idea of the word “destroy,” which may not imply that the wicked will cease to exist.
We Must Preach the Gospel to the Lost (there is no other way): In Acts 4:12, the author makes it clear that Christ is the only way to salvation “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Some modern Christians hesitate to proclaim this truth exclusively. They would compromise by saying they don’t know if there would be any other ways to God. Some would even say there could be more ways to God. Such views are biblically incorrect. They strongly contradict the biblical doctrine of Salvation.
So, if our faith is based on biblical scripture, then we must believe, profess, preach, and teach about Christ, who offers salvation. That salvation saves a sinner from the coming wrath of God “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:5-6). Therefore, the followers of Christ need to take the subject of hell seriously, as many will be destroyed by eternal punishment if they don’t respond to the gospel truths.
But how would most people respond to the Gospel if they don’t hear it? The Apostle Paul mentions in the Epistle to the Romans 10:12-15 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” Therefore, the disciples of Jesus Christ must carry the good news to lost souls so that they will be saved
Conclusion: From our theological investigation of hell, it is clear that hell exists. While it may be difficult for anyone to explain the other elements of hell, such as where hell exists and what it would be like, biblically and theologically, we have evidence of the existence of hell and its eternal torment. It is also important to conclude that hell is a tormenting place that will exist forever for all those who are not saved in Christ Jesus.
Their punishment will be everlasting, with no escape from eternal punishment. Their conscious suffering will go on forever and ever. These views are not man-made but are explicitly mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures. And for that reason, the disciples of the Kingdom should be full of compassion for lost souls, because these unreached people will end up in the eternal lake of fire if they do not hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. And how will they hear the good news if the disciples of Christ won’t go out and preach the gospel?
References
1. Robert A. Peterson, Hell on Trial: The Case for Eternal Punishment
2. Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew.196
3. Grant R. Osborne, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. 293
4. R.C. Sproul. Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels, Demons. 42
5. R.C. Sproul, 43
6. Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 176
7. David Edwards, Evangelical Essentials: With A Response from John Stott, 314-320
8. Mark L. Strauss, The Campaign to Eliminate Hell. May 16, 2016. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/160513-theology-hell-historychristianity
