It is interesting to me how many people claim to be evangelical Christians, and yet deny the biblical teaching concerning hell. As ministers of the gospel, we must follow our Master, in warning our listeners about the eternal reality for all who do not bow the knee to King Jesus during this life. Ask yourself this question, when is the last time that you mentioned hell in a sermon or Bible study? Could it be that as pastors we have followed our culture by softening the edges of this doctrine, rather than speaking about it biblically? Preaching the gospel necessarily involves talking about that which we are saved from, namely, eternity in hell, experiencing God’s perfect and just wrath forever. Recently, Mark Dever quoted a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon, when he was 24 years old. Dever wrote, Spurgeon,
was talking about the many crowns of Christ (from Rev. 19:12) and he was speaking of crowns of dominions and victorys and thankfulnesses. And in the crowns of dominion, he extolled Christ’s crowns of dominion in heaven, hell and earth. And this is how he talked about Christ’s reign in Hell:
“It is the iron crown of hell, for Christ reigneth there supreme. Not only in the dazzling brightness of heaven, but in the black impenetrable darkness of hell is his omnipotence felt, and his sovereignty acknowledged; the chains which bind damned spirits are the chains of his strength; the fires which burn are the fires of his vengeance; the burning rays that scorch through their eyeballs, and melt their very heart, are flashed from his vindictive eye. There is no power in hell besides his. The very devils show his might. He chaineth the great dragon. If he give him a temporary liberty, yet is the chain in his hand, and he can draw him back lest he go beyond his limit. Hell trembles at him. The very howlings of lost spirits are but deep bass notes of his praise . While in heaven the glorious notes shout forth his goodness; in hell the deep growlings resound his justice, and his certain victory over all his foes. Thus his empire is higher than the highest heaven, and deeper than the lowest hell.” C. H. Spurgeon, “The Savior’s Many Crowns” Oct. 30, 1859, printed in New Park Street Pulpit, vol. 5, p. 450.
Pastors, think upon these things.
