“The biggest problem the sinner has in hell is not the Devil, its God. God is in hell, actively punishing the wicked. The sinner in hell would do anything and everything he could to get God out of hell. Because the terror that men face in the judgment is God himself.” -R.C. Sproul-
Who Rules Hell?
The common idea about hell today, is that it is ruled by Satan. But what is the purpose of hell? Answer, it was originally created for the punishment of Satan and his fallen angels. Now after the fall of man, it is reserved for those who follow in the rebellion of Satan and who die in their sins. It was created by God for the punishment of the wicked. And God is actively punishing the wicked in hell for eternity.
Question
Here's a good question that R.C. Sproul asks:
"What are you saved from?"
His answer might shock some:
"You are saved from God. From being exposed to His fierce wrath and punishment."
What does the Apostle say in Hebrews? "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).
Or Paul: "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:9).
Changing Perspectives
Putting it in this way can change perspectives. No longer is hell the party of the devil some might think it is. Satan is not the ruler of hell, but is actively being punished by God as well.
Its possible that some may think: "If hell is a separation from God, what is so bad about that, the people who are being separated from Him never wanted to be near Him anyway."
It is true a person in hell is separated from God in one sense. They are no longer beneficiaries of God's common grace which is given to all men. "The person in the most abysmal state of suffering still enjoys some bit of the common grace of God at this moment, which would be removed entirely if they were to move to hell" (Sproul). So then they no longer experience the love, care, benevolence, grace and long suffering of God. But for all of eternity will experience His wrath, curse, anger and hate.
Hope
By the grace of God, He has given hope to all men in Christ Jesus. What Jesus underwent upon the cross, was what a sinner would experience in hell. He took upon himself the "sin of many" (Isa. 53:12), became a curse on our behalf (Gal 3:13), bore the wrath of Almighty God and was forsaken by Him(Isa. 53:4-7; Matt 27:46). Because of this, the verse I used before displays a wonderful truth: "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved through Him."
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4 comments:
It sounds as though Sproul is saying that God is a stalker like men who stalk ex-girlfriends. I was always told that hell is God honoring the request of those unrepentant sinners who tell him to "shove off".
Well then, that would make God a monster. According to C.S. Lewis, those who want to be separated from God WILL BE (that should be hell); if God were to need to do anything to make their misery complete, he couldn't be that glorious.
2. He ain't all that "angry" about sin or he'd give prevenient grace to all. The only reason parents don't give prevenient grace (or "irresistible grace" for that matter) is because they don't
Boy, how could you love a God like that? I thought that hell was where a person told God to buzz off and that like a gentleman, he'd honor their request. Of course they'd not receive his benefits (or ANY benefits since all good comes from God). Shouldn't his "wrath" and "removing all his benefits" be "one and the same"? Like "inflicting cold" is the same as "removal of heat" and "inflicting darkness" is "removing all light?"
Matthew
Matthew,
I haven't written on this blog in years, but I'll answer your objections? arguments? schizophrenic comments?
I'll be straight, I can't follow a word you're saying in your comments.
"The only reason parents don't give prevenient grace (or "irresistible grace" for that matter) is because they don't"
Huh? Do you know what prevenient grace or irresistible grace is?
Judging by your brief comments, it sounds like some people told you some random stuff, or you have some of your own opinions:
"Well then, that would make God a monster." ...Opinion...who says? the Bible? no.
"I was always told..." Opinion, again. Not a good way to argue from the Biblical text. (Note: neither is using a human example, such as stalkers).
"I thought..." Opinion, doesn't matter.
"Shouldn't his 'wrath' and 'removing all his benefits' be 'one and the same'?" etc.
Semantics, Matthew....semantics. Word it however you'd like, God actively punishes the wicked in hell, along with Satan.
Good day.
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