The word “hell” comes from the Greek word “Hades,” which is often described as a place of darkness and torment where the dead goes until the final judgment. When we hear the word hell, we immediately think of fire and brimstone. While that may be part of Hell, the scripture says it’s not the whole story. So, what does the Bible say about Hell?
There are two main views of Hell in Christianity: Annihilationism and Eternal Conscious Torment. Annihilationism is the view that when a person dies, they cease to exist. Their soul is destroyed along with their body. This is often called “conditional immortality.”
On the other hand, Eternal Conscious Torment is the view that a person will be conscious for eternity and be tormented forever. While no one knows for sure which of these views is correct, both have scriptural support. Listed below are the verses the Bible says about Hell.
Key Verses About Hell In the KJV Bible
1. Revelation 21:8
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.
While the Bible doesn’t exactly say what the hell is like, we can view it from this verse as a place of darkness, torment, and fire. For those who choose to disobey God, the Bible warns of eternal punishment by burning in a lake of fire and brimstone. This pertains to the afterlife, filled with so much pain and suffering that you don’t want to end your life.
2. Matthew 25:46
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
This verse gives us a clue that Hell is a place of punishment. When we think of what the word punishment means, we often think of jail or prison. But this verse tells us that the punishment in Hell will be everlasting. It’s a scary thought that should motivate us to live for Christ before He casts His final judgment.
3. Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which can destroy both soul and body in hell.
This means that things can destroy our bodies on Earth, and almost everyone is afraid when it happens. But, the Bible says not to fret, as we should be more fearful of the one that can destroy our body and soul in Hell. So, to avoid eternal suffering after death, we should always conform to God’s will and not lean on our own. Also, we must always live in a way that honors and glorifies God. This way, our paths will lead us to eternity with God.
4. Mark 9:43-48
“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched…. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched…. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
This verse tells us that even though we have done terrible things in life, there is always hope for salvation if we repent sincerely. It clearly states that it’s better if one hand, foot, or eye falls into Hell instead of both. So, we could realize that we have to lose something precious to us that hampers our righteousness to gain eternal salvation and avoid the fires of Hell.
5. Revelation 20:10
“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.”
This verse talks about a false prophet being thrown into Hell or the lake of fire and brimstone. This is because they speak for God but are led by Satan. They teach people astray and away from true salvