Eternal Torment: What Every Person on Earth Deserves

By Pastor Matt Black

04 March 2007
Lord's Day evening
Isaiah 13:6-13

There are some people who are not ready for Christ’s coming. And that is what this message tonight is all about.  As I have prayed through this message, my heart has broken many times over for those who do not know Jesus Christ.  What I am about to preach to you tonight, you will not hear hardly anywhere in the world.  Very few people have the courage to preach what God’s Word says on this subject. 

The title of this evening’s message is “Eternal Torment: What Every Person on Earth Deserves”.  This morning we talked about how God is good even when we suffer.  We said that we as saved people are always doing better than we deserve.  Well this evening we are going to talk about what we all deserve.  We are going to look into the realities of hell that when you think upon them they will break your heart.  I would ask you to stand out of great reverence for God’s Word, and open your Bibles to Isaiah 13, and let’s read verses 6 through 13. 

[Read Isaiah 13:6-13]

Introduction:   Most people in America are having the time of their lives.  That’s how it was in Babylon.  They are going to baseball games and living the American dream.  People are flocking to America because of all the wonderful things she has to offer.  They have no idea that America is not the Saviour!  America is not paradise.  If a person moves here and gets all that America has to offer, they will have gained absolutely nothing in the end!

Illustration: Most people are having a good old time on a beautifully decorated jet liner that is about to go down.  No one on the plane seems to be aware of it.  Yet it is going to go down at any moment.

As we come to this passage, we find the people that this passage is written to are living life as normal.  That is how most of America lives.   Most people are not disturbed by the fact that at this very moment the God who is love is angry with how most people in America and in the world are living their lives.  They are totally unaware that whoever does not have the Son does not have life, but God’s wrath abides on them (John 3:36).  Most people in this world, and there may be some in this church, and you think you are just fine. 

We read verse 6 in Isaiah 13, and we realize that God is trying to wake people up!

I. People are not aware of Judgment Day.  They need to Wake Up!! 

This is the idea of verse 6.  Look at verse 6.  The Lord says, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty”.  If you knew what was coming, you wouldn’t even wait until this service was over, you would cry out to God right now.  You would fear so much that you would not wait.  You see, this day of the Lord is at hand—it is very near.  It will come as a sudden destruction—the idea of destruction is something that will suddenly appear like an avalanche.  It is coming from the crushing Power of the Almighty creator of heaven and earth, from Jesus Christ, the judge of all the earth.

We should cry out from the depth of our souls.  Howl means to cry out or scream aloud because you are disturbed at the very core of your soul.  Isaiah said in verse 6, “Woe is me for I am undone!”  That’s the idea!  He was disturbed to the point where his life and ambitions were all unraveled.  In a moment of seeing the Lord’s majesty, all of his priorities in life were rearranged. 

Why should we be greatly disturbed?  “for the day of the LORD is at hand”.  The Day of the Lord is ultimately the Second Coming of Christ, but there are many dress rehearsals and trials that are judgments from God that try to bring home the point that that day is coming.  In context the dress rehearsal that God is talking about is the coming of the Medes and the Persians.  But listen, the coming of the Medes and the Persians is NOTHING compared to the day when Christ comes to judge the world!!

Why is it that hardly anyone  on earth is disturbed about eternal judgment?  We give the Law and the Gospel to folk, with very little response.  Turn over to Proverbs 14:12.   We find that the answer to this is two words: self deception.

A. People are not awakened because of Self-Deception.

Proverbs 14:12 tells us, “There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the thereof is death.”

Since there is no “visible sign of danger” (as Jonathan Edwards would say) it is easy to think that danger is far away, or that it does not exist, or that there is plenty of time before Hell is upon you.   Yet look at our verse 6 in our text of Isaiah 13, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty”.  Every soul on earth ought to “howl”—to cry out for the depth of their soul for fear—wail in horror in their soul for the destruction that is very shortly going to take place.  Every one of us will either see the destruction of the wicked or partake in it—there are just two options!  Those who have experienced the new birth and are alive in Christ will see very soon all the wicked of the earth cast into Hell. 

