‘If hell exists, it is empty’ – disgraceful claim of Presbyterian minister Rev Ernie Rea

Revelation 20:15: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

There are few more well known aspects of Christianity than the reality of an eternity in hell for those who reject Christ.

There are many who have foolish notions about who actually ends up in hell, the most common of which being a belief that hardly anyone is bad enough to go to hell, and certainly not yourself.

It is almost as if so long as you’re basically not responsible for millions of deaths like Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin then you’ll go to heaven.

This foolish notion is bad enough in those who are not church goers, but it is outright dangerous if it is held by ministers, as is the case in many places today.

Comments along the lines of “they lived their life the best they could” or variants thereof are the frequent refrain of the apostate minister at funerals of the unsaved.

Such ministers ought to be chucked out of the pulpits they are polluting.

However, even worse still are those who even question or deny the existence of hell, or say that God couldn’t possibly send anyone to hell.

And someone who has managed to combine both of those vexatious lies is Rev Ernie Rea (pictured, top), an ordained Presbyterian minister.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in the latest of the weekly feature on religious figures from Northern Ireland, Rev Ernie Rea propagated his heretical views on hell.

When asked if he had any fears about hell, he said: “If Hell exists, it is empty. A loving God could not condemn one of his children to everlasting fire.”

This statement is so spiritually misleading and theologically heretical that it is truly a disgrace.

One must wonder if he has ever actually read the Bible.

The reality of hell is so prevalent throughout Holy Scriptures that denial of it is frankly remarkable.

Furthermore, denial of the existence of hell is a rejection of the gospel message and indeed has the effect of calling God a liar.

These are the words of Jesus.

Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Now, if Jesus says that hell does exist, but Rev Ernie Rea says it doesn’t, how can there be any other conclusion to be drawn than that Rev Ernie Rea is calling Jesus, Who is God the Son, a liar?

Rev Ernie Rea says that even if hell does exist, then it is empty.

Well, Jesus says we ought to fear him, referring to God, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

That is certainly not consistent with Rev Ernie Rea and his comments. And if there is nobody in hell, that means God is full of empty threats, and is therefore not a faithful witness and rejects justice.

God forbid that any should teach such lies, but here are the views of Rev Ernie Rea.

Rev Ernie Rea should also read the verses at the top of this article to demonstrate clearly that a great many people sadly are, and sadly will be, cast into hell.

And this vile lie on his behalf will lead more poor lost sinners into an eternity in hell.

If there is no hell then there is no need for forgiveness, according to his twisted theology.

However, in reality, if we do not seek forgiveness, we will die in our sins and we will be lost in hell forever.

Oh what a dreadful lie this man is propagating, and oh what an awful price there is to be paid by those who subscribe to this man’s lies.

This foolish, sinful notion that God couldn’t possibly send anyone to hell is a lie from the pit of hell.

This notion is truly at odds with the Word of God.

In his warnings to the children of Israel, who had the temerity to question the providence and will of God, He said in Ezekiel 18:29-32: “Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”

God says here that death awaits those who reject Him and set their face against His Word.

Rev Ernie Rea also talks of God’s children and he is right in the sense that God certainly will not condemn one of his children to everlasting fire.

The problem with his comment is that by claiming that “if hell exists, it is empty”, he is saying that everyone is one of God’s children, which is a misrepresentation of the gospel message.

Sin has separated us all from God and we can only be with him in heaven if we repent of our sins.

1 John 3 examines the difference between the child of God and the child of the devil.

1 John 3:1-2,8,12 says: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

Cain was “of that wicked one”, yet, according to Rev Ernie Rea’s theology, Cain must be in heaven.

What nonsense!

The book of 1 John also speaks of how there are more people in the world who are sadly heading for hell than for heaven.

1 John 5:19 says: “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

That doesn’t sound much like hell is or is going to be empty.

The passage in 1 John 3 speaks of the sons of God, but what about the children of disobedience whom Rev Ernie Rea seems to think don’t exist.

Yet again, the Bible, which is God’s inspired Word, clearly demonstrates the ungodliness of his view.

Writing to the saints in Ephesus, Paul spoke of the difference in their lives between their ungodly days and after they got saved.

Ephesians 2:1-3 says: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

The course of this world is sinful, the saved were once children of wrath, even as others, meaning many still are the children of wrath.

What a false teacher Rev Ernie Rea is and God has a word for him and a warning to any who might pay heed to what he has to say.

Ephesians 5:6: “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

Dear reader, if you are as yet unsaved, won’t you turn to Christ for salvation, put your faith and trust in Him and repent of your sins.

It is the only way you will escape the dreadful reality of hell.

Hebrews 2:3: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”