“There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains.” Psalm 107:10
The world jokes and laughs about hell. Many do not think it will be that bad (if it even exists). Others see it as a big party where all
those who reject God continue to do the things they love with their
buddies in rebellion to God. These views are lies from Satan who
does not want anyone to fear God’s wrath to come. If he can make
the reality of hell a joke then he can mock God’s truth while hiding
it from people (who he cares nothing about).
What does Scripture tell us about the reality of hell? The most important thing to understand is that hell is the absence of everything God is. That is best illustrated by the concept of darkness. As one person said “darkness is in reality the absence of light”. We can study light, but not darkness.
Scientists use Newton’s prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. One cannot measure darkness. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present. Jesus told us He is the “light of the world”. When God is rejected man will spend eterniy separated from the only source of light there is – God Himself. Jude uses that concept to describe dwelling in a state of existence without God. He calls it “ the blackness of darkness forever.” Zero God, zero light!
To understand the darkness of hell we then can look at all God is and consider what existence would be like if those characteristics were eliminated. Take just a few of the statements the Lord made about Himself and consider existence without it. These few concepts only scratch the surface of the greatness of being in God’s presence and the horror of being separated from Him forever.
I Am the way Hell is aimless. There is no way, no path. All is random and without meaning or satisfaction. Every way one turns is pointless.
I Am the truth Hell is lies. There is no truth on which to understand what happened – lies and falsehoods will form one’s opinions and thoughts.
I Am the resurrection and the life There is no hope of life or a resurrection. Separation from God, the walking dead, is all that exists.
I Am the living water There will never be a drop of water to quench the torment of hell. The Lord make it clear in the story of Lazarus and the rich man.
I Am the bread of life There is no food in hell, no enjoyment of eating or fellowshipping with others. Hell is very lonely.
I Am the true vine There is no fruitfulness in hell – nothing will produce accomplishment or achievement. Peace and Joy The peace and joy produced by God which fills heaven will be removed. In their absence are torment and suffering. Therewill be no hope of rest for all eternity and not one iota of pleasure.
I Am your friend Jesus said he calls us His friends. Friends get together fellowship and enjoy life together. We read the story of the prodigal son and we see the parties in the fathers house. Think of the opposite. Unbelievers will realize quickly that what they had been led to believe – all one’s friends will be in hell and it will be one big party doing the same things they enjoyed in this life is a lie of Satan.
Hell is the absence of friendship and in the darkness one will never know if any one else is there but them.
What can we learn? The list above falls far short of the characteristics of God which are 100% absent in hell. We have not
even considered the absent of God’s love – total hatred for all that is good. We have not considered the opposite of God’s goodness – only evil remains. Leaving this life with accepting the only payment of our sin debt to God through His Son is to reject all that God is. That is what the unbeliever chooses. No parties or debaucheries with friends but the blackness of darkness forever. The more one learns about the greatness and goodness of God, the more we realize the horror of hell, the place where God’s character does not exist.