IS HELL JUST?

 

A young man who identifies as a Christian had written:

 

·       It seems that the majority of people will go to hell. Since God created everything and set up the system we live in and is all powerful and omniscient, he knew this would happen and bears responsibility. People always say the devil loses in the end as he is thrown in the lake of fire. If the overarching battle between God and the devil is for souls and most people go to hell doesn't the devil really win? And isn’t God unjust?

To answer this question, we must understand what hell--eternal punishment—is. This is not easy for many reasons:

1. Eternal punishment (EP) is described in different ways—lake of fire, outer darkness, and even destruction, which is probably the most common designation.

 

2. EP is different for different people depending on what they deserve:

·       Luke 12:47–48 “And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

 

·       Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

 

3. It seems that EP is primarily self-chosen. We get what we want. If we hate Christ in this life, we certainly will in the next and flee from the presence of Christ, even to a place of torment:

·       John 3:17–20 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (All these quotes come from Jesus.)

 

In the end, God will be seen as love and justice by those who remain: Every knee will bow and every tongue confess:

 

·       Isaiah 45:23–24 “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance. ‘Only in the LORD,’ it shall be said of me, ‘are righteousness and strength;’ to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.”