The doctrine of hell as the everlasting conscious punishment of unsaved sinners has been widely questioned and attacked as of late. Many are beginning to entertain ideas that sinners (who are apart from Christ) either cease to exist (Annihilationism) or that they only stay in hell until they "learn their lesson". Regardless of the peculiarities, any doctrine that denies eternal conscious punishment for unsaved sinners is dangerously wicked. In order to see the extent of this wickedness, one must only think clearly about the purpose of hell and it's relation to other Biblical truths; namely the wickedness of sin, the horror of the cross, and the greatness of God's glory.
Hell and Sin
Hell is the righteous and just punishment poured out by God on sin (and sinners). Its gruesomeness and its breadth directly correspond to the wickedness and breadth of sin. It is important to remember that sin is primarily an evil, rebellious, and defiant offense against the infinite God which tarnishes His infinite value and His infinite glory. Sin is therefore an infinite offense which justly deserves an infinite punishment. Often it is a diminished view of personal sin which leads to a diminished view of hell. May the horrors of hell ever remind us of the wickedness of our sin and of the penalty we therefore so justly deserve.
Hell and the Cross
The wrath of God which Christ endured for those who are in Him is the very wrath which will be endured by those who are not in Him. Christ literally endured Hell on the cross. To the extent that Hell is diminished, so is the cross of Christ. One may object saying "but Christ did not spend eternity enduring Hell and therefore Hell could not be eternal". Such a one has obviously forgotten the eternal nature of Christ. Infinite sin deserves infinite punishment (as seen above). Infinite punishment is satisfied either infinitely on a finite creature (in Hell) or finitely on an infinite Being (on the cross). "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross" is the sobering truth wrung forth by mournful worshipers many Sunday mornings. I wonder though, how many truly believe that. If hell were not eternal, there would come a point in time when one could truly say "I have experienced (known) the full extent of the cost of sin". However, if hell is indeed eternal, no one can every fully know the depth of the cost of sin. May the horrors of hell forever remind us of the deep horrors of the cross.
Hell and God's Glory
If eternal Hell is the just punishment of belittling God's glory, than oh how inexplicably glorious must He be! But if the punishment be belittled, then the offense is also belittled. And if the offense be belittled, then The Offended is also belittled. God forbid that The Offended should ever be belittled! See how Man's stupid "wisdom" has made the God of the Universe out to be less than what He is!? Oh, the horrible consequences of ideas! Dare you in your pride and your vain "love for Mankind" diminish the wickedness of your sin, the horror of the cross and the greatness of the splendor of the Glory of God!? May the eternal flames of Hell ever burn with white hot echoes of the eternal Glory of God!
Eternal torment passing age into age
forever proclaiming my just wage.
Eternal shrieks of all who've died
forever singing Christ Crucified.
Eternal flame with enduring glow
forever burning, His glory to show
**I don't think/ write about these things lightly, but rather with tears in my eyes**
Hell and Sin
Hell is the righteous and just punishment poured out by God on sin (and sinners). Its gruesomeness and its breadth directly correspond to the wickedness and breadth of sin. It is important to remember that sin is primarily an evil, rebellious, and defiant offense against the infinite God which tarnishes His infinite value and His infinite glory. Sin is therefore an infinite offense which justly deserves an infinite punishment. Often it is a diminished view of personal sin which leads to a diminished view of hell. May the horrors of hell ever remind us of the wickedness of our sin and of the penalty we therefore so justly deserve.
Hell and the Cross
The wrath of God which Christ endured for those who are in Him is the very wrath which will be endured by those who are not in Him. Christ literally endured Hell on the cross. To the extent that Hell is diminished, so is the cross of Christ. One may object saying "but Christ did not spend eternity enduring Hell and therefore Hell could not be eternal". Such a one has obviously forgotten the eternal nature of Christ. Infinite sin deserves infinite punishment (as seen above). Infinite punishment is satisfied either infinitely on a finite creature (in Hell) or finitely on an infinite Being (on the cross). "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross" is the sobering truth wrung forth by mournful worshipers many Sunday mornings. I wonder though, how many truly believe that. If hell were not eternal, there would come a point in time when one could truly say "I have experienced (known) the full extent of the cost of sin". However, if hell is indeed eternal, no one can every fully know the depth of the cost of sin. May the horrors of hell forever remind us of the deep horrors of the cross.
Hell and God's Glory
If eternal Hell is the just punishment of belittling God's glory, than oh how inexplicably glorious must He be! But if the punishment be belittled, then the offense is also belittled. And if the offense be belittled, then The Offended is also belittled. God forbid that The Offended should ever be belittled! See how Man's stupid "wisdom" has made the God of the Universe out to be less than what He is!? Oh, the horrible consequences of ideas! Dare you in your pride and your vain "love for Mankind" diminish the wickedness of your sin, the horror of the cross and the greatness of the splendor of the Glory of God!? May the eternal flames of Hell ever burn with white hot echoes of the eternal Glory of God!
Eternal torment passing age into age
forever proclaiming my just wage.
Eternal shrieks of all who've died
forever singing Christ Crucified.
Eternal flame with enduring glow
forever burning, His glory to show
**I don't think/ write about these things lightly, but rather with tears in my eyes**
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