What is Hell Like?

INTRODUCTION

A. 	Before going on a trip, people like to have a description of where they're going. This 
	morning, we are going to look at God's description of hell. 
B.	Although it is unpleasant, it is appropriate to talk about hell. 
C.	Paul talked about the coming judgment to Felix, and Felix was alarmed (Acts 24:25). 
D.	There really isn't any difference between Gehenna and Tartarsus. 

A PLACE OF PUNISHMENT

A. 	Mt. 23:33.
	1. 	Jesus wondered how the scribes and Pharisees would escape being sentenced to hell. 
	2.	The fact that they would be sentenced there implies punishment.
B. 	Lk. 16:23. 
C. 	In hell, people are punished for their unfaithfulness--such shows the ugliness of sin.

A PLACE OF DARKNESS

A. 	The Scriptures affirm this. 
	1. 	2 Pet. 2: 4-"deepest darkness."
	2. 	Mt. 8:12-"outer darkness."
	3. 	Mt. 22: 13-"outer darkness."
	4. 	Mt. 25:30-"outer darkness." 
B. 	We tend to be afraid of the dark.

A PLACE OF FIRE

A. 	The Scriptures affirm this.
	1. 	Mt. 3:12.
	2. 	Mt. 13:40-42, 50.
B. 	I don't know that the fire and darkness are literal.
	1. 	Man has never experienced hell, and God is attempting to describe hell in terms we can 
		understand. 
	2. 	Hell is far worse than we can imagine.

A PLACE WHERE GOD IS NOT

A. 	2 Thess. 1:9. 
B. 	This is what makes hell so horrible--God will not be there to hear your prayers, he will not 
	be there to hear your pleas for mercy. 
C. 	If there is any reason why I want to avoid hell, this is it.

AN ETERNAL PLACE

A. 	The Scriptures affirm this.
	1. 	2 Thess. 1:9.
	2. 	Mt. 25:41, 46.
	3. 	If hell isn't eternal, neither is heaven. 
B. 	Hell is not a place you go to see if you like it. Once you're there, you're stuck.
C.	An eternity in hell means you have no hope. 
	1. 	In Dante's Divine Comedy, the inscription above hell read, "Abandon all hope ye who 
		enter here."
	2. 	That's an accurate description of hell--throughout all eternity, there is no hope.

A PLACE OF PAIN

A. 	Throughout the New Testament, Jesus describes hell as a place of weeping and gnashing of 
	teeth.
	1. 	Mt. 8:12.
	2. 	Mt. 22:13.
B. 	That's a description of people in pain.

A PLACE OF NO REST

A. 	Rev. 14:11.
B. 	Those who are in hell will never rest.

A WORSE PLACE FOR SOME THAN FOR OTHERS

A. 	The Scriptures affirm this.
	1. 	Lk. 12:47-48.
	2. 	2 Pet. 2:20-21.
B. 	These Scriptures teach nothing other than degrees of punishment.
C. 	The Christian who is unfaithful will be worse off than one who never knew the truth.

A PLACE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

A. 	The rich man knew what was going on (Lk. 16)--he existed.
B. 	Those in hell will know what's going on.

A PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE

A. 	The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches this.
	1. 	The rich man could remember what went on in his lifetime (Lk. 16:25).
	2. 	He remembered that he had five brothers (Lk. 16:28).
B. 	Throughout eternity you will be able to remember your life.
	1. 	You will remember all the invitation hymns you heard. You will remember all the 
		admonitions to do right. 
	2.	That will be part of the horror of hell.

A PLACE OF BROKEN FAMILIES

A. 	The rich man wanted his family to be broken (Lk. 16:28).
B. 	If you have loved ones in hell, they never want to see your face again.
C. 	One woman said that she wanted to go to hell because that's where her family was.

NOT A PLACE FOR YOU

A. 	Mt. 25:41.
B. 	Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for you.