There Is No Hell: Satan’s Grand Lie:
Posted: Saturday, April 30, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
Satan convinced the first couple that God’s word was not to be taken seriously. They could sin with impunity (Gen. 3:1-6). The result was the greatest catastrophe in human history. Today, Satan’s servants are still trying persuade humanity that God’s word on the subject of "hell" is not to be believed.
Today we face the same kind of challenge that confronted Adam and Eve. Christ tells us "...be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt. 10:28). He tells us at judgment angels shall "gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 13:41-42). "And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:46). But men like Mr. Bell are shouting "There is no hell!" Many others say the same thing. Our skeptical, unbelieving media loves the story and has elevated Mr. Bell and his book to celebrity status. Multitudes of folks will believe the lie and plunge headlong into wickedness, thinking the fear of eternal punishment has been removed.
The lie comes in different wrappings. Some say that the wicked will be annihilated, or consumed in an instant, thus no everlasting punishment. Others say the misery experienced in this life is hell. Still others claim hell is the haunting pangs of a guilty conscience. Some say the word "hell" should be understood only as poetic imagery. The most arrogant of unbelievers declared that such a thing as hell does not exist. Some opine hell is the inventions of Christians to intimidate sinners. At the root of most of the above views is the latent wish and hope that God will grant universal salvation for all men. Desiring to appear more charitable than Christians, religious skeptics declare that all, regardless of the religion or lack thereof, regardless of their conduct, will enjoy a home with a loving God in eternity. They seek to camouflage their lie under God’s love.
Sinful Motives prompt men to deny what God has said about hell. They want heaven, but not hell. They want to live with God but not have to obey him. Christ is the savior of all who obey him (Heb. 5:9). They want the reward Jesus promises the righteous, but they do not want to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24).
Their Faulty Reasoning. These nay-sayers assert that everlasting punishment in hell makes God a monster. They taunt Christians, "Would you burn your enemies to death, would you burn your disobedient child?" But they must answer, "Is it not unjust to all to allow the vicious monster who has inflicted great harm on others to go unpunished? Would they give the mass-murderer the same reward as the innocent child? Do they also renounce the reality and need for justice?" They are sinful, finite creatures who presume to pass judgment on God’s sovereign will and reign. God’s ways are not our ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways above ours (Is. 55:8-9).
Their Guilt is Obvious. To deny the reality of hell is to deny the teaching of Jesus. He tells us that his words will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Faith come from hearing the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Those who deny hell, hear his word on the matter and deny that it is true. That is the action of an unbeliever. Those who do not believe in Christ will die in their sins (John 8:24). It is both arrogant and presumptuous for the creature to challenge the wisdom and teaching of their Creator (John 1:3).God does not take man’s presumption lightly (Num. 15:30).
The Destructive Consequences of Denying Hell. Those who say "There is no hell" contradict Jesus and discredit his wisdom and teaching. If he was wrong on the subject of hell, can we be sure of anything he taught? They discredit the Bible’s testimony. If we cannot believe the Bible on this point, how can we be sure of its message on any other topic? By destroying man’s belief in hell, one of the most powerful motivations for avoiding evil and sin is removed. If there is no penalty, why should a wicked man restrain his passions?
God wants no one to suffer the punishment of hell (II Pet. 3:9). He wants all to be saved (I Tim. 2:4). He has warned us that the wages of our sin is death (Rom. 6:23). He gave heaven’s best (Jesus) to save man from hell (John 3:16). He created us with volition so we could choose our eternal destiny (II Cor. 3:20). If you pay for your sins in hell you will be able to blame no one but yourself.
When you hear any person deny the reality of hell, be he clergyman or atheist, criminal or hedonist, remember Paul’s exhortation, "Let God be found true and every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4). As Satan rejoices and wicked men congratulate themselves that they no longer have to fear judgment and hell, we can still hear the words of Jesus, "How can you escape the judgment of hell?" (Matt. 23:33).
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I actually have plans to buy this book today, as I've agreed to using it for a book study with a few friends. Without having read it, I know that many who have read it say that Bell does NOT actually make the claim that there is no Hell. He simply points out the Scripture which challenges our traditional beliefs in Hell, and then asks the question of why it is that Christians are not allowed to ask these questions about Scripture. I think this article proves that you don't believe that such questions should be allowed to be asked, either.
I couldn't disagree with you more as historically when Church leaders don't allow questions, it has lead to incredible abuse of the parishioners by Church leaders.
Hello Bruce: Rob Bell raised the question about the reality of hell and I answered him. A Christian can ask any question he likes. If he is truly a follower of Christ he will accept Christ's answer rather than that of fellow-human beings. I understand why unbelievers and rebels against God's will hope there is no hell. By reading and believing the Bible, we can already know the answer to the question. But those poor folks won't find it until it is too late the adjust their course. If you really want to know what the Bible says on a question, trying reading what the Bible itself says on the subject. Enjoy your study.
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