Hell was originally “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41) only because the devil is the originator of sin in heaven and on earth. Unlike humans, who were deceived by the devil’s lies, the devil rebelled on his own. He rejected God and led one third of the angels to join him. Later on, he moved to this earth and deceived humans.
So, these evil angelic beings “which kept not their first estate” (Jude 1:6) are destined to perish in the fires of the last day. And all humans who reject Him will likewise suffer the same fate (Matthew 13:42,43).
But the Lord, in His infinite mercy, took upon Himself the burden of saving humans from their sin and its penalty. Jesus the innocent died so we can be set free. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). All those that accept God’s plan and receive His gift of salvation through Jesus will be saved eternally (John 1:12).
So, the only One that truly suffered by sin is God Himself. God’s love for sinners led Him to give all that He had for their salvation (Rom. 5:8). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). It is the essence of love to sacrifice self for others; selfishness is the antithesis of love.
In the final destruction, sinners who have rejected Christ will receive the results of their own deliberate choice (Rom. 2:6). They will have to pay for their own sins by death. For in God’s government “The soul that sins, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4) because “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
And the gift of everlasting life, which Adam and Eve lost by their transgression (Romans 5:12), will be restored to all those who are willing to accept God’s salvation and live in obedience to Him (Rom. 2:7; 6:22).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
