“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
(Jude 1:7)
Hell is described in Scripture with words so dreadful they should strike terror into every sinner’s heart. Jude calls it “the vengeance of eternal fire, and the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 7, 13). John tells of “a lake of fire and brimstone” (Rev. 20:10, 15). Christ Himself speaks of “a fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not” (Mark 9:46). Fire is already a torment beyond endurance, but eternal fire is misery multiplied beyond measure. And yet, even these words are but shadows of the wrath the offended God will inflict on the ungodly.
To choose sin over Christ is to choose these torments. Those who despise the Gospel and embrace wickedness are choosing everlasting fire over everlasting life. And yet what madness it is to exchange temporary pleasure for eternal anguish! Paul’s rebuke fits: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?” (Gal. 3:1).
If those who rejected Moses’ law died without mercy, how much greater will be the punishment of those who trample underfoot the Son of God and count His blood an unholy thing (Heb. 10:28-29). God, knowing the weakness of men, has given both promises to draw us and threats to awaken us. Richard Allestree wrote, “If it were not for the fear of evil and the hope of good, it is to be feared that the pressing of other motives should be but a mere beating of the air.”[1] God Himself has sufficiently forewarned us that we might flee from wrath and run to Christ.
Christ endured that wrath for all who believe. He bore the fire, He suffered the vengeance, and He satisfied the justice of God. By His cross we are freed from the captivity of sin and the doom of eternal torment. So to reject Him is to reject the only escape from fire unquenchable.
Contemplations:
- The flood of wrath. The deluge of God’s wrath will drown all wicked men and angels in everlasting destruction and perdition for gratifying their own foolish and base lusts (1 Tim. 6:9).
- Sudden destruction. The one who rejects God’s offer of salvation does not know when or how judgment will fall. As Isaiah says, “Desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know” (Isa. 47:11). And then the sinner will be subject forever to unrelenting wrath.
- Warring against God. A sinner’s days on earth are spent under Satan’s banner and in enmity against God, His saints, and His truth. By such a life he heaps up wrath upon his head and secures his eternal misery.
Prayer (supplication)
O righteous and holy Lord, I come before You trembling at the truth of Your Word. You have spoken of eternal fire, of darkness without end, of a worm that does not die, and of a lake of fire and brimstone. You have declared that this is the portion of the ungodly. Lord, keep me from such a doom. Let me never taste the vengeance of eternal fire.
I plead with You, Father, don’t let my heart be hardened by sin. Do not allow me to love the fleeting pleasures of unrighteousness more than the eternal joys of Christ. Rescue me from the deceit of lusts that drown souls in perdition. Keep me from being bewitched by the world. And by Your Spirit draw me away from the path that leads to destruction.
Lord, save me from sudden judgment. Your Word warns that desolation shall come upon the sinner unawares. Preserve me, O God, from being overtaken in my rebellion. Let me not be found unprepared when death arrives. Instead, let me be clothed in Christ, covered in His righteousness and washed in His blood.
I ask, O Father, for a deeper sense of sin’s danger. Let me never trifle with wickedness. Let me see the flame behind every temptation, the pit beneath every sin, the eternal wrath behind every rejection of Christ. Let holy fear keep me from foolishness and reverence guard me against carelessness.
I pray, Lord, for deliverance from Satan’s lies. By nature I am his captive, fighting against You, Your saints, and Your truth. Break my chains by the power of Your Son. Set me free to serve You. Transfer me from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your dear Son.
I cry to You, Lord Jesus, Savior of sinners. You endured the wrath I deserve. You bore the flame that would have consumed me. You suffered the vengeance that should have fallen on my head. Let Your sacrifice be my refuge. Let Your death be my deliverance. Let Your resurrection be my hope.
O Lord, keep me in Your grace until the day of Christ. Do not let me wander into sin’s path and fall under eternal fire. Uphold me by Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in holiness. Give me perseverance in faith. And let me enter at last into eternal life, not eternal wrath.
Hear my supplication, O God of mercy. For the sake of Your Son who shed His blood, deliver me from the vengeance to come and bring me into Your everlasting rest.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Jude 1:7:
Deut. 29:23, Matt. 25:41, 2 Peter 2:6, Amos 4:11
[1] Richard Allestree, A Discourse Concerning the Beauty of Holiness (London: J.C., 1679), 90.
