Hell? No!

 "This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9

    Have you ever heard someone declare that they desire to go to hell upon death, where they will live it up with their friends? Cartoons have depicted hell as a reddish cave, which looks like a seedy saloon, tended by a demon with horns and a pitchfork. For some, the idea is that in this place, they will be able to pursue their desires and their vices without limitations. As one song says, "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints."

    The radio where I work played (much to my dislike) "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. As I listened, I sadly noted some of these lyrics: "Ain't nothin' that I'd rather do, goin' down, party time, my friends are gonna be there, too...No stop signs, no speed limit, nobody's gonna slow me down...I'm on the highway to hell." 

    Here's a glimpse of what this "party time" will be like:

• you'll be completely naked and vulnerable
• you'll be shown no mercy, no love, no comfort nor companionship
• you'll have no rest, no goals, no wisdom, no rescue
• there will be an intense darkness and a penetrating evil all around
• fear, hatred and hopeless despair will dog your days for all eternity
• your thirst will be insatiable; there is no water there

    Hell is the total absence of God so, anything that He is will not be in hell. By comparison, check out these attributes and gifts we have from God:

• He clothes us with righteousness and covers us with His wings
• He sends rain on the just and the unjust; His mercies are fresh every morning.
• His yoke is easy and his burden is light. We will find rest for our souls in Jesus.
• Jesus is the Light of the world. In Him is no darkness at all.
• Jesus rescues us from death and sets us up on a pedestal.
• He is our Living water; our cups runneth over!

    Author Edward Donnelly says it well: "He (God) gives you the beauty of a summer evening, the coolness of a refreshing breeze...He delights you with the taste of fresh crusty bread or the juice of a ripe peach. Perhaps you have experienced the ecstasy of love. These are God's gifts...All of these are blessings from God... But, in hell, all this will be taken from you...all the dignity that you now have as an image-bearer of God will be stripped from you...The wicked will burn with fire but they will not be consumed."

    It gives me no pleasure to speak of hell, but contrary to popular belief, it is a very real place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. God does not wish this on anyone. The Bible says He does not want anyone to perish. That's why Jesus came and sacrificed his life on the cross and rose from the dead. He's throwing you a life preserver; grab ahold of it!

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9