Over the years that I pastored a church one of the questions that came up repeatedly was:
Is hell real? What is Hell really? So today, let us take a look in the Bible and see what the Bible tells us about hell.

The Bible describes hell as:
A lake of fire……………………………………Revelation 20:15
A bottomless pit………………………….. ……Revelation 20:1
A horrible tempest……………………….. ……Psalm 11:6
A devouring fire………………………………..Isaiah 33:14
A place of sorrows……………………………..Psalm 18:5
A place of weeping……………………………..Matthew 8:12
A place of wailing ………………………. …….Matthew 13:42
A place of torments……………………………..Luke 16:23
A furnace of fire…………………………. …….Matthew 13:41 -42
A place of everlasting burnings…………. …….Isaiah 33:14
A place of everlasting destruction………. …….2 Thessalonians 1:9
A place where they curse God………………….Revelation 16:11
A place of outer darkness………………………Matthew 8:12
A place where people pray………………. ……Luke 16:27
A place where they gnash their teeth……. ……Matthew 13:42
A place where they cry for mercy…………….. Luke 16:24
A place of everlasting punishment………. ……Matthew 25:46
A place of everlasting fire……………….. ……Matthew 18:8-9
A place of separation from God………… ……2. Thessalonians 1:9
A place of unquenchable fire…………………..Matthew 3:12
A place of eternal damnation…………………..Mark 3:29
A place where they gnaw their tongues………..Revelation 16:10
A place of fire, brimstone and torment…………Revelation 20:10
A place prepared for the devil and is angels……Matthew 25:41
A place where they cry for one drop of water….Luke 16:24
A place where they will be tormented with fire and brimstone….Luke 16:24
A place where they will drink the wine of the wrath of God……Revelation 14:10
A place where their worm diet not, and the fire if not quenched…Make 9:48
A place where they do not want their loved ones to come……….Luke 16:28
A lake of fire burning with brimstone……………………………Revelation 19:20
A place of darkness………………………………………………Jude 1:13

Revelation 21:9 says……But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Many people used to tell me that when they go to hell that there will be a big party awaiting them. They willparty with their friends. You do know that there is not one Bible verse to substantiate that idea!!!!!! Unfortunately, these Bible verses paint a vivid and sobering picture of hell as a place of torment, darkness separation, destruction and eternal punishment.  Your choice, choose wisely!

My question to each of you reading this: Is this where you want to spend eternity?

If you want to escape or avoid this place of torment, then take a moment today and confess your sins to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you, tell HIM that you believe that HE is the Risen Savior and the ONLY way to GOD and receive HIM as your Savior!   It is the most important decision you will ever make and it will have ETERNAL BENEFITS!

•  - Two questions we often here are, "​If I die today will I go to Heaven?" and "What do I need to do to go to heaven?".

In this day and age, each of us seems to have our own belief system.  Things we may have learned at home or things we may have learned as we grew older and started asking questions and did some reading.  Most religions of the world have some form of belief system of what happens when we die:

• Islam- Muslims believe that after our physical death on Earth, our soul lives on and goes to the Angel of Death to wait for Judgment Day. The Qur’an teaches that on the day of judgment, the righteous will go to J (Paradise) and the sinners will go to Jahannam (Hell).
• Judaism - Judaism is ambiguous about what happens when we die. While Jews tend to focus more on their life on Earth, most Jewish people believe in an afterlife, and it can come in many forms. Some Jews believe in reincarnation, while others believe in the World to Come, which is similar to Heaven. They also believe that their lives are put on a scale and the “good” should out weigh the bad things.

Similar to Muslims and Christians, Jews also recite a special confession prayer for someone who is                dying. They also wash and cleanse the body to prepare for burial. After the burial, close relatives may            observe Shiva, a period of seven days of mourning, in the deceased’s home.

