Jesus and the Fact of Hell

Matt. 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

How can it be that Jesus Christ, who taught so strongly the importance of love and forgiveness, could speak such words as these above??? Actually, Jesus had more to say about Hell and eternal punishment than any other speaker or writer in the Bible. Since He is the Creator (Col. 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:), the coming Judge (John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:), and the only man who has died and risen permanently from the dead (2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.), we would do well to believe and heed His warnings. He knows whereof He speaks!!!

Listen to these prophecies, for example:

Matt. 13:49-50 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 9:47-48 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

There are other such warnings from Jesus Christ, but how can we reconcile such threats of everlasting doom with His own nature of love???

The fact is, however, that Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for people. The devil has been a rebel against God since the beginning, wanting to be as God. When people follow the devil in the same rebellious path, rejecting God's Word and Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for their sin, they are showing they would be more comfortable with Satan than with Christ in eternity. They love sin and self more than the Saviour!!! Therefore Christ, because of His great love, has repeatedly warned them of what is coming, and so should we. God's Word is a record of God and His dealings with mankind. It shows man how he can know and fellowship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It also shows how we, as Christians, should share the truth of the Gospel with a lost and dying world each and every day of our lives.

Jude 22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.