The Eternal Consequences of Missing Heaven
The Eternal Consequences of Missing Heaven: A Truth We Cannot Ignore
A Sober Warning About the Reality of Hell and the Urgency of Salvation
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” - Matthew 25:46
Imagine a place where hope has perished, where love is forever absent, where light has been eternally extinguished—a realm of unending darkness, agony, and despair. This is not the plot of a horror novel or the exaggeration of zealous preachers trying to manipulate through fear. This is hell, the sobering biblical reality and the eternal consequence awaiting those who die without Christ. The Bible does not soften this truth or present it as mere metaphor. Jesus Himself spoke more about hell than about heaven, warning us repeatedly of the danger facing every soul that rejects God's salvation.
Matthew 25:46 declares with unmistakable clarity: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Notice the parallel structure—everlasting punishment for some, eternal life for others. The duration is the same; only the destination differs. Those who miss heaven don't simply cease to exist or enter some neutral state. They enter conscious, unending torment, eternally separated from God who is the source of all goodness, joy, peace, and love. This separation is not temporary discipline or remedial suffering that eventually ends. It is eternal—forever and ever, without relief, without reprieve, without hope of escape or end.
Some may protest that this message is harsh, unloving, or designed to frighten people into faith. But consider this: Is it unloving for a doctor to warn a patient about a deadly disease? Is it cruel for a watchman to sound the alarm when danger approaches? Ezekiel 33:11 records God's own heart: “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” God Himself pleads with sinners to turn from destruction. He takes no pleasure in judgment but rather desires that all would come to repentance and be saved. The message of hell is not fearmongering—it is a desperate warning motivated by love, spoken to rescue perishing souls from an avoidable tragedy.
The Biblical Reality of Hell
Hell is not a theological abstraction or a metaphor for human suffering in this life. It is a literal place prepared for the devil and his angels, a place of eternal conscious torment for all who die in their sins without Christ.
A Place of Eternal Fire
Jesus described hell in the starkest possible terms. Matthew 25:41 records His words at the final judgment: “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.” This fire was originally prepared for Satan and demons, not for humanity. Human beings were created for fellowship with God, destined for glory and eternal life. But when we reject God's offer of salvation through Christ, we choose to share the destiny prepared for the devil. Mark 9:43-44 warns: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” The fire is never quenched—it burns forever. The worm never dies—the torment never ceases. Revelation 20:10 describes the final destiny of the devil: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” This is the fate awaiting all whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.
A Place of Outer Darkness
Hell is also described as a place of outer darkness. Matthew 8:12 records Jesus' warning: “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This darkness is not merely the absence of physical light but the total absence of God's presence, glory, and goodness. In heaven, there is no need for the sun because God Himself is the light (Revelation 21:23). In hell, God's presence—the source of all light, life, love, and joy—is withdrawn. What remains is absolute spiritual darkness, isolation, and despair. Matthew 22:13 repeats this warning: “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The weeping speaks of inconsolable sorrow; the gnashing of teeth indicates intense anguish and rage—rage at self for rejecting salvation, rage at God for executing just judgment, rage at the finality of an irreversible destiny.
A Place of Everlasting Destruction
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 describes hell as everlasting destruction: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” This destruction is not annihilation—not ceasing to exist—but eternal ruin, the eternal loss of everything that makes existence meaningful or bearable. It is destruction from God's presence—banishment from the source of all that is good, beautiful, true, and lovely. Isaiah 33:14 asks the sobering question: “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” The answer is clear: those who die without righteousness, without Christ, without salvation.
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told a parable that pulls back the veil between this world and the next, showing us the stark reality of heaven and hell. A rich man lived in luxury while a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate covered with sores. Both died. Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom (paradise), but the rich man found himself in hell, in torments.
Luke 16:23-24 describes the scene: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Notice several sobering truths: The rich man is conscious, able to see, speak, remember, and feel intense suffering. He is in flames, tormented, desperately begging for even a drop of water to cool his tongue. His suffering is so intense that even the smallest relief would be welcome. But Abraham's response is devastating.
The Great Fixed Chasm
Luke 16:25-26 records Abraham's reply: “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” The great gulf is fixed—permanently established, unchangeable, impossible to cross. There is no second chance after death, no purgatory, no opportunity for escape. The rich man made his choice in life; now his destiny is sealed forever. Hebrews 9:27 confirms this: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Death, then judgment. No intermediate state, no do-overs, no appeals. The decision made in this life determines the destiny experienced in eternity. This is why the message is so urgent: today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late.
