HELL

Dear Friend,
How are you?
 
In November 2019, I watched and listened to David Pawson’s sermon on “Hell”, and I was reminded of the two video clips that my friend shared with me a few years back. A Korean artist painted both Heaven and Hell after she visited them in her sprit. The Heaven video was encouraging, but the Hell video was so graphic and horrific that I even stopped watching it half way. But later, I thought I must finish watching it, as there would be a reason for the Holy Spirit to invite her to the Hell and to tell her to paint it. I felt it would be balanced diet to know about Hell, not like kids picking up sausage or cakes, but not having vegetables.
 
When listening to David Pawson’s description of Hell, bearing in mind that it’s eternal, not for a day or a week or a few years like in prison, I thought that it would change our hearts and attitudes toward those who wronged us. If I would think those who wronged me would go to Hell, I would rather pray that they would turn away from their sins and turn to God. I might think some of them would deserve such a horrible place maybe for a day or two. But being in Hell eternally would be utterly hopeless and frustrating. Nevertheless, it would be too late if one finds oneself in there. So, I thought that’s why we should forgive those who wronged us, and pray for them to snatch them away from Hell.  
 
When I was still planning on writing about Hell anytime soon, interestingly my Christian hairdresser shared her story during my haircut. She said she had recently shared gospels with three unbelieving customers. One of them was a young man. While she was cutting his hair, she talked to him about Heaven and Hell. He said to her, “I’ve never heard about the gospel, nor thought about Heaven and Hell. Is Hell for real?” She continued to share the gospel. While shampooing his hair, she said to him, “If we all died and found out there is no such a place as Hell, I still have nothing to lose. But, if we found Hell and you didn’t believe Jesus, what would happen to you? You should think about it and make your own decision.” And he replied, “You make me scared. I will think about it, though.” 
 
She didn’t know what decision he made, but she was happy to sow in him. While I listened to her story, I found it interesting to hear about Hell, and I felt I must write on it.
 
In a few days, I went to my church.  Before the Sunday service, I went to the bookstore in the church and bought a Pastor Timothy Keller’s book “Counterfeit Gods”. I bought two pieces for two friends of mine. I was supposed to meet one of them at 3pm that day, and I wanted to give it to her.  After the service, I took a taxi to go home, which was unusual for me. I had been having some pains in my arms and my handbag with my Bible, a tumbler, a bookstore bag, and a grocery bag were so heavy that I wanted to grab a taxi. 
 
Then, I overheard the taxi driver’s conversation with his son-in-law on his speaker phone. He said, “I don’t think I can get home by 11am. Take care and have fun!” And his son-in-law said, “Yes, take care of yourself till we meet next time.”  
 
I kept silent. And the driver said to me, “I was supposed to go home by 11am. It was my son-in-law. My daughter got married a couple of months ago. They came to visit my wife and me. I always say to them, ‘Enjoy today! Have fun while you can!’ I think we should be happy every day while we live here. Literally, I’m happy every day!”
 
I smiled at him, and I thought I knew what God wanted me to say to him. “Yes, that’s right. I think we should be happy forever, after our death too. Do you happen to go to church?” He said, “No, I don’t. I’m an atheist. My wife and my three children used to go to Catholic church, but they don’t go any more. I said to them, ‘You don’t have to stop going to church, just because I’m an atheist. Everybody has his or her own faith.’”
 
He shared his life’s story in short that he had lost his dad when he was only four months old, and his mom at his age of twenty-eight. He said he lived a poor life, but he never felt bitter about his life, and tried to live a happy life every day. He said he enjoys talking to his customers. Surely, I could see that. I felt he was a good person, but I also knew being a goody doesn’t guarantee the way to Heaven. So, I said to him, “I really hope you could continue to enjoy a happy life in Heaven after death.” He said, “I don’t really care about life after death. It could be my fate, if there are Heaven and Hell. And I just think I should do my best here on earth and be a goody while I’m alive.”
 
I said to him, “I actually fear Hell. Though I believe in Jesus, I got to learn that not all believers would go to Heaven. Some believers would go to Hell, if they didn’t obey what Jesus told them to do. So, I think even Christians should revere and fear the Lord, not to go Hell. And I wish you and your wife could go to Catholic church together!” He nodded in agreement about my saying that Christians should obey the Lord and live right, to go to Heaven. 
 
Now, I can’t recall in what context he said it, but I remember he said, “When I die, I would not have any lawyer for my spirit.” I thought it was very interesting of him to make that comment, and I said to him immediately, “Jesus said He would be our defender in front of God.”
 
While I continued to listen to him, I felt I could give him the book, ‘Counterfeit Gods’ I bought a while ago. So, I said to him, “Can I give this book to you, if you are interested? I know you believe no god, but this book is talking about counterfeit ‘gods’!!! So many gods in our lives! I actually bought two pieces for my friends, as I liked the book so much. But if you are interested, I want to give one to you.”
 
And he said, “Oh, thank you. I love reading books. But are you okay? You bought it for your friend.” I was just happy, and said to him, “I can buy one more anytime soon. It’s my pleasure to give this book to you, and I pray you would be happy forever!” I wanted to bless him with tip, though we don’t pay tip for any service in Korea. I thought I should be generous, and live out the Words, after I wanted to lead him to Jesus.
 
After we said good-bye, I felt so blessed for the opportunity to talk about Heaven and Hell and give him the book. Though I don’t know whether he would believe in Jesus, I pray for him whenever I am reminded of him.  
 
Dear Friend,
Are you mindful of Hell? I wish you are. I pray in Jesus name that you and I remain faithful to the Lord till the end, and we also lead those who are perishing to the eternal bliss in our Lord.
 
Have a bliss!
Yunee

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“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13~14)