“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
—Matthew 25:41
THE BIBLE TEACHES that the only people who go to heaven are those who are washed from the guilt and pollution of their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, and this only happens when a person is united to Jesus by true faith. The Apostle John wrote in Revelation 1:5-6, “Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth, who has loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Heaven is where believers have perfect communion with God. It is a place of everlasting rest for the saints where sin, sorrow, and death no longer exist (Rev. 21:4).
IN MATTHEW CHAPTER 25, Jesus not only speaks about Heaven, but He also speaks about Hell. Jesus said Hell is a place of everlasting torment of both body and soul in the lake of fire, which is prepared for the devil and all unbelievers. Does your heart tremble over the sobering truth of Hell? The world laughs about Hell and speaks of it as a myth. Many others say Hell is something in this life and they refer to the suffering and miseries they go through as Hell. There are even some in the church who deny the existence of Hell. But the only thing that matters is what the sovereign God of the universe has revealed in His Word, and when you come to Scripture you find that Hell is a real place and it is not here on earth. Hell is a place of torment for all those who would not trust Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. Jesus told the Pharisees in John 5:40, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” And again, in John 8:24, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Surely, Hell is a truth from God’s Word that ought to awaken every human being.
THREE PLACES IN SCRIPTURE, Matthew 8:12, 22:13, and 25:30, Jesus calls Hell a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you see the seriousness of our sins? Sin is not something to laugh about or ignore. Sin is a wicked thing that deserves everlasting punishment in Hell (Romans 6:23). And the only refuge, the only escape, the only possible way to avoid an eternity in Hell, which every sinner deserves, is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our only hope.
IS YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST? Do you trust Him alone for the salvation of your soul? If so, then your life will manifest your trust in Him. Understand that I am not speaking about the perfection of your life but the direction of your life. You will delight in God’s Word, worship on the Lord’s Day, fellowship with God’s people, service of others, and love for the brethren. You see, true faith produces repentance and good works; they are fruits of true faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). Notice what Jesus said of those who trusted in Him, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matt. 25:35-36). True faith was manifested in the redeemed by their good works. But if your life is only hypocrisy then your confession of Christ is empty and vain, and the Word of God says to you right now, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” Christ’s perfect life, sin atoning death, and glorious resurrection is the only hope of avoiding God’s justice being satisfied on us in Hell. Are you trusting Jesus?
Tuesday Encouragement: February 17, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
