Hell

Do you think it possible that a person would choose Hell over Heaven? Even as I type that sentence, I must admit that the question itself seems almost ludicrous. How in the world would any sane person choose the torments of Hell over the blessings of Heaven?

Jesus speaks of Hell using several different analogies or symbols. One of the symbols He uses to describe Hell is "outer darkness". In fact, he does this three times in the book of Matthew:

Matthew 8:12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22: 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

Matthew 25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I don't pretend to understand exactly what "outer darkness" is, but by definition darkness is the absence of light. Think about your house at night - while you are inside or on the porch it is lit up with the different sources of light. But as you go outside and move further and further from the house lights the darkness gets blacker and blacker. So "outer darkness" is describing a place so far away from a source of light that the blackness is complete. Now I don't believe that Jesus is talking about a physical darkness but a spiritual darkness. Since He is the Light, "outer darkness" would be a place void of the presence of God.

John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Even as I write this, I'm trying to imagine a place without Him and I can't. I'm not sure the words to describe a place like that even exist. Everything that is good comes from Him - without Him, I just can't even get it in my mind how horrible that would be. As opposed to Heaven, which is prepared for God's people, Hell is a place that was never prepared for us but for the devil and his angels. In fact, compare the "outer darkness" description of Hell to this description of Heaven found in Revelation:

Revelation 22:5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

So back to my original question - would people choose Hell (darkness) over Heaven? Although it seems beyond belief that they would, look at what the Scriptures say:

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

As a child, we hear stories or sermons about Hell and we get a visual image of what it is. Whether that image is right or wrong, we tend to carry it with us throughout our lives. The image I've always carried has been of a sinner being cast kicking and screaming into the the hell fire, an image of being 'sent' to hell. Although out of chances, if they could just get one more chance they would choose right. Maybe it is as simple as that, but I'm not so sure. Someone who spends their whole lives loving darkness rather than light has had multiple chances to make the right choice - to choose light over darkness - to choose God over self - to choose heaven over hell.

When I read the parable of the king's marriage supper, I find something very revealing hidden in just a few words:

Matthew 22:11-12 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.

Speechless. No arguing, no protesting, nothing. Just like he knew his choice had been made.