Q:
I don't believe in some kind of last judgment or hell. I think Christians just dreamed them up to scare people into believing the same way they do. Once this life is over, that's the end as far as I'm concerned.
A:
Have you ever stopped to think about the great risk you’re taking? No one in the Bible spoke more about the reality of judgment and hell than Jesus, yet you’re willing to bet your soul that He was wrong. Are you sure?
Jesus didn’t just teach about these things, however. He also demonstrated beyond doubt that death isn’t the end and our lives continue beyond the grave, either with God in heaven, or in that place of absolute despair the Bible calls hell. He proved this by doing something no one else ever had done, or ever will do: He died and was buried, then came back from the grave by the power of God. Only Jesus could say, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
I can’t help but wonder why you’ve chosen to believe there is no judgment. Only you can answer this, of course, but I suspect the real reason is because you want to be free to live any way you want to. But why gamble with your soul for the sake of a few short years of empty pleasure?
Instead, face honestly the hopelessness of your life, and turn to the God who loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you. The Bible’s words are true: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once … to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).