The question of Hell

Day 40

OT Reading: Leviticus 7-9

NT Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

What do you think about Hell? Is it a real place? A potential destination for those without Jesus? Is it a scare tactic developed by the church over the centuries to frighten you into behaving? Is it more symbolic of some place without the existence of God...but in reality it's not that bad? Is it a place where you just "pay your time" and eventually get to go into Heaven? What do you think about Hell?

To you this may seem like a foregone conclusion, but that is not necessarily the case in today's culture. A movement has been growing over the last several years with the underlying belief that Hell is more symbolic, and really does not exist. And admittedly, that's a comforting thought. I mean, I know I'd rather think that there is no place of eternal punishment. The only problem is...Jesus didn't seem to jive with that sort of thinking.

To Jesus, Hell was very real. In our passage today we see Jesus continue in his discussion about how things will go down at the final judgment. And at one point everyone will be separated. Some will go to Heaven, others will go to Hell. Then in the last verse of chapter 25 we read, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46, NIV)

Of course this sort of thinking is rather unpopular (as it was in Jesus' day). But the popularity of the message does not affect its truth. And how you answer this question will influence how you see evangelism, eternity and the message of Jesus. So before you close the browser, or go back to your email...really be honest.

What do you think about Hell?