Does Hell Exist?

Perhaps the question instead should be “How can Hell not exist?”

I wrote this article after listening to John-Henry Weston of Life Site News’s recent podcast with Monsignor Charles Pope entitled “Hell is REAL, and many CHOOSE It.”  In this podcast, Msgr. Pope discusses his new book The Hell There Is: An Exploration of an Often-Rejected Doctrine of the Church with John-Henry.  You can find the podcast at 

https://www.lifesitenews.com/episodes/hell-is-real-and-many-choose-it-monsignor-pope    

In this fascinating and at times alarming discussion, Msgr. Pope talks about various aspects of Hell.  He describes how society and even some in the Church deny or ignore Hell’s existence.  He uses Scripture, Church teachings and logical reasoning to refute these erroneous claims and prove that Hell exists.  In a most compassionate way, he explains how people have a choice in whether they go to Hell and how so many people are actually choosing to go there for all eternity.  

 
I am not going to simply repeat what Msgr. Pope offered in this podcast but I do want to share some thoughts that occurred to me after listening to this podcast.  

 
So returning to my previous question, “How can Hell not exist?”   

In the Gospels, Jesus frequently talks about Hell.  In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus for example, Jesus offers a vivid description of Hell (Luke 16-19-31) using the word “torment” four times.  In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says:  “Just as weeds are collected and burned [up] with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.   The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.  They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth (13:40-2).”   

 
We know that Jesus is Truth.  So if Jesus tells us that Hell exists, Hell MUST exist for Jesus is Truth and he cannot and will not deceive us.  

In addition to the Gospels, Sacred Scripture describes Hell in both the Old and New Testaments.  For example, St. Paul writes about Hell in his Second Letter to the Thessalonians (1:5-10).  The Book of Revelation describes future judgments at the end of earthly time and eternal damnation:  “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice, “Anyone who worships the beast or its image, or accepts its mark on forehead or hand, will also drink the wine of God’s fury, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath, and will be tormented in burning sulfur before the holy angels and before the Lamb” (Revelation 14:9-10).  

Sacred Scripture is the written word of God and is Divinely inspired.  If Sacred Scripture is the Divinely inspired written word of God and Sacred Scripture describes Hell, then Hell MUST exist.

 
At Fatima and several other apparition events, Our Most Blessed Mother warned us about Hell.  At Fatima, she provided a horrifically frightening vision of Hell to the three children.  At Fatima, she instructed us to say this short prayer as part of the Rosary:  “O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.”  

 
Our Blessed Mother who was conceived without sin and lived her Earthly life free of sin warns us about Hell.  Like her Divine Son, she cannot and will not deceive us.  If Our Blessed Mother is warning us about Hell, then Hell MUST exist.  

 
The Catechism of the Catholic Church sets forth the Church’s official teaching on Hell.  In Paragraph 1035, The Catechism declares:

“The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.”

 
The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus and is guided in its teachings by the Holy Spirit.  If the Catholic Church is teaching about Hell, then Hell MUST exist.

I can understand how someone in choosing sin can choose to go to Hell.  I can understand how someone can be so consumed by greed or lust or pride or personal ambition that they choose those sins over God and Heaven.  I can understand how someone can prioritize power, wealth and ego over God.  I cannot understand how someone can hate God so much that he or she chooses eternal Damnation over being with God in paradise for eternity.  Yet this is happening every day and has been since the fall of Adam and Eve.   We must pray for those who are choosing Hell by their actions and choices in this life while there is still time for them to repent and choose to love God.  

 
Msgr. Pope’s book is published by Tan Books and can be found on their website at https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-hell-there-is-an-exploration-of-an-often-rejected-doctrine-of-the-church/?query_id=16070ed6720e500f26132ca6313e60aa&afmc=139&utm_campaign=139&utm_source=leaddyno&utm_medium=affiliate  

 
So again, the question is not “Does Hell exist?”  The question is “how can Hell not exist?”  

Fortunately, God in His infinite Love and Mercy has provided us with the way to avoid Hell and eternal damnation.  That Way is Jesus.  As he himself tells us in St. John’s Gospel:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (3:16-17).