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As we have learned in past units, every sin results in a chain reaction of evil. That reaction lasts forever. This is one reason why the torment of the wicked lasts forever—because the consequences of their sin continue. But how does God feel about their fate?
Ezekiel 33:11
11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Bible tells us exactly how God feels about the fate of the wicked. He has no desire to see them suffer. So why does God do it? What compels Him to send people to hell?
Exodus 23:7
7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Psalm 11:7
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Deuteronomy 19:21
21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
A righteous God will set things right. If the right thing to do is to inflict pain, then it will be done. As the law says, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
While God takes no pleasure in the suffering of the wicked, He will reward them for their actions. Sadly, the actions of humanity are often unrighteous. This is what drives Him to act. He is a righteous judge.
Another Purpose for Hell
Jude 1:22-23
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
You may not have considered it, but God uses the threat of hell to correct people. It isn’t because He wants them to go there; it is because He knows how we are motivated. Some people are motivated by fear.
I know that doesn’t sit well with many people. But the truth is the truth. Fear can be used as a tool to correct someone and guide them. Yes, fear is a valid reason to turn to God.
Matthew 25:41
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Since a spirit doesn’t die, God created a place for the spirits of the fallen angels. But since humans also reject God, they too end up there. Ultimately, however, God wants to save us from destruction, so He warns us of this place.
This is the purpose of hell. It is a place for the wicked spirits of angels and humans. It is also a tool to persuade people to repent and be saved.
The Substitution
Adam and Eve were in the garden when God’s wrath was first shown. The punishment for their sin was death. But God didn’t unleash all of His wrath upon them.
They could have been in hell at that very moment. But God takes no pleasure in punishing people. Still, God said they would die, and that means completely. So how would God uphold the law while also granting mercy?
Rather than let them die, God did something to save them. He gave them time to repent, and He accepted a substitution to pay the price for their sin. That price was death.
Genesis 3:21
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
It isn’t mentioned here directly, but there must have been a sacrificed animal for Him to use the skins. Adam and Eve likely watched the animal take the penalty of complete death for them.
Was God cruel in this? What had the animal done to deserve death? Nothing—and that was the point.
Matthew 10:31
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
God loves us. He loved Adam and Eve. The Bible says that we are worth more than animals to God. But the sin of Adam required death—total and complete death. Eve couldn’t pay that debt for Adam because she had sinned too. Adam couldn’t pay the debt for Eve for the same reason.
But the animal—let’s say it was a lamb—was without guilt. The lamb didn’t have to die for its own sins. It had committed none. It took the required, total, and complete death in their place.
The Gift of Sacrifice
Remember, the law said, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This principle goes both ways: give a life, save a life. The lamb gave its life and saved theirs. The law, which required death, was satisfied.
Now, let’s think about the concept of sacrifice. The sacrifice died because of someone else’s sins. At first, we might think God is unjust in this, but we should try to understand it another way.
Here’s something to consider: we are all appointed to death. Because sin entered our world, death comes to every living thing. God is the one who chooses when our time comes.
So why should we view it as cruel if God uses the timing and method of our death to bring about good? Why wouldn’t we want our death to have some purpose or meaning? This lamb was created with a purpose. Its death saved their lives—and all of humanity.
Isaiah 53:7
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Acts 8:32-35
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
There’s a reason Jesus was silent. Like the lamb going to the slaughter, it was His purpose.
There are two ways to look at this. The first way is to see the death of the innocent as cruel and unjust. It should not be the innocent that dies. It should be the one that is guilty.
That is true. But then again that is the entire purpose for the sacrifice. The second way to see the death of the sacrifice is as merciful and an act of righteous love.
The world tends to see things from the first perspective. Ironically their perspective condemns themselves. But look at it from the eyes of the sacrifice. Look at it through the eyes of Jesus.
The contrast between God and man is so clear. Mankind calls for justice, but God offers mercy. Then we accuse Him of being unrighteous for not sending us to hell immediately. How foolish we are.
John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus gave His life willingly. He was without sin and righteous. His request to God was that we would be forgiven. How do you think God should react?
Should God deny the request of the righteous? Should He tell the one that gave His life to save ours that it was pointless? No. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross makes it possible for us to be made right with God. Our sins are paid for. Our salvation comes by knowing Jesus as Lord.
But what if someone has never heard of Jesus? What happens to them?
Unit 2:15 – What If Someone Never Hears about Jesus OR
Return To Christianity 101 Unit 2 – Sin and Eternal Judgment