An "Ask the Preacher" article as it has appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. Click HERE to go to the Main Index page of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church to read many more such articles. This article is copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.



Dear Pastor Gallups, " Do you really believe in the reality of a literal hell? What would it be like? I believe that there are simply different levels of heaven. " H.B. - Milton.

Dear H.B., I have found it interesting that so many people who will quickly talk about the reality of heaven will be just as quick to say that they don't believe in hell. When in fact, Jesus talked about hell, twice as often as he talked about heaven in the New Testament! The reality of hell is confirmed throughout the Bible.

So, because I believe the Bible to be the Word of God and because I believe Jesus Christ to be, "God with us", and since both Jesus and the Bible confirm the existence of hell, yes, I do believe in the literal existence of a literal hell. The Bible teaches that hell is the place where the rebellious and unbelievers are separated from God forever, by their rejection of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Bible simply does not teach that there are different "levels" of heaven.

What is hell like? We don't know for sure, but we do know that the Bible reveals it to be a place of remorse, torment, pain, grief and sorrow. We know it to be a place of fire and burning and intense suffering. It is also called a place of outer and utter darkness (denoting loneliness and isolation). Some think that these descriptions in the Bible are "only" symbolic. But, a symbol always points to a greater reality. If these terrible descriptions of eternity without Jesus are just symbols, what must the reality be like? I shudder to even ponder the answer. But with all these tragedies of hell, the greatest tragedy is that in hell there is never again another chance of being made right with the Lord. There will be no exit, no way out, no second chance.

You see, H.B., that is why it so important NOW, to trust Jesus as your savior and turn to Him as Lord in THIS lifetime that He has given you. He desires for you to be saved and spend eternity with Him in Heaven! And never forget, H.B., "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever would believe in him would NOT perish, but have everlasting life"!