What is Hell like?
Hell is a topic addressed throughout the Bible, providing sobering insight into divine justice and the consequence of sin. The Bible speaks of Hell as a real place of judgment, separation from God, and eternal punishment. Understanding Hell helps underscore the urgency of salvation and the depth of God's holiness and justice.
Present Nature of Hell
Hell as a Place of Separation from God: One of the clearest depictions of Hell is its complete separation from the presence of God. In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul writes, Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; This reveals that the greatest torment of Hell is not merely physical pain, but eternal separation from God’s loving presence.
Conscious Torment and Suffering: Jesus frequently described Hell as a place of conscious torment. In Luke 16:23-24, the rich man in Hades is described as being in torment and crying out for relief: I am tormented in this flame. This suggests a state of awareness and suffering, not annihilation.
Eternal Nature of Punishment: Hell is portrayed as eternal. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus contrasts eternal life with eternal punishment: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. This emphasizes that the punishment of the wicked is just as everlasting as the reward of the righteous.
Described Symbolically and Literally: The Bible uses intense imagery to describe Hell, including unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43) and outer darkness (Matthew 8:12). Whether symbolic or literal, these expressions point to unimaginable suffering and regret.
Future Judgment and the Lake of Fire
Great White Throne Judgment: In Revelation 20:11-15, all the dead stand before God. Those not found written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire, the final Hell.
The Second Death: The lake of fire is called the second death. In Revelation 21:8, it is reserved for the unrepentant: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Satan and His Angels’ Destination: Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Those who reject God and align with rebellion will share this fate.
Criteria for Entrance into Hell
Rejection of God’s Salvation: John 3:18 says, He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Unbelief in Christ leads to condemnation.
Persistent Unrepentance: Romans 2:5-6 warns that the unrepentant are storing up wrath: But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath...
The Book of Life and Final Judgment: Revelation 20:15 declares, And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Hell is the final destiny of those not redeemed by Christ.
Biblical Terms Often Associated with Hell
Sheol: Hebrew term for the grave or the abode of the dead. It can refer to both the righteous and unrighteous dead (Psalm 16:10).
Hades: Greek equivalent of Sheol, often referring to the temporary place of the dead prior to final judgment (Luke 16:23).
Gehenna: Used by Jesus to describe Hell, derived from the Valley of Hinnom where refuse and corpses were burned. Symbol of final punishment (Mark 9:43-48).
Lake of Fire: The final, eternal Hell described in Revelation. A place of eternal punishment for Satan, demons, and all whose names are not in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:14-15).
Is Hell eternal suffering, or eternal separation from God?
Matthew 10:28 seems to imply that Hell is not eternal, but only that separation from God is eternal. This leads to the quesiton, are there other scriptures that would support this view, as opposed to an eternal Hell of suffering?
Matthew 10:28, which states fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell, presents a perspective on hell that focuses on destruction rather than eternal torment. This verse can be interpreted to suggest that the ultimate consequence in hell is destruction or annihilation, as opposed to an eternal, conscious suffering.
Ezekiel 18:20 - The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. This verse emphasizes the mortality of the soul in terms of its susceptibility to death as a result of sin, contrasting with the idea of an immortal soul inherently enduring eternal torment.
Malachi 4:1 - For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. This prophecy uses the imagery of complete burning and destruction of the wicked, suggesting an end rather than an ongoing torment.
Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Here, the contrast is made between a path to life and a path to destruction, again supporting the idea of an ultimate end.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 - Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. This passage speaks to "everlasting destruction," which some interpret as an eternal state of being destroyed or cut off from the presence of God, aligning with the concept of annihilation or complete separation rather than eternal conscious torment.
Revelation 20:14 - And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The term "second death" can be interpreted as a final state of extinction or annihilation for those cast into the lake of fire.
These scriptures provide different angles on the concept of hell and the fate of the wicked. Some Christians interpret these verses as supporting the idea of annihilationism, where the wicked ultimately cease to exist, rather than the traditional view of eternal torment in hell. This interpretation aligns with a view of God as just and merciful, wherein the punishment is proportional rather than infinite.
Conclusion
Hell is a real, eternal destination described in the Bible as a place of judgment, separation, and torment for those who reject God's grace. It is not spoken of to frighten, but to warn and to awaken hearts to the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. The reality of Hell magnifies the mercy of the cross and the urgency of the gospel. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, The Lord... is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.