Is Hell Real? What Jesus Said About Hell

The short answer: Yes. Jesus taught that hell is real, and He warned people about it plainly because He did not want them to go there. Hell is eternity separated from God. Jesus also made the way to escape it.

Did Jesus really talk about hell?

Yes, often. Our October 25 sermon made the point that Jesus preached more on hell than He did on heaven, because He wanted people to be aware of it. In Luke 16, Jesus described a man in torment after death:

"And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." (Luke 16:24)

Why would a loving God warn people about hell?

Because a warning is an act of love. The sermon gave an example every parent understands. When a small child keeps reaching for a light socket, a good parent will smack that little hand, again and again if needed. Why? Because the other option is to let the child get hurt. As the preacher said of his own child, "My child never got electrocuted."

Jesus' warnings about hell work the same way. He warned because He cares.

What is hell like?

The Bible describes it as a place of flame and torment (Luke 16:24). The sermon described it as "eternity separated from God," "eternity in the fires of hell," and "eternity in outer darkness."

"I don't want anybody to go to hell. I don't want my worst enemy to go to hell."

How can someone escape hell?

Through faith in Jesus Christ. Sin has to be paid for, and Jesus paid that payment on the cross. "He went down into hell and he took my hell for me," the sermon said, "and he took your hell for you."

Jesus promised, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

Someone is standing ready to pay for your sin for you. The question is whether you will accept it.