I listened yesterday and today to a message by John MacArthur on hell. Sobering, very sobering! His message was based on the story in Luke 16 of the rich man and Lazarus. The story is a one of contrasts and reversals regarding the life, death, and life after death of these two men. The story shocks the Pharisees because they were the original purveyors of the “health and wealth” and “prosperity” gospel, thinking that riches were a sign of God’s blessing and disease and poverty were sure signs of God’s cursing. Here are some short, memorable, and jolting statements that Macarthur made about hell. Keep in mind that he is talking for an hour about hell to a group of young adults. [Who says the pomo generation won’t sit and listen to serious preaching?]
No one in hell needs a name. YOu are no one there. And there are no relationships there. But everyone in heaven has a name.
Hell will be full of religious people who thought they would spend eternity in heaven.
Hell is not remedial, it is punitive. It doesn’t correct you or fix you. It confirms you. It only punishes you without relief or mitigation forever.
There is no repentance in hell, no remorse in hell, no seeking forgiveness, no humility, no regeneration, no Holy Spirit.
You can’t avoid hell simply by not wanting to go there. You can only avoid hell by following the path of salvation revealed in the Word of God.
Religion won’t protect you from hell.
Have you thought seriously about hell lately?
That’s my pastor!
Dr. MacArthur also recommends the ministry of Justin Peters. Mr. Peters spoke at my church on the health and wealth/prosperity gospel… For a brief overview of his seminar you can visit his website at http://www.justinpeters.org and watch “demo.”