Does God send people to hell?

About this Episode

Does God send people to hell? is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

This week we are finishing up John Chapter 12, we have been in this chapter now for 3 shows. In Episode 101 we unpacked John 12:1-19, we called that show “Worship, Triumph, and Tears”. In verses, 1-8 we saw Jesus visiting with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the highlight of those verses was when Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume as an act of worship.

Then in vs 12, we went to the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem where the people cried out Hosanna blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We cross-referenced a verse and learned in Luke, that Jesus was weeping for His people during this time. He loved them so much and yet, they were still going to reject Him. In episode 102 titled “The Greatest Life investment ever” we read John 12:20-36 in which Jesus was talking about His certain death to come. We uncovered nugget verses like vs 25, He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Those were two great shows and are definitely worth the listen if you haven’t already done so yet.

This week we will finish up John chapter 12 in verses 37-50. The key word in this section of reading is “believe”. It is used 8 different times in these verses. First, John explained the unbelief of the people. Then in vs 37-38, he said they would “not believe” with a quotation from Isa 53:1; in vs 39, He said they “could not believe” and finally in vs 40-41 he said they “should not believe” with a quotation of Isa 6:9-10

Read John 12:37-49

In spite of all the clear evidence that was presented to the people, the Jews would not believe. The “arm of the Lord” had been revealed to them in great power, yet they closed their eyes to the truth. They had heard the message (report) and seen the miracles and yet still would not believe. Why?

There were those who would not believe, and there were those who would not openly confess Christ, even though they had believed. They cared more about the praise of the people than they did with the praise of God. Why?!

In John 12:44-50, we have Jesus’s last ever message before He hid himself from the people. A number of basic themes in John’s gospel are: God sent the Son; to see the Son means to see the Father; Jesus is the light of the World; His words are the very words of God; faith in Him brings salvation; to reject Him is to face eternal Judgement. In fact, the very word that He spoke will judge those who have rejected it and Him!

Many people reject truth simply because of the fear of people as we discussed earlier. Among those who will be in hell, are the fearful (Rev 21:8)

The word “judge” is repeated 4 times in the closing words of this message, and a solemn word it is. Jesus did not come to judge; He came to save!

As we have studied these first 12 chapters of the gospel of John, we have seen Jesus in His life, His ministry, His miracles, His message, and His desire to save the lost sinners.

John 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.