Get Out of Hell Free Card- Jesus and John Wesley say take that card!

Viewing an internet cartoon monopoly card which read Get Out Of Hell Free reminded me of seminary back in the day when I was Candler School of Theology.  The horror expressed by some of my classmates, that it was suggested by the professor if were valid for hell to be used in evangelism during my evangelism class, still surprises me.

Few if any of the United Methodist classmates preparing for ministry liked it when it was presented to them that Jesus and John Wesley were the two most well know preachers who urged folks to avoid hell at all costs.

Wesley had his class members answer affirmatively yes to the question “Do you desire to flee the wrath to come?” before they could attend his Methodist classes for biblical study.

Jesus as we know stressed avoiding hell with great intention-

Mark 9:43New American Standard Bible (NASB)

"43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,"

Jesus told a vast group of disciples returning from a mission, where they performed demon exorcisms and healing miracles, to be celebrating avoiding hell more than performing signs and wonders.

Luke 10:17-20
^"17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” ¹⁸ And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. ²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

Luke 12:5 (NASB)
"5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into  hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

Hell, a reality Jesus preached and urged His hearers to avoid.

My advice -Go and preach likewise.