My thoughts are often directed to those who are lost, that they will see the beauty of the Gospel and want to share in it. The Lord has made marvelous plans for mankind’s eternal welfare. The Bible teaches that every soul will spend eternity either in Heaven or Hell. Today, I want to give you six reasons why people need not go to Hell.

1. God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell. The first reason is that it is not God’s will for people to go there. Luke 15 tells the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd had ninety-nine sheep, but he left them and went out into the night to search for the one that was lost until he found it. “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:5-7). Isn’t that wonderful! Think of God’s compassion for one lost soul!

God so longs to save people from Hell that He sends the Holy Ghost to convict and convince the sinner of the reality of the Gospel. Jesus said of the Holy Ghost: “When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). His work is to woo the ungodly to decide for Christ. The Spirit works through God’s Word, anointed preaching, singing, and witnessing, and in many other ways.

Many times I have seen sinners come into a service, thinking they were coming into an ordinary meeting; but when the Holy Ghost began dealing with them, they stepped toward the altar. Once, a woman was on her way to a theater one Sunday, but it had not yet opened so to pass some time she came into the church. She heard a few testimonies and told the Lord, “Oh God, if these people are sanctified and living holy lives, I want to be holy.” When the altar call was given, she started forward, but the devil said, “If you give your heart to the Lord, your husband will leave you. He doesn’t want a Christian wife.” She sat down, but conviction continued to grip her. She started forward again and saw some friends she thought would laugh at her if she gave her heart to the Lord. Again she sat down. But the Holy Ghost was doing His work, and continued to plead with her. From Sunday until Thursday she hardly ate or slept. Then, in her kitchen the Lord spoke to her, again urging her to go to church and the altar. She obeyed, and was saved. Within a year, she went to be with the Lord. God did not want her to go to Hell.

Jesus died on the Cross to redeem humanity from sin. He understood the horrors of Hell and didn’t want you to go there.

2. Salvation is available to all. Reason number two is that Jesus died on the Cross to redeem humanity from sin. He understood the horrors of Hell and didn’t want you to go there. Before the world was even in existence, He agreed to be the sacrifice for your sin. We read in 1 Peter 1:18-20, “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” Through the love of God, this sacrifice was made available to all. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). If you are a “whosoever,” you can join this band that is on its way to Heaven.

3. Some are already in Heaven. Another reason not to go to Hell is that others have already made the goal of Heaven, and they are waiting to welcome you there. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” You can be encouraged to follow the example of those who have shown how to overcome the trials and temptations of this life. Your old father or mother, or the Gospel leaders who got you started in the faith, finished the course, and one day there will be a grand reunion with them in Heaven.

4. You can cause Heaven to rejoice.  Jesus said: “I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). Just think, every person can make Heaven rejoice by coming to God in repentance! What a far better outcome than to cause God sorrow by rejecting His plan of salvation.

5. No one is looking forward to your arrival in Hell. Another good reason not to go to Hell is that the people there do not want you to join them. Sometimes people will make a joke and say, “I’m not worried; if I go to Hell, I’ll have lots of company.” It is true that there will be many in Hell, but there will be no joy in fellowship.

Listen to this plea of a man who went to Hell: “In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame... Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment” (Luke 16:23-28). There was no rejoicing, no hope of a reunion. He didn’t want his brothers there. He wanted Lazarus to go testify to his people so they wouldn’t be lost.

Many people like to think of Heaven as eternal, but they won’t believe that Hell is just as long. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that Hell will last forever.

Some people—even Christians—have a hard time comprehending the reality of Hell. Many people like to think of Heaven as eternal, but they won’t believe that Hell is just as long. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that Hell will last forever. Mark 9:43-44 records Jesus’ words, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” That is what Jesus said about Hell. It is more than just the grave, as some people think. It is a place of eternal punishment—never ending! It is a place no one wishes to see you in.

6. Hell was created for Satan, not you. My final reason is that Hell was not prepared for you. Jesus said the everlasting fire was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). The Book of Revelation foretells how Satan will one day be banished there. Revelation 20:10 reads, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” 

Some may think they deserve Hell—that they have been so bad that the love of God cannot reach them. But “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Jesus will do anything He can to help you avoid that place. He said, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Another time He said: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). God doesn’t want anyone in Hell. He is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

You are destined for eternity in Heaven

Jesus has gone to prepare a wonderful place for those who love Him. He wants you in Heaven with Him, and He paved the way for every lost sinner to make his peace with God. He shed His Blood to pay the debt of mankind, and there is enough for all to come.

You don’t have to worry about how it can be done. Just come in repentance, and believe God’s promise, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Now, Jesus bids you come.