"I better get used to the burning fire! This is my awaiting fate," the man said flippantly, gazing into the campfire. Do we really understand the severity of what we say when we speak about hell? Hell is usually thought of as a place where fire is constantly ravaging and those who are condemned stand in the midst of the hot flame, but do we also realize that God will not be there?

God created the world and sustains his creation. The apostle Paul told the Athenians about God: For in him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). All of man’s sustenance of life is supplied by God. Mankind is the ‘crown jewel’ of God’s creation and has been given dominion over God’s created world (Heb. 2:6-8). God loves and cares for us (John 3:16, 1 Jn. 4:19, et al.). Jesus notes God’s love for man in Matthew 5:45b: He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. The atheist also enjoys physical blessings from God in this life same as the believer, although they may think otherwise. God loves and cares for us on this earth whether we acknowledge him or not?

Isaiah 59:2 says: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. The prophet reminds Judah (as well as those of all generations) that our sins separate us from fellowship with God. Separate can be defined as "2. become divided or detached" (Webster’s American English Dictionary). Sin causes us to be detached from God’s fellowship while we are still on the earth. Sin separates us from God in regards to relationship (i.e. fellowship) and not in sustaining physical life. This is because God is patient with man and not willing any be lost (2 Peter 3:9). It must be noted that God is longsuffering but his longsuffering has limit. Our separation from God can only be ‘re-attached’ while alive on the earth. We can only be restored to fellowship through the shed blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14, Heb. 13:12). Physical death ends all chances of being reunited with God in fellowship (Luke 16:19-31, Heb. 9:27).?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:23: ...depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The context is that of final judgment. Do we realize the fearful thought of being told to depart from Jesus on that day? As we consult the dictionary for the meaning, notice the definition of Depart "1. go away or away from" (Webster’s American English Dictionary). Depart has finality in contrast to separate. With separation, restoration is still possible. When Jesus tells those to depart, there will be no hope of restoration. It is final separation from God.?

The New Testament describes the many facets of hell. Jesus describes Hell as a place where the worm dieth not...the fire is not quenched...(Mark 9:43-49). Jesus also describes Hell as a place of outer darkness (Matt. 22:13). John tells us that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5b). We noted earlier of God’s presence in this world irregardless of our will, but, when we slip into eternity, God’s presence will not be with those in Hell. Hell is a place of outer darkness. Let that thought sink in for a minute, total darkness...?

We can think to a time where we may have been lost in an area that we were not familiar with. We feel intimidated by our new surroundings, not sure which way to turn. Let us imagine being lost in the dark; no streetlights, not even stars in the sky to shed any light! This is a fearful thought!?

Jesus cried out while on the cross Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matt. 27:46). Jesus knew firsthand of separation from God while on the cross. We need to note here that if Jesus (deity) responds this way when the Father separates himself from him, how will we respond when God eternally separates himself from us in Hell? It is truly frightening!?

Are you separated from God? You need to take advantage of the time that God has allotted to be reunited in fellowship with Him. Eternal Separation is over the horizon awaiting.