Holy Hell?

Holy Hell?

Odd title for a sermon, perhaps, but it got your attention. Hell must be holy since I have heard that phrase many times over the years as a remark of astonishment whether the cause of the astonishment was positive or negative. In that holiness besides being a character trait and the expression of that character is also tied to sanctification Hell is holy.

Sanctification is about separation be it from the World or God or someone or something set aside for God's use or purpose. In that Hell was created or set aside/sanctified for the final separation of the devil, his demons and those who refuse the gift of salvation it is then holy. Funny, how people can be theologically correct about something and yet not believe in it or believe that God would have such a place or even that they might end up there themselves. Most people think they are going to Heaven and only people like Hitler, Mussolini, Mao and Jack the Ripper go Hell.

What is even funnier is that the world speaks more about Hell than the Church, who is the representative of God and has the responsibility as His ambassador to proclaim the pardon offered so people will not join satan in the Hell that was prepared primarily for him and his minions.

Think about how much people talk about Hell. They are investigative journalists on the topic for they are always wanting to know about Who, What, When, Where, Why and How in Hell things are. They tell people to go to Hell regularly. They hold some interesting perspectives on what Hell is like and most are not even near accurate.

They think they know the temperature there as they will let you know where you are is hot as Hell or sometimes say it is cold as Hell, which is a joke unless they are speaking of Hell, Montana in the winter. It may be a reverse comparison saying it is as cold as Hell is hot. Indeed, you have to wonder if they called that town Hell just so they could give a map to the people they are telling to go to Hell.

On one hand, they are correct when they speak of being as lonely as Hell or dark as Hell and yet some will speak of their intention to party with their friends in Hell, which will not happen. Some think the devil will not let them in for they are so bad even he does not want to hang out with them. The other egotistic attitude is that satan is afraid they will take over so he will bar the door.

They think Hell is insane since some people are crazy as Hell. People will wish they could go insane there as a hope of relief, but they will be perfectly sane whereas they are insane here for missing the opportunity to miss Hell and they will remember in perfect detail every opportunity they ignored. Indeed, there will be Hell to pay.

I have not counted, but others have and say that the Bible speaks more about Hell than Heaven. That would make sense as avoiding Hell should be people's main priority. It doesn't matter how much you know about Heaven if you end up in Hell. In fact, more description is given about Hell than Heaven even with Revelation and John being caught up there. Details about Hell on earth during the time John is there abound, but are sparse when it comes to Heaven itself.

Luke 16:20-26

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. KJV

Many just consider this an allegory or parable, but Jesus names the beggar and many theologians feel that once having named the beggar the people knew which rich man he was talking about. Search the Scripture and you will see that in other places it is a real place and not some scarey story. Hell being real did not shock the hearers. What shocked them was that a rich man went to Hell as they thought being rich was a sign of God's blessing and even approval. People don't change much no matter what the culture or era because many preachers preach that same thing. Paul said that such teaching was “perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:5,6 KJV