How Hot Is Hell?

- or - Does Hell Ever Freeze Over?

Hell must be real because it gets so much attention in most dictionaries and encyclopedias. That's like saying, "It must be true. I read it on the internet!" So is it true? Is it a place, or is it a condition? Can we experience it in this life, or could it be awaiting us after death?

One thing consistent is that it seems to originate with God. We read about it in the Bible, mostly in the New Testament. But even there we find no complete thoughts that carefully explain its origin or purpose. We have enough, though, for preachers to use to instill fear into us and compel us to "accept Jesus" as our personal Savior. Beyond that it has become a household word to identify any unpleasant condition (this job has been hell), vain threat (there will be hell to pay) or idle curse (you go to hell!).

Let's break it down. If it is a place, who owns it? God? He owns everything, right? Satan (the Devil, Lucifer)? Or does he just run it? Some teach that the Bible says he will end up there forever. If he runs it, isn't he already there? If God owns it, does he have a purpose for it? Surely he couldn't have created it as an everlasting place of torment for feeble humans who have a limited lifespan of sinning. It doesn't appear that the punishment fits the crime. Or even worse --- an everlasting place of torment for simply not making a decision for Christ. I don't know of a single person that specifically rejects Christ because they want to take the dare or because they don't like God. They are simply confused, have doubts or are turned away by the hypocrisy of those who claim Christ. For this they should burn without end?

I am more inclined to see it as a condition, simply because we are able to experience it in this life. I honestly don't know whether, or how much, it involves heat, pain or outer darkness. I feel certain, though, that it has a purpose --- a purpose only known by God. If it is a place, he intends to ultimately close it down. Perpetual infliction of pain on his children whom he has created could never bring him glory. Redemption of them would.

If it is a state of being (i.e., torment of mind), then it is a perfecting process that brings us to a point in which we cry out with Christ, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Refinement requires an often unpleasant method in which impurities are removed, leaving only the pure. As imperfect children of a perfect heavenly Father, we must do away with that which brings us down and keeps us from his loving arms. We cannot do it alone, and he will not abandon us. He will pursue our perfection even beyond the grave. That causes hope to surge in me whenever I fail --- which is often.

God is armed with Hell, and he's not afraid to use it.
STEVE