By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
Nowadays, we rarely hear about that place the Bible calls Hell. Why? Because Hell presents neither a popular nor feel-good topic. But, during His earthly ministry, Jesus many times warned about Hell. Bible scholars differ on how often Jesus warned about Hell. False prophets not only deny that Jesus warned about Hell, they deny Hell exists.
Yet, all can stand assured Hell indeed exists. Why? Because Jesus Himself gave several horrifying descriptions of Hell. Luke 16:19-31 presents Jesus’s most graphic description of Hell. There, Jesus warned that those who end-up in Hell remain conscious and retain their physical senses: they see (Luke 16:23) (“And in Hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off.”); they speak (Luke 16:24); they hear (Luke 16:25-27); they thirst (Luke 16:24); they feel torments (Luke 16:24) (“I am tormented in this flame.”); and they remember their wicked lives on Earth (Luke 16:25).
Those who end-up in Hell do things there they refused to do on Earth: they plead for mercy (Luke 16:24) (“He cried, Father Abraham, have mercy on me.”); they ask God to meet physical needs (Luke 16:24) (“That [Lazarus] may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue.”); and they pray someone warn their family about Hell. (Luke 16:26-27). God says “No” to their pleas in Hell because, in life, they said “No” to His pleas they repent.
Not only does Hell present the land of eternal conscious torments, Hell presents the Land of No, the land where there’s no end to fire; no water to quench thirst; no answer to prayers; and no end to regrets about wicked lives on Earth. But even that’s not the end to the Land of No. There’s no rest (Revelation 14:11) (“no rest day nor night.”), and no exit (Luke 16:26).
The Old Testament also describes Hell. Ezekiel 31:14, for example, says Hell lies within “the nether parts of the Earth.” Psalms 63:9 refers to “the lower parts of the Earth.” Hell’s location brings unimaginable heat.
Assuming Hell lies where Ezekiel and Psalms say, geologists say temperatures there exceed 9,000 degrees, hot enough to turn titanium into coffee vapor. Adding to that, Psalms 11:6 warns about Hell’s “horrible tempest,” or searing wind. That is, Hell’s heat brings firestorm winds in the hundreds of miles per hour, a reverse wind-chill factor multiplying Hell’s heat many times over. In addition to firestorm winds, those in Hell suffer burning sulfur raining down on them. (Psalms 11:6) (“Upon the wicked, He shall rain…fire and brimstone.”). Amidst these fiery torments, the damned weep for, but will never again taste, water.
Scripture confirms Hell presents the Land of No: no mercy; no end; no exit; no place you want to go; and why Jesus commanded, “Repent, and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15). Do we believe and care enough to warn others to repent and avoid the Land of No? If we don’t, we might end up there ourselves. (Luke 12:46).
