The big news this week has been about Israel’s constant attacks on Gaza. Late this week, Israel struck the Holy Family Catholic Church on the Gaza Strip, killing three and wounding a priest close to Pope Francis. Palestinians sheltering there included both Christians and Muslims.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even phoned Pope Leo after the strike on the church. Then this weekend, 67 Palestinians seeking aid in northern Gaza were killed by Israel. Unfortunately, innocent Palestinians are caught in the middle of the bloody war between Hamas and Israel.
Israel has neglected God’s basic commands in their pursuit of revenge for the October 7, 2023 attacks:
- Love thy neighbor
- Be holy
- Forgive others
- Don’t seek revenge
Instead of being part of God’s plan to repair this broken world, God’s people are hell-bent on ruling it at all costs (Deuteronomy 14:2; 28:1-68). Instead of seeking peace, God’s people have become a nation of war (Psalm 34:14).
Instead of restoring and repairing like God, Israel has brought death to the Middle East. Gaza has become a mass graveyard of death and destruction. Instead of bringing heaven to earth, God’s people are bringing hell to earth, just like Satan when he caused the creation to sin against God (Genesis 3:1-18).
What Is Hell
Most of us review hell from a physical perspective as simply the opposite of heaven, like death and destruction, but hell is much more than simply a broken place.
Hell is defined as “A netherworld in which the dead continue to exist, or a place of misery and torment; Hades.” Hell is a spiritual concept and a direct result of Satan’s disobedience to God. Disobedience to God, man, or Angel is punished in hell.
Hell is something people don’t discuss much because of the negative thoughts and connotations that come with it. God’s people need to know about and understand Hell to help preach the gospel in how only Jesus can save us from Hell (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about Hell and how bad it is (Psalm 37:20, Revelation 20:12-13). Despite hell being created for Satan and his angels, man chose his own and Satan’s ways over God’s. Unfortunately, too many people belittle hell and don’t take it seriously.
The Bible is clear, just like we cannot understand how good heaven is, we can’t understand how bad Hell will be (Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, 2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 21:8). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about hell and its seriousness.
Šᵊ’ôl
The Torah tells us that after mankind sinned against God, death entered the world (Genesis 3:4-27). God told creation it would return to the ground because of sin (Genesis 3:19).
In the Old Testament, one of the main Hebrew words for hell is šᵊ’ôl, and it can also mean “Underworld, grave, exile, pit, or place of no return,” depending on the context it is used in.
It isn’t quite like the Christian concept of Hell, but a precursor to it (Psalm 9:17; 16:10; 86:13, Proverbs 9:18, Isaiah 5:14, Ecclesiastes 9:10). Part of God’s plan is for His people to help repair the world and fix what was broken in the garden to keep others from going to Sheol:
- Repair the world
- Be a holy nation
- Practice divine obedience
- Be a kingdom of priests
- Deliver the Messiah
The New Testament begins with the arrival of the Messiah, who will save God’s people in the world (Matthew 1:1-16). Jesus preached about Hell more than all of the New Testament writers. He warned that whoever doesn’t obey Him will go to hell (Matthew 25:41).
Jesus warned His followers how bad Hell will be (Matthew 10:28, Mark 16:16). He also warned how hot Hell will be (Matthew 13:50; 25:46).
Extreme Heat Wave
We Often Describe extreme heat as “Hot as Hades,” but we are clueless. As I write this, much of the United States is experiencing another extreme heat wave. Heat-related deaths are on the rise because of rising temperatures. Extreme heat has also increased the severity and risks of floods and severe storms.
The Bible has warned us for over 2000 years this world will burn up one day because of mankind’s sin (Isaiah 65:1-17, Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:32, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 21:1):
- Greed
- Deception
- Pride
- Revenge
One thing is certain, this world and nation need a savior more than ever. God’s people need to repent and return to their first love (Revelation 2:1-7). Only God can save and rescue us (John 3:16; 10:9).
An old Georgia preacher said years ago, “This world is the closest to Hell God’s people will ever get; likewise, this world is the closest to heaven the lost will ever get.” God’s people must put their hope and faith in God and His Kingdom, because this fallen kingdom will go down to šᵊ’ôl!
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