Verify Podcast

As I put together today’s episode, I remembered how, many years ago, I was going out with a group to talk to people in the neighbourhood about Christ. The leader of our group asked us specifically, not to mention anything about hell or judgement, as we approached people to preach to them, so as not to make them uncomfortable and you know, jeopardize our mission. He asked us to just invite them to church. But then, I noticed that even in church, one could go years and years, without hearing anything related to eternal judgement. Now I’m sure you’re wondering, well who cares? The topic of hell is not a particularly cheery one anyway! And yes, I agree.

But not talking about it is problematic on at least two levels. Firstly because, at every church service, there is a mixed multitude, consisting of many who do not know Christ, and are headed for hell, by default. And secondly, there are people who now teach that Jesus is too loving to condemn anyone to hell for eternity, and that all of mankind will somehow be saved in the end, whether or not they rejected Christ in their lifetimes. This teaching is called Universalism, and interestingly, those who preach it try to use the bible to prove it, taking scripture in isolation and out of context, in an attempt to force it to mean what they want. For example, Universalists use as one of their proof texts, 1Tim2:4, which says that it is God’s desire for all men to be saved. They emphasize the words ALL MEN, as proof that all will be saved, yet totally ignore the numerous portions of scripture that declare that all who reject Jesus, enter into eternal damnation.

The scary part though, is that many are believing this narration that both those who reject Christ and those who accept Him will be in heaven in the end; many who sit in churches where little or no mention is made about this.

Jesus took a different approach to this topic. He talked often about hell and judgement. Remember the parable of separating the chaff from wheat? (Mat 3:12 and Mat 13:30), separating the goats from sheep? (Mat 25:31-46), and separating the bad fish from the good ones (Mat 13:47-50). Jesus thought it was important to repeatedly mention the eternal consequences of rejecting His message. In fact, theologians say that He talked about hell and judgement, more than anyone else in the bible. He wasn’t worried that his teachings about hell would scare people away from believing in Him.

Jesus spoke of hell, but He also spoke of the Kingdom of heaven and if we believe his words about heaven, then we certainly should believe his words about hell. If universalism is true, then it means Jesus sacrifice on the cross was of no use. It means in His many sermons and parables on eternal condemnation, He lied or exaggerated; and as it is said in Rom 3:4, let God alone be true though every man be a liar.

It is my prayer that God will give Christian leaders, the sincerity and boldness to preach the whole counsel of God. May God grant us understanding on Christ’s teachings about eternal judgement, so that they never fill us with fear, but only the joy of what we have been saved from, if we are in Him. For all the precious souls who have bought into the lie that a life without Christ will still somehow lead to paradise, may God’s word bring light and deliverance to them, in Jesus name I pray, amen.