Hell: Suppose it's true after all..

.    Two Friends were discussing the possibility of life after death.
"Hell is a myth," one argued.  "How can a God of love condemn His
creatures to everlasting punishment?"

.    His friend nodded in agreement, and the matter seemed to be
settled.

.    The two sat silently for a moment until one of them looked up and
said, thoughtfully, "Suppose it is true, after all?"

.    Suppose it is true after all that Hell exists?  Jesus Christ
Himself described it as a place of "darkness" and a "furnace of fire"
where there shall be "wailing and gnashing of teeth." (1)

.    Some say there is no consciousness after death.  But from
Christ's words, it's evident that a person in Hell is just as aware of
himself and his surroundings as when he was on earth!

.    The Bible, God's Word, says Hell is an everlasting burning for
the punishment of sinners and hypocrites, (2) a bottomless pit (3)
where men have no rest, day or night. (4) It's a place where people
pray, but their prayers are not heard, (5) where they gnaw their
tongues and at the same time curse God. (6) Hell is a place where no
one would want their loved ones to go. (7)

.    Suppose it is true after all that God will punish sin?  The Bible
says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment." (8)

.    Suppose it is true after all the we cannot get to Heaven on the
basis of good things we've done?  The Bible says, "we are all as an
unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." (9)

.    Suppose it is true after all that Jesus Christ is the only
Savior?  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me." (10)

.    Be assured that God is holy and must punish sin.  But He is also
a God of love, "not willing that any should perish." (11)  Therefore,
He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins: "God commendeth His
love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through Him." (12)

.    But we must first recognize that we have sinned, ask God's
forgiveness and receive Christ as our Savior.  Then we can have the
joy and peace of God's forgiveness, and the assurance that when we die
we will be with Christ forever in Heaven.

.    Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior?  "He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (13)  The
choice is yours.

Bible References:

(1)Matt. 13:42; (2)Isaiah 33:14; (3)Rev. 20:1; (4)Rev. 14:11; (5)Luke
16:27; (6)Rev. 16:10,11; (7)Luke 16:28; (8)Heb. 9:27; (9)Isaiah 64:6;
(10)John 14:6; (11)2 Peter 3:9; (12)Romans 5:8,9; (13)John 3:36.