Are You Certain You Will Escape God’s Eternal Judgment?

 

Below is a link to an excellent sermon by Jonathan Edwards entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." He warns unbelievers about God's wrath if they do not turn to Him in true salvation. If you read it, you'll see how very different evangelism was in those days.

Contrast that to today's evangelism. One of the things that concerns me most about modern evangelism is how it unashamedly waters down the gospel to make it palatable to unbelievers. Not even pretending to be a God-centered gospel, which in times past was distinguishable by an “other-worldly” appeal, today’s gospel is completely man-centered and tailored to cater to a “worldly” mindset. And there are so many choices. Take your pick. You can choose from a myriad of different gospels today, ranging from what I call the “fast-food” version, which, as the name implies, is so bereft of nutrition (i.e., solid Biblical truths) and so abbreviated and abridged that you are left hungry and malnourished - to the feel-good version, which boosts your self-esteem, makes you feel good about yourself, and inflates your ego so much that you’re like a puffed-up balloon ready to float away. Put another way, in today’s gospel, so many essential elements are glossed over, sugar-coated, or simply left out altogether. Such a gospel that has been gutted out, rewritten, and reinterpreted is not the true gospel. It’s “another” or “different” gospel, which the Apostle Paul warned us about in the book of Galatians (Gal. 1:6-9). A book that really opened my eyes to this whole thing was Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic by Walter Chantry. Amazing book, if you ever get a chance to read it. Though it’s very short, it’s packed full of good information, especially for those who are serious about missions or evangelism. I highly recommend it.

 

Like Walter Chantry, as well as Paul Washer, John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, and others, I believe that’s why there are so many unconverted people or nominal believers in the church today – because they simply never heard the real gospel. What a terrible tragedy. That has to be one of the saddest predicaments to be in – to think you’re saved and on your way to Heaven when you’re really not. I would hate to be that person who dies, only to discover too late that he was deceived about his soul. Imagine his horror when facing Christ at His judgment seat and hearing the solemn and terrifying words, “I never knew you. Depart from Me you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23).

 

In the past, I’ve taken various evangelism courses and seminars sponsored by different organizations. Of course, in each gospel presentation, there usually was a brief explanation of the need for faith (though often not adequately defined), the cross, and the need to ask Jesus into one’s heart (which, though I understood the intent, was a rather fuzzy or vague concept for most). Unfortunately, in almost every class, the instructors neglected to discuss what I believe are the essential ingredients, which make up the heart of the gospel. Yes, I would agree wholeheartedly that faith and Christ’s atonement are absolutely critical to the gospel, without which it would be empty and futile. However, I think other important elements are also necessary when sharing the gospel.

 

If possible and given the opportunity, a thorough explanation of the whole, undiluted gospel should include these elements (at minimum): 1) GOD (summarizing who He is so we know whom we owe and whom we’re offending with our sin; 2) MAN (describing how we fell and that we’re born totally enslaved to sin so that we cannot save ourselves); 3) SIN (defining it with clear and specific examples, since this is practically unknown today in our post-Christian society, which is largely biblically illiterate, morally relativistic, and unable to discern the basics of right and wrong); 4) CHRIST (sharing that He is both God and man, virgin-born, sinless, Lord and Savior, and that He atoned for our sins on the cross so we could be forgiven, etc.); 5) GRACE (clarifying that we’re saved fully by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone and not by any human effort at all, though this does not give us a license to sin); 6) SAVING FAITH (distinguishing this from mere intellectual knowledge, a mental assent, or superficial sentimentality); 7) REPENTANCE (defining this as not simply confessing sin, which even Pharaoh did and many hardened criminals who never change, or mere outward self-reform which is short-lived, but instead true heartfelt remorse and grief over sin, acknowledging its evil, and resolving to turn away from it with God’s help); 8) SUBMITTING to CHRIST’s LORDSHIP (explaining that after counting the cost of discipleship, it is necessary to surrender our lives to Christ and submit to following His will); and yes, even 9) ETERNAL JUDGMENT (discussing the one subject that is rarely mentioned in the church today - the most serious consequence of sin – not just physical death, but even worse, spiritual death forever in hell.)

 

Yes, very few people are bold enough to speak about eternal judgment, a very unpopular subject, or even mention the word “hell” in the church today, though it is absolutely critical in the true conversion of souls. People are afraid to offend the unconverted or scare them away by discussing this topic, and yet, ironically, it is absolutely essential in salvation. Christ, His disciples, John the Baptist, and others in the Scriptures knew this and did not shy away from declaring the whole counsel of God’s Word, including God’s wrath toward impenitent sinners. In fact, Christ taught more on hell than He did on Heaven. He knew what it takes to save a sinner. Jonathan Edwards also knew this very well when he preached his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (see below) during the Great Awakening, when thousands were converted. So did many other godly men in the past, who sparked true revivals when they were emboldened to preach on this controversial topic. Though there are still a few brave souls today that dare to discuss eternal judgment and God’s wrath, there is a definite dearth in our churches, and believers, fearing man more than God, are unwilling to broach this difficult topic. Thus, millions are perishing for lack of knowledge.