Daniel 12:2-3, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  So you have those who are made wise by the spiritual revelation and understanding that they have in the Spirit of God, and then you have those who will be held in contempt and scorn for all eternity—for the everlasting final day of destruction.

1. Deceived by your own Pride.

Those of you tonight that are lost are full of pride that is keeping your from a full forgiveness and a joy that is unspeakable that you have never experience.  The pride that is in your heart right now, will very soon give way to a misery that is so strong that if you experienced it right now it would literally make you go insane.  Your bodily make up is so weak on this earth, that if you could experience the torment of Hell for one moment, it would break you. 

2. Deceived through your own wisdom. 

You may think you are smarter than others, but remember this: how does a wise man die?  A wise man will die in the same way as an ignorant fool.  You may be smart, but you are still going to die and stand before a holy righteous God on the Day of Judgment.

3. Deceived through your own good intentions. 

You may say, I have good intentions, and I will escape Hell because of I intend to follow the Lord some day in the future.  Ask yourself this question: Can a person escape Hell through good intentions?  The day of the LORD is at hand.  It comes suddenly.  If you do not repent you will perish.  Yet no one ever intends to go to Hell.  People go to Hell because they are self-deceived.   They tell themselves they have time.  They will get right with God someday.

Not one person that is in Hell today ever intended to go there.  They never thought they would end up there.  They thought at worst they would be annihilated. 

God’s wrath is quicker than your greatest plans and dreams.  It comes suddenly!  Verse 6, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand”.  Hell will come upon you as an avalanche.  It will be so sudden.  The only wise thing to do is to at this very moment throw yourself on God’s mercy.  Cry out as the crippled did to Jesus, “Son of David, Have mercy on me!”

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, “the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

So people are not awakened because of self deception.  A second cause for spiritual sleep is willful blindness.

B. People are not awakened because of Willful Blindness

Most people when they think of Hell, they put it off.  They cannot bear to think of it any length of time, and so they mask their pain with anything that can give them temporary relief from a heavy conscience.  Many people have done this so often, that they can no longer feel their conscience.  They are numb.  These kinds of people are in the most danger.

Those who are in the most danger of Hell at this moment, are those who have already heard the Gospel, but have continued willfully in sin.

Hebrews 10:26, “For if we sin illfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

You can do nothing to lessen God’s anger against you.  Verse 9, “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”  God rages against you with fury. 

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

There is nothing you can do in and of yourself that can lessen God’s anger toward you.  God’s anger is so fierce, that here it is called “cruel”.  Every minute you wait to run to Jesus Christ, you mock and laugh at God. 

God has sent His own Son, and for you to wait to cling to Him is the greatest insult.  Those who have heard the Gospel, and who willfully disregard it are in a very dangerous position.

You are trodding under foot the Son of God and counting the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and you are doing despite unto the Spirit of grace. 

The God who created you is able easily to destroy you.  That is what our text says.  Very suddenly and quickly, like an avalanche shall come a sudden destruction. 

II. All people will very soon be convinced of the reality of Eternal Torment.

Look at verse 7, “Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: 8  And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”

A. What hell will be like.

This verse could very well be describing the journey of a person after death from earth to hell.  For those who go to hell, death will not be the end at all.  There is no annihilation at death, in fact the soul will be more alive than ever before. 

People who go to hell will feel a fear more intense than they ever felt on earth.  Upon death or upon the Second coming, those without Christ will enter a Death into the outer darkness of Hell’s horrors and fiery torments that will infinitely exceed any fears that we have experienced on earth.

At the end of life, whether it be death or the Second coming, the soul will begin a frightful journey into the fiery bottomless pit.  The body immediately will begin to experience indescribable and unimaginable pain.  In complete horror, those who descend into hell will begin to cry out in fear and anguish and horror and terror.  …  But no one will hear them.   Ever.  Panic will begin to envelope the heart and soul.  All of the self deceit and pride will be vividly clear.  They will know so clearly that their own pride has put them into hell. 

