Heaven is Real and Hell is Real

Heaven is real.

Books and movies often recount life after death experiences of people seeing heaven. These accounts touch our heart and imagination. The awe and wonder in the idea of heaven offers hope for a better world.

And with the unsettled state of our current world, we find comfort in the promise of heaven.

Sunday School Lessons 

Growing up, I remember Sunday School teachers and preachers talking about heaven. What the Bible said, how God dwells there, and the fascinating descriptions of the heavenly city as in Revelation 21.

The best part? Being in the presence of God.

And this, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” Revelation 21:4b, NIV.

Yet, I heard about another place called hell.

Evangelists, church revivals, and songs all proclaimed this eternal world where the forces of darkness dwell. A place of separation from God. Where “no more” suffering isn’t promised but guaranteed (Matthew 13:50).

It was commonplace at church. Pastors worked the subject of both heaven and hell into sermons as much as possible. My husband also scripturally teaches on both places in eternity.

But in our culture, it grieves me to sometimes hear these places referred to as mythological, especially hell. Still further, it’s crushing when people tell someone in anger to go to hell.

Because if hell doesn’t exist, wouldn’t they say, “Go to heaven!”

Let’s consider how Jesus spoke about both heaven and hell.

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