Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
April 25, 2021

I Don’t Want to Go to Hell
by Bryan Gibson
I have read all the New Testament warnings about hell, and that reading led me to two very firm conclusions: 1) Hell is real, and 2) I don’t want to go there. From the very language used in those warnings, here are just a few reasons I don’t want to go to hell.
I don’t want to face the fierce wrath of an Almighty God (Rev. 19:15; 16:19); I want nothing to do with His fiery indignation (Heb. 10:27; Rom. 2:8); and I do NOT want Him to take vengeance on me (Heb. 10:30; 2 Thess. 1:8; Jude 1:7). I do NOT want to “drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation” (Rev. 14:10).
I do NOT want Jesus to forever cast me away from the presence of God (2 Thess. 1:8-9), away from everything which is truly good. I was struck by often Jesus uses the word “cast” when speaking of eternal judgment (e.g., Matt. 5:29-30; 8:12; 13:42, 50), not just “cast into hell,” but cast out, or cast away, away from the presence of God. Count these among the words I never want to hear: “Depart from Me” (Matt. 7:23; 25:41; Luke 13:27).
I don’t want to experience the prevailing conditions in hell, conditions such as torment (Rev. 14:10-11; 20:10); tribulation and anguish (Rom. 2:9); wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:42); and outer darkness (Matt. 25:30; 2 Pet. 2:17). I don’t want to experience “everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:46); “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41); “the furnace of fire” (Matt. 13:42, 50); “the lake of fire and brimstone” (Rev. 20:10). I want nothing to do with a place where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:46).
Now, because I don’t want to go to hell, here’s what I plan to do.
I will first and foremost seek salvation in Jesus the Christ. “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9); it is “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).
I will serve Him faithfully and diligently, all the way to the end (Heb. 10:35-39; 11:6). I want to keep my name in the Book of Life, because “anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).
I will do my best to “cut off” anything that causes me to sin (Matthew 18:8-9), and I will repent of any sins I do commit against Him. “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).
I will search the Scriptures for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. You see, I don’t want to believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 22:15), and I don’t want to teach anyone else a lie (2 Pet. 2:1-3). I’ve read the consequences for both, and it’s exactly what was described above.
I will treat others with the same love God has shown to me (Matt. 25:41-46; James 2:12-13). Hell is for those who don’t love God, and if I don’t love them, I don’t love Him (1 John 4:20).
I will seek the place Jesus has prepared for me (John 14:1-3), a place where I CAN enjoy the presence of God (1 Thess. 4:17); a place where there is NO NIGHT (Rev. 22:5), because it’s illuminated by the glory of God (Rev. 21:23); “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4). I long for the day when “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
(temporary during pandemic)
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.