The Worst Punishment of Hell
Hell is terrible. It is awful. It is frightening (or, at least, it should be).
Those words, as strong as they are, can never fully describe the complete and utter horror that awaits those who will inhabit that place.
Of course, the Bible describes hell as a place of “outer darkness” and “gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). It is a place of loneliness and awful memories (cf. Luke 16:25). The most infamous word picture used in Scripture to describe hell is that of fire (Mark 9:43-48). I would dare say that this one fact is the one more associated with hell.
But these things for which hell is most known pale in comparison to one other fact about that place that is not often considered. Hell’s worst punishment is not the painful sting of fire nor the fearful confusion found in darkness. As awful as those things are, there is a punishment that is infinitely worse.
God is not there.
We struggle through times of great pain and difficulty in our lives. Sometimes, we cry out to heaven and ask the Lord, “Where are you?” We know, however, that God is there. Though we may not feel His presence in the moment, we know that He is there. The very air that fills our lungs, allowing us to call out to Him, was given to us by the Lord.
Even the vilest person who ever lived does not know what it is like to be completely without God’s governing hand.
When Jesus was dying on the cross, just the turning away of the face of God was enough to warrant one of seven statements from our Lord: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). If Jesus cried such an agonizing question when God turned His face, what will the inhabitants of hell be crying out when they are completely removed from His presence?
May I suggest: “It’s hopeless.”
After stating that Jesus would return and take vengeance “on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8), Paul wrote these terrifying words:
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
Away from the presence of the Lord.
None of us knows what it is like to feel that distance from God completely in this life. In hell, every person who suffers for eternity will know the true meaning of being away from God.
Forever.
It’s hopeless.
And that is the worst punishment of hell.
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Photo credi: Mike Lewinski on Creative Commons
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