• Buddhism - Buddhists believe that when they die, they are reincarnated into another body. After death and before rebirth, each person passes through the state called Bardo, which can be a time of great insight and liberation. For Buddhists, the ultimate goal is to break out of the cycle of reincarnation by attaining Nirvana, which is an end to suffering. In order to reach such a state of enlightenment, Buddhists believe they must meditate and purify their minds. 

Since Buddhists believe that death is the beginning of a new reincarnated life, end-of-life rituals can be an important way to send off the person to the next realm. The patient may refuse pain medication in order to remain mindful of the death process, and family and friends may chant to calm the patient’s mind.

• Hinduism - Hindus share similar beliefs with Buddhists when it comes to death and the afterlife. They also believe in reincarnation, and believe that they can be reborn not only into humans, but also into animals, plants, or even insects. 

A Hindu may wish to die at home surrounded by family and friends as they sing their hymns, pray, read  verses or chant. These rituals are meant to keep the patient’s focus on Brahman, or the “Supreme Spirit.” After death, a Hindu’s body will be cremated, and the ashes may be scattered in the sea to transport them to the next life. 

• Atheism - Those who do not have a belief system or do not believe in the afterlife may have a number of different views about death and dying.  Unfortunately, an atheist believes that they have no religious belief but atheism is a religion in the true sense of the definition of religion.  Atheism is a religious worldview.  Their assurance is rooted in faith rather than in proven facts.  Atheists claim to know something fundamental about reality that has not been or cannot be proven.  People like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens are leaders in this belief system.
• Christianity - Most Christians believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the existence of an afterlife. Most believe that the decision to be what is referred to as that  “Born-Again” experience in which we accept Jesus as the Savior of the World, the Messiah, who was God and Man and who died for man’s sin at the Cross at Calvary, that is what determines whether we go to Heaven or Hell. 

 
So where are you, and what do you believe?
 
Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives, concerning eternal life?  WE SOMETIMES FORGET THAT WE ARE ALL TERMINAL.   What is all this that I hear from my Christian friends about salvation.? Getting saved from going to hell when we die, what is this gift from God, this eternal life in heaven?  What does this mean to be born-again

A B C’S OF GETTING SAVED AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN

This is what you do to get saved from hell and have eternal life in heaven

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (Oh Jesus is telling him that Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit). You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again” (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. This New Birth makes us new creations. Being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?"  The problem goes all the way back to Genesis 3 when man sinned in the Garden of Eden and from then on we were born with a sin nature.  Yes, even the best of us, we are all separated from God from sin.
 
The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1:   "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV).
To the Romans he wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Sinners are spiritually “dead”; and when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again, have their sins forgiven and can have a relationship with God.
 
So what do I have to do? It's really as simple as "A, B, C":

ADMIT THAT YOU’RE A SINNER. Most people do not want to believe that they are sinners.  We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others.  We think we are good but this is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against the righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and rejuvenates us from the inside out.
 
BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS ON THE CROSS, WAS BURIED, AND THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said he was-the Son of God.
 
CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who He said He was. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

I am including a simple prayer but this is only a thought or an example.  You do not have to pray this exact prayer to be saved - you only need to Admit, Believe and Call upon the name of the Lord.
Simple prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
 
  
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states,   "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
 
When one is saved, he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth and a new creation. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the Cross, is the means to be "born again." "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Getting saved requires only faith in the Cross and what Jesus did for each one of us on that cross.  He took our sins and all we need to do is have faith, to trust in God, to believe that Jesus died for all our sins.
 
We forget that God loves us and has a plan for each of our lives. But we have been separated from God because of our sin.  God sent His Son to die for our sins.  In today’s English we would say He took the bullet for us. Yes, I know there are many who think we aren’t so bad but the Bible says that people are sinful and they have been separated from a Holy, Pure God.  So in love God sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins and in this way we could have a relationship with God and when we die we will be with Him forever and ever.
 
Well, are there any other ways to God? No!   The Bible tells us that accepting Jesus in faith is the only way to God.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6)

We can’t earn salvation; we can’t buy salvation, but we are saved by God’s grace when we have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness.

