“but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Hebrews 10:27-28).
In a world intoxicated by the flattering declaration that “God Gets You” (with its implicit message that how you live is of little or no significance to Him), the inspired words of these verses are a sharp, sobering slap in the face.
Though Jehovah has changed High Priests and covenants (Hebrews 5:1-10:18), His holy character has not. Rejecting God’s law in the new covenant is not a less serious spiritual crime than it was under the old. All ungodliness, disobedience, and unrighteousness are still as vile and heinous in His sight as they have ever been.
Just as the justice of capital punishment was commanded by God after a criminal had been duly tried and convicted under the old law, so the justice of eternal punishment awaits every apostate and spiritual criminal in the new. Jehovah is not so “loving” that He has no vengeance. He is not so “gracious” that He will not judge His people. Therefore, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the One who created the everlasting fire of eternal punishment.
Hell is not an imaginary place. It is a certain and fearful reality.
