“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” ~Jesus Matthew 25:41
Jesus made this statement, which infers that hell was originally created as a place of judgment specifically for the devil and the angels who rebelled against Him. The key phrase is unmistakable: the everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels.
The Bible affirms that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather, longs for their repentance:
“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” Ezekiel 33:11
Hell is described throughout the Bible as eternal separation from God. This includes separation from every good thing that flows from His presence. It means being cut off forever from the source of all love, joy, peace, beauty, relationship, goodness, and life itself. It’s everything we truly enjoy and long for. Every moment of happiness, every meaningful connection, every glimpse of beauty in this world is a gift from God. In hell, this fountain is absent entirely, leaving only the torment of isolation from God, who is the source of all that is good and the good itself.
We were not created for hell; rather, it only becomes our destiny if we reject God’s offer of salvation. To reject the precious gift Jesus died to give us is to align ourselves with the rebellion of Satan. There is no greater tragedy than for a human to reject salvation.
The reality is we only get this life to be born again.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this is the judgement.” Hebrews 9:27
This reality magnifies the urgency and beauty of the Gospel. Jesus spoke often and plainly about hell, not to terrify us, but to call us urgently to repentance and faith. He died so no one would have to go there. The words of Jesus capture His longing and provision:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18
Salvation is entirely by grace through faith. It is not earned by good works, religious rituals, or personal merit because none of us could ever measure up to God’s perfect holiness on our own. Instead, it is a free gift received through trusting in Jesus Christ alone!
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
God’s grace is His unearned favor. Faith is a supernatural gift which enables us to trust in Christ fully for salvation. When we acknowledge our state as hopeless sinners and believe that Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, and resurrection are sufficient to pay for our sins and reconcile us to God—we are born again. We are forgiven, adopted into God’s family, and given everlasting life in His presence—filled with every good thing He has prepared.
The Gospel stands as irrefutable proof that God went to the greatest lengths imaginable to spare humanity from hell. Hell reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. God offers us His perfect righteousness. This truth should stir awe in us!
If you have not already done so—choose eternal life in Christ by grace through faith!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the clear truth that You created me in love for fellowship with You. I stand in awe that You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desire that all would turn from their evil ways and live. Help me have a burden to see other lost souls saved and spared from the terrors of everlasting separation. May the fruit of Your Spirit flow through me freely and be a light to others so I can have an open door to share the Gospel. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
