RUSHWAVE: Establishing Believers in the Christian Faith

from The Judgment God Desires to Withhold

Chapter 9: Perishing as being Forsaken by God

Hell is the absence of the most meaningful relationship there is, and all the graces associated with it.

In this earthly life, man experiences blessings from God despite his rebellious, sinful heart. Jesus said that God “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). Sunshine and rain are displays of God’s kindness towards those who are His enemies.

In addition to the sun and rain, God also grants another blessing: the joys and pleasures of companionship and relationship. True, many men turn the blessing of friendship towards evil ends by conspiring to do wrong, just as they turn the blessing of receiving food and water from the sun and rain towards evil by strengthening themselves to commit wrongdoing. But neither of these negate the fact that companionship and relationships are displays of God’s goodness and mercy.

Reflect for a moment on a personal relationship you have had which brought you great fulfillment. It may have been with a spouse, sibling, parent, child, or friend, and it may have been a past relationship or one that is still ongoing. That relationship is a gift from God and an example of His grace and mercy to you.

As fulfilling as any human relationship can be, nothing can compare with an intimate, personal, loving relationship between man and his Creator. But in hell it is this relationship which is utterly and completely lost, as well as all blessings associated with it. Consider the fearful words of the end of the wicked, which indicate separation from the Lord.

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. 2 Thessalonians 1:9
I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:23
Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire.” Matthew 25:41

In this series Good News in John 3:16, book 4 is about The Eternal Son of God. There we shall see Jesus Himself is the One making the declaration “Depart from Me.” In hell, not only is there no relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but there are no blessings man presently enjoys on this earth. There is only complete and utter desolation and abandonment. The wicked person is conscious of the fact he is being punished, experiencing fiery torment, in utter darkness of what can be thought of as a black hole on the edge of the universe, with full knowledge he has been forsaken.

The absolute horror of being forsaken by God cannot be overstated. Again, there are countless pleasant sensations and feelings we experience in this life which are acts of kindness and grace from God. There is the inspiring sight of a sunset; the soft sensation of a cool breeze; the pleasant variety of tastes when eating; the pleasing aromas of perfumes, flowers and trees; and the sounds of the birds chirping or the rain spattering. There is the sense of refreshment when having a cool drink, and the feeling of satisfaction after having eaten a solid meal. There is the joy of companionship when spending time with friends or family, and the pleasantness of a warm smile and encouraging word. But all such graces are absent in hell. Those common, everyday blessings from God that men took for granted in this life are completely withheld. There is only suffering, pain, rejection, condemnation, and abandonment.

In Jesus’ parable of the evil rich man and Lazarus, the rich man “cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame’” (Luke 16:19–24). But no mercy was shown, not even so much as a drop of water. This is another truth taught in that parable: hell is the absence of all God’s graces and mercies.

Mercy comes from God. If God says to a man “Depart from Me,” that man is necessarily cut off from Him who is Mercy.

Perishing involves being utterly abandoned by God Himself. The sinner is in no way a recipient of any form of God’s compassion and lovingkindness. All mercy and grace that God granted in earthly life is withheld.

from The Judgment God Desires to Withhold

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