2nd May 2026 Question box

Well, here is a challenging question: Why is there hell?

The bible doesn’t describe hell in detail. Sometimes it’s described using the imagery of fire or darkness or as being locked outside the kingdom. But why is there hell at all? If God is a God of life and light and beauty and joy… why is there such a thing as hell?

In answering this question, I think it’s important that we answer this question based on how the world actually is, rather than on how the world hypothetically could have been. What I mean is that the reality is that though God is a God of life and light and beauty and joy, and though God has revealed himself to us in creation, and in his word, and supremely in Jesus Christ… Reality is that humanity collectively turned its back on him. And so, if we don’t want God, what do we expect? Rebecca McLaughlin, in her excellent book: “Confronting Christianity” puts it like this:

“If Jesus is the bread of life, loss of Jesus means starving. If Jesus is the Light of the World, loss of Jesus means darkness. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, loss of Jesus means wandering alone and lost. If Jesus is the resurrection and the life, loss of Jesus is eternal death. And if Jesus is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for our sins, loss of Jesus means paying that price for ourselves.”

Near the end of the book of Revelation, it has a section which is kind of like two reaction videos to the idea that this world will be judged. Revelation chapters 18 and 19 described God’s judgment symbolically as the destruction of the city of Babylon. And it shows two responses to this idea of judgment:

• The first response is lament, mourning and and sadness over the fall of Babylon: “Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” (Revelation 18:16–17)
• But then in the next chapter, there is second response, which is praise to God: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments.” (Revelation 19:1–2).

See, on one hand, the reality of hell is a sad and serious thing. And yet it also stands as evidence of God’s glorious justice. Just like in our society we want our police to take action against criminals; it is actually a good thing that God deals with evildoers who refuse to repent. How could the new heavens and the new earth be any good unless evil is banished? And so yes, that’s why hell exists. And that’s why it is so urgent that every one of us thinks about where we stand with God, and that we come to Jesus who promises life in place of judgment, if we turn and trust in Him.

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This question was originally answered in our evening service on 8 February 2026. I’ll aim to post another question and answer next week. You can read about how our question box works here.