 

Accordingly, I feel compelled to speak up and warn people about the serious eternal consequences of rejecting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Admittedly, I do this with some reserve, because I know I will encounter opposition for discussing this subject and probably be called unkind or unloving or even be told that I’m dishonoring God for supposedly defaming His character by discussing His wrath. But I would rather please God than man, and I would rather see souls saved than condemned to hell for eternity. Please don’t judge my motives for discussing this subject. God knows my heart. I share this out of love for God and love for others – and not to be negative, harsh, or mean. Just as I would try to warn someone if his house were on fire, so he could escape being burned to death in a physical fire, so I would warn those whose spiritual houses (i.e., their souls) are in danger, so they could escape suffering God’s eternal wrath in a far worse kind of fire – the “Lake of Fire.” You tell me – what is more loving? Not warning someone about his spiritual danger for fear of offending or angering him, or informing him about the truth concerning hell so he can not only escape from it, by God’s grace, but also spend an eternity in Heaven delighting in the infinite and immeasurable love of God and basking in the glorious beauty of His Son? Honestly, which do you think is more loving? Fellow Believers, I would encourage you to fear God more than man and to love others more than yourself. Instead of avoiding this topic out of fear of rejection (which I, too, sometimes struggle with), ask God to help you to be bold and caring enough to share the “whole” gospel with unbelievers, so that they will not have to suffer a Christless eternity without any hope.        

 

Now, if I may, let me do what I have encouraged others to do in describing what God’s eternal judgment entails and what hell is like. Getting directly to the point…

 

To any who are unbelievers, if you die impenitent or without Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will suffer forever in a terrifying place of eternal judgment called "hell." Don't be mistaken or let anyone deceive you. Hell is a very real place - not a myth. And yes, hell lasts forever! Not a million years or even a billion years - but forever (Rev. 20:10, 2 Thess. 1:9)!  Once you die and go to hell, it's permanent. Your eternal destiny is fixed and unalterable. Though God mercifully grants you many opportunities to be saved and avoid eternal judgment while you're still alive on this earth, after you die, it is too late. There are no second chances!

 

What makes hell even more horrible and terrifying is that it is a place of eternal punishment, where God, in His justice, pours out His wrath upon all unrepentant sinners. Unlike what some teach, contrary to Scripture, hell is not a mere interim state or waiting place, where souls can work off their sins. Nor is it a state of non-existence, where souls simply cease to exist after death. Hell is an inescapable prison and place of eternal torment reserved for God's enemies - not only the devil and his angels, but all who die without Christ, who while they lived: 1) repeatedly rebelled against God's authority and would not submit to Him; 2) readily received His gifts (e.g., life, food, clothing, home, security, health, love of family/friends, earthly pleasures, etc.), yet showed no gratitude; 3) despised His patience and kindness; 4) denied His truth and refused to obey His law; and 5) worst of all, trampled upon His grace by rejecting His beloved Son Jesus Christ. Deserving of God's just condemnation, these unbelievers who rebelled against God and rejected His mercy, will receive His full vengeance and wrath for their sins.

 

And what is God's wrath like? Scripture describes it as a consuming fire that cannot be quenched (Matt. 3:12; Heb. 12:29).  Repeatedly, the Bible depicts hell as a place of unquenchable or unceasing fire. We're told that anyone not found in the book of life on the Day of Judgment will be "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15). Those who go to hell will suffer there by being "tormented with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 14:10). And in the book of Revelation, we're told that all of God's enemies will "have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8). Jesus provided an even clearer picture of God's wrath through his repeated warnings concerning hell. He said it would be far better to be disabled or lose a part of your body (e.g., arm, foot, eye) than to be "cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched: where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:45-46). He described hell as a "furnace of fire," where there is "wailing and gnashing of teeth" and where sinners are "punished with everlasting destruction" (Matt. 13:42; 2 Thess. 1:9). Interestingly, (as I mentioned) Jesus spoke more of hell than He did of Heaven. Could He have done this to emphasize the extreme horrors of hell so that His listeners (including us) would be warned and avoid it at all costs?

