We have been looking at Heaven for the last several weeks. Today, we are going to turn our attention to the other place spoken of in the Bible as a place of doom awaiting some in eternity. That place is called Hell. What do we know about this destiny?
Jesus tells us several things in Matthew 24:41. First we note that it was initially created, “for the devil and his angels.” At some point in the distant past, the devil led a rebellion against God and was cast out of heaven. The book of Job, among others, reveals that the devil goes, “to and fro in the earth...”, observing and strategizing against people (Job 1:7-11). His defeat was assured when Jesus overcame him at Calvary, and his doom was guaranteed at the same time, and he knows his time is limited – “...art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29). Secondly, this verse in Matthew 24 says it is a place of “everlasting fire.” Finally, all who are judged by God to be unworthy to enter into His eternal presence are said to be “cursed” and will be sentenced to this place – “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (v:46).
The Lord makes some very sobering comments about people entering into eternity in Matthew 7. In verses 13 and 14 He says the road to eternal destruction is wide and heavily traveled, whereas the way to eternal life is narrow and seldom sought out or found. Verses 21-23 say that many very religious people who were convinced they were on their way to eternal glory will be excluded from heaven – “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”