Matthew 23:33 says: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Hell is not the product of some imaginative mind. In light of what the Scriptures say, hell is a reality. If you are planning a trip, you want to find out what the accommodations are like before you start the journey. Lost folks may kick up their heels, party, and have a big time in this life, but one day they are going to die—face eternity–and if they are lost, they will scream and cry forever in hell. The sinner had better realize what is going to be missing in hell; that might motivate one to get right with God and turn his life in another direction while there is time to do so.
I. The Redeemer Will Be Missing. It is not so much the streets of gold, the walls of jasper, the gates of pearl, the foundation made of many precious stones that will make heaven most desirable. It is the presence of the Lord Jesus what will make that place heaven for me. Heaven is the abode of Christ(Rev.21:23), while hell is the home of the devil and demons ( Matt.25:41). Jesus does not live there.
II. The Regenerated Loved Ones Will Be Missing. You will have the worst of company in hell. There will murderers, adulterers, dope addictions, drunkards, prostitutes, rapists and every other evil and debase things in the place called hell. Your loved ones will be with the Lord in the city of heaven. The saved are with Christ (Phil.1:23).
III. Relief Will Be Missing. The torment in hell is both “day and night–forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10). In Mk.3:29, the Bible says the damnation (and all the punishment included) is forever. We cannot imagine what it would be like to have fire eternally around us with no relief from the flames and their effects.
IV. Refreshment Will Be Missing. The Bible teaches that in the midst of all the fire in hell there is no water (Lk.16:24). Can you imagine unbearable heat forever with no water on a parched tongue?
V. Riches Will Be Missing. I may not have a great deal of earthly riches now but I will walk through pearly gates, walk on streets of clear, transparent gold, and see the glory of God reflect off the walls of jasper. We have an inheritance (1 Pet.1:4) reserved in heaven. You can be rich in God and toward God even in this life, here and now. Hell is a place of absolute poverty.
VI. Rescue Will Be Missing. No human being that ever goes to hell gets out. It is called “eternal judgment” (Heb.6:2). Don’t let Satan trick you into going there because once you are there, there is no escape. Satan blinds the minds of them that do not believe ( 2 Cor.4:4).
