Experiencing Hell
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 NKJV.
On Quora this morning I read about Tsutomu Yamaguchi who experienced the hell on earth of an atomic bomb blast twice and lived to talk about both of them. The first was Hiroshima and the second was at Nagasaki. Yamaguchi was badly burned from the blast at Hiroshima but somehow made it to a train station that was still operational.
The train took him back home to Nagasaki where he received some treatment for his burns. He reported to work and was there when the second bomb exploded. His wife was out hunting for burn cream for Yamaguchi and survived because she was in a tunnel when the Nagasaki bomb exploded.
Yamaguchi not only survived the bombs, but he lived to the age of 93 when he died of cancer. He became an advocate for the elimination of nuclear weapons. (Quora and History.com 08.10.15)
One thing we do not know about this man is whether or not he had believed upon Jesus Christ and became a born-again believer. It would be incredibly sad after Yamaguchi had experienced hell on earth twice during those atomic blasts to end up experiencing eternal life in an eternal hell.
In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus we are given a view of hell being experienced by the Rich Man in Luke 16:23-26: “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
“Then 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.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’”
Another description of hell is given in Matthew 22:13: “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
All those who do not believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment which we read about in Revelation 20. There we are told about their punishment in hell (hades): “And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13c-15).”
And in Revelation 20:10 we are told: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Have you believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation and have been born-again? There is something to be saved from and how sad it would be for you to live a good life but end up living eternally in an eternal hell. When is the day of salvation 2 Corinthians 6:2 Jesus says: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Pray now, asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Open the door of your heart and ask Him to come in. Revelation 3:20 says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”