What place is talked about in the bible but not quite by the name we that know it? The word is mentioned about a dozen times in the New Testament. Plus all, but one of those times by Jesus himself. It is the place that many people are sure doesn't exist and even if it did, they would not want to go there. Want a clue? One name comes from a garbage dump just out side of Jerusalem. Know the answer? You might be thinking to yourself, "hell, I know what that is". I would then say at the risk of departing into a "Who's On First" type comedy routine, yes, you are correct.

Fine, so much for my struggling effort for a catchy intro!

We discussed earlier about the second coming of Christ. We know that Heaven would be a great place to spend eternity. We all claim to be in good with God and since He is such a loving guy, well, I know as far as I am concerned, I am off to the pearly gates. In fact, you really do not have to go very far to find a discussion that the place called Hell doesn't even exist.

Before we attempt to guess if Hell is real, just was is it? Where is it? What is it like? Is it "down below"? Is there really a fire, a red guy with a tail and a pitchfork? I will even add one more, will there be more people in Heaven or Hell?

What is this place called Hell? I will start by stating that I really doubt that Heaven has pearly gates and streets of gold. Plus I know that you will not find any people with wings, harps and walking on clouds. Many things are written and described in the Bible so that we can grasp the concept with our limited and mortal minds. So, can it also stand to reason that Hell is described in the same verbiage?

First, the big difference between the two would be the presence and the absence of God. God, who gives us light and life, would be in Heaven. While in Hell, that light, life and love would be forever gone. Wrap your self in that for awhile. Forever. Eternity. No God!

The Old Testament speaks of a place called Sheol. It is a vague and unpleasant place where all the dead would go, but from which the godly expected to be delivered. Thumb on through to the New and you find two words of description. The first is a word somewhat borrowed from Greek mythology. Hades was a general term for death, the grave and the afterlife. But on the other hand, Gehenna was specific. Everyone knew where it was and what it was. In Hebrew it means the valley of Hinnom. Hinnom was the massive garbage pit or dump where the filth of Jerusalem, along with bodies of executed criminals and remains of animals sacrifices were disposed of. There was a fire that was constantly kept burning to dispose of this huge and rancid smelling mass. That was also the place that the book of second Chronicles records two infamous kings of Judah killed their own sons in human sacrifices to foreign gods. You want a location where everyone can understand an appropriate image of a place of everlasting torment and you've got it.

Other images we find describe Hell. It is a place where subjects were thrown outside. The same idea I touched on before as a place with out God. A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. In the book of Mark, Jesus tells us that us that it is better to enter the kingdom of God minus a hand, foot and eyes rather than be tossed into Hell. A place where the fire never goes out and "their worm" does not die. (No I do not feel that He expects us to mutilate ourselves as a requirement to enter Heaven. He is wanting us to focus here.) Then, we find we need to not be afraid of what can kill the body. But only what can destroy BOTH soul AND BODY in Hell. (My emphases added here.) Finally, God will say at judgment to all those on His left, depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. They will go off to eternal punishment while the righteous on His right will go to eternal life. Plus as we remember reading of the straight and narrow being the way to that eternal life. Do a quick study in that area and you might get an idea about the size of the crowds on His left and right.

Based on the comments of Jesus, Hell is a place of perpetual darkness, yet eternal fire. God created it for the devil and his angels. Plus, it will become the destination of multitudes of unrighteous humans. What will take place in Hell is suffering. We know that our human body is able to feel pleasure, emotion and pain. Return back a few sentences to the comment Jesus made about destroying both soul and body. I believe from the wording in the scriptures that we will have our current bodies in some form and be able to FOREVER be able to feel the joy of Heaven and the agony of Hell. Let that sink in for awhile.

Teacher, preacher and writer Jimmy Allen researched and spoke a lot about Hell. A landmark book containing a collection of sermons from an August 1964 Dallas Evangelistic Campaign entitled "What Is Hell Like?", speaks on the subject. A few thoughts, I feel, should be high lighted here.

Hell is eternal. God speaks of everlasting and eternal. We have no problem about Heaven being eternal then why not Hell? If there is a time limit on Hell there must be with Heaven also. I was in the audience years later when he made the comment that he could endure Hell if it were only for a short time if he then was able to move "up" to Heaven. Humm, interesting. We will also not be able to use the same arguments of punishment length and severity as is used in our court system. Hell is a place of darkness. There is in one version the term used is of "outer" darkness. Again, where ever God is not, would be forever dark. I have no idea of the comments of eternal fire along with eternal darkness other than to say I want no part of it. Hell is a place of pain. Not just a feeling of ouch, but intense and unbearable pain that never ends. Recall the story of the rich man and the beggar? There will be no rest in Hell. Revelation states that the wicked are tormented. Also there will be no relief in Hell. The rich man wanted just a drop of water to cool his tongue but there was none. Hell has no hope. We know that the only hope we have is in Jesus and He will be forever removed from those in Hell. As I mentioned a few moments ago, in Hell one retains his mental and physical faculties. Those there will know full well the constant horror of their surroundings. Hell can be worse for some than others. Do not believe me? Do a study and while you are at it, do one on the degrees of Heaven. Hell is a place for divided families. You only need to take an honest look at your own family to start to understand. Family members will be among the Biblical description of sheep and goats.

A great book by Larry Osborne called "10 Dumb Things Smart Christian Believe' examines some, using his words, urban legends and Sunday-schools myths that can ruin our faith. Have you ever heard that the dead will always go to a better place. Really? Then why did God send Jesus to do what He did? Hell is real. It is Satan's worst nightmare. It is not a party. The wicked person could be an Adolph Hitler or even that sweet little old lady down the block who would never hurt a fly but also would never bow a knee to Jesus. If we are to take God at His word it would also include all those who never named the name, the ONLY name under Heaven that we can be saved. How is that for not being culturally and politically correct? Want to further get a bad look then bring up the subject after a funeral. Can you avoid a fistfight? Also look at the passages in scripture where "good" people did wonderful deeds and then attempted to bargain their way into Heaven. God said it is not simply stating "Lord Lord" but we need the spirit of love, the trust in Jesus to drive the work and mission we do. I have a personal belief that there will be no judgment as we know it. The same God who knows the hairs on our heads will not need a book. Plus, the Bible says that what is written there is so that we may know right now, this minute, that we have eternal life!

We will not be able to blame anyone in the end, especially Jesus. He pointed the way. He was not unclear or did any dancing about the issue. He skewed everybody's sacred cows. We hear what we want and will believe what we want. But in the end every knee will bow and tongue confess. We will have no doubt where we will spend eternity when we last close our eyes.

But right now we have a choice. We can deny all that God says or we can get off the throne and put Jesus on it in our life. He paid the price to keep us from the very real place called Hell. Now you decide to run to Him and accept Him and His grace. Put your trust in Him. Live as if your life and salvation depends on Him, because it dose!