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I have said on occasion that God is the epitome of love, but He is also the epitome of wrath, which throws some people into a tizzy, because they just don’t get that. I say this, because this is what God has revealed to me through His Word and I believe the definitions of His character are very apparent. I don’t argue with God, or His Holy Word, I just accept Him for who He is, because He is God - period. I had a friend tell me once that there is no hell and that God would never make such a place as hell, because He is a loving God. Of course, God is a loving God. A neighbor also told me once that hell is an allegory in the Bible and its description just means “separation from God.” The Word, however, tells us, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it unto them; for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse” Romans 1:18-20. Jesus was very descriptive about hell. He didn’t say it was an allegory; in fact, He was so descriptive that there can be no mistake as to its existence. He said, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off, for it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:43-44. In fact, Jesus was so emphatic about this warning, He repeated Himself three times. He went on to warn, “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall not be quenched, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:45-46. And if that wasn’t enough, Jesus continued, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out; it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” Mark 9:47-48. So, Jesus warned not once, not twice, but three times in Mark 9 to avoid this place called hell at ALL COSTS. Was Jesus just wasting His time here, blowing at the wind? No. He created hell and He knows how painful and horrible it is. It is the penalty to those who disregarded His suffering on the cross and His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Paul wrote to the Hebrews, “He that despised Moses’s law died without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherein he was sanctified, an unholy thing and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace...It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” Hebrews 10:28-29,31. Jesus further warned us, “I will forewarn you Whom ye shall fear; Fear Him, Who, after He has killed, has the power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, Fear Him” Luke 12:5. There are so many more passages, but I will end that topic with this passage written by King David, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments. His praise endureth forever” Psalm 111:10. On the other spectrum of God’s divine nature, we see unconditional love: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. Here, I have to say that if the entire world, billions of people, were at risk of going to hell for their sins, unless my only son died in their place, I have to admit that I would let all of them to go right into hell before I could allow my son to suffer what Jesus suffered for us on the cross. That may sound very selfish, but I just couldn’t do it. Nevertheless, God loved us so much, even while we were sinners, that He allowed Jesus to suffer the penalty for our sins on the cross, so we could receive the redemption He provided and gain eternal life, because Jesus paid the price. That is LOVE! Can I explain to myself, or anyone else, the dichotomy of God’s great love, versus His great wrath? No. God is God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord” Isaiah 55:8.
God bless you.