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Is Hell a Real Place?
YES! Hell is a real place, but it is not a popular subject inside or outside the church. Many people use the word in their speech, but not with religious meaning. Hell is rarely used to refer to an actual physical place.
When Christians talk about Hell as a human destination for the lost, they receive all kinds of adverse reactions, even among fellow believers. People do not want to think that the God of John 3:16 would send anyone to Hell.
We all want to believe in Heaven, but we had rather not believe in or think about Hell. However, both are part of God’s Word. One is just as real as the other.
Not to condemn
Following John 3:16 are several verses that point out that Jesus did not come into this world to condemn but to save. Those who choose to reject Him are condemned already by their own choices. Accepting Him is their only way to be set free from that condemnation.
When we look at the Bible as a whole, we find that God always punished sin. So it is not a new idea. For example, we see in Genesis the history of Adam and Eve. God gave them a beautiful garden with wonderful things to enjoy. However, He forbade them from eating the fruit of one tree.
God put them out of the garden when they gave in to Satan’s temptation and ate the fruit. So with that one sin, man became subject to death.
Sin always carries a penalty.
So, is Hell a real place?
Yes, Hell is a real place
Our human nature says there can be no Hell; it is simply too harsh. Could a loving God cast a person into a burning lake of fire? The answer is ‘yes’ if that is what you decide. God leaves the choice in your hands.
He gives you a lifetime to determine if you will be with Him in the home He has prepared for you. God will not force you. He gave you free will so you could choose to be with Him or Satan. It is entirely up to you. You can not blame God for your decisions.
There are three things to keep in mind about Hell. First, God’s Justice demands it; second, the Holy Scripture declares it, and finally, Jesus describes it.
God’s Justice
God has always required payment for sin. From Genesis to Revelation, you will not find any place where God did not punish those who did evil. His perfect Justice demands that He reward the righteous and punish the unrighteous. That is simple Justice.
So who are the righteous? The righteous love God and keep His commandments. Jesus answers your question about what that entails in the following verses.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, ” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV
Love Him
If you do not love Him, believe in Him, or want to be with Him, He will not force you to go to Heaven. God created us with free will and will not force us against our will.
Hell or Heaven is our choice. God provides salvation for all who want to be with Him. He loved us enough to send His Son to pay the price for our sins. God only asks that we believe in Him and follow His teachings.
God does not just ask that we follow His teaching; He requires us to follow them to enter His presence.
His Justice will allow nothing less.
Scripture declares it
Throughout the Old Testament, we find God’s judgment on Israel when they departed from Him and entered sinful ways. He destroyed many and sent others into exile as slaves to another nation. There was always a punishment for sin and rebellion against the Living God.
The following scripture, Malachi 4:1, is an excellent example of what is to happen in the future to all who rebel against God.
4 “For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1 NKJV
Revelation
The last book in the Bible, Revelation, points out that sin always carries a price in several places. Sin is rebellion against God, and He will punish as He has in the past. God does not change!
He will not deal with us as He did with Israel; however, someone must pay the penalty for sin. Paul tells us 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:23 NKJV
God is very serious about the sin of rejecting Him and all other forms of wickedness. Therefore, sin is not allowed in His presence.
We can choose to accept eternal life in Christ Jesus or choose death.
He is not speaking of physical death but spiritual death.
All sin demands payment. Jesus came to die for the sins of those who would place their faith in Him. Those who now believe in Christ must follow Him and obey His commands.
If we refuse to accept His payment for our sins and choose not to follow Him, He will still give us a home for eternity, but not with Him in Heaven.
Rejecting His offer of salvation still gives us an eternal Home, just not with Him. But, we will have it with the devil and his angels in Hell. At that point in time the question, ‘Is Hell a real place?’ will not be on your mind, you will know.
Jesus describes it
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells about the end time judgment of all mankind. First, he describes both the wicked and the righteous. Then, as He concludes the description of each group, He tells what will happen to both groups.
He calls the two groups sheep and goats. He says to the goats, those who did evil, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
If we choose not to accept God’s salvation, there is no place else to go but Hell. God had Hell prepared for the devil and his angels. It is not a part of Heaven. It is only for those who reject God and His laws.
