Better If Never Born

"The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born." (Mark 14:21)

This certainly disproves universalism, the idea that all will ultimately be saved, and that none will suffer in Hell for ever. How could it be said of one who is going to heaven - "it were better had he never been born"? This cannot be said of anyone who goes to Heaven and is saved. It can only be said of someone who suffers eternally in Hell.

Judas is not the only one of whom it can be said that it were "better for him if he had never been born." It can be truly said of every sinner who "dies in sin," dies with sins unforgiven, dies a Christ rejecter.

There are some awful descriptions of the judgment that awaits those who die in sin as Judas. Notice these:

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

"For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" (Luke 9:25)

"And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Matt. 21:44; Luke 20:18)

"The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24: 50,51)

What terrible and horrible descriptions of the fate that awaits the sinner! To be "torn asunder," to be "ground to powder," to "lose" one's soul forever in eternal grief and woe, is the worst of destinies!

"And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." (Mark 9:42)

It is no little or mean punishment that awaits the sinner. It is a just punishment, however, and therefore not a case of "cruel and unusual punishment." The punishment does "fit the crime."

The severity of the penal infliction only shows the severity of the sin. Sin is no light matter, as sinners falsely imagine. Sinners can be heard today scoffing and saying, "why does God just not get over it (sin)"? Or, you will hear them say, "God sure does hold a grudge!" Or, "Hell is too harsh a punisment, so surely none will go there forever - God is too merciful to send anyone there forever."

But, these are all lies of the Devil whispered in the ears of the sinner. It is also an evidence of the enormity of the crimes committed by the sinner against his Maker.

Hardened criminals, when sentenced by society, rarely feel they got a "fair sentence," but will generally complain that they were dealt with too harshly and unfairly. So it is the same with those who are unforgiven sinners, with those who are hardened in their sins against God.

Cain complained to God, saying "My punishment is greater than I can bear." (Gen. 4:13) He too felt God was being "too hard" on him for murdering his brother.

"As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19: 41,42 NIV)

These are words that can be said legitimately to every sinner. "Had you known"! If you "could just see the fate that awaits you!" You would then see that truly "it were better for you had you never been born"!

Sinner, will you now call upon God to forgive you? Will you now come in simple faith and trust to the Lord Jesus Christ, your only hope for pardon?