The Books that Showed Me Summer Heat Will Never Be Hotter Than Hell

I admit, I handle summer in small doses. When I hear that the humidity is climbing and the temps are soaring, I get a little anxious. The heat tends to really get to me faster than most people. Thankfully I take medicine to help keep the hot flashes to a minimum and survive the worst of the heat.

Last week was a heat wave that meteorologists said was the worst in ten years. I was grateful all week because when I thought I couldn’t take it, a breeze would come through. I thought our central air would run all week, every hour, every day. It turns out we used it, but not as often as I thought.

I read Facebook updates and Tweets from across the country where friends and acquaintances posted their heat index numbers and thoughts on the heat.  More than once I read it was “hotter than hell.”

 

It was a hot week, I agree.

 

 

 

But you aren’t going to hear me say it was hotter than hell.

I think if churches dove into the reality of hell more than the theatrics I remember from years ago about people’s hell bent destination I think a lot more people would take their eternal condition seriously. Hell is real and the little I’ve read on the subject convinces me it is a place I don’t want anyone to go to.

The torment in hell never stops. Not a pause. Not a break. No stopping the torment.

Contrary to what people say, you won’t be meeting up with friends for a party.  Anyone hell bound chose not to have a relationship with God through His Son. That isn’t God’s fault, that was a choice the person made. Their eternity will be without God’s present and that is a darkness and loneliness I can’t put words to. The Bible shares a story in Luke 16:19-31 about a rich man who went to hell and was able to communicate with Lazarus in heaven. He begged for just one drop of water on his tongue, he was so miserable and in agony. My guess is one is alone yet hears the screams from others. The Bible also says beyond the weeping there is constant gnashing of teeth. Forever.

One of the most chilling books I read was 23 Minutes in Hell by Bill Wiese. He explains,

“My sincere hope is that this book is the closest you will ever come to  experiencing hell for yourself.”
Bill Wiese saw the searing flames of hell, felt total isolation, and experienced the putrid and rotting stench, deafening screams of agony, terrorizing demons, and finally, the strong hand of God lifting him out of the pit.

“Tell them I am coming very, very soon!”

Wiese’s visit to the devil’s lair lasted just twenty-three minutes, but he returned with vivid details etched in his memory. Since this life-changing ordeal, he has spent the last seven years studying the Scriptures to find answers and has listed more than 150 Bible verses referencing hell.

Everyone is curious about the afterlife, and now Wiese shares his insights to commonly asked questions such as:

• Is hell a literal burning place?
• Where is hell?
• Do you have a body in hell?
• Are there Degrees of punishment in hell?
• Are there children in hell?
• Can Demons torment people in hell?
• Can “good” people go to hell?

“Even if you don’t believe my story, I hope you will believe the Scriptures and avoid hell just the same.”

After reading that book I realized I could never make a comment like “hotter than hell”.

Yes, it’s an oppressive week or so. But thank God it’s not eternal.

Do you want to make sure you know your eternal destination? Click here.

 

 

P.S.

You’re invited to join me Thursday at 1pm EST for a webinar book study. We’re going through the NYT bestseller Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. This week we’re going through Chapters 4-6 and talking about accountability. If you don’t have the book I encourage you to participate anyway. I believe after the webinar you’ll want to run and get the book and participant’s guide. I’d love it if you tell others about this free, one hour a week opportunity.

My Room Link:

https://connectpro19068335.adobeconnect.com/julie-arduini-the-surrendered-scribe/