Great White Throne
In Revelation, we see more about this final event where God will judge all mankind. The Apostle John tells us what Jesus showed him.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelations 20:11-15 NKJV
All the dead, past and present, are to be judged according to their works. Those who chose to live for themselves and their fleshly desires were cast into the lake of fire.
This massive number included all whose names were not written in the Book of Life.
Hell is a place of punishment
What is clear is that Hell is a place of punishment. God created Hell for the devil and his angels as their permanent home after their time to test the earth.
Satan and demons
In the twelfth chapter of Revelation, John tells us about a conflict in Heaven. Satan was full of pride and decided he could elevate himself as high as God. However, God would not allow Satan to disrupt Heaven, and the angels of God threw Satan and the wicked angels that followed him out.
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 NKJV
On the earth, he continues his efforts to separate men from God. Throughout history, he has led people into false religions and practices that God forbade. As a result, he has sown the seed of rebellion against God.
We are a part of this battle!
We have either sided with God or with Satan. There is no middle ground for us to walk. We are either with God or against God. The line is drawn in blood.
When God calls an end to this age, Jesus will come with His angels and reap the harvest of souls.
Those who surrendered their lives to God through Jesus will be caught up in the air with Him before the Great White Throne Judgement. His precious blood will cover all our sins and allow us to stand righteous before a Righteous God.
God will, at that time, deal with all who offend and have rejected His offer of forgiveness.
Whatever you want to call that place, it will be a place of punishment. Jesus says His angels will cast the lawless into the furnace of fire. Where they will wail and gnash their teeth. It will hurt!
41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:41-42 NIV
My friend, Hell is not a place you want to go.
The false hope of annihilation
Some believe, without reason, that those who experience the second death are annihilated. The idea that the wicked and rebellious will be destroyed does not work. Where is the justice for those who have suffered?
Will God judge Hitler the same as an unrepentant adulterer or a thief? Will those who behead the followers of Jesus receive the same punishment as a rebellious drunkard or liar?
Being burned up in an instant is not punishment.
However, justice demands that punishment is in accordance with sins. The lost will be judged according to their works.
Scripture says, “And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelations 20:12b NKJV
God did not annihilate the Israelites when he brought kings to conquer them and enslave them. Instead, he punished them with separation from Him and let them die in foreign lands.
Hell is separation from God. It is to be carried out in a place prepared for the devil and his angels for eternity. There is no coming and going. Once you are cast into Hell, you stay there. There is no longer any chance for redemption through Christ.
Even if there are degrees in Hell, would it be a place you would want to spend eternity? You would still be in darkness, separated from the light of God. There would still be pain. Jesus says, “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12 NKJV That does not sound good.
Therefore, Hell cannot be annihilation.
In the example of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus gives us the only example of how someone in Hell suffers. Both had died, the rich man went to Hell, and Lazarus went to be with Abraham.
The rich man was in torment in Hell, and he lifted his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus beside him. So he cried out for Abraham to send Lazarus that he might cool his tongue with a drop of water because he was in torment in flames.
Note what Jesus says!
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ Luke 16:24-26 NKJV
Abraham tells him it is impossible because a great gulf is fixed, and no one can go from Heaven to Hell or the reverse. Therefore, once you are in Hell, you must stay there. You must stay there forever!
Remember, Hell is your choice. God offers you forgiveness through Jesus Christ. All He asks is that you repent of your sins and follow Jesus.
I want to note here that the idea that just believing and confessing Jesus as the Son of God will save you is false. Scripture tells us that even the demons believe that. Salvation comes from surrendering our lives to Jesus and taking up our crosses and following Him.
If you don’t follow Jesus you have not accepted Him as your Savior!
Hell is Eternal
Jesus does not sugarcoat it when speaking of those who choose evil and reject God’s will for them. He says in Matthew, 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46 NKJV
You would think that everyone would choose to follow a loving God and obey His commands. However, it is easy to just live our lives and hope for the best or decide that we know best and ignore God’s Word.
