The eternal Lake of Fire created by God is the ultimate abode of unsaved souls whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life ( Rev 20:15 ). Originally prepared for Satan and his fallen angels (Mt 25:41 ), this is the place of torment and punishment of everlasting burning fire and brimstone. It will be the final destination for Satan, antichrist and the false prophet (Rev 20:10 ).
Sadly, many people believe that hell is a myth; that it does not exist. They firmly believe that God Who is holy and just, would not allow the souls of the dead to be tormented forever and ever in a `devouring fire' (Isa 33:14 ). Many would uphold the doctrine of annihilation; i.e. the belief of the extinction of the souls of those who die in their sin without Christ. The departing souls merely disappear into nothingness, evaporate as it were, into a vapour and it is all over.
But what does our Lord say? In no uncertain terms, Jesus Himself assures that hell is real. It is a furnace that never shall be quenched, a place where the worms of torment die not (Mk 9:46 ) and where there is great misery and pain with wailing and gnashing of teeth (Mt13:42). Also a place of `outer darkness' (Mt 8:12 ), Peter described it as a place covered with `a mist of darkness' (2 Pet 2:17 ) and Jude compared the intensity of darkness there as the `blackness of darkness' (Jude 13 ). Beloved, God's Word is so clear.
A read of Luke 16:19-31 gives an insight into our Lord's vivid account of the destiny and destinations of two men: an unnamed wicked rich man and a godly poor beggar named Lazarus. When both died, the former ended up in hell and the latter in Abraham's bosom (heaven). The discourse between Abraham and the rich man reveals the utter desolation and indescribable agony of the burning flames that engulf the unbeliever in hell.
This man was in a conscious existence after death. He was most miserable, in endless torment and anguish, suffering from intense pain and thirst. He asked Abraham to send Lazarus to relieve his intense thirst by cooling his tongue with a mere drop of water. He could recall his past wicked and merciless acts and was remorseful over his lost condition and pleaded Abraham for mercy to send Lazarus to witness to his five living and unsaved brethren so that they would not be punished like him with `everlasting destruction' in the eternal fire (2 Th 1:9 ; Jude 7 ). Both his requests were turned down as there was no way that Lazarus could reach him in hell, for there is a great gulf fixed between them. There was no point in sending Lazarus back from the dead to his five brothers because they would not obey Moses and the prophets i.e the Word of God.
Man, by his basic instinct and sinful nature seeks only the good and pleasures of life. Being earth-bound creatures, what matters most is the sheer fulfillment of every sensual desire. Mere satisfaction of basic needs belongs to a bygone era. Man never had it so good as in this day and age. The epicurean philosophy of eat, drink and be merry is still bandied about as the highest good. That pleasure and enjoyment was the ruling principle of the Epicureans in the ancient days is still the dogma of modern man. This devotion to sensuous pleasure and luxury and enjoyment has perhaps reached its zenith today. It is the be all and end all. Man therefore will never pause and give consideration to what happens when this brief life is over. From henceforth, man's soul enters into a new dimension where eternity begins.
In the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 , God asked the man whose main pursuit in life was the accumulation of material wealth: `Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Lk 12: 20 ) What a thought provoking statement! Yes, we should instead be concerned about where we will go after death: to an eternal life promised to all who trust in the Almighty God or a life subjected to everlasting punishment, of torment, contempt and hell fire? (Dan 12:2 ; Mt 25:46 ).
The existence of the Lake of Fire and hell vividly dichotomizes the heinous nature of sin and the holiness of God. To sin against the holy God is to be duly punished by God's eternal justice. There is no injustice and impartiality with God `Who will render to every man according to his deeds.For there is no respect of persons with God' (Rm 2:6 , 11 ).Man ought to fear none but God Almighty Who alone is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Mt 10:28 ).
Yet, we thank God for His mercy and grace. His mercy is everlasting and his compassion faileth not: `The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance' (2 Pet 3: 9 ). Jesus our Lord is coming again soon as the King of kings and Lord of lords to judge the world. Then there will be no more mercy but divine wrath (Rev 14: 10 , 11 ). He warns us of the final punishment by fire: `The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.. So shall it be the end of world: the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth' (Mt 13: 41-50 ).
Are you born again, regenerated by the Holy Spirit and washed with the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? If you have accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ and He is now your Lord and Master, then you have experienced the second birth. If so, you will only die once. If no, you will die twice: `And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire' (Rev 21:11-15 ).
If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, come to Him now. Do not delay any more; today is the day of salvation. Make sure that you are a child of God and an heir of heaven, like Lazarus. Do not reject His salvation grace, do not be a recipient of God's wrath, and do not be condemned to hell fire like the rich man. It will be too late then for there is no second chance after death.
May God impart to us the passion for lost souls. Our loved ones, friends, colleagues and unnumbered souls who reject Jesus and walk in the broad and easy way will perish in eternity without Christ with everlasting hell fire as their lot. Let us persevere in our witnessing and personal evangelism in the footstep of the Apostle Paul: `Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men' ( 2 Cor 5:11 ). Amen.