Questions About Hell

I. Is hell a real place?

The same Bible which teaches the reality of heaven also teaches the reality of hell Mt. 25:46 [46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal

Mt. 7:13-14 [13] 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: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The Greek word which is translated “Hell” is found 12 times in the N.T. Jesus used the word eleven of the twelve times – He spoke of hell more often than anyone else in the Bible Hell is just as real as heaven – one can’t be denied without denying the other

II. What is hell like?

1. Hell is a place of everlasting fire Mk. 9:43, 44, 45, 48 “The fire that never shall be quenched” “the fire is not quenched” “the fire that never shall be quenched”

Mt. 25:41 [41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels

Rev. 21:8 [8]…the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

2. Hell is a place of continual pain and suffering Mt. 25:30 [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Darkness - symbolizes the desolation of that place Weeping – symbolizes the sorrow Gnashing of teeth – symbolizes the anguish (McGarvey)

It is a place of eternal torment Rev. 20:10 [10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Mt. 25:46 [46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal

“No comfort will be found, in any form, in this place “No comfort will be found, in any form, in this place. It is a place of anguish and torment to the degree of which man cannot yet imagine…” J.D. Sweeten

3. Hell is a place of darkness Mt. 25:30 [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:

2 Pet. 2:4 - The angels who sinned [4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment

Jude 13 -Note Jude’s description of false teachers [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever

4. Hell is place without hope One can endure almost anything if he knows it will end Hell is eternal, everlasting, forever and ever

5. Hell is the place where the wicked of all the ages are found Murderers, liars, drunkards, thieves, homosexuals, blasphemers, adulterers, Rev. 21:8 [8] 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.

Second death “These shall all have their part in the lake of fire; this unending condemnation to the fiery pit is called the second death, for it is an eternal, painful separation from God.” (Bob Winton)

6. Hell is a place without rest, relief or comfort In hell, there will be no rest or relief from the torment Rev. 14:11 [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Hell will be a place of separation No amount of worldly pleasure, possessions or power will be worth the pain of hell God sent His son so that we would not have to go to hell

Rev. 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, Rev.14:13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours