HER FAITH INSPIRES 033 : Is hell real and why did God create it?

 

Season: 3 Episode: 033

Summary:

No one likes to talk about Satan and hell, but let’s get real; they exist! There’s no need to fear when we discuss hell because as long as there is breath in your lungs, the good news of the gospel saves us from death, hell and the grave. In today’s episode, Shanda discusses why God created hell and the description of it.

 

Quotables:

“If any pastor tells you hell isn’t real, run. That pastor is preaching false doctrine.”

“The tree in the middle of the garden shows God gave mankind freewill.”

“If God did not put the tree in the middle of the garden, Adam and Eve would not have had a choice.”

“You can’t have goodness without God.”

“If you are a born-again believer, you do not have to fear hell.”

“Mankinds standard of good will never equate God’s standard of good. He is good. He alone is the standard of good.”

 

 

Recommended Resources:

Blog: 3 Ways to Spot a Wolf in the Church

Website: shandafulbright.com

Instagram and Facebook: @shandafulbright

Email: hello@shandafulbright.com

Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2584147064952378/?ref=group_browse 

Free Resources: https://www.shandafulbright.com/lihks

YouTube: Shanda Fulbright

 

Script:

Welcome back everybody, you are listening to episode 33, Is hell real and why did God create it? Before we get into today’s episode, I want to read a review from a guest I had on the podcast, Simi John. She says, “I love how Shanda covers relevant and important topics and always uses Scripture to teach and encourage the listener!”

I’ve mentioned before that I don’t get paid for what I do, so I want to thank those of you who leave reviews and ratings on iTunes because it helps get the podcast out. If you have time today, please drop down and leave a star rating, and even better, a review. I would appreciate it so much! 

Now, to get into today’s show ….

This one is a topic that I am eager to cover. I also have another episode coming up next week that talks about high profile Christians now renouncing the faith, and this is a question that came up with one of them.

Let me first say this … if you struggle with hell because it scares you or you don’t understand why a good God would create a place as bad as what hell is … I hope that by the time you walk away from this episode you will be encouraged. 

My goal today is not to leave you fearful but that you will fear the Lord and believe that what He says in His word is true and will come to pass.

So, please do not skip to another episode because you’re afraid you may have nightmares tonight. You won’t. I am going to tell you why you should not fear the devil and why you should not be afraid of hell. 

A lot of people want to skirt around the topic of hell, the devil, and evil because it scares them. I understand but we must not do that. God doesn’t want us to be ignorant of these things and to be honest with you, hell and the devil are the elementary principles of Christianity. 

They really are the basics and we shouldn’t get hung up on them where we can’t move past them … again, stay tuned for my episode next week on why this is a reason some are renouncing the faith. 

As we talk about hell today, we are going to look at several things: 

1. Is hell real? 
2. Why did God create hell? 
3. What is hell like? 
4. Why do I need to know this? 

1. Is hell real? Yes. It is absolutely real. As Christians, the Bible tells us there are only two places our soul will live in eternity … heaven or hell.

C.S. Lewis said of hell, “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture and, specifically, of Our Lord’s own words; it has always been held by Christendom; and it has the support of reason.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (Macmillan, 1962), p. 118

Hell is something we think about when talking about personal eschatology … eschatology has to do with the end times, but in relation to personal eschatology, it causes us to think about the final state of our eternal being. 

There are some leaders in the church who deny there is a hell and will not preach on the subject of hell. This is so dangerous because it sends a message there there are no consequences to rejecting God. 

If any pastor tells you there is no hell, run. That pastor is teaching false doctrine. 

You will find many verses in the Bible that speak about hell. When Jesus died on the cross, He defeated death, hell and the grave. In Rev 1:18, Jesus says He has the keys of death and hell, meaning He has authority over them. He bought back what the enemy stole.

How did He get that authority? When He died and rose again 3 days later. 

Jesus had to go and conquer what the enemy stole in the garden. God created man in His image (Gen 1:27-28). Adam and Eve were perfect and they were given one command: “You can eat from every tree in the garden except one … the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. On the day you eat of it, you will surely die” (Gen 2: 16-17).

We hear that saying often, “Death is a part of life”, but in reality, it was never supposed to be.

God did not create death. Death is a consequence of the fall. It is part of the curse. God told Adam, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return (Gen 3:19). 

Have I mentioned before that we can find all the answers to life from Gen 1-3? And here’s a quick side note: many so called Christians have reduced Gen to mere metaphors and fables. They say we cannot take this book literally. Again, that is false doctrine. Jesus Himself quoted from the book of Genesis. Why would He do that when making a point if the people in it were not real and the happenings not part of history? 

