What does the Bible teach about hell?
Jesus on Hell
Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. What did He say unrighteous anger and verbal abuse deserve?
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment. If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council. And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:22 CEB)
Are lustful looks the way to hell?
“If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to end up in hell.” (Matthew 5:29 CEV)
Who is able to destroy both body and soul?
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 ESV)
Will the weeds of the kingdom be burned?
“...At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn them… cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:30, 42 KJV)
Who will perform this sad task?
“So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49-50 NASB)
What is Jesus’ warning to religious leaders?
“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” (Matthew 23:33 NIV)
Is there a description of hell that doesn’t involve fire?
“And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30 NKJV)
Is the fire temporary or eternal?
“... Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.” (Matthew 25:41 NLT)
Is there torment in hell?
“While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side.” (Luke 16:23 CEB)
Apostles on Hell
What did some of the Apostles say about hell?
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 2:5 ESV)
Is hell also a separation from God?
“They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9 NLT)
Lake of Fire
Hell is pictured by fire, darkness and separation from God. Is it also described as a lake of fire?
“... The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur.” (Revelation 19:20 CEV)
How long is their torment?
“... they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 ESV)
What about those not found in the book?
“And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15 HCSB)
What kinds of unrepentant sins lead to hell?
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8 KJV)
There are three Greek words used for hell.
Hades
Hades means the abode of the dead. It can symbolize either the grave or hell. The rich man was obviously in hell.
“And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms.” (Luke 16:23 NASB)
The church will obviously survive the grave.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)
Gehenna
Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom, was once used for child sacrifice. It symbolizes hell. What should we do hyperbolically?
“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43 WEB)
Tartaroo
The Greek word tartaroó (ta?ta???) pictures a place for the wicked dead, the lowest pit of hell.
“God didn’t spare the angels when they sinned but cast them into the lowest level of the underworld and committed them to chains of darkness, keeping them there until the judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4 CEB)
Every day we are choosing our eternity. If we choose separation from God, He will honor that for all eternity. If we choose closeness to God, He will help us overcome and bless us with a fabulous eternity. You decide!
