Hell, The Judgment, And The Lake Of Fire

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.  Hebrews 9:27

Whether you like it or not you’re going to one-day die.  Where will you spend eternity?

Many when asked this question believe they will go to heaven but have no idea on how to get there.  Of course, almost all feel since they are a good person they will make it in.  Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  For the Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)”.  Because of our sin, we can’t go to heaven.  

But there is good news.  God sent His Son Jesus, His only Son to do the unthinkable…die for the sins of the world (John 3:16).  And over 2000 years ago He did just that paying for all of our sins.  

Today, you don’t have to die in fear or without assurance that you will go to heaven.  You don’t have to be separated from God because Jesus paid for your sins past, present and future.  All you have to do is accept the sacrifice Christ made, believe in your heart, turn from your sin and live for Him.  It’s that simple! 

The real shame is that many will die and go to hell with their sins paid in full.  That’s a real tragedy that happens everyday.  But it doesn’t have to happen to you.  

Many are living under the assumption that God would never really send anyone to a burning hell.  They’re just fooling themselves and in for a rude awakening.  This is what the scriptures say: 

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you.”  (II Peter 2:4-8, 13) 

You see my friend, God didn’t spare the angels nor the men and women of the old world, but sent them to hell to await their final judgment.  What makes you think for one moment He’ll spare you!

Hell Is A Real Place!

Too many people today treat hell like a chamber of darkness where only real bad people go such as Adolph Hitler or Saddam Hussein.  They just can’t fathom that someday they could end up there.  Many aren’t even thinking about it or concerned.  They live life day by day never taking thought that today could be their final day on earth.  If you died today, where would you spend eternity? 

Hell is mentioned in the Bible 53 times, but its most chilling description is found in Luke 16.  In this chapter you will find a tragic story of a man like any other man who has lived on earth.  The description of this man was that he lived well and had all that he desired.  But like many today he never took into account where he would spend eternity or that he desperately needed a Savior.  I’m sure he was a good and descent man, but like all men he died, sealing his eternal fate.  Here’s the rest of this tragic story: 

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:23-31) 

You may say, I don’t believe in hell and even if I did all my friends will be there.  Friend, one second after you pass from this life unto the next you’ll change your mind just as the rich man did.  In fact, hell is so horrible you’ll beg God to send someone back so they won’t have to come to this horrible place.  And the terrible thing, once you’re there it’s for an eternity where no amount of weeping, wailing, or apologies can release you from your chamber of horror.  It’s a place where death’s final sting can never be broken. 

Friend where will you spend eternity?

The Judgment And The Lake Of Fire 

Standing in the midst of a great crowd of nameless, faceless witnesses, in what looked to be a dark and ominous setting, came forth Jesus to judge the world. I had communed with Him many times before both in heaven and on earth, but today He was in all His Glory.

As He proceeded toward His throne, the radiance of His presence filled the room. “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a

flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: And out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: And his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (Revelation 1:13a-16).” 

Suddenly, He stopped and began to walk toward me. As He came up to where I was, I could see the love He had for me in His eyes and I immediately fell at His feet and worshipped Him. Looking down at me, He laid his right hand upon me, and said with a smile, “Rise up, for ‘I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death Revelation 1:17a-18).” With His gentle touch and comforting hands, He helped me to my feet and continued toward the throne. As He ascended to the throne, I began to think of all the times that we had sat together, talked and shared our most intimate thoughts.  As I  pondered upon Him, floods of joy began to overtake me, for I knew that He cared for me and would never leave me, even in my darkest hour. When Jesus was seated, from a distance I could see a great multitude beginning to walk toward the throne of whose number no one could count. As they proceeded toward the throne, we knew that this would be the last time that we would ever see them again. As they marched past us, I noticed that many were crying and visibly shaken. I could also hear people saying, “O God, have mercy on me”, and others just repeating over and over, “Please God, Please God, Please God”. But as I stood and watched, I knew that the time for pleading was over, for they had but one fate and it would be eternal! 

