REIGN IN HELL
by Alan Yusko
I've often heard a really mindless saying. Here it is: "I'd rather reign in hell than serve like a slave in heaven". This type of saying comes from a really ignorant person who has no concept of God, salvation, heaven, or hell. Let me make a few points:
Hell is a burning lake of fire
"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:15)
"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast [them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." (Matthew 18:8,9)
Hell will not be some kind of fun place. Picture, if you will, a burning lake of fire. People will literally be cast into that lake of fire to burn for all eternity. They will not be consumed by the flames. They will just burn! It certainly does not seem like there will be people 'reigning' in hell, doesn't it?
Hell is a place of sorrows, despair, weeping and gnashing of teeth
"The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me." (Psalms 18:5)
"But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)
"And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:42)
"Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 22:13)
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:30)
"And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:51)
Now, after reading the above, does hell sound like a happy place where people will be reigning with the devil?
Hell is a place of eternal torments
"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." (Luke 16:23)
"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Revelation 14:11)
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:10)
The above verses indicate to me, that hell is a place of great pain and hurt. It is a terrible place to go. Why would anyone in their right mind reject heaven and say: "I'd rather go to hell to be with my friends"? It is really a stupid thought from a lost person who has no concept of eternal things.
There are worms in hell
I don't know exactly what this means, but here is a guess and a possibility. We've already covered the fact that there will be extreme torment and pain in hell. A person will not be burned up or consumed in the flame. Instead they will have bodies that will just suffer in the flames of hell. Another thing to picture in your mind is this. Remember the lake of fire you pictured in your mind. Now picture, if you will, some kind of worm that does not die and can live in that lake of fire. This worm feeds on the bodies of those who are burning in hell. Not only will a person be burning in the flames being in extreme torment, but they will also have worms eating their body. It sounds very dirty and painful to me. Read the following verses.
Mark 9
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Well that is quite a description of hell isn't it. Hell certainly is a place to be avoided at all costs. I do not see anyone reigning in hell. I see no fellowship between the lost in hell. Instead I just see extreme pain and loneliness.
Conclusion
Lets say person came down with a terrible disease...cancer. That person is dying and doesn't have a long time to live. He becomes very depressed and has no hope. Then un expectantly due to a scientific breakthrough a cure is found for his sickness. All this person needs to do is to take some medicine and he will be cured from that disease. However he doesn't want that medicine...he is angry that he got the disease in the first place.
Is the person above being intelligent? Is he dumb for rejecting the medicine that will cure him? I think most people would say a definite YES!
However that person is YOU if right now you do not have the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. You see everyone has a terminal disease. That disease is called SIN. If left unchecked that disease will result in the second death which is separation from God and an eternity in hell. There is a cure however. You see the Lord Jesus (who is God in human flesh) became man and died on the cross and purchased a place in heaven for all who will reach out in repentance and faith to receive that gift of salvation. You see the cure for sin is the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.
You have a decision to make. Are you going to be like that cancer patient who rejected the cure? Are you going to reject the Lord Jesus and His shed blood which will wash away your sin?
You see, your sins must be paid for. Either you pay for them yourself - forever in hell, OR you allow the Saviour (the Lord Jesus) to pay for them for you. That is salvation. God does not send anyone to hell. People go there by choice by choosing to reject the Lord Jesus and choosing to pay for their own sins in hell.
That is a big decision and an eternal one. Everyone will spend their eternity in either heaven or hell. Which will it be for you????????? Will you pay for your sins yourself? Or will you allow the Saviour to pay for them for you?
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
The Lord Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved, there is no other way. When a person dies they are either SAVED or LOST!
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
SO.... What is your decision????
Will you spend your eternity with God in heaven... or will you decide to pay for your sins yourself and perish in hell for all eternity? Make the decision today because tomorrow may be too late!!!!!
Look up and rejoice because the Lord Jesus is coming back soon! You don't have much time left to decide!
If you want, Jesus is ready to save you right now! Just pray the below prayer and mean it with all your heart!
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I ask You to come into my life to forgive and save me. I now receive You as my Saviour (trusting in You ALONE to save me) and my Lord (making You my Master and committing my life to You). Please come into my life to forgive and save me. I give you my life
and ask you to make me into the kind of person YOU want me to be. Amen.
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