In what ways can we thank God for hell?

[Pergamum]

It might have been Billy Sunday who said it, "If there wasn't a hell I would donate 10 bucks to get one started."

In what ways are we to praise God for the existence of hell? In what ways is hell a comfort to believers in an unfair world where evil often reigns?

Any quotes, sermons, verss, thoughts?

 

[irresistible_grace]

The only thing that comes to mind is 2 Peter 2.

I guess we are to be thankful that "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment."

 

[Zach]

My Pastor likes to quote Lord of the Rings and say that the judgment is where "everything sad will come untrue". As terrible as hell is, it means that no evil will go unpunished and it displays the goodness of God in that way. Praise God that our evil was punished in Christ and that in His grace we will never have to go there.

 

[irresistible_grace]

My Pastor likes to say that the judgment is where "everything sad will come untrue". As terrible as hell is, it means that no evil will go unpunished and it displays the goodness of God in that way. Praise God that our evil was punished in Christ and that in His grace we will never have to go there.

Your pastor sounds a lot like Samwise Gamgee.

 

[Zach]

My Pastor likes to say that the judgment is where "everything sad will come untrue". As terrible as hell is, it means that no evil will go unpunished and it displays the goodness of God in that way. Praise God that our evil was punished in Christ and that in His grace we will never have to go there.

Your pastor sounds a lot like Samwise Gamgee.

That's why I put it in quotes. Sorry, I should have made it clearer that he was quoting Sam.

 

[irresistible_grace]

I read your post so fast I somehow missed the part about quoting the Lord of the Ring. I just saw the quote... Samwise "The Brave" Gamgee is my favorite character from the movie so I guess today is going to be a mushy brain day!

 

[earl40]

Personally I am almost surprised that this question even comes up. Let me explain. I am a tad "raw" after my mom passed away recently and I love her so much now in death I shudder and get rather mad when I think of anyone who ever hurt her (which includes me BTW). I can see clearly in this "raw" state that the wrath I would like to enact on all the unrighteous acts done against her would be totally justified but my condition would exacerbate the punishment beyond any just punishment that is deserved. I can only imagine the parents and family of the children who were slaughtered recently and those that lived through wars, cruel dictators, monster bosses, etc.....Now I know I have to temper my anger knowing I am no different than any other monster being still a sinner, but I also have to realize I am a repentant saint that KNOWS God will enact judgment to the unrepentant sinner and that judgment will be worse than any judgment I can enact here on earth. Personally I am happy there is a hell for those that remain unrepentant and am humbled there is a heaven for the rest of us sinners saved by grace.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

If we remember that "thanking God" isn't always about having a big grin, clapping, or feelings of personal satisfaction, then we can thank God for his perfect justice:

1) in the unimaginable suffering, the "hell" of the cross of our Savior, who endured for his elect the whole of that justice which they deserved;

2) in the perfect retribution, the hell of the ungodly-hateful-rebellious ones, many of whom sought the hurt of others, and more of whom who wished it.

Is.66:23-24 speak of the eternal worship of God's people, which includes some reflection on the fate of the lost. Our satisfaction is always in God himself, but our thankfulness can elicit different ways of expression, depending on the object.

 

[Matthew Willard Lankford]

It is one part of the Christian's heaven to think of hell; the miseries of this life commend heaven to us, much more the torments of the world to come.

—Thomas Manton