R I P — E.A. Johnston

When a person dies, it's common to hear the expression R .I .P. which is a way to say goodbye to their memory and a hope for their good eternity by saying rest in peace. When I was in college, I had a friend whose father died and he was upset and I tried to encourage him.

I said well, at least he's not suffering anymore. He's at peace and my friend grew upset. He said no, his father wasn't at peace. His father was in hell. When I read my Bible, I see several vivid descriptions for hell mostly from the lips of Jesus.

Hell as a Place of Unending Torment

In Mark 9 36 Jesus says hell is a place where the worm doth not and the fire is not quenched. Suggesting that hell is a region of unending duration. It is as everlasting as heaven is and that in hell there is torment for a fire that is never quenched.

That means God's judgment and punishment upon sin and Rebellion is a constant pouring out of his wrath and hell like the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah. Also Jesus speaks of hell as a Terrifying region.

Hell as a Bottomless Pit and Crowded Prison

He says it is a bottomless pit for in Revelation 21 declares. And I saw an angel Come down from heaven. Having the key of the bottomless pit in a great chain in his hand the reference to bottomless Suggests a very large place that can never be completely filled.

It's been estimated that 83 people a minute die apart from Christ. Do the math friend that comes to almost 5 ,000 an hour every day. 120 ,000 people fall into hell. Why. That's over 800 ,000 a week. Every month that adds up to 3 million souls cast into the terrors of hell throughout the course of a year.

40 million new arrivals. Populate the region of hell let 10 years go by in another 400 million souls are shut up in that prison to scream and agony. Now think back in your minds of all the Generations since Adam and add all the hordes and hordes of people who have died apart from Christ and every Generation and not you by hell right at this moment.

And you will surely agree that hell is a very crowded place. No wonder it has no bottom. There was always room for one more. The mention of a chain a great chain in his hand speaks of hell as a prison of which there is no escape no freedom of movement.

Chains of Darkness and Outer Darkness

A prisoner in chains. This again is emphasized by the Apostle Peter. Where he describes hell in the following terms. In 2nd Peter Chapter 2 and verse 4 we read and spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness.

To be reserved unto judgment. To be chained up in the prison of hell. It's a horrible thought also. The mention of chains of darkness he says it's a dark place. This is verified by Jesus who described hell is a region of outer darkness.

We read his words and Matthew 2213. Then said the king to the servants Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness. There should be weeping and gnashing the teeth. So not only is hell so pitch-black dark.

You can't see your hand in front of your face. It's also a place of misery. Where there's weeping and gnashing the teeth. Weepin speaks of great loss in grief and gnashing the teeth signifies great anger and regret.

Cultural Misconceptions About Hell

But often Hollywood entertainers and Celebrities take a very flippant view of hell. I remember watching a TV interview with Freddie Mercury the lead singer for the rock group Queen and the TV host as the Rock singer a question.

He said do you think when you die you're gonna go to heaven. And Freddie? Mercury sneered and said I don't want to go to heaven. I would much rather go to hell. Hell will be much more fun than that. Well, I'm sure he's changed his opinion now.

The Lake of Fire and the Final Judgment

A vivid illustration of hell is found in the book of Revelation. Where it speaks of a final judgment in a lake of fire. In Revelation Chapter 20 and verses 14 and 15 we read and death and hell. Were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death and whosoever Was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Imagine friends the Turmoil of that burning and churning lake of fire boiling and spitting flames.

The Troubled Sea of Isaiah

That imagery brings me to our text today friends. You can be found in the book of Isaiah Where I believe is the most disturbing. Description the most disturbing aspect of hell ever mentioned in my Bible for over in Isaiah chapter 57 and verses 20 and 21 is the most horrible scene described of hell that one could ever imagine.

We read in God's Word Oh, but the wicked are like the troubled sea When it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Let me pause here to say friends. I live in the hurricane capital of the world in the state of Florida and in hurricane season when a Big one is approaching.

We residents have to line up and evacuate and get out of town. I'll never forget one time as I was driving over the causeway on the way out of the city. I looked at that raging sea beneath me. It was rising and falling and spraying water and making the sound of wailing.

From the violent wind it was terrifying. That indeed was the troubled sea. Hell is like that troubled sea in our last verse reads. There is no peace Sayeth my God to the wicked. No, peace. No rest in hell.

The Plea to Seek Peace Before Judgment

No R .i .p. No rest in peace, but rather upending in unending turmoil and Conflict just like a churning troubled sea. Don't go to hell friend. I beg you. It's a terrible place. It's worse than your worst nightmare.