During the next year, there were times when I would get irritated with people who say they don’t believe in Jesus, heaven, or hell. When you know the truth, you want so desperately to convince others that hell is real and that Jesus is their only way out. Sometimes I would simply run short of patience, because I know where they are going if they don’t listen. It is not just that I am anxious to talk to others because of my experience—it’s also because of what God says in His Word. That is what counts. I do not get upset at the people themselves but at how hard it is to persuade them of the truth.

“It is our bounden duty to warn sinners of their fearful peril. To remain silent is criminal.”[12]

—A. W. Pink

To give an analogy, try to imagine how you would feel if you were sitting beside a pool and saw a tanker truck pull up with some evil-looking men in it. The men got out of the truck and began to drain the pool water to about half-full. Then they filled it back up with another liquid from the large truck. However, it’s not water—it’s acid! You watch the men throw a wooden board into the pool, and the board immediately disintegrates. Obviously, these men are planning on killing whoever jumps into the seemingly harmless pool.

Then the men drive away. A few minutes later, some children come running up to the pool to swim. You immediately scream and warn them of the acid in the water, but they don’t believe you. You desperately yell, telling them to stay out of the pool. However, the water looks great to them—it’s inviting. How frustrated you would be! You couldn’t let them jump in, even if they insisted. You would feel compelled to do whatever it took to save them.