Hell - Heaven's Alternative!
There are two possible destinations after we die; Heaven and Hell. Each is as real and eternal as the other. Heaven is not our default destination. No one goes to Heaven automatically. Unless our sin problem is resolved, our default destination is Hell. We must choose to accept Christ's gift of eternal life to BE THEREin Heaven.
The reality of Hell should cause us to seek Christ ourselves and then to warn others. Yet many believers and Churches deny or ignore the clear teachings of Scripture about Hell. Satan has obvious motives for fueling denial of eternal punishment. He wants Christians to be unmotivated to share Christ and he deceives unbelievers to reject Christ without fear.
Jesus had a lot to say about Hell. He describes it more than anyone else in the Bible. In His story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus teaches that Hell is a place of suffering, torment and eternal punishment.
When we understand Hell, we will never say or want to hear "Go to Hell!". It is far too easy to go to Hell. Hell requires no change or choice on our part. Hell did require Christ to pay the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so that we can avoid going there. The price has been paid for us to receive forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven. But this gift isn't ours until we choose to receive it. To make it your own, you must make a conscious decision to receive it. Believe and receive Jesus and you will BE THERE in Heaven.
