Ponder these two concise and powerful descriptions, by Tony Reinke.

Heaven is eternity in the presence of God through a Mediator.

Hell is eternity in the presence of God with no Mediator.

• eternity — Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

• presence of God (heaven) — Psalm 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

• presence of God (hell) — Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

• mediator — 1 Timothy 2:5, For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

• no mediator — John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.