Dec 8

Mark 9:43-48
Memorise Luke 16:19-31
“for their worm dieth not”

There are many so-called Christian leaders today who question God’s judgment of sinners in a place called hell. Clark Pinnock of McMaster Divinity College in Canada says, “Let me say at the outset that I consider the concept of hell as endless torment in body and mind an outrageous doctrine… How can Christians possibly project a deity of such cruelty and vindictiveness whose ways include inflicting everlasting torture upon his creatures, however sinful they may have been? Surely,  a God who would  do such a thing is more nearly like Satan than like God”. Another example is Billy Graham who takes the fire out of hell. “The only thing I could say for sure is that hell means separation from God… That is going to be hell. When it comes to a literal fire, I don’t preach it because I’m not sure about it.” He says that he has “a hard time believing God is going to allow people to burn in literal fire forever”.

Such are the words of fallible man. But what does the infallible Word of God say? Make no mistake about it; the Bible tells us that hell is a place of punishment “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”. This phrase is repeated not once, not twice, but three times in Mark 9! (vv44, 46 & 48). Likewise in Luke 16, we see the agony that the rich man in hell was undergoing – “I am tormented in this flame” (v 24). The word “torment” is repeated thrice more (vv23, 25 & 28), emphasizing the extreme suffering that is to be experienced in this place of eternal torment.

Hell is surely not simply a separation from God, nor is it a metaphor meant to be understood figuratively. Dear teen, hell is a literal place of torment and suffering. To end up in hell is a fate that you would not want to wish on even your worst enemies. Now, what have you been doing to ensure your loved ones are delivered from hell?

Thought: Hell is literally and clearly a real place.
Prayer: “O, burn on our hearts the hopeless wail of souls damned eternally.”