The thought of eternal punishment is honestly quite difficult to think about, and I don't think we can really wrap our minds around it. However, it is a very important Biblical truth that doesn't get preached on very often, if ever. Jesus mentioned "weeping and gnashing of teeth" to describe this place, as well as calling it "eternal damnation."
Why is this an important doctrine?
The reality of Hell should motivate us to reach out and save the lost. Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
There are only two paths for all mankind: Eternal life in the presence of The Almighty, or everlasting punishment (Matthew 7:13-14). If we love our neighbor, as we are commanded to do, then we MUST warn people of where their sin will lead them.
I've noticed that Christians tend to want to ignore this reality or act as though Hell won't be that bad. Try and imagine something that's just "uncomfortable" like sitting in an airplane seat. Now imagine sitting there forever. It would be horrible. But Hell is much worse. A verse I keep in mind regarding the place of everlasting punishment is Revelation 14:10-11.
"The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
To be technically correct, Hell will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14-15) which is the final place for those who "know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Berean Call (an excellent ministry) wrote, "God wants no one to go to Hell. He has provided salvation for all—in Christ, whom He sent into the world “that the world through him might be saved...” (Jn:3:17). He is not “willing that any should perish” (2 Pt 3:9), but desires “all men to be saved” (1 Tm 2:4). Those in Hell have only themselves to blame for rejecting the full forgiveness of sins and eternal life offered to all as a free gift of God’s grace through Christ’s payment of the penalty for their sins."
We must accept ALL teachings of Scripture whether they are "comfortable" or not. John Chrysostom said, "For if a [overheated] bath and a fever so afflict and distress us, what will our condition be when we have fallen into that river of fire which winds in front of the terrible judgment-seat. Then we shall gnash our teeth under the suffering of our labors and intolerable pains: but there will be no one to succor us."
Repent and receive the free gift of eternal life TODAY.
Listen to our podcast about this topic here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2V8E8xieCG9N79kSqyiVA9?si=-fQhgWYURN2-joHpo4JyjA
