               Hell: Suppose it's true after all..

     Two Friends were discussing the possibility of life after 
death. "Hell is a myth," one argued. "How can a God of love 
condemn His creatures to everlasting punishment?"
     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.   (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.
 
 
                           HELL - WHAT IS IT?
 
                            By E.A. Fergerson
 
 
      A lake of fire................................Rev. 20:15
      A bottomless pit..............................Rev. 20:1
      A horrible tempest............................Psa. 11:6
      A devouring fire..............................Isa. 33:14
      A place of sorrows............................Psa. 18:5
      A place of weeping............................Matt. 8:12
      A place of torments...........................Luke 16:23
      A furnace of fire.............................Matt. 13:42
      A place of everlasting burnings...............Isa. 33:14
      A place of destruction........................2 Thess. 1:9
      A place where they curse God..................Rev. 16:11
      A place of outer darkness.....................Matt. 8:12
      A place where people pray.....................Luke 16:27
      A place where they gnash their teeth..........Matt. 13:42
      A place wher they cry for mercy...............Luke 16:24
      A place of everlasting punishment.............Matt. 25:46
      A place of everlasting fire...................Matt. 18:8
      A place of separation from God................2 Thess. 1:9
      A place of unquenchable fire..................Matt. 3:12
      A place of eternal damnation..................Mark 3:29
      A place where they gnaw their tongues.........Rev. 16:10
      A place of blackness and darkness forever.....Jude 13
      A place prepared for the devil
         and his angels.............................Matt. 25:41
      A place where they cry of water...............Luke 16:24
      A place of fire torment.......................Luke 16:24
      A place where they will be
         tormented with brimstone...................Rev. 14:10
      A place where there are dogs,
         sorcerers, and whoremongers................Rev. 22:15
      A place where they will drink the
         wine of the wrath of God...................Rev. 14:10
      A place where their worm dieth not,
         and the fire is not quenched...............Mark 9:48
      A place where they do not want their
         loved ones to come.........................Luke 16:28
 
 
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