What is Hell
What Men Say:
Hell has been watered down and explained away by many who claim
to believe the Bible. C.S. Lewis, who was not a true Christian,
said hell is "a state of mind left to itself." A Roman
Catholic priest recently said, "We are free to describe hell
as we choose. . . " Donald Bloesch, a professor at Dubuque
Theological Seminary stated, "The doctrine of hell has
passed out of conversation and preaching , even in conservative
evangelical churches." The most noted authority of all,
Billy Graham, began by preaching a literal, eternal hell. The
Orlando Sentinel (4/10/83) says in response to a question about
hell, he replied: "I think that hell is essentially
separation from God forever... I think that the fire that is
mentioned in the Bible is a burning thirst for God that can never
be quenched." Notice: he said, "I think." Billy
Graham loves to say, "The Bible says," but in reality
he believes very little of the Bible.
Not long ago U.S. News & World Report had an article showing
that today very few religious leaders, if any, believe in a
literal hell with fire, etc. BUT DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?
WHAT MEN THINK MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO GOD!
What Does God Say?
In Luke 16 Jesus showed us a man in hell! Four times it says he
was in torment! It says the man was tormented in "this
flame." If it wasn't a real flame why did Jesus clearly
indicate that it was? Was Jesus, the Son of God, unable to say
what he means and mean what He says? All the disciples and early
church fathers believed hell was a real place with real fire -
FOREVER! Furthermore, common sense tells you that if hell is not
real, then heaven is not real. The Word of God says the man who
died without Christ was in "this place of torment."
Speaking about heaven, and to those who believe on Him, Jesus
said, "I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:3).
You can't have it both ways; if there is no hell, there is no
heaven!
Many think that if a majority, believe or disbelieve something,
then that's the way it is. But this is
ridiculous! Men believed for centuries that the world was flat.
The Bible said it was round. Who was right? The world refused to
believe God's message of judgment in Noah's day and they
perished. Their unbelief did not change anything.
Who Will You Believe?
Will you believe a man, or will you believe God? Will you take
the word of a man or the Word of Jesus Christ? Read the Old
Testament prophets. . . the people invariably believed the false
prophets who spoke "smooth things." The true men of God
spoke of judgment but were ignored, rejected and often killed. If
Jesus didn't die to save you from hell, because of your sins, why
did He die? Was it all a mistake? Was it for nothing? HONESTLY,
ARE YOU READY TO FACE GOD THIS MOMENT? If someone said you were
very sick and you'll not see another day, could you honestly
say,"It's all right. I'm not afraid to die. There's no
judgment, there's no hell." Would you call a doctor? A
priest or preacher? You know you are a sinner. You know you must
face a holy God. He loves you and sent His Son to pay for your
sins.
Trust Christ and be saved. You say, "I'll take my
chances." God says,"IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MAN ONCE TO
DIE BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT." Without Christ you have no
chance. "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE
SAVED." Saved from what? Hell! Fire! Torment! Forever!
~The Cornerstone Challenge Roland Starr
To Topical Index of Baptist Doctrine
Somente use Bíblias traduzidas do Texto Tradicional (aquele perfeitamente preservado por Deus em ininterrupto uso por fieis): BKJ-1611 ou LTT (Bíblia Literal do Texto Tradicional, com notas para estudo) na bvloja.com.br. Ou ACF, da SBTB.