Introduction 

I just listened to Tim Mackie of the Bible Project give an explanation of the King’s final Judgment at the End of the Age. He gave the Bible’s true description of the place of torment, not the Church’s horrific depiction as seen in the Sistine Chapel. He also gave the perspective that people choose to go to Hell.

Gehenna – Not Hell

Tim showed that Jesus used a description from Malachi (4:1) to describe where people go who refuse to choose God’s ways. Unlike the pictures in the Sistine Chapel, Jesus spoke of burning – disintegration – and darkness.

Tim shared the words of C. S. Lewis, who gave a description of everlasting life. If a kernel of ingratitude grew into an annoyance then grumbling over the course of eighty years on Earth, it would become hell for the person after millions of years. But the person chose that hell by refusing to turn to God in gratitude.

Hell for Me

I have a vision of my own Hell, based on choices I’ve made throughout my life. I’m stuck in a room lined with bookshelves stuffed with all kinds of books. In one corner sits a computer terminal connected to all manner of information and entertainment. The hell of it is, there is no one else around with whom to share the reading and entertainment. If God is present, I have chosen to not acknowledge or follow Him. (That, in itself, is hell.) What truly makes it hell is the lack of electricity for the computer or even for lights.

Why Would Anyone Choose Hell?

Why, indeed! God created a world that was very good. When we screwed it up, He promised a renewed Earth at the end of the age. He put humans in charge and promised that humans will reign with Him in the new Earth. Why would people refuse such an Eden?

Because we allow ourselves to be deceived into ruling without God. the Creator gave us freedom of choice. He does not force people to choose Him and His ways. In the end, as Lewis wrote, people will either say, “Thy will be done,” or they will force God to say, “Thy will be done.” Taken to full fruition, people echo the Enemy’s attitude, “Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven.” (Paradise Lost)

Remedy in Regular Repentance

The only antidote to the Enemy-driven desire to reign without God – in Hell – is repentance, surrender, and service. Even Jesus needed water burial and daily turning from His own human desires (repentance) to doing only what He saw the Father did (John 5:19). Just as He surrendered to the Father’s will, so must each of us…often.

Attitudes for a Heavenly Life

How can people choose Heaven on Earth instead of going to Hell? By daily practicing/exercising/choosing heavenly behaviors no matter how hellish things get on Earth. By exercising our own reigning with God instead of surrendering to circumstances and the Enemy’s deceptions. Paul called that “reign[ing] in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17)

First comes repentance and surrender to God, becoming a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). Next comes gratitude to God (Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart) for all the good things He has provided and done for us. Out of this flows praise and adoration – worship (We Fall Down). Then comes trust in His goodness and efforts for our good and our obedience to His commands and instructions. Thus surrendered to Him in every little thing, we enjoy Him and the benefits He gives. We choose to serve in Heaven on Earth rather than to reign in Hell.

Questions 

Are you suffering Hell on Earth, whether through your own choices or enslavement to another? Cry out to the Redeemer, the Rescuer. As He did with His people in Egypt, He can and will deliver you and bring you into the Promised Land of Prosperity He meant for you.

Are you enslaved by your own pleasures or ungodly thoughts and attitudes? Surrender to His pleasure, His thoughts, His attitudes of service.