In Mark 9, we find the Lord speaking these sobering words three different times at the end of the chapter: “where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.”
Hell is an unpleasant, and very controversial subject; and one that we hear very little about from our modern Church pulpits and religious writings. The doctrine of hell when preached makes many people feel uncomfortable because they are afraid it may be true, and if it is, they are in danger.
It has been said by some well known evangelists that, “We don’t know whether the fire in Mark chapter 9 is literal fire.” Well, I’m here to say that I believe that the fire in Mark 9 is literal, burning fire! Jesus spoke more on Hell than he did on heaven, and he is the one speaking of the unquenchable fire in this passage. By the way, what we believe doesn’t change, prove or disprove the facts.
In Mark 9:42-48 Jesus is preaching about how much better it would be to go through life saved and physically impaired, than to go into hell fire, the place of eternal torment with all our faculties in place. Verse 43 says, “into the fire that never shall be quenched.” That means forever and forever and forever, never ending.
Jesus spoke these words as a solemn warning of the consequences of unpardoned sin. In Rev. 21:14,15 we find these sobering words, “and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Jesus said in John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” We again hear the words of Jesus in John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Jesus said who he was, and why he came; and then he proved it by dying on the cross, being buried in a borrowed grave, and then rising from the dead three days and three nights later. This was and is the only payment that will keep mankind out of the everlasting fires of hell.
God showed his acceptance of Christ’s payment for the sins of the whole world by raising him from the dead. Romans 4 speaks of Abraham’s faith (not his works) being imputed (counted) to him for righteousness, and then in verses 23-25 the scripture continues “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.25 who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1