Question: WHY
WOULD GOD TORMENT SOMEONE IN THE ETERNAL BURNING FLAMES OF HELL?
This question
is generally asked by those who fail to understand the incalculable and
unimaginable cost to a pure, holy and sinless God. This cost involved
becoming a sinless man and shedding his blood on a cross for the sins
of the world. Furthermore, man fails to grasp the magnitude of God’s
love, heaven, as being equal and opposite to his wrath of eternal
physical burnings in hell. Simply put, if you don’t want his love in
Jesus Christ, you can have his wrath.
Two inadequate human examples that would illustrate this truth,
are given as follows:
1. A judge, having sentenced a criminal to death, would
then choose to die in his place.
2. A parent that would willingly send their own
precious and lovely son or daughter, to die a torturous cross death,
for the sins of others, having been mercilessly whipped and wearing a
crown of thorns.
However, this only scratches the surface, in that God himself
“…manifest in the flesh…”
(1 Timothy 3:16) as the sinless Jesus Christ,
was “…made … to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made
the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the
real price God had to pay.
Be under no illusion, it is the sinner who will choose to go to hell by
rejecting God’s offer of salvation, as God says “… I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and
live…” (Ezekiel 33:11). He adds, “The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
In addition, it is not only the unimaginable pain of eternal burnings,
but the intense and mind numbing regret of refusing God’s salvation
gift, in knowing that you could have been in heaven, were it not for
your stubborn pride. Oh, the eternal agony that you let the opportunity
go by!!!
You see, hell was only ever meant for the punishment of the devil and
his angels: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the
devil and his angels:”
(Matthew 25:41). Hell is God’s wrath for those
who reject the Saviour Jesus Christ.
To the reader who would say “I don’t believe God will torment me in
hell fire forever!” we say “Don’t be too hasty - one second after you
die, you will quickly change your mind!” Dear Friend, be encouraged to
receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour as “… God commendeth his love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)
Dear Reader, where will you spend eternity? In the eternal flames of
hell or with God in heaven? Indeed, the Lord GOD says “…despisest thou
the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not
knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans
2:4).
We would urge you to “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved…”
(Acts 16:31).
Harley Hitchcock
www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com
