Happy as Hell?

“What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

In my opinion, most Christians don’t believe in hell. Sometimes I wonder, how much do I? It’s an inconvenient truth...and downright uncomfortable to talk about.

I don’t like the idea of an eternal hell anymore than you do. Neither does God. But His justice demands its existence, just like our laws demand prisons, solitary confinement, life sentences, death row, and even the death penalty.

Rebelling against God is the worst capital offense.

Consider this: Preachers don’t preach about hell. It’s rare to hear the word ‘hell’ preached from a pulpit. I only remember one sermon during my growing up years, and you guessed it, it was about hell. It’s a morbid subject, and frankly, it’s easier to hear about grace than judgment. But Jesus talked a lot about both.

I was in a gas station just two days ago, and a guy was buying a big pork bone for his dog. He said, “My dog will love this. This bone will make my dog 'Happy as Hell' for three days."

I thought, “Happy as Hell?” That’s an oxymoron. Where did we get that expression?! Last time I read the Bible there’s no happiness in hell.

But believers don’t like to warn others about hell. The vast majority of Christians will live their entire lives without ever introducing someone to Jesus and sharing His plan of salvation. Most Christians don’t share their faith.

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was a Bible-believing preacher. He wished that every Christian could hang over the burning flames of hell for 24 hours. If we did, we would never be the same again...and I think he’s right.

But the Bible is very clear. For instance, the Bible says: “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), and “What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36), and “Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell” (Luke 12:5).

Here’s the point. If the Bible is true, which it is, then hell is as real as heaven. If hell isn’t real, then we must discard the whole Bible. Hell is a prison sentence meant for the devil, and for whoever decides to reject God's love and His priceless sacrifice.

Maybe instead of ignoring the subject, Christians ought to plunder hell to populate heaven! Maybe those in hell wished that they had heeded the answer we know.

There is hope for every human! Let’s stop pretending hell doesn’t exist, and let’s start telling people the whole truth...for heaven’s sake!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.