Luke 12:4-5. (NASB)
4 “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Matthew 4:3 (NASB)
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus spoke about both heaven and hell. I find it interesting that many today dismiss the concept of hell, saying that it doesn’t exist. Rather they focus on the idea of heaven only. I know of a pastor in a reformed church that didn’t believe in hell. He had no particular reason for believing that, but rather decided that it didn’t exist.

Our image of heaven and hell are somewhat determined by scripture, but God has only given us a small glimpse of these places from the Bible. Images of heaven and hell in our culture tend to be clouds and floating angels for heaven and fire and constant torture for hell.

While Jesus talked about hell, He didn’t tell us that we should believe by the fear of avoiding something bad. In the verse in Luke, He was simply stating the power and authority of God. More often He spoke about the blessings of the gospel and the promise of heaven when we have submitted to His authority.

Over the years, my idea of heaven and hell have changed from the images of our culture to something more basic. I think it came about when meditating on the crucifixion. Jesus was in agony when the Father turned His back on Jesus. He cried out “why have You forsaken me?” This was when my image of hell became the absence of God. Even on earth, all people are blessed with the common grace of God. But in hell, the presence of God is completely absent for eternity. I can’t think of anything more terrifying or agonizing than that.

Jesus, thank you for your words. I cannot image the pure and perfect beauty of heaven, for it will be much more than I can fathom. I look forward to living in Your presence for eternity. Thank You for calling me into Your kingdom. I pray for the salvation of the nations. I pray that all people will come to a saving faith in You. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,