Anthony Boswell

 

THE REALITY OF HELL

 

TEXT: LUKE 16:19-31

INTRODUCTION

The reality of Hell is real, but it is not spoken of much any more. How often have you thought of Hell lately? Does the reality of Hell make a difference in your concern for others and your witness for Christ.

Many times when we think of unsaved people, we just say,

"They're not going to Heaven-- when we should say--THEY'RE GOING TO HELL!"

In the scripture reading Jesus taught when the unsaved die they immediately open their eyes in Hell, and also immediately, they are aware of their condition. They see, they feel, they desire, they remember, they cry, they beg. The person who dies without Christ drops into Hell, but they still possess the senses they possessed in their natural body.

CHARACTERISTICS OF HELL

I. Place not meant for Man

Matthew 25:41 - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

II. Place of Physical Pain

Luke 16:23,24

Tormented - to be in agony. The Bible tells us how people are going to react to this pain.

1. Weeping - Matt.8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2. Wailing - Matt.13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.(Cry or Bawl of someone seeking escape, an expression of pain beyond repair.)

3. Gnashing of teeth

Why? Because of anger and despair.

III. Place of absolute Darkness - Matt.8:12

Imagine the person(someone you know, it may be you) who has just entered Hell. After a roar of physical pain has hit him, he spends his first moments wailing and gnashing his teeth. Then after some time, even though he is in pain, he looks about. But as he looks he only sees blackness.

He tries to focus his eyes, but still he only sees blackness. Its like thick black ink. It almost smothers him as it engulfs him.

IV. Place of Eternal Doom and Unrest - Rev.20:11-15

Just as surely as the Bible teaches eternal life for the redeemed, it teaches eternal punishment for the wicked.

Matt.25:46 - And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

Rev.14:11 - And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day or night

V. Place of Hopelessness

Matt.25:41

Eternally separated from God. That person in Hell might begin to think that there is hope. He begins to think - Jesus, the God of love can get me out of this, but there is no hope, All hope is lost forever.

 

 

 

                                                                                                           

       2008 Westside Baptist Church 762 Smokey Road Newnan GA 30263 (770) 251-5333 mpayne@wsbnewnan.org