Hell Is Real

“He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

Hell is real. That’s not a typo. We often hear that “heaven is real.” That’s true! Heaven is real. But so is hell. The Bible warns us that Jesus himself will punish people with everlasting destruction.

Whom? First, “those who do not know God.” God has made his presence evident all around us. From the complexity of the earth to the enormity of the universe to the testimony to right and wrong in our consciences, there is no excuse to not know and seek God. Of course, it’s tempting to close our eyes to the evidence. To put our trust in evolution and take credit as human beings for the works that only God can do. One day, there will be everlasting destruction for those who don’t know God. Hell is real!

Second, those who “do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” It’s not enough to know that God exists. Through his Word, God calls on us to obey—to believe—in the good news of Jesus Christ. There is only one way to salvation: Faith in the Lord Jesus. It’s tempting to know about the Bible’s message but not believe in it. The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day saw Jesus face-to-face, but they didn’t believe the gospel. One day, there will be everlasting destruction for those who don’t obey the gospel of Jesus. Hell is real!

Listen to how it’s described: “They will be punished…” By God himself. “With everlasting destruction…” The torment will never end. “Shut out from the presence of the Lord...” No grace. No forgiveness. No second chance. Just everlasting destruction. Isn’t that terrifying? Hell is real!

We need to hear that. Why? So that we run to Jesus. Jesus saved us from hell. Jesus made us holy through his blood on the cross. Jesus opened heaven to us through his resurrection from the dead. When you understand that hell is real, there is nothing more important than Jesus and his salvation.

Dear Jesus, when you come again on Judgment Day, you are going to punish those who don’t believe with everlasting destruction in hell. By your grace, may I be found with faith in you. Amen.

Pastor Nathan