JAN 17

Matthew 13:42
Memorise Mark 9:44
“…there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth…”

Matthew 13:42 gives us a succinct description of hell: “… a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth”. Hell is a furnace of fire: the word ‘furnace’ implies high heat and constant burning from much that fuels the fire. The Valley of Hinnom in Jerusalem was the city dump and incinerator for the rubbish of Jerusalem in ancient times, and Jesus used the same name for hell, “Gehenna”. This was apt because in both cases, the fire is unquenchable (Matthew 9:44), and in the Valley of Hinnom, the only living things were worms that fed on burning animal carcasses, and thus Jesus described hell as a place where “their worm dieth not” implying that the occupants of hell would suffer this torment forever without being burnt up. 

There would be two reactions for every occupant of hell. Firstly, there will be wailing as a result of the intense suffering experienced; emergency room doctors will tell you that the worst wailing in the ER comes from burn victims. The rich man in hell implored for water to cool the torment he was experiencing (Luke 16:24). Secondly, there will be gnashing of teeth, indicating regret for past sins that caused him to end up like this, and despair for there is no further chance of redemption, no avenue of exit. They are confronted with the dastardly nature of their sin, and would realise that the just punishment is eternity in this place of torment. Please do not believe those cartoons or jokes that portray hell as a place where one will meet friends or as an exciting decadent place where you will enjoy yourself. 

Those who are yet in their sins and have never confessed Christ should be alarmed at the thought of hell. It is a real and terrifying place, and not a place where we would want even our worst enemies to suffer in.

Dear teen, if you have not truly confessed Christ as your personal Saviour, please do so today. Nothing is more important in this life than this decision that affects your eternity. Nothing! If you have unsaved friends or loved ones, do share with them the gospel; for you are not truly a friend if you do not care about where this friend is going after death, and likewise you do not truly love your family member if you say nothing about their eternity. Can you live with the thought that your unsaved friend or loved one may one day be gnashing his teeth in hell for eternity?

Thought: Am I really a true friend if I do not share the gospel?
Prayer: O God, give me a passion to rescue the perishing!