Is Hell Forever

Just read an amazing article on the website thegospelcoalition.org by Gavin Ortland. It was titled J.I. Packer On Why Annihilationism Is Wrong. In our day it is gaining popularity amongst Christians to say that hell might not last forever. This is supposed to be easier theology for Christians to digest. Maybe my friends and family who are not saved won't burn forever: if I don't witness maybe those who suffer won't do so infinitely.

There are some huge problems with this type of “non-christian” thinking. First of all it does not understand God's justice: it doesn't understand how bad sin is. Secondly this type of thinking will greatly hinder our attempts to reach out to others. We simply may ignore their danger thinking that the results will not be that bad for them. Lastly, the fear of God that often keeps us on right paths simply gets very weak. Satan wants God to look weak. (John 8:44)

When we read the scriptures it is very helpful to accept the common sense of what is being read. If one goes back and rereads this last sentence, and reinterprets it, and over analyzes it, could they come away with a totally different thought than what was intended? You would think that all would think the same way, accept the same facts, interpret things the same way, but anyone who has been alive for a few years knows better than this. (If you choose to agree with this last statement : )

One evidence for us should be the amount of false cults that have sprung up claiming the Bible is their source of truth as well: Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon's, etc... We are warned in the scriptures many times about false prophets (Ezekiel 13:1-3, Matthew 24:24, II Peter 2:1-3) and so we must watch out for their lies. What is the best way to guard against being lied to about the scriptures, easy, we must know it for ourselves.

The false doctrine that hell is a place of limited torment does not hold up to intense scrutiny. It doesn't even hold up to a plain reading of the Word. It does play on the sympathies of fallen individuals like you and I, but it does not change the Truth.