There are some folks who simply do not believe that there is a place called Hell. If there is no such place, then why did Christ come to try and save us from it? Along with that belief is that Christ offered that sacrifice that just automatically covers everyone. At least the good folks anyway. The reality of Hell, like many other things in the scriptures, is something that can be conveniently disregarded, allowing us to bask in the richness of the death of Christ that saved all. Unfortunately the Bible does not teach that.
Christ prepared his disciples for their lives ahead and warned them over and over not to be afraid. On one such occasion Christ specifically warned them about Hell. "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10.28). God is the one who is able to condemn one to Hell. Christ stated the Hell has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt 25.41). Some might think that this leaves sinners out of this fate. Earlier in the verse, as Christ is discussing the eternal state of those who claimed that they had served him, but were condemned, he adds that statement above. This is a clear indication that while Hell has been prepared for those spirit beings who sinned, those who are not saved by the blood of Christ will be there as well.
Rebuking the Pharisees and others who lives were unrighteous and filled with hypocrisy, Christ stated, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matt 23.33). Christ also warned about the dangers of the flesh and the condemnation that would come from sin (Mark 9.43-45). In these passages Christ indicated that it would be best to part with whatever would cause us to stumble and sin against God than be cast into Hell.
The message of the Gospel is indeed the "good news" of salvation. There is a need to be saved. If there is a need to be saved, then it stands to reason that there is something that we need to be saved from. We need to be saved from the eternal torment of Hell. Peter, speaking about the condemnation of false teachers, states they will be condemned to Hell just as those angels were who sinned (2 Pet 2.1-22). In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man is condemned to fiery torment for eternity because of his unrighteousness (Luke 16.23). Paul tells us that those who "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..." (2 Thess 1.8-9).
It is amazing how simple something like this can be put out of mind. Those who believe that there is no Hell have to reduce the Bible to simply a collection of opinions that have only relative value. If this is true then why did Christ come to this world and die? The truth is that he came to save us from something. He did not come to do all of the work that we have to do. There is gratitude for that sacrifice and acknowledgment of God's love for us. That is found in obedience. Or as Christ stated, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14.15). Not accepting what the scriptures state is a way of showing our disregard for Christ, not love.
TLC