“Is hell real?” That is the question Chan seeks to answer here, pointing out the crucial distinction between that question and others like “Do I want hell to be real?” or “Can I believe in hell?” Chan doggedly explores the Bible to uncover the truth about hell. Though brief (and slightly reactionary at times), Chan has provided a helpful understanding of the all-too-real terror of hell, as well as the God-given means of escaping its torment.

The idea of an after-death conversion is the most important ingredient for the Universalist position. It makes or breaks this view. But there is no single passage in the Bible that describes, hints at, hopes for, or suggests that someone who dies without following Jesus in this life will have an opportunity to do so after death. [35]

This is not just about doctrine; it’s about destinies. And if you’re reading this book and wrestling with what the Bible says about hell, you cannot let this be a mere academic exercise. You must let Jesus’ very real teaching on hell sober you up. You must let Jesus’ words reconfigure the way you live, the way you talk, and the way you see the world and the people around you. [72]

Jesus chose strong and terrifying language when He spoke of hell. I believe He chose to speak this way because He loves us and wanted to warn us. So let’s not miss the point: He spoke of hell as a horrifying place, characterized by suffering, fire, darkness, and lamentation. I believe His intention was to stir a fear in us that would cause us to take hell seriously and avoid it at all costs. [86]

It’s not about figuring out the mysteries of God, but embracing Him and cherishing Him—even when He doesn’t make perfect sense to us. [138]

We often assume that love means achieving the ultimate happiness of everyone you are able to. If this were love, then yes, hell would be incompatible with God’s love. But Scripture doesn’t define God’s love in this way. Love is part of who God is. And God defines what love is. God does not have to save everyone for Him to show love. Love, in other words, is essentially wrapped up in the character of God. Though God acts in ways that seem unloving by our standards, they are not unloving by His standards—and His standards are the ones that matter. [162]

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Many Christians will sadly admit to periods (sometimes lengthy) of spiritual apathy or half-heartedness. Chan’s response is not to address these symptoms but their cause: a failure to see the supremacy of God. We must honestly examine, in light of Scripture, the focus of our hearts—do we seek to glorify God or to satisfy ourselves? Everyone, Chan reminds us, is commanded to love God with all that we are and with all that we have. 

The core problem isn’t that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He’s great and deserves to be the center of our lives. Jesus came humbly as a servant, but He never begs us to give Him some small part of ourselves. He commands everything from His followers. [22]

God is the only Being who is good, and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe that’s not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly, when you get your own universe, you can make your own standards. When we disagree, let’s not assume it’s His reasoning that needs correction. [34]

When we want God and a bunch of other stuff, then that means we have thorns in our soil. A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top of it. [67]

Leftovers are not merely inadequate; from God’s point of view (and lest we forget, His is the only one who matters), they’re evil. Let’s stop calling it “a busy schedule” or “bills” or “forgetfulness.” It’s called evil. God is holy. In heaven exists a Being who decides whether or not I take another breath. This holy God deserves excellence, the very best I have. [92]

You must learn to listen to and obey God, especially in a society where it’s easy and expected to do what is most comfortable. [168]

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