Part 8

Over the course of this series, we’ve taken a sobering look at Dante’s Inferno, walking through the various circles of Hell and witnessing the torment of those who have lived in sin, refusing to seek true repentance. From the violent and treacherous souls trapped in eternal suffering to the horrifying visions of Satan himself, Dante paints a vivid picture of what it means to be eternally separated from the love and presence of God. This has been more than just a literary journey—it’s a reflection on the spiritual realities that Dexter and I personally encountered during our near-death experience in 2018. What we saw and felt left us profoundly changed.

For years, Dexter and I believed that we were secure in our faith. We had given our lives to Christ, gone to church, preached His Word, and believed that we were walking in righteousness. But it wasn’t until 2018 that we realized how far we had drifted from the depth of relationship God desires with us. We weren’t truly alive in Christ. Instead, we were harboring fear, worry, doubt, and pride—things that kept us from experiencing perfect love, the love that casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

When Dexter faced his near-death experience, he saw things no one should ever have to see—visions of Hell that shook us both to our core. This was not just a warning for him but for both of us, a wake-up call to the fact that while we had professed Christ, we were not truly living in the fullness of His love. We had been holding on to remnants of self-reliance and not surrendering to Him completely.

The Ninth Circle of Hell: Treachery and Frozen Souls

We saw in Dante’s ninth circle how treachery is punished, with souls trapped in ice, frozen by their own betrayal. And while this was Dante’s vision, it reflects a biblical reality. In 2 Peter 2:4, Scripture speaks of Tartarus, a place where fallen angels are bound in chains of darkness. This image of bound beings trapped in a cold, dark abyss mirrors what we saw in Dante’s Inferno—a representation of ultimate separation from God. This freezing cold is not just a physical torment; it represents the lifelessness of a soul cut off from the warmth of God’s love.

Dexter and I came to realize that Hell is not just for the obviously wicked. It’s also for those who think they are righteous but are still clinging to sin. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” It is possible to believe we are doing everything right, yet still be deceived.

The Deep Waters of Fear and Doubt

In the earlier posts, I described how those who take up the sword perish by it, and how the violent experience endless violence in Hell. Similarly, those who live in fear, doubt, and pride are bound by those very chains for eternity if they do not turn to Christ wholeheartedly. These emotions are traps set by the enemy, keeping us from fully experiencing the freedom Christ offers.

For Dexter and me, the journey through Hell revealed that we were still clinging to fear and doubt, despite our outward expressions of faith. It wasn’t until we faced the depths of despair that we realized the importance of truly seeking God on a daily basis. Hebrews 12:1-2 urges us to cast off every weight and sin that clings so closely and run with endurance the race set before us. We had been carrying weights we weren’t even fully aware of, and they were keeping us from the abundant life Christ promises.

Freedom Through Surrender

Since 2018, we’ve learned the importance of daily surrender to God—not just out of obligation, but because we desire to be close to Him. There is such freedom in wanting to be in His presence constantly, speaking with Him about every challenge, every thought, every aspect of life. The more we have sought His face, the more we have experienced the fullness of His love and the perfection of our faith in Him.

I crafted a hand-painted sign years ago with the words from Hosea 13:14, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Grave, where is your sting?” These words, coupled with the declaration from 1 Corinthians 15:5, remind us of Christ’s victory over death. It is finished. Through Christ, the grave has no power over us, and Hell has no claim.

A Call to Consider Your Ways

Whether you are a Christian or not, I urge you to take these reflections seriously. Hell is real, and it is a place where both the religious and the non-religious will go if they have not perfected their love in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-38 that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Anything less leaves room for the enemy to deceive, to draw us away from the narrow path.

Take a moment to examine yourself. Are there remnants of sin, doubt, or fear that you’ve been holding onto? Are you truly seeking God with all your heart, or are you just going through the motions? Scripture tells us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Now is the time to be honest with yourself and with God.

If there is anything in your life that is not aligned with God’s will, tell Him. Ask for His forgiveness, and turn to Him with a heart fully surrendered. There is no greater freedom than living in His love and grace, and there is no greater tragedy than living without it.

In closing, I ask you to consider your ways carefully. Hell is not just for the obviously wicked—it is for anyone who has not fully surrendered to the love of Christ. There is still time to make things right, but we are not promised tomorrow. Choose today whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15), and let it be the Lord who offers eternal life.

It is finished.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

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