 

It's difficult to imagine just how terrible and frightening hell is. But if even demons, who are powerful, supernatural beings, tremble at the thought of suffering forever in hell, how much more should mere mortals fear? The Bible describes hell as a place of extreme torture, anguish, terror, darkness, isolation, and endless pain. The misery and agony suffered in hell is extreme - so extreme that it is absolutely unbearable and beyond description. Hell is like your worst nightmare come true, but with this main difference - you can never wake up out of it. Even if you were locked up in the darkest dungeon on earth in total seclusion, suffering under the worst kind of torture, or you were experiencing excruciating pain while dying from some terminal illness, this would still not compare to hell.  And even if you could multiply that experience by a billion times, it would still not come close to what you would suffer in hell. This is a very sobering thought!

 

What makes hell even worse is that there are absolutely no breaks, but there is just continual, non-stop suffering. Souls in hell are tormented "day and night for ever and ever" (Rev. 20:10).  And "the smoke of their torment ascend up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night..." (Rev. 14:11; emphasis added). At least on earth, there are seasons of rest and some degree of comfort and relief given to those who suffer, even under the most dire circumstances and intolerable pain. But in hell, there is never any rest or peace. Since those in hell are forever separated from God, they no longer receive the benefits of His common grace that they once enjoyed on earth and took for granted. While they still lived, they experienced God's goodness and mercy shown to all His creatures (e.g., life, food, water, shelter, health, protection, sunlight, love of family and friends, earthly comforts and pleasures, etc.). But in hell there is a total absence of God's kindness and love. Thus, they do not experience any amount of mercy, comfort, or relief there. There is no one to commiserate with them in their pain. And there is no one to rescue them. Truly, hell is a place of utter hopelessness.  What makes hell even more hopeless is that there is no way of escape. Once you are condemned to hell, there is no way out! Let this terrifying reality sink in. Hell lasts forever!

 

Knowing this, it is a great mercy of God that He repeatedly warns us to turn away from our sin and turn toward Him, so that we may escape eternal punishment in hell. He sends messengers to warn us of the wrath and judgment to come, if only we will listen and heed His warning. God is so merciful and unwilling to see us suffer that He even pleads with us to repent of our sins, as a loving father would plead with his son to stop heading down the path of destruction. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions; so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions, which you have committed; and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit: for why should you die...?" (Ez. 18:30-31). Thus, those who repeatedly reject God's merciful appeals by refusing to bow the knee to Christ and accept His offer of grace only evidence their just condemnation when they suffer the eternal consequences of their own sinful choices. They cannot blame God and accuse Him of injustice or lack of mercy, since He gives them plenty of opportunities to repent of their sins and avoid eternal judgment.

 

Far from desiring the punishment of the wicked, God is very merciful and does not wish to see anyone suffer or perish. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ez. 33:11). God does not willingly punish sinners. "For He does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men" (Lam. 3:33). In understanding this, it's helpful to remember that God, who is perfectly balanced in all His attributes, is both just and merciful. Though God is holy and just and therefore must punish sin, He is also a loving and merciful Savior that rejoices over every sinner that repents (Matt. 18:13-14; Luke 15:7, 10). In fact, God desires that all would be saved (though paradoxically, He knows this will not happen) (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Scripture tells us that God "is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Because God is so merciful and would rather save than condemn us, He does not leave us hopeless, but offers us a way of escape from the eternal punishment we deserve. What is that one way of escape? JESUS CHRIST – specifically, by grace through faith in Christ alone in true repentance and total surrender to His will.

 

Thus, seriously consider what you will do. God places two paths before you. You can either choose to follow the path that leads to life or the path that leads to death. There are no other choices. One path leads to eternal joy, glory, and peace. The other path leads to eternal misery, shame, and fear. Once you have chosen the path you will take and you die, there is no turning back. Your eternal destiny has been fixed. Thus, it is critical that you make the right choice while you still can, since your eternal soul is at stake. What could have a higher priority or be more important than that? Don't make the mistake of delaying until it's too late and then regret it for the rest of eternity while you're suffering in hell. Abandon any thought that you'll get serious about your soul at some later point or when it's more convenient. Get right with God now. You may never get another opportunity. Therefore, cast aside all indifference, pride, unbelief, prejudice, or whatever else may be hindering you from coming to Christ in total surrender and submission to His will. Stop the excuses. Be honest with yourself and admit that the real reason you've delayed is that you love this present world and your sin too much to give them up. Beg God to deliver you from this spiritual bondage and open your eyes. Pour out your heart before Him in humble contrition and repentance. Don't continue down the path that will lead to your ultimate death and destruction.  Why must you perish? Please, for your own sake, don't ignore this final plea to get right with God. I urge you, choose your path wisely. Choose LIFE!

 

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live: that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him: for He is your life, and the length of your days..." (Deut. 30:19-20).

 

Which path will you choose?

 

 

https://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.sinners.html