First Words
Welcome to the ” What the Bible Says About Hell” article! You are apparently looking for information about what hell is. Hell is a place where those without faith go for final judgment. It is a lake of fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is eternal separation from God. Next I will tell you more about the subject based on the Bible.
What Does the Bible Say About Hell – Scripture References and Teaching
The Bible warns about hell multiple times. It is not just a scare tactic, but a completely concrete place. Hell is a terrible place where Satan, his angels, and those without faith all end up. Everyone who does not believe in God goes there. The Bible speaks about that place often.
- All the cursed go there, which has been prepared for the devil and his angels ✚Matt. 25:41
- The punishment is eternal and cannot be reversed ✚Matt. 25:46, ✚Rev. 14:11, ✚2 Thess. 1:9
- It is an unquenchable fire ✚Mark. 9:43
- There their worm does not die ✚Mark. 9:48
- It is the second death for all those whose names are not in the book of life ✚Rev. 20:14–15
- It is an extremely frightening judgment ✚Heb. 10:27
- There is weeping and gnashing of teeth ✚Matt. 13:50
What Words Does the Bible Use for Hell?
The Bible describes hell with several different words, which have slightly different meanings:
Sheol (Heb.) – The Old Testament concept of the realm of the dead, often translated as “the grave” or “the pit”. It refers to the place where all the dead go and does not directly distinguish punishment.
Hades (Gr.) – The corresponding concept in the New Testament. Jesus uses this word for example in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (✚Luke 16:23).
Gehenna (Gr.) – This is the word Jesus most often translates as “hell”. Originally it referred to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, which was historically a place where garbage was burned and where human sacrifices were made. Jesus uses it to describe the eternal place of judgment.
Lake of Fire (Gr. limne tou pyros) – A concept appearing in Revelation for the final place of judgment (✚Rev. 20:14–15).
What Did Jesus Teach About Hell?
One of Jesus’ most important subjects was teaching about hell. Those who believe fear for their souls and many come to faith because they fear hell. The same happened to me. I read about hell and fear came upon my soul. Jesus taught about hell on several occasions. ✚Matt. 25:46, ✚Mark. 9:43, ✚Matt. 10:28. It may be that many would not believe if there were no threat of hell. If there were no judgment, why would one believe? For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not teach about a concrete hell, even though the Bible clearly teaches about it. They believe that those without faith will ultimately face death – meaning “nothing” in the end. The truth is that hell is a concrete place.
Who Goes to Hell According to the Bible?
Everyone without faith goes to hell. In other words, all unbelievers and evildoers ✚Rev. 22:15. For example, lying is absolutely forbidden in Christianity and that includes “white lies”. The Bible requires absolute honesty. In practice, without the Holy Spirit and being born again, one cannot enter heaven ✚John 3:3. Only in the Holy Spirit is one able to avoid committing deliberate sin. Jesus is the atoner for sins, but that does not mean one is allowed to sin ✚1 John 3:6, ✚1 John 3:9.
Although it is widely taught today that everyone remains sinful to the end, according to the Bible that is not the case ✚1 John 1:8, ✚1 John 1:10. All people have sinned, but the Apostle Paul said that one must not remain in sin ✚Rom. 6:1–2.
Is Hell Eternal or Temporary?
For example, Catholicism teaches the doctrine of purgatory. That is, that the unfaithful go to purgatory where souls are purified and ultimately saved. This is not in accordance with the Bible. They teach that the punishment is not eternal but temporary. They also teach that one can pray for the dead, which would speed up their salvation. The Bible does not support this concept.
According to the Bible, punishment is eternal. It is the second death. That is why it is of utmost importance to receive salvation while there is still time! This short life in the world is an extremely small part of eternity. So make the decision – do you want God’s eternal love, or separation from God and to suffer from it eternally in torment.
How to Be Saved From Hell?
I have written an article about how to be saved. You are saved by believing in Jesus. By believing in His resurrection from the dead, by repenting, by being baptized, by being born again, and by being obedient to Jesus. ✚John 3:16, ✚John 5:24, ✚John 3:3, ✚John 5:24.
No one who is Jesus’ sheep, that is a true believer, will end up in perdition. So if you believe in Jesus and believe you are a child of God, you are safe. Do not commit deliberate sin anymore and confess your sins if you do and pray for deliverance. God is merciful. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin.
Salvation therefore comes through faith. You must believe that you are saved and that you are a child of God. If you doubt, then pray and send prayer requests. The enemy may send fiery arrows to make faith fade away ✚Eph. 6:16. However, no one can snatch a believer from God’s hand ✚John 10:28. God takes care of His own so that faith ultimately endures to the end.
Jesus Conquered Hell and Death
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil ✚1 John 3:8 and conquered death ✚1 Cor. 15:55. Death has no part in a believer’s life, because Jesus did the work. Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades ✚Rev. 1:18. By believing in Jesus, death and hell have no power over you. You have been transferred from darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son ✚Col. 1:13. You have therefore been transferred from darkness into light ✚1 Pet. 2:9. As a believer you can therefore have a peaceful mind. However, live in fear during this time of your sojourning ✚1 Pet. 1:17.
Summary
Hell is a concrete place where those without faith and evildoers end up. Salvation from hell comes by believing in Jesus, by repenting, by being baptized, and by being born again. Hell is an extremely frightening place. Jesus says that there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Hell is a lake of fire and the final destination for those without faith. Many come to faith by fearing judgment and hell. Some teach within Christianity that hell does not exist or that one can get out of it, which is not true. Hell is eternal and final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hell
What is hell? Hell is a concrete place where those without faith go for final judgment. The Bible describes it as a lake of fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, and above all eternal separation from God.
Is hell a real place? Yes. Hell is not just a scare tactic or a symbol, but a concrete place. Jesus himself spoke about it on multiple occasions – more than anyone else in the Bible (✚Matt. 25:46, ✚Mark. 9:43, ✚Matt. 10:28).
Who goes to hell? All those without faith go to hell, that is all unbelievers and evildoers (✚Rev. 22:15). Without being born again one cannot enter heaven (✚John 3:3).
Is the punishment of hell eternal? Yes. The Bible clearly teaches that punishment is eternal and cannot be reversed (✚Matt. 25:46, ✚Rev. 14:11, ✚2 Thess. 1:9). Hell is the second death.
What does purgatory mean – is it a Biblical teaching? No it is not. Purgatory is a Catholic Church doctrine according to which souls are purified in a temporary state before entering heaven. The Bible does not support this concept – punishment is eternal, not temporary.
How can one be saved from hell? Salvation comes by believing in Jesus Christ, by repenting, by being baptized, and by being born again (✚John 3:16, ✚John 3:3, ✚John 5:24). Jesus died to atone for sins and rose from the dead – faith in him saves from perdition.
Can a believer go to hell? No. No true follower of Jesus will end up in perdition. Jesus himself says: “My sheep hear my voice… and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (✚John 10:28).
Why did Jesus talk so much about hell? Jesus talked about hell because he loves people. He wanted to warn of the truth so that people would receive salvation in time. Fear of judgment has led many to faith – and that is a completely Biblical reaction.
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