Published on 07/24/2008

Yesterday, we learned that hell is a real place. Who goes there? Jesus clearly taught that he is the way, truth, and life; no one goes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Those who refuse Jesus' offer of eternal life, choose hell instead. As a result, those whose names are not found written in the "Lamb's book of life" are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus makes clear that such persons are punished immediately. Then they are condemned to eternal hell at the final judgment: "This is how it will be at the end of the age," Jesus says, then he describes "the fiery furnace" (Matthew 13:49). Paul taught the same: "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed" (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

Is such judgment fair? The rich man in Jesus' parable knew he deserved to go there. He wanted to spare his brothers, for they deserved to go there as well. Those in hell would make the greatest evangelists on earth.

The fact is, heaven is a perfect place. One sin would ruin it. So Jesus died to pay for our sins, to cleanse us from them. But if we refuse his forgiveness, we must pay for our sins ourselves. This means that we are unable to come into the presence of God, forever.

Hell is an actual reality. Dr. Charles Garfield has done extensive research with those who died physically and were brought back to life medically. His results: "Almost as many of the dying patients interviewed reported negative visions (demons and so forth), as reported blissful experiences (To Hell and Back)."

In the same book, Dr. Maurice Rawlings tells about one of his patients, a man who died three times. At his first death he saw things so horrible that he experienced a religious conversion. His second clinical death, some days later, produced a wonderful, heavenly experience. At his third and final death, he was the one reassuring his doctor.

I especially appreciate the way Calvin Miller puts it: "God, can you be merciful and send me off to hell and lock me in forever?" "No, Pilgrim, I will not send you there, but if you chose to go there, I could never lock you out." God doesn't choose hell for us (2 Peter 3:9). But we can choose it for ourselves. Tragically, many do.

Tomorrow and Monday: What happens when babies die? What is the age of accountability?