Because the Company Won’t Be Great. We like to be around people with whom we get along. Close friends, likeable acquaintances, and relatives give us a sense of comfort and ease as we face day to day struggles. But when these people leave us and we are left alone, there is a sense of insecurity, emptiness, and surely loneliness. Even though we may be around people, they are not “our” people. Hell’s company will be filled with people, but they won’t be the best people. In fact, they will be the worst. John recorded “Hell’s Attendance Sheet,” when he wrote, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Not only will the most vile, the most cruel, and the most wicked sinners will take up residence in hell, but the devil himself, along with his angels. Earlier, John added the devil to “Hell’s Attendance Sheet:” And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Jesus Himself concluded that the fallen angels would reside in Hell because it was made for them (Matthew 25:41). Imagine being in a place, where the person next to you was a serial killer, a terrorist, a child molester, or an abortionist! Surely this does not sound like a place one desires to go; however, all those who refuse Christ in a sense say “sign me up for it.” Yes, there will be the sincere but unfaithful (Matthew 7:21-23); however, the presence of the vilest alone should be the persuading factor of one’s absence from such a dreadful place. Third, you will not enjoy hell because of the company you would meet if you went.
Because You Will Get What You Thought You Wanted. Getting what we want is not always a good thing. Many times we believe something we want will be good for us, until we learn that it actually is not. Sometimes what we want is what kills us. Man’s heart believes his wants our best, until he finds out that the “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Hell will be a place where people will get what they want; however, residents will instantaneously learn that what they wanted is not what they truly wanted. Those who wanted to live without God on earth (Psalm 10:4; 14:1; cf. Ephesians 2:12), will be without God in hell. Those who wanted to live in sin on earth, will get the just reward for their behavior. C.S. Lewis rightly observed that, “The lost enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have demanded.” Hell will be a place of “freedom”—from all things both good and pure. Although the wicked craved for such freedom on earth, they will be begging for it while burning in hell (cf. Luke 16:23). Fourth, you will not enjoy hell because residents will get what they thought they wanted.
Because You Will Never Be in God’s Presence. The Psalmist said to His God, “in thy presence is fulness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Later, he wrote that His presence kept fear away and comforted him (Psalm 23:4). Scribing a note of repentance, the same author told Him “Cast me not away from thy presence” (Psalm 51:11). Being in God’s presence is surely rewarding. Whether it be specific presence (Isaiah 6:1-6) or general presence, all are blessed when surrounded by the omnipresent God. Probably the worst reason of all for why no one will enjoy hell is that God will not be there. Even sinners enjoy God’s presence now (Matthew 5:45) to some degree, but not in hell. Paul wrote that those going to hell will “be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9, emp. mine, NO). Jesus will utter a literal departure quote to the wicked on that day (Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:27). Hell will be total abstinence from God and therefore, total abstinence from good, purity, comfort, love, peace, and joy (cf. Galatians 5:22-23). No man resides in his dumpster, he quickly relieves his trash from his presence into the stenchy place. Hell is God’s dumpster—don’t expect God to join you. Fifth, you will not enjoy Hell because you will never be surrounded by God again.
Hell is hot, harmful, and heinous. Stay away at all costs dear ones.
Comments