Hell's Bells? An Edwardsian Miscellany on Time and Hell

If you grew up listening to rock music like I did, then you've no doubt heard the song "Hells Bells" by ACDC. It has an interesting bell sound at the beginning. Listen to it here:

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I actually think this sound represents something that will be the case in hell. I'll explain.

It is easy for us to lose the sense of time when we are on our computers, playing around, or engaged in good conversation with pleasant company, unless we hear a clock making a sound. It's almost like we are in a timeless state and escape the sense of passing moments, until we hear a sound. The escape from elapsing time may even be desired, so some people may use drugs to experience it. It's as if one loses a sense of responsibility for the way we are spending our time when this temporary escape occurs. Watching television may even produce this effect, which may be why so many people continually watch it. It produces a mental diversion, however temporary. Sleep obviously does the same thing.

When we hear an alarm or see a clock, we are shocked at how much time has elapsed. We suddenly wake up, in one form or another, to a sense of passing moments again.

Now consider the following.

It is said that those in hell will not "rest" day or night:

NKJ Revelation 14:11: "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

At the very least, this must mean that they will not have any mental relaxation, as well as bodily comfort. They will no longer have their diversions. Their imaginations will not be able to veer off into some pleasant dream or thought, so as to escape the sense of passing moments. God will make sure that their consciences keep intensely focused on each portion of time as they endure their just and everlasting punishment. Their consciences will pound inside of their heads, like the gong of a large bell, to make them perpetually aware of why the waves of grief and anguish keep rolling in for an eternity. This will force them to reflect on how they squandered time and their gracious opportunities while on earth, as they weep and grind their teeth.

In this way, the consciences of the damned will act as "Hells Bells," and it will be a chief source of torment.