DESCRIPTION OF HELL

“Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48 NKJV).

The Lord Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else, giving us details about the horrors of eternal condemnation. Our verse is a short, sobering warning of the penalty of rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Men laugh and joke about hell, but hell is no joke. Hell is a real place. Thus, we want to note three things about hell from this verse: the existence in hell, the excruciation of hell, and the eternity of hell.

Existence – “Where their worm does not die.” When a person dies, the soul of the person continues to live. The body may be put in a grave, but the soul goes to either heaven or hell. When a soul goes to hell, it does not cease to exist. It does not go into an unconscious state; it does not hibernate; it is very much alive. It exists with more intense consciousness than ever before. Further, the soul in hell will not burn up, it will not be destroyed. The fire, though great, will not consume the soul.

Excruciation – “The fire is not quenched.” Hell is a place of tormenting fire which never goes out. It is not a place of mild discomfort where one can visit with old friends. People will not be sitting around talking to each other and telling jokes in hell. They will be weeping and wailing because they are in excruciating pain since they will be in an ever-burning fire. Elsewhere in Scripture, the Lord Jesus gives us a picture of a man in hell who says he was “tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). Hell is the most painful place in God’s creation.

Eternity – “The fire is not quenched.” This statement coupled with “does not die” informs us that hell is for eternity. The fire burns forever and the inhabitants are there forever. Once the soul enters hell, it will never come out; and hell will never be anything but hell. It is the final destiny of the sinner who has not come to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

(Adapted from Butler’s Sermon Starters Vol. 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“No one will ever go to hell who has put his trust in Jesus Christ, but many will end up in torment who have trusted their own righteousness and reformation!”

Curtis Hutson (1934 – 1995)

Independent Fundamental Baptist Pastor and Editor

Word Study

Excluded

In Rom. 3:27 we read, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith!" (NKJV).

Excluded is the Greek word ekkleíō (ἐκκλείω = ek-kli'-o). It is made up of two words: “ek” which means out, and “kleío” which means to shut. Literally, the word means to shut out. Thus, ekkleíō means to eliminate, to not allow, to exclude from a thing. It is used figuratively to describe making something impossible. And so, here in Rom. 3:27 the apostle Paul said that all boasting was “excluded” from the issue of righteousness because justification comes by faith (cf. v. 28).

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me” (Dan. 10:19 KJV).

Did You Know…

As a reward for their faith in God regarding the Promised Land, Caleb and Joshua lived to enter the Promised Land. Everyone else over 20 years old died in the wilderness (Num. 14:29-30).

Bible Quiz

What happened when Peter was talking to the people who had gathered at the house of Cornelius?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What did the Israelites do while Moses was on the Mountain receiving the Ten Commandments? They made an idol, a golden calf (cf. Ex. 32:1-6).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT”

"Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts!” (Mal. 3:1 NKJV).

1. Meaning – MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT speaks of the Lord Jesus as Israel’s coming Messiah, the One who brings in the new covenant.

2. Insights – The name “Messenger of the Covenant” occurs only here in the Bible and points to the Messiah’s role as Prophet. The Messiah presented the message, and at the same time was the personification of the message (cf. John 1:1, 14). The Lord Jesus is the One who presented the message about the covenant and who Himself inaugurate the New Covenant in His blood (cf. Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25). This is the New Covenant that was promised in the Old Testament (Jer 31:31-38). And referring to the Lord Jesus, the writer to the Hebrews states, “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (8:6).

Did You Know – Christian History

Nicholas Ferrar was born February 22, 1592 in London, England. He was an English scholar, courtier, businessman, and Anglican clergyman.

Ferrar wealthy parents were deeply committed to the Church of England and reared their children in faith. They required each to memorize large portions of Scripture. At six he had an overwhelming religious experience in which he yielded his heart to God.

Ferrar learned quickly and studied hard, wasting few opportunities. In his early teens, he went up to Cambridge, where he continued to pour himself into study. Forced by ill-health to travel abroad, Ferrar continued his studies. Everywhere he went, he studied arts, methods of manufacture, and languages. Everyone thought he was planning some great career for himself. Whether he would survive to show the world what was in him, was doubtful since he had numerous close calls with death. Crossing German mountains, he was almost killed when a donkey ran down a slope carrying a large piece of timber which almost struck Nicholas. In Padua and later in Marseilles, he fell ill of such severe fevers that doctors despaired of his life. Sailing to Spain, his ship was approached by Turkish pirates, who would probably have captured him if a bigger prize had not come into view. Crossing Spain, he barely escaped bandits and other threats to his life.

From Spain Ferrar was summoned home. The family had fallen on hard times and needed him. By hard work, Ferrar restored his family’s finances and won a place in Parliament. But Ferrar was tired of the world. When he had set out on his travels, he promised God to devote his life to Him if he returned safely. Now he took steps to keep that promise. He formed a Protestant community and had Archbishop Laud ordain him as a deacon so that he could lead worship services. This move was seen as a great renunciation by all who knew his capabilities. About thirty friends and family joined him. They lived strictly, eating little, but praying and singing at set hours. They offered education and medicine to the locals. Ferrar wrote and translated; and the whole community bound books. Ferrar died in 1637, declaring “I have been at a great feast, the Great King’s feast.” He is remembered in the Anglican Church on December 1.

A Little Humor

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom as the children drew pictures. The teacher would occasionally walk around to see each child’s artwork. As she approached one little girl who was working especially hard, she asked what the drawing was. The little girl told her: “I’m drawing God!” “But sweetie,” the teacher replied, “no one actually knows what God looks like.” Without stopping, the little girl continued drawing and said: “well, they certainly will in a minute!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Hell is prepared for those who prepare for it by rejecting Christ!”