Lesson 25: Objections to the Existence of Hell, part 2

The fourth objection to hell is this: "Why does God not just reform people?"

Yes, this may sound logical, but it totally misses the point. You see, the Bible teaches that God tries to reform people. It is just that the time for this reformation is right now. If you do not want to experience God's forgiveness and if you do not want to experience His personal reformation right now in this life, then God will honor your decision. That is why, in reality, people send themselves to hell!

The fifth objection to hell is this: "Is not eternal damnation overkill?”

I have to admit that this seems to make sense, at least from our point of view. But think about it from God's point of view:

Here stands God on the day of creation. He looks at the stars and He says, “All you stars, move yourself to this place, and start in this order and move in a circle, and move exactly as I tell you until I give you another word.” And they all obey Him.

“Planets, pick yourself up and whirl, make this formation at My command until I give you another word.”

He looks at mountains, and He says, “Be lifted up" and they obey Him. He tells valleys, “Be cast down” and they obey Him.

He looks at the sea and says, “You will come this far” and the sea obeys. And then He looks at you and says, “Come” and you say, “No!”

This is why hell is not overkill. Do you have any idea how wicked our rebellion against God is? Everything in the world obeys Him except us. Who do we think we are? Hell is not overkill; it has to exist just as long as a Righteous God exists. Why? Because only eternal punishment can suffice for sins against an Eternal God. Without eternal separation there could be no heaven. Why? Because evil cannot exist in heaven or it would cease to be heaven!


The sixth objection to hell is that hell has no redeeming value.

An awful punishment fits the nature of an awe-inspiring God. Those who, by choice, refuse to give God glory in this life will be forced to give Him glory in the afterlife via torment. God is Holy, and all of us have committed unholy sins against Him; therefore, hell satisfies the justice of God for sins committed against the Holiness of God. That is how great and fearful a standard His Holiness is. Furthermore, the Bible is clear. Hell's primary, original purpose or "value" if you will, was not for people. It was for the devil and his demons.

Matthew 25:41 - “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’"

Even though hell was created for the devil and his demons, there is no discrimination. If you do not want to receive God's gracious offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, then to hell you will go. You will get the same punishment as the demons!

* What makes you certain today that you will be in heaven with Jesus when this earthly life for you is done?