The Glory of Hell

We must remember also that hell exists for God's glory. Properly understood, it should not be an embarrassment to us. We need not speak about it in whispers or wish that it did not exist. In hell, and we can say this only in trembling reverence, God's glory will be unveiled in new and amazing ways. His kingly authority will be seen more clearly than has ever been possible before. Fresh aspects of his holiness and justice will be revealed to his wondering people.

We can dare to believe this because Scripture teaches it. The last book of the Bible shows us the sinless inhabitants of heaven praising and thanking God for hell….

…Yet God is close to those in hell, because he is present there in his anger. Hell is where God pours out his wrath on the condemned, not just in initial judgment, but for ever, personally and actively. Those who are in hell will see God in his holy fury. They will be compelled to gaze at their Judge, unable to shut their eyes. The sight of him, intolerably painful, will be their condemnation and their punishment.

…The essence of the fire of hell is the anger of a holy God, the Lord's burning righteous rage. His "fury is poured out like fire" (Nahum 1:6), a mighty release of wrath, unrestrained and indescribable. Unbelievers ridicule the idea of hell-fire. It seems to them absurdly melodramatic and "over the top". But they will change their minds. In hell they will no longer be laughing at literal flames. They will be longing for them. "If only the punishment were boiling oil or blazing coil!", they will cry. "If only it were as bearable as that!"

Edward Donnelly, Heaven and Hell,
(The Banner of Truth Trust, 2001), p. 24, 41-42.

I will write something about the doctrine of hell later this week. It will be short but important. Please watch for it.