Jesus Preached Hellfire and Brimstone Messages

I was watching a video that talked about the false megapreacher Kenneth Copeland.  The speaker was saying that he wanted more preachers that preached subtle truths in the forefront of Christianity, to better represent the faith.

One problem:  Jesus wasn't subtle.

So, to prove my point, I cited all the times where Jesus mentioned either Hell, not going to Heaven, not being forgiven of one's sins, etc. in the Sermon on the Mount.  Then it hit me, "This is a hellfire and brimstone message!", which is a good thing:

Mat 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. 

Anyway, I just wanted to share some passages in the Sermon on the Mount which would be considered extreme today.

1. Exceeding the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

(Mat 5:19-20)

2. On Anger and "Thou Fool":

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

(Mat 5:21-22)

3. On How To Prevent Lust (And Other Sins):

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

(Mat 5:29-30)

4. On Forgiveness

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Mat 6:14-15)

5. The Way To Hell is Broad, The Way To Heaven Is Narrow

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Mat 7:13-14)

6. "I Never Knew You"

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(Mat 7:21-23)

Once again, this is the motivation behind hellfire and brimstone messages; they warn you against a terrible fate.  And again, without bias, this can be easily seen, which explains why a devout atheist like Penn Jilette can see it.  The fate of Hell is like the semi-truck and you are on the road where the semi-truck is about to hit you.  The hellfire and brimstone preachers warn you to get out of the way, those most effective will tackle you.  Believe me, it is very effective imagery when you consider how much Penn Jilette once weighed.

As Mr. Jilette said, I say to you:

"How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?"

Jesus certainly proselytized.  His very name means "The Lord SAVES".  There is a reason why it's called "SALVATION".