So, back to death and hell. Some will ask, “Well, why did God put the tree in the garden if He knew Adam and Eve would eat from it?” I am going to touch on this next week in the podcast on why Christians are renouncing Christ and the church, but I’ll touch on it today too … God does not force us to obey. We have free will. 

If God would not have put that tree in the garden, Adam and Eve would not have had a choice.

They could eat from ALL of the trees. Every tree. There was only one tree that caused death …not because it was poisonous, but because to eat from it was disobedience and would bring death. 

Adam and Eve, just like you and I, had a choice. Keep the command and live, or disobey and die. They chose death when they listened to the enemy. The consequence of sin is death. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:23). 

So, here’s the other famous question that everyone wants to ask: “Why did God make the devil if He knew he was going to entice Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?” 

Humans are really, really good at blaming God for their problems. We don’t like to take responsibility for our condition. It’s better to blame someone else for the condition we’re in because then we don’t have to do anything about it. 

The name Satan means adversary.

Lucipher is the name of the one whom we call the devil. He was one of the archangels of God … the most beautiful angelic being to ever be created. 

The scripture references for Lucipher will be in the show notes, but you can find this information in Isaiah 14:12-15, and Ezekiel 28:17. There are more, so if you want them let me know.

But Lucipher tried to set himself up as God over the throne of God. I never hear anyone ask, “Why would Lucipher leave his position as an angel of the Lord and tempt God’s people knowing he would spend an eternity in hell?” 

Spoiler alert: It’s the devil’s fault. Start blaming him. an

2) So, why did God create hell? Was it because Adam and Eve sinned? No. 

God did not create hell for you or me. Hell was not His backup plan. Matthew 25:41 says, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

God created hell for the devil and the angels who fell from heaven with him. Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from the earth.” When he tried to set his throne above God’s, he was kicked out of heaven. 

Even in Genesis, when Adam and Eve fell and death entered life as we know it, God had a plan.

They covered their shame with fig leaves, but God covered their shame with blood. The first sacrifice was made in Gen 3:21 when He made them garments of skin to clothe them. 

This is a foreshadowing of the blood Jesus would shed when He came so He could die for the sins of the world. Even then, the plan was that you and I would be reconciled to God through the blood of His son and never have to experience the eternal damnation of hell or the sting of death.

Yet, some do not want Him. 

So, you may be wondering why hell awaits those who reject God. Why is that the final destination for those who do not accept Jesus as their Savior? There’s a man named Bill Wiese who shared a story of a vision he had called “23 Minutes in Hell”. I’ll link the video in the show notes. 

Now, I’m a bit of a skeptic. If someone tells me they’ve had a vision or they heard from God, I don’t just take their word for it. I do test the words they speak and take them before God. But, this guy has verse after verse for his experience, so I am recommending it so that you can get a different take on hell from his perspective. Also, the verses are on point. 

He said this, “If God removes Himself from a situation, all the good goes with Him.

You can’t have goodness without God. You can’t separate the two. If you’re a person on earth who says you don’t want anything to do with God, then there’s a place prepared that has nothing to do with Him.” 

2 These 1:9 says, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might”

So again, hell was not made for you and me. It was not made for mankind. It really is a choice to go to hell. Just like it is to choose to live for God.

I may have to do an episode on freewill soon, let me know if you’d be interested in hearing more about that. 

3) What is hell like? Or what is the description of hell? 

Jesus talked more about hell than He did heaven. He wanted everyone to know why He came to earth … to keep us out of hell. 

Now, I’m not going to get into purgatory or Abraham’s bosom today. That no longer exists now that Jesus died and rose again, but you can research that if you want. 

Paul said in 2 Cor 5:8, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 

He makes it clear that once we die in Christ, we will be present with Him immediately. There is no purgatory anymore. 

I have verses for all of these descriptions that I will put in the show notes, but so that you have a better listening experience, I am going to leave them out of the audio. Again, they will be in the show notes and I encourage you to go to shandafulbright.com, look for this episode title under podcast and look them up. 

Hell is the realm of the dead (Psalm 9:17)

The absence of God’s presence (2 These 1:9)

A lake of fire (Matt 13:50)

Extreme torment that we cannot imagine (Matt 13:50)

The fire is never extinguished and there is no relief from torment (Mark 9:43)

It is eternal punishment with no chance for escape (Jude 1:7)

Extreme darkness that can be felt (2 Peter 2:4)

It is the second death (Rev 20:14)

There is no rest day or night (Rev 14:11)

The worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48)

It is everlasting contempt (Dan 12:2)

Again, if you are a born again believer in Jesus, you have no reason to fear hell.

