Though they are on the steps of the doors to hell, I believe that the unsaved don’t want to know God. Everyone has a conscience, which gives an awareness of right and wrong. The Bible says that God has revealed Himself to each individual through their conscience. What more can God do to warn people?

Many are aware of heaven and hell but somehow show no concern. The person who rejects God does not understand the real horrors of this Godless place. This may be because they don’t believe hell exists or they are convinced it would be tolerably better than heaven and nothing can be further from the truth.

At this point, they are not preferring hell over God; they are blind to both. They do not perceive the true glories of God, neither do they perceive the true horrors of hell. When they die, they will be shocked beyond words.

What sinners want is not hell but sin. The fact that hell is the inevitable consequence of unforgiven sin does not make the consequence desirable. It is truly not what people want — certainly not what they “want most.” Wanting sin is no more equal to wanting hell than wanting chocolate is equal to wanting obesity. However, consuming sin again and again with no regard for repentance will result to eternal damnation.

Some want to believe that God would not send anyone to hell. It is a nice thought, but it is simply unbiblical. God certainly does send people to hell. In His justice, He does pass a sentence and executes it. Indeed, worse than that, God does not just send, He throws. Revelation 20:15 reads, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (ESV).

Hell is real. It is a place where many are going but few fully recognize the horrendous fate that awaits them there. It is essential that this truth is not lost but understood and shared.