Once you have done this, then turn from your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What matters to Him is the honest attitude of your heart.

If you have ever asked yourself "where will I spend eternity", take that step of faith today and determine your eternal destination.   Don't put off your eternal reservation even one day longer.   Remember ETERNITY IS A REALLY LONG TIME, so be sure you know where you are spending it!

Did you know that God has made A BAG FOR OUR SINS?
Job 14:17 says. “My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my iniquity.”  In ancient times, when men died at sea, their bodies were placed in a weighted bag which was sewn together and sealed.  Then they were cast into the depths of the sea.  If we ask God to forgive us of our sins that is what God will do with our sins.  They are cast into the depths of the sea. When Christ died, by His one sacrifice for our sins,  He put away all our sins. They are buried in the sea of God's infinite forgiveness, never to be
brought up again.  Our sins can be erased, only by Faith in the shed blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13-28)
 
Did you know that God has written A BOOK FOR OUR NAMES? 
If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, the Bible tells us that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of life!   You will find that throughout scripture.  (See: Psalm 139:16, Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 13:8 and 17:8)  The fact that our names are written in that Book means that our salvation is a matter of absolute certainty.  When God says "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven,"   He is telling us that we have nothing to fear.  All is well for those whose names are written in heaven.  This tells us that the only way one’s name can be placed in the Book of Life is by the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior, and what He did for us at the Cross.  This is referred to as a Foundational Doctrine and it means that every Doctrine from the Bible must be built on the foundation of the Cross of Jesus Christ otherwise it is false, fake, counterfeit and a hoax.  Are you getting the message?
 
Did you know that God also keeps A BOTTLE FOR OUR TEARS? 
Psalm 56:8-9 states: "You tell all my wanderings: Put You my tears into Your bottle: are they not in Your book?...when I cry  unto You, then shall my enemies turn back: This I know; for God is for me.” It was customary at ancient Egyptian funerals for mourners to have a small cloth or sponge to wipe away their tears.   Then, they were squeezed into a small vial, a tear bottle, and placed in the tomb with the dead,
symbolizing the care the mourners had for one who had died.  Even so, our God, our heavenly Father, our Almighty Savior, our Holy Comforter tenderly cares for us.  In all our afflictions He is afflicted.  We are the very apple of his eye.  In these verses we are being told that despite David’s wanderings and his attempts to escape from King Saul, God knew at all times exactly where he was.  When the Believer sets out to do the will of God for his life, Satan will do all he can to oppose those efforts.  Remember the Lord allows Satan a certain latitude so that we may learn to have Faith and to place our trust exclusively in the Word of God.  We have to be reminded that Satan is a liar, a loser but he is limited by God.
 
There is a saying:
               Oppressors stand above us, adversaries stand against us but comforters stand beside us.  
No matter how old we are, we all want to be comforted.   In the Bible,  God is our ultimate comforter, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  God takes great care to comfort His people in their trials and sorrows in this world.  Could anything be more comforting in this world of sin, sorrow and death?  Our God has put our sins in a bag and buried them.  Our names are written in the Book of Life so we can rejoice in that.  And our tears He has put into a bottle to show His tender care for us.  For those of us who have been Believers for many years and have read the Word of God; we know that God is absolutely true to His Word.  If He says it is going to happen….it will happen. 
 
Do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? 
Maybe you are asking, "Who is the Lamb"?        
Jesus is the Lamb!  
So I ask, is your name in His Book or not? 
Remember you won’t get to spend eternity in Heaven unless it is recorded there. 
Sometimes, we forget that we are ALL terminal and one day, when death comes knocking at your door you need to know where you will spend eternity.  Will you spend eternity in heaven or hell?  
What is your eternal destiny? 
Remember life comes from Jesus not from what the world has to offer.  This world offers no eternal rewards only heartaches, pain and sorrows. 
Only Jesus offers eternal rewards. 
 
It is your move. 
It is always your choice. 
Choose wisely!