“…those who have done good to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
(John 5:29)
Hell is an uncomfortable doctrine for most of us. But if we consider that Jesus talked about hell – with severe warnings and in explicit detail – more than any other person in the Bible and more than He talked about heaven, we should be willing to do the same. Further, we cannot truly understand the significance of the gospel in relation to God’s holiness and our utter depravity without having a clear understanding of hell and why it exists.
Hell, though originally created for the devil and his angels, is the final destination of eternal death for those who reject the gospel. We know those in Christ will be transformed from being mortal to immortality, but so will those who are without Christ.
Those who died without Christ will be raised to condemnation, to join the unrepentant souls still living at the time of judgment. They will both be changed from the physical body we now know to an immortal body, one that will feel the excruciating pain and terror of eternal punishment in the flames of hell without being consumed. And both will hear… “Depart from me you cursed into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels,” (Matt. 25:41).
In one sure and unwavering sentence their condemnation will be complete, because the Judge of all the earth judges justly. “And they shall come forth that have done good; to the resurrection of life. But they that have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation,” (John 5:29).
Once those who belong to Christ are united with Him in glory (1 Thess. 4:16-17), and those without God are sentenced to everlasting condemnation, they will forever be separated from the presence and glory of God’s goodness and blessing. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 warns, “Which shall be punished with everlasting perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”
The wicked will be tormented with the outpouring of God’s wrath on them for all eternity (Isa. 66:24). They will experience hell fire and utter darkness, with no hope of rescue or relief ever (Rev. 21:8, Isa. 66:24). This is the full execution of the great justice of God in punishing sin. The reality of hell is sobering. Are you among the elect… or the reprobate? Are you certain in your soul that you know God as Father and Christ as Savior and Lord?
William Perkins rightly said of this, “From here also comes God’s glory, which He propounds to Himself as the last and chief end in all these things.” Let us, as His children, adore God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength for His indisputable goodness. And let us praise and thank Him every moment of every day that He has spared us His wrath.
“And now little children abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may be bold,
and not be ashamed before Him at His coming,” (I John 2:28).
- Lord, I know my salvation does not depend on my works, nor even my faith, but on Your will, which is immutable because both You and Your promises are immutable. Since it is You that justifies, Lord, who shall condemn me? I rejoice that my name is written in the book of life. My anchor of hope is fixed in the immutable good pleasure of Your will, so that nothing can undermine what Christ has done to recover me from death and hell.
- My soul is humbled under Your mighty hand, Lord, and my faith in Christ’s work on the cross stands firm. Help me not be high minded, but rather come before You with reverent fear for You and Your holiness.
- Help me, Lord, give glory to You for all things. 2 Thess. 2:13, “We ought to give thanks always to God for you brethren, beloved of the Lord, because that God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation.” Even during difficult times, help me glorify You as I ought and look to Christ for safety.
- Help me bear all my crosses patiently, Lord. Romans 8:29 says, “Those which He knew before, He also predestinated, to be made like to the image of His son.” This likeness to Christ is for me to bear afflictions. As Philippians 3:10 states, “That I may know Him, and the virtue of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His afflictions, to be made conformable to His death.”
- Help me to do good works that demonstrate my faith in You to others, Lord. Eph. 2:10, “We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has ordained, that we should walk in them.” Amen!
Further References for John 5:29
Dan. 12:2; Act 24:15; Matt. 25:46; Luke 14:14; John 5:28, 6:39