When God judges mankind on that final day before God, those who have rejected His salvation will be sent into an everlasting Hell. They will not be alone; God will also send the devil who deceived them along with them.
In Revelation, it says, 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10 NKJV
At that moment, no one will doubt that Hell is a real place. No one will want to receive what is due them in Hell.
Hell is real and is a place of torment day and night for those who refuse God’s loving offer of salvation.
Some claim Hell is not fair
I say that Hell is entirely fair. From creation, God has offered guidance on how to live with each other and relate to Him. Nothing is withheld from you or any of mankind.
God told Adam and Eve what was required of them in the garden. Then, he laid out what He expected of each generation. From the garden of Eden until this day, God told us precisely what He required of us.
We are the ones who try to find a way around what God wants for His creation. He has made it clear that He will not be second to anything.
He gave us the Ten Commandments to get us on the right track. God followed up with an expanded explanation throughout the Scriptures.
Then He sent His son to teach us by word and deed what God required. He also sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins by offering Himself a living sacrifice for us.
What more can a righteous God do?
Is God wrong to give us free will to choose which way we want to go? Of course, making the right choice is not always easy; however, He gave us a great incentive.
The incentive is dwelling in His presence instead of with the devil and his demons. Therefore, the choice should be easy when we consider options.
So now you have a choice. You can either take what you deserve (and bear it forever), or you can honestly plead guilty, gratefully accept God’s offer of a substitute, and go free.
Jesus Will Judge the Nations
God sent His Son to pay the price for our sins, but He is also the one who will judge the nations.
When Jesus comes in His glory, it will be a time of judgment. Everyone who has ever lived will stand before Him. He will separate them according to their deeds, like sheep and goats. The righteous on His right and the lost on His left.
The Son of Man
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:31-33 NKJV
Jesus will invite those on His right hand to come and be blessed by His Father. They will inherit the kingdom God has prepared for them. NOTE: He says they will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.
The King
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Matthew 25:34-36 NKJV
The sad part of this story is that those on the left hand will be cursed and sent to the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Of course, they will try to make excuses for their actions, but God will not excuse sin.
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Matthew 25:41-43 NKJV
We are given a life to live in service to our God. It is a life of responsibility and God expects us to live it in His service. Loving Him and loving others.
Make a Conscious effort
Jesus is concerned about you and warns that we are to make a conscious effort to get into Heaven. He says the gate is narrow, and we should try to enter. But unfortunately, many will not be able to enter God’s presence.
The lost will try to remind God why they should be allowed into Heaven.
I see many who attend church regularly and claim to know Jesus to be in the crowd that the Master rejects. It hurts to think that many come close to doing what God commands and yet will hear Him say, “I do not know you!”
Read
Read the following scripture and ensure you are not in that group. Will Jesus call you a worker of iniquity or will He find you a faithful follower?
24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. Luke 13:24-28 NKJV
Paul when addressing the Romans says, “8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Romans 2:8-9 NKJV
We will answer for our conduct! God will not be mocked!
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galations 6:7-8 NKJV
Conclusion:
The idea of demons running around with pitchforks and people shoveling coal is a man-made idea worthy of ridicule. However, that’s not what the Bible teaches.
The biblical teaching that people will be punished forever for their sins against God is neither funny nor fanciful. Jesus and the Prophets clearly foretell it.
Hell is what we deserve, but it’s not what God desires. Salvation is available through Christ. Don’t let anything keep you from receiving that salvation – it isn’t worth it.
There are many more scriptures that you may want to consider. In addition, there are some excellent articles at Fundamentals of the Faith | Bible.org. This subject is worth your time studying. Let your faith grow.
Consider what you have read above.
- Hell is a real place
- Scripture defines it
- Jesus proclaims it
- It is righteous and fair
- It is eternal for the unbeliever
- It is our choice. We can follow Jesus or follow Satan
How to Avoid Hell
You must recognize that you are guilty of sin against the living God as Scripture says, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NKJV
You must understand the cost of sin. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NKJV
Realize God’s love for you. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV
Confess Him, 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NKJV
Obey Him, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21 NKJV
Hell is a real place to avoid!