The rich man then begs Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers, saying in Luke 16:28: “For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But Abraham responds: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” The rich man protests: “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” Abraham's final word is sobering: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:29-31). God has given sufficient warning in His Word. Those who reject the testimony of Scripture will not be convinced even by a resurrection. Ironically, Jesus did rise from the dead, yet many still refuse to believe.
Who Goes to Hell
Many people imagine that only the worst sinners—murderers, rapists, child abusers—end up in hell. They assume that generally good people, those who live moral lives and help others, will certainly go to heaven. But this is not what the Bible teaches.
The Unrighteous Will Not Inherit the Kingdom
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 provides a sobering list: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” This list includes both what we might consider “major” sins and “minor” ones. The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, and swindlers—none will inherit God's kingdom unless they repent and are washed in the blood of Christ. Galatians 5:19-21 gives a similar list, adding: “envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Even sins that our culture dismisses as normal or acceptable—envy, jealousy, selfish ambition—exclude people from heaven unless they are forgiven through Christ.
All Liars Will Have Their Part in the Lake of Fire
Revelation 21:8 expands the list further: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Notice that “all liars” are included with murderers and the sexually immoral. Every person who has ever told a lie—which includes every human being—stands condemned unless saved by grace through faith in Christ. Romans 3:23 declares: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all broken God's law. We are all guilty. We all deserve hell. This is why salvation cannot be earned by good works or moral living. Romans 3:10-12 states: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Our best righteousness is as filthy rags before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior.
The Good News of Salvation
If the message ended with hell and judgment, it would be the most hopeless, terrifying message imaginable. But praise God, there is good news! God has provided a way of escape. He has opened a door to heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God's Love and Christ's Sacrifice
John 3:16 is perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God loves you. He doesn't want you to perish in hell. That's why He sent Jesus to die in your place, bearing the punishment your sins deserved. Romans 5:8 declares: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died for sinners—for rebels, enemies, the ungodly. He took our place, suffered our punishment, endured the wrath we deserved. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus, who never sinned, became sin for us so that we could become righteous in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:18 states: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” The just suffered for the unjust. The innocent died for the guilty. This is the gospel—the good news that can save your soul from hell.
Salvation Through Faith Alone
You cannot earn salvation through good works, religious rituals, or moral improvement. Ephesians 2:8-9 is crystal clear: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation is a free gift, received by faith alone. Acts 16:31 gives the simple answer to the question “What must I do to be saved?”—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9-10 explains: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, that He died for your sins and rose again. Confess Him as your Lord and Savior. That's how you are saved. Romans 10:13 promises: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Whosoever—that includes you, no matter how sinful your past, how far you've fallen, how much you've rebelled. God's offer of eternal life through salvation is available to all who will call upon Jesus in faith.
The Urgency of Today
2 Corinthians 6:2 declares: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” Not tomorrow, not next week, not when you get your life cleaned up—now is the day of salvation. Isaiah 55:6-7 urges: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Seek the Lord while He may be found. There is coming a day when it will be too late.
Proverbs 27:1 warns: “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” You don't know if you'll be alive tomorrow. James 4:14 asks: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Life is brief, fragile, uncertain. You may never have another opportunity to respond to the gospel. Hebrews 3:15 pleads: “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Today—right now—if you hear God's voice calling you to salvation, don't harden your heart. Don't put it off. Don't assume you have time. You may not.
Don't Miss Heaven—Receive Christ Today
The eternal consequences of missing heaven are too terrible to ignore. Hell is real—a place of everlasting fire, outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternal separation from God. But heaven is also real—a place of eternal joy, peace, fellowship with God, and incomprehensible glory. The choice is yours. John 3:36 declares: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Believe on Christ and receive everlasting life. Reject Him and face the wrath of God forever. If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, today is your day. Confess your sins to God. Acknowledge that you deserve hell but that Jesus died in your place and rose again. Ask Him to save you, to forgive your sins, to give you eternal life. Romans 10:13 promises: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Call on Jesus now. Don't wait another moment. Eternity is too long to regret missing heaven.