Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about Hell?
As a new believer, it was difficult to wrap my mind around Hell. Why would a loving God send people to Hell?
I later found out the basis of my question was wrong.
God is not only loving, but just. There’s a price to be paid for sin. The Bible tells us, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 ESV).
Hell is a real place. Although we may not like the idea of Hell, it’s a reality we must come to terms with.
The Bible speaks of Hell both in the Old Testament and New Testament. Here’s what the Bible says about Hell.
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What is Hell according to the Bible?
According to the Bible, Hell is:
- A physical and spiritual place – The suffering described in the Bible of those in Hell suggests Hell is a physical and spiritual place. The suffering is real, not just conscious thought of mind (Mark 9:47-48, Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:10).
- A place of torment – Hell is a place of torment. Maybe unbelievers joke around about how Hell is going to be a party. That’s definitely not the case. (Luke 16:24, Matthew 13:42, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:15).
- A place where unbelievers, Satan, and his angels go – Anyone who doesn’t believe the gospel and repent will be in Hell. The Bible also tells us the Devil and his angels will be in Hell. (Revelation 21:8, Matthew 25:41).
Bible Verses About Hell
Here are some more Bible verses about Hell:
- Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (NIV).
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (NIV).
- 2 Peter 2:4 – For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment” (NIV).
- Daniel 12:2 – “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (NIV).
- Mark 9:44-49 – “And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ Everyone will be salted with fire” (NIV).
Common Questions About Hell
When I was a new believer, I had a lot of questions about Hell. I later found that these questions are quite common.
Some of these questions include:
- What did Jesus say about Hell?
- Does Hell really exist?
- Why does Hell exist?
- Who goes to Hell?
Keep reading to get answers to these questions.
What did Jesus say about Hell?
The gospels record what Jesus has to say about Hell.
Here’s what Jesus says about Hell:
- Matthew 10:28 – “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” (ESV).
- Matthew 25:46 – “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (ESV).
- Matthew 13:47-50 – “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (ESV).
- Mark 9:43 – “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire” (ESV).
- Matthew 13:40-42 – “Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (ESV).
Does Hell really exist?
Hell is real. It’s not only a spiritual but physical place. According to scripture (e.g., Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50), the suffering described suggests Hell is a physical place.
Hell does exist.
I know it’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s what the Bible teaches. We can either believe the word of God or turn to our own vices.
The Bible says, “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever,” (1 Peter 1:24-25 ESV).
Why does Hell exist?
Okay, so it exists. Why does Hell exist?
Hell exists because God is just (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 89:14, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Isaiah 61:8). A just and holy God cannot and will not allow evil to go unpunished.
But there’s hope. Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to him. All who believe the gospel and repent will be saved.
Who goes to Hell?
Anyone who doesn’t believe in the gospel and repent will go to Hell.
The Bible tells us, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death,” (Revelation 21:8 ESV).
Our Hope Is in Christ
If it weren’t for Christ, we would all be in Hell, separated from our Creator. Thank God that’s not the end of the story.
Our hope is in Christ. God sent his only Son to live a perfect, sinless life, bore the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected three days after.
Because of what Christ has done, we can be reconciled to God and have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16 ESV).
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