Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique
August 5, 2026
I’ve been talking about heaven for the past two weeks and there will be one more. It’s a wonderful place where nearly everyone desires to go, a place with God, perfect peace, perfect health and no pain, temptation, death or evil for all eternity.
What makes heaven shine all the more in our minds and imaginations is its opposite – hell.
Hell is rarely discussed in churches, perhaps because it is so terrible and eternal, yet hell is the only other place a person will spend eternity.
What and where is hell? Like earth and heaven hell is a different dimension. We can’t pass into either heaven or hell from this present life. The dimension of hell is described as a place originally designed for Satan and his followers, i.e., fallen angels or demons. Matthew 25:41
“Jesus will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. We cannot say that all of the fallen angels are in hell at this time. Jude 6 The angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. Hell is also where unredeemed people go, i.e., those who refuse to follow Jesus Christ and repent of sin.
Hell is described primarily as fire and darkness. Matthew 22:13;“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 13:40-42 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Fire and darkness are used most often and metaphorically to describe profound and incalculable suffering, misery and pain. It is a dimension that is completely isolated from God, a total absence of grace, mercy, love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, remorse or friends. (And there will be no partying with friends.)
Jesus is the light of the world and the unregenerate man walks in darkness due to original sin. In this life even the unbeliever experiences God’s goodness and light even though it is rejected. In hell there will not even be a pin hole of light. (spiritual light). Weeping and gnashing the teeth vividly describe intense suffering and despair.
~ What is your eternal destiny at this moment? ~
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Sunday 9, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: What is Heaven Like Pt. 3
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
