The reality of hell - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Matthew 25:41; 23:33; 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

The reality of hell
You may think this hardly a pleasant subject, and you would be right! But the object of this calendar is not to present a choice of soothing texts, but God's complete message to mankind. The word "hell" appears frequently in the Bible; so we cannot simply pass over it. We deal with the subject in the light of the Word of God with the wish that no reader should have to feel hell's torments. (cf. Proverbs 14:25).

We often hear the expression: "It was hell!" to describe a particularly troublesome moment of daily life. But hell is a much more frightening reality than the worst difficulties we can imagine. It is a definite, future and eternal reality.

Jesus used several different images to speak about it, e.g. "outer darkness" and "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:30.41). They express the terror and combine extreme suffering with separation from God. It is the place of eternal punishment, the destination to which one day all human or angelic creatures will be cast, who have despised God and wished to live without Him.

This should make us reflect and not despair, for hell was prepared for Satan and his angels. Only those who during their life have scoffed at the grace that God offers will be sent there. God has another plan for each one of us. He gave His Son Jesus to deliver for ever those who believe in Him.

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today's reading: Genesis 49:1-18 · Psalms 35:11-18