Is there really a place of eternal judgment or damnation or is it just a scare tactic?
The answer is yes, there really is a place of eternal judgment.
The apostle Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit uses the term “in flaming fire”.
This is a reference to the second coming of Christ, which follows the catching away of the body of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;1 Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
The issue is weather or if we are obedience to the gospel. Mankind has a choice. He can chose to believe the gospel or he can chose to be an unbeliever.
The result of this choice is either everlasting blessedness with God in Christ or everlasting conscious torments in the lake of fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; The punishment according to the verse is (1) Everlasting: It last forever. (2) Destruction: rendered useless for the purpose intended. (3) From the presence of the Lord: The unbeliever will never enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord, never hear his voice nor witness all that God is. (4) From the glory of his power: total doom and darkness. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
- When He comes to take the church off the earth He has already done all that he is going to do to keep the unbeliever from eternal punishment. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- To be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believes.
- The testimony of the believer in the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ did it all on the cross that was required to bring salvation to all that would trust in that alone. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
The next question that always comes up, does God really send people to the Lake of Fire?
The answer of course is no. Man is a free moral agent. If he decides to reject what the Lord has done for him and breaking down the barricade that a loving gracious, merciful God has done for him, he sends himself to hell. Here are some of those barricades:
- The love of God demonstrated at Calvary: Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- He offers full forgiveness of sin: 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
- God is not, in this current dispensation of grace of God charging you of your sins. He offers us eternal life as a free gift. All you need do is believe it and receive it. Does a loving God really send people to the lake of fir? No, the sinner must willingly choose to break through the barricades of God’s mercy and grace.
Why was hell created and who will be there? The answer is clear from the scripture that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. Satan, the fallen angles, the beast, the false prophet and all that never believed the gospel will be there. Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.