PRINT
Let's be clear about one thing: Jesus didn't say what this guy said. People go to hell because they are unrepentant and unregenerate. It's not clear that someone who is remarried after a divorce can't repent, and is necessarily unregenerate. The pastor's (rather inflammatory, don't you think?) claim is deeply problematic in that it undercuts the entire basis for Jesus' death on the cross in that it makes our salvation entirely dependent upon our behaviors and actions, rather than on Jesus' saving works.
What did Jesus say about divorce? Great question. Generally, he's against it. Is it ever permissible? Yup--seems like Matthew 19:9 permits it in at least a few special cases. How broad those cases are is a fascinating and contentious question, but most scholars think there are at least a few circumstances in which Jesus would be okay with divorce. However, such instances are (hopefully!) rare and not the sort of instances you might hope to find yourself in someday.
Comments
First, the pastor you spoke with was wrong about divorce and hell. As Matt Anderson commented: the only basis for our eternal destination is submission by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, it's by works, which isn't grace at all and is a "different gospel," for which one would be condemned to hell forever. (See Galatians 1)
As for divorce, God hates it. Yes, for repeated adultery God will allow one to divorce. (see Matthew 19:9) But God is never "okay" with divorce, including a Christ-follower divorcing their spouse because that person is a non-believer. (see I Corinthians 7) Even as I type that last sentence, I realize Matt Anderson didn't mean to imply that God is simply "okay" with any divorce, but that God will sometimes permit divorce.
Remarriage is a different issue.
Paul's Spirit-inspired words to the Corinthians don't require seminary education to understand: "But to the married I give instructions, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband, (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife." (I Corinthians 7:10-11) Paul goes on to address what believers are to do with an unbelieving spouse: stay unless the spouse leaves, in the spirit of "walk(ing)...as the Lord has assigned to each one."
I encourage you to check into the writings on divorce of John MacArthur, Wayne Grudem, or John Piper. All are solidly biblical and should have something to offer.
Pray this helps...