Those who go to hell will not be alone.  Condemned souls will be all around. 

B. Many hypocrites will be in hell.

There may be some here tonight who will one day take this eternal journey of horror.  There will be many there who thought they knew the Lord.  We read in Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

The day of the Lord is at hand!  Judgment Day is already upon us.  That day is here.  And Jesus tells us clearly what will happen in that day.  It is not like it is a mystery to any one of us.  We all know very well that many who believe they at this very moment have eternal life will forever be in the Lake of Fire.  Look at Matthew 7 and verse 22.  Many have a profession, they have busyness, but they have never slowed down and been humbled under the Almighty hand of God.  Many speak of the Holy Spirit but know nothing experiential of Him.

Look at Matthew 7.  In verse 22, the Lord says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

III. The best thing for you right now is to be convinced of the eternal torment that is coming right now!  Do not wait.  Look at verse 8, “And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”

It is best that you would not wait until you die to feel this.  You should feel the terror of the Lord.  Look at 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 

The only reasonable Response.

A. Repentance.  The only reasonable response to this is that your hands should be limp, and your heart should sink.  

It is better that you would right now be seized with fear and sorrow and let God turn your heart through that to repentance.  It is better now rather than after you have died, because after death, there is no more sacrifice for your sins but you yourself.  The only thing God will accept in exchange for the sins you have already committed is the death of Jesus Christ.  If you will not accept Him, then the only thing left that God will accept is your own eternal suffering and torment, and still your sins will never be atoned for.  If you do not repent, you will have sold your self into eternal slavery to the wicked one. 

B. Agree with God.

God is good to throw the wicked into Hell.  The wicked deserve to be thrown into Hell.  The very goodness of God would never permit one sinner into His holy presence.  “He that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18).  Every unconverted person at this moment rightfully belongs to Hell.  If this is you tonight, the Bible says of you, “You are from beneath”. 

C. What does a true awakening look like?

Look at verse 8, “And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.”

You should feel the terrors of hell, like a woman in child birth.  I’ve told you before of when my mother died.  I felt the pangs of sorrow for her for many months.

The terror of hell will be like these pangs but they will never end.  It is better that you should feel these pangs now, and that this would be godly sorrow that would lead you to repentance.

Real repentance is as Jesus described.  Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

True repentance is a total exchange of life.  Paul would begin his letters by saying Paul a servant or slave of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus said you are either a slave of sin or a slave of God.  No human is autonomous.  He is always either controlled by the lusts of his heart or by the Spirit of God, there is no in between.

D. Without repentance you will have to bear the wrath and fierce anger of the Lord forever and ever and ever.  

9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger,

Verse 9: The wrath and fierce anger of God.  God is a God of justice.  He is angry with the wicked every day.  Let us not run away from a fearful text such as this.  We must not be afraid to run to any verse in our Bible.  Let us try to understand the depth of these verses.  Why would God be angry?  First of all, this verse is speaking of sinners living upon earth at this moment. God is angry because His justice is not yet upon them.  God is much more angry at those on earth than those who are already in Hell.  His punishments are battering the wicked in Hell right now, and that gives satisfaction to His anger.  God’s anger for sinners who are not yet in Hell is much more intense, because it is not the least bit satisfied.

In closing, let me ask you, what are you hanging on to?  Look at the latter part of verse 9 through 13.  Verse 9, “to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10  For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11  And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13  Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Conclusion: Everything you see will be made desolate when Jesus comes again.   What are you waiting for?  If you do not repent, you will be lost forever.  What does it mean to be lost?  Have you ever lost your way?  What if you were to get lost and know that you would NEVER find your way back?  What if you were kidnapped and taken to a place half way around the world where no one could ever find you, and you were eventually forgotten?  Hell is much worse than this.

Closing Hymn: 289 Hallelujah! What a Saviour