Jesus came to redeem us so that we do not have to go to hell. When Adam and Eve sinned, we were all destined to eternal damnation. 

Our “goodness’” is as filthy rags to God (Isa 64:6, Rom 3:10, 12). Outside of Christ, we are not righteous no matter how many good things we do.

Not to mention, our standard of goodness does not equate God’s standard so we do not define what is good the same way God does.

Bill Weis also said this: “James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. Jesus said He goes and prepares a place for us in heaven. That same word ‘prepare’ is the same word He used when He said He prepared hell for the devil and his angels. 

All the good we enjoy in life comes from God. It is not automatic. When God prepared hell, all He did was withdrew His goodness or His attributes. Hell is dark because 1 John 1:5 says God is light. There is only death in hell because John 1:4 said God is life. 

There is only hatred in hell because 1 John 4:16 said God is love. There’s no mercy in hell because Psalm 36:5 says the mercy of the Lord is in the heavens. There’s no strength in hell because Psalm 18:32 says it’s the Lord that gives us strength. Hell has no water because Deuteronomy 11:11 says water is the rain of heaven and there’s no peace in hell because Isaiah 6:9 says He is the prince of peace. 

If God removes Himself from the situation, all the good goes with Him. You can’t have the good without God. You can’t separate them.”

If you are listening to this episode that means you are alive. You have breath in your lungs. The reality is, we need to understand what happens when we die. We need to know where we’ll spend eternity. 

And that brings me to my last point …

4) Why do I need to know this? 

Why do we need to have these hard conversations about hell? I mean, I don’t like to talk about it, but again, let’s not be ignorant and ignore the things in the Bible because they feel uncomfortable. 

There are two reasons you need to know about hell: 

1. So you don’t go there. So you understand that Jesus gave His life so you could spend eternity with Him in heaven. And heaven is good. The Bible says that eye has not seen nor ear heard the things God has prepared for those who love Him.

This world is temporary and passing. The Bible refers to it as a vapor or the grass of the field. Here today and gone tomorrow. This world is not our home. 

So, my question to you is this, “Is Jesus your Savior?” Do you recognize that you are a sinner and no matter how hard you try within your own power, you are bankrupt without God?

That without Jesus we are destined to take on the wrath of God and that means an eternity in hell without Him? 

Again, the Bible tells us in Rom 6:23 that “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” 

That’s it right there. It shows the consequences of sin … death. But God offers the gift of His son. And the reason it’s called a gift is because you and I cannot earn it. There is nothing we can ever do within our own power to make it to heaven. Jesus reconciled us to God. 

2) The second reason you and I have to know about hell is because we have family and friends that, if they do not accept Jesus as their Savior, will end up in eternal damnation. 

Who will tell them about the gospel? I hope it’s you and me. 

We shouldn’t wish eternal damnation and torment on anyone. We should be praying for our enemies and our loved ones. Every opportunity should be taken to share with others the love of Jesus.

Who is going to share that word? 

Rom 10:14-15 says this, “14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

You and I are the good news bearers. It is imperative that we share the good news with others so they do not go to hell. 

Close: 

I’m going to close it up today with this. And while I was scripting this episode I asked myself, “How can I talk about hell and not give the listeners an opportunity to give their hearts to Jesus before I close up?” 

That would be a disservice to my call as a woman who teaches the word and to you. Because you deserve a chance to respond to God’s invitation to eternal life with Him.

So, we’re gonna do it!

As you listen to this episode, if you have never asked Jesus into your heart, or just feel like you want to recommit your heart to Him, I want you to pray these prayers with me a I say them with you:

Dear heavenly father, I come before you in the name of Jesus. God, I am lost without you. I am a sinner in need of a savior. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I commit my life to you. Please come and take up residency in my life and lead my by your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the power of the cross. Thank you for the gift of salvation and eternal life in Christ. Amen.

If you said that prayer, remember that you are no longer a slave to sin, but a slave to God.

He will help you walk this life in relationship with Him. I encourage you to read the Bible, specifically the book of John, and if you need other resources let me know.

I can be reached at hello@shandafulbright.com if you have any questions or need resources. 

Praying this episode encouraged you and didn’t strike fear in your heart. Remember, if you belong to God, He is your protector and defender. Trust in that. 

Thanks for joining me today. I’ll catch you on the next one!