Is Hell Real?

We live in a world where the existence of hell is questioned quite often, which is a bit confusing considering we are able to witness so much suffering in this life. In the church, preachers have steered away from the old hellfire and brimstone messages that were popular not too long ago. Instead we live in a time where more people believe that heaven is real than they believe in a literal hell.

Is hell real? Does the Bible teach us about hell? Is hell eternal? Why do people go to hell? These questions plague the internet, but often the answers aren't easily found in our churches, so what's the disconnect?

I believe Christians have become scared of their own doctrines in a lot of ways. We would rather ignore the truth about hell than actually study out what the Bible says about it and I think the biggest reason is because if Hell is real, that has some big implications.  

So let's look at this bit by bit. First, is hell real? Yes. The Bible gives us every indication that Hell is a real place. It’s not a metaphor. It’s a literal place that exists and it sounds terrifying.

“And throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”- Matthew 13:50

Jesus describes hell using a lot of metaphorical language to help us understand it. He uses the word Gehenna quite frequently to describe it. Gehenna was a valley outside of Jerusalem that was thought to be one of the most ungodly areas in the world. It was a place of bones and garbage and a fire that continually burned to destroy the refuse.

Jesus uses this physical place to describe a place of everlasting torment. He says that place is fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This doesn’t sound like a place you’d want to visit.

Some wonder if hell is eternal? If God loves the world so much, how could he send people into everlasting punishment? This is an understandable question. Much of it comes down to a faulty understanding of how people end up in hell. The only people that end up in hell are those that have chosen to go there. These are people who have rejected God and not believed in his only son. God is patient and kind, not wanting any to perish, but for all to come to repentance and faith in Him, but for those that reject Him, hell is what awaits.

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Eternal destruction is what awaits those that reject Jesus. This means there is no end to it. The destruction and the torment is everlasting. This is one of the reasons we should have an urgency in presenting the gospel to our loved ones.

What about the devil and his angels? Will they rule over hell? The answer is no. They will not rule or reign over hell. They too will be tormented in hell. Their fate was sealed in their rebellion against God.

“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;” - 2 Peter 2:4

If you are reading this and asking the question, am I going to hell? Let me lay it out for you plainly. If you do not believe that Jesus is God’s son, that he died on a cross for your sins and was raised from the dead, you are lost and going to hell.

“And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:15

In order to avoid hell, you must put your trust in Jesus. If you want your name written into the book of life, you must repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ. That is the only way to avoid eternal destruction. Faith is the key that opens the doorway of salvation.

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." - Romans 10:9–10

Prayer - Father, I confess my need for a savior. I need you Lord. Please save me. Help me to follow you and to proclaim your message. Help me to share the truth of your word with my friends and family. In Jesus name, amen.