Recently, I heard a preacher on television preach a sermon on divine judgment. I have no doubt that he is sincere in his beliefs. He is very good at using words and manipulating the emotions of his audience. He is charming, witty, and entertaining. But his interpretation of judgment degrades God from a Heavenly Father to a heartless tyrant.

He drew a picture of God which makes my heart shudder, because his idea of judgment is punishment. He believes that sinners will be cast into utter darkness. He believes that sinners will be thrown into an eternal lake of fire. He believes they will burn in the fires of hell forever. He quoted a little poem about burning in hell forever. The poem said:

"Forever" is written on their racks,
"Forever" on their chains;
"Forever" burneth in the fire,
"Fore…