Is HELL Real?
Could Hell's Fire be Symbolic?
Imagine for a moment that hell's "fire" hell is just symbolic. If that were true, then understand this. A symbol is "symbolic" of something that is real. So suffering eternal conscious torment in a lake of fire at the very least, points to eternal suffering. Suffering that is real and suffering that is never quenched.
The Bible says that hell is a place of eternal suffering. It says that for the wicked, life after death in hell is one of “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23–24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place of “burning sulfur” where “the smoke of . . . torment will rise forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10–11), and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
Whatever the "fire" of hell turns out to be, it is a real place, of eternal suffering for those who at the final judgement, are not good enough for heaven. .
Not sure that in the life after death you'll go to heaven?
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But its not fair!
Maybe you think God is unjust in creating such a terrible punishment for sinners. And it is terrible. Maybe you think that you deserve less for just a few lies and the occasional cheating, and lusting and greed and spiteful anger, and ignoring God and what he has done for you all your life. If you do, you are probably like a majority of people on the planet.
But please, take a moment to consider these 4 things.
1. As sinners who have broken God's moral laws and offended him, we are in no position to tell a Holy God how to punish sin!
2. Despite our sin and rebellion against our creator, God himself has paid the debt for all sin by the death of Jesus (God in the flesh) on a cross. If anything is unfair, that's unfair. We did the crime but God paid the fine!
3. Hell is a choice! Your sins have been paid for, if you choose to ignore such a great gift from God (there is no greater gift) then you have chosen to go to hell. You have no one to blame but yourself. Why would you want to turn down such amazing love.
4. If you would humble yourself, repent (change your attitude to the things God calls sin, and therefore you behaviour) and believe the good news (put your trust in Jesus who died for your sin) then not only will God save you from hell, the day you die, he will welcome you into heaven to share the glory and pleasures of heaven forever.
How can this be said to be unfair? God loves you. More than you really know. He went to extreme lengths to save your from the just penalty for your sin. So, ultimately, Hell is a choice. Hell is your choice. So is heaven. What will you choose?
