“For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4 (NLT)
Hell is real and many are heading toward it! Many deny there is an actual hell. But the only way you can do that is by denying the Word of God, ignoring what Jesus Himself said about it, and/or reinterpreting the many passages on hell, hades and the lake of fire, to water it down. There is a hell, and there is no escaping it apart from Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the bridge for us to come across.
Hell is often referred to as Satan’s headquarters. The Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, is called to prevail over the very gates of hell (Matthew 16:18), meaning we are the ones advancing and winning!
Hell is also referred to as Satan’s ultimate destiny… the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). This fiery inferno was created for Satan and his cohorts (Matthew 25:41). Hell is a place of eternal suffering, of gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13, 25:30). But sadly, hell is also the destination for those who reject Jesus (Matthew 24:51, 25:46). The bottom line, Jesus gives people over to what they desire (see Romans 1). If we desire Him we get Him, for eternity! If we reject Him, He rejects us! If we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:7-8). If we proclaim Him now, He will proclaim us later in the presence of His Father and the heavenly host (Matthew 10:32). But if we reject and deny Him now, that is what happens to us later (Matthew 10:33). He will say, away from Me for I do not know you (Matthew 25:12)! The word is quite clear, it is in this world we must choose to follow Christ, and obey Him. There are no second chances (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus does not send anyone to hell, they choose to go there by rejecting Him!
Ask the Lord to grip your heart with the reality, the seriousness and the duration of hell. Pray for those you know who are rejecting Christ and His free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Ask God for mercy over their lives. Plead for their salvation, for the veil that keeps them blinded to be torn asunder (2 Corinthians 4:4) and for their hearts to be stirred toward Him. Pray that they would see the reality of hell themselves, and turn to Jesus Christ as their Savior. If you haven’t already done this, please make them a high priorities in your daily prayer assignment. Thank the Lord for hearing your prayer and responding. Btw, I prayed for my father daily for 25 years before he yielded his heart to Christ! He is now in heaven, and I believe primarily because of this diligent prayer for him by me, his son. Our prayers for the lost matter! So please pray and don’t give up (Luke 18:1).
