Hell, in Christian theology, is understood as a state of eternal separation from God, characterized by the absence of His love and forgiveness. This separation is a direct consequence of sin and rejection of God’s grace.

In the world, both believers and non-believers alike enjoy the benefits of God’s common grace, such as love, joy, and the beauty of nature, as highlighted in Matthew 5:45. This grace is a testament to God’s mercy, allowing humanity to experience His goodness, despite the pervasiveness of sin.

Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Many people often consider the earth as challenging enough and therefore assume that hell might not be so bad after all. However, this false assumption undermines the basic understanding of sin and grace.

The Bible teaches that all humans are inherently sinful (Romans 3:10-12). God, however, in His sovereignty, limits the full expression of this depravity. In Genesis 20:6 God told Abimelech, king of Gerar, that “it was I who kept you from sinning” when the king considered sexual relations with Sarah, Abraham’s wife, illustrating how God restrains sin to fulfill His divine purposes.

Additionally, Proverbs 21:1 implies that the Lord is sovereign in the hearts, even of the kings.

Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

So, the assumption that Hell won’t be as bad, based on our earthly experiences, fails to comprehend the full extent of God’s grace in our current world. Despite the daunting reality of Hell,

Christianity offers hope through Jesus Christ. This ‘saving grace’ is available to all who repent and believe in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.