Suddenly, directing my attention toward the front, the proceedings began! For this my friend will be their final doom known as The Great White Throne Judgment! “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 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12-13, 15) 

As I stood there, I watched as person after person marched before the throne to be eternally judged. Time after time I listened as they told grand stories of

marvelous earthly deeds and good works that they had performed. I listened as they spoke of the mighty religious wonders that they had performed saying, “Lord, have we

not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works (Matthew 7:22b)?” But shaking my head, I knew that without the blood of Christ atoning for their sins, their good works would not measure up and their destiny would be sealed.As the day went on, person after person was judged, sentenced, and lead away from that illustrious throne to be cast eternally into everlasting darkness, never to be seen or heard of again. Some went quietly, but most fighting and kicking, bellowing out the most horrible blood curling screams that I have ever heard! 

As I stood there, I saw many saved loved ones watch in tears of bitter anguish as they were confronted with the fate of those they had known and cherished on earth, but had failed to share the Gospel with. 

As I looked in horror at what was happening, I began to remember my loved ones and all the people I had come in contact with over the years. As I wiped away the tears from my eyes, I couldn’t help but think about the many times that I had a chance to witness to them and failed to do so. I thought of the occasions when God pleaded with me to witness to my brother, my co-workers, or some stranger on the street, and I flat refused! 

Suddenly, I heard a booming voice calling my name. It was the Lord Himself and I had been summoned to appear before the throne. 

When I arrived, there looked to be a man face down, pleading before the throne. At first, I didn’t recognize who it was. But as I came closer, my greatest nightmare was realized. For when he slowly raised his head from off the ground, and I stared deep into his tearful eyes, I knew that this man was my only brother. As I called out his name, “Rick, Rick”, he began to weep and to plead that I might help him. But as I looked on silently with tears in my eyes, I dropped my head, for I knew that the time for mercy was over and that he would now have to pay for the sins he had committed. 

As I stood there, I could hear the Lord beginning His judgment upon my brother. In shock and horror, I fell to my knees and began to weep uncontrollably, for I knew

what fate awaited him. As I wept, I began to remember all the times that we had together, the places that we went, the secrets that we shared, and most of all, the love that we had for each other. But I had failed to share the most important message the world has ever known, that Jesus loved him and died for his sins…and now it was too late!

I knew Rick was a good man, but without Christ, he was lost and without hope. 

As I looked up with tears running down my face, I could hear the Lord remembering sin, after sin, after sin that my brother had committed in his lifetime. Helpless to change his fate, I cried until I could cry no more. 

Suddenly, with no warning, the Lord paused with a great silence and spoke these final words, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41b).” Immediately, an angel came and secured my brother and took him away. As they walked away, I began to scream with all that was in me, “No, No, No, Please No!” My brother, realizing what his fate was, began to scream, and to kick, and to fight, but it was to no avail. As they walked further and further away, I could hear him pleading in desperation that he might be given another chance, but all his chances ended at the grave. Suddenly, with one last blood-curling scream, he was gone forever, forgotten in a sea that burns with fire, never to be remembered again. This is the second death (Revelation 20:14b). 

As I lay there screaming and sobbing, I knew that this wouldn’t be the last time I would be summoned before the throne, for I had many lost friends and loved ones…and they each would have their day of reckoning! For it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). A judgment where there is no remorse or second chances. A judgment where no amount of weeping, wailing, or apologies can release you from your chamber of horror. A judgment where death’s final sting can never be broken forever and ever without end, and without hope. A judgment that is absolute and irrevocable! 

If you think this scenario is bad, the real judgment will be a thousand times worse. 

Every second somewhere there is a person dying and slipping into the pits of hell.  If only they could have had that last second back, but they can’t.  For once you pass from this life to the next your fate is sealed never to be revoked! 

Can you afford to go another second on this earth without the Lord? 

If you are here today lost and without Christ, don’t you think it’s time you settle this once and for all before it’s too late? 

If that be the case, bow with me right now, with a repentant heart, and pray this prayer: 

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."  

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, please send me an email.

Now that you're a Christian there are a number of things you need to do. Get in a church. It is important that you find a good local church, start reading your Bible and praying daily.

It is impossible to succeed as a Christian without these three basic fundamentals. No one can do it for you, only you. Allow Jesus to walk in your life.

Terry Malone