July 29, 2021
The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water— And the fire never says, “Enough!”
~Proverbs 30:16~
Frankly we do not hear too often about hell and its realness. When was the last time we heard a sermon on what hell is like? When have we really discussed all truth of God's word? The discriptions in the bible are spoken about on Sheol, which is the hebrew term; meaning "a place of darkness to which the dead go." There is no light or good feeling there. It is described as a low pit.
"Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit." (Isaiah 14:15)
The truth about hell is that it is no place God wants us to be. It is completely opposite of what heaven is like and it is the reason Jesus has not yet returned. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
(II Peter 3:9)
We need to be able to discuss these things to those whom we love, so they know the reality of this place and choose to go the other way. If we are telling them only about the glorious side, how will it look to the Father when it is too late for them? These are His children and this place is all too terrible.
"For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth."
(Isaiah 38:18)
There is permanent separation from God in this place. We know the torment that happens on earth when being separated from the Lord. Imagine that for eternity. It breaks my heart to ponder this. There is constant condemnation in hell, those who are tormentors never seize to make sure misery continues on; "Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:33)
When we can only speak of one part of God's truth, we are slacking on our part. We are unable to be bold for their life because we may be afraid of what they may think or say. What do we think they will think or say when it is too late? There is a reason the Lord mentions hell's ways so often in the word, He desires us to know all things pertaining to life and death so that we are able to choose life. "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)
For when we have chosen the Way of Jesus Christ, we now have a role to play in speaking what is true to those who are on their way to permanent death. Without the Lord, we would all be on our way to Sheol. I thank my God for the option of life with Him. The agony of Jesus on the cross is a picture of what it would be like in constant pain without God. Is that what we want for others? We should strive to speak about this place just as much as we speak about heaven. They are both equally as real. "The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below." (Proverbs 15:24)
It is our choice to make and our choice to share. This place Sheol, has unquenchable fire that burns for eternity; "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
(Matthew 3:12)
It is a place where nothing receives rest; "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:11)
This we can imagine as we come into contact with those who need to hear the gospel. Those who are still spiritually dead. For with Christ, we remain alive and we are not meant to keep that to ourselves until we pass. Darkness and destruction is not a place for any human. Let us begin by speaking God's word in its fullness and reminding about the effects of this bottomless pit called hell. For the Lord wants none of His children there, we are only hurting Him when we avoid that conversation.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, thank you for a chance of life with You. I know if not for Jesus I would be on my way to this place of hell. Lord help me to speak boldly to those who are still lost and separated from You so that they may choose to follow You. I do not wish Sheol on anyone. It is not a place for humans to dwell. I pray that You give me more opportunities to reach those who are heading that direction and that I may have the words to pull them out of the fire by fear and trembling. I bless all of those who are in bondage to sin and pray for their rebirth to form in Christ Jesus. Lead me in ways to help steer them in that direction. For without You, I would be heading there myself. Let Your compassion flood my being so that it is not only heaven I speak of but all of Your truth. Thank you for all of Your warnings in the Word. May all glory and honor be to You, my God, my Rock and my Redeemer from the Pit. Jesus Christ. Amen.