His friend nodded in agreement, and the matter seemed to be settled.
The two sat silently for a moment until one of them looked up and said,
thoughtfully, "Suppose it is true, after all?"
Suppose it is true after all that Hell exists? Jesus Christ Himself
described it as a place of "darkness" and a "furnace of fire" where there
shall be "wailing and gnashing of teeth." (1) Some say there is no
consciousness after death. But from Christ's words, it's evident that a
person in Hell is just as aware of himself and his surroundings as when he
was on earth!
The Bible, God's Word, says Hell is an everlasting burning for the
punishment of sinners and hypocrites, (2) a bottomless pit (3) where men
have no rest, day or night. (4) It's a place where people pray, but their
prayers are not heard, (5) where they gnaw their tongues and at the same
time curse God. (6) Hell is a place where no one would want their loved
ones to go. (7)
Suppose it is true after all that God will punish sin? The Bible says,
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (8)
Suppose it is true after all the we cannot get to Heaven on the basis
of good things we've done? The Bible says, "we are all as an unclean thing,
and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." (9)
Suppose it is true after all that Jesus Christ is the only Savior?
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me." (10)
Be assured that God is holy and must punish sin. But He is also a God
of love, "not willing that any should perish." (11) Therefore, He sent His
Son to die on the cross for our sins: "God commendeth His love toward us in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being
now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (12)
But we must first recognize that we have sinned, ask God's forgiveness
and receive Christ as our Savior. Then we can have the joy and peace of
God's forgiveness, and the assurance that when we die we will be with Christ
forever in Heaven.
Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? "He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." (13) The choice is yours.
(From Computers for Christ BBS) by Robin Sheffield)
Bible References:
(1)Matt. 13:42; (2)Isaiah 33:14; (3)Rev. 20:1; (4)Rev. 14:11; (5)Luke 16:27;
(6)Rev. 16:10,11; (7)Luke 16:28; (8)Heb. 9:27; (9)Isaiah 64:6; (10)John
14:6; (11)2 Peter 3:9; (12)Romans 5:8,9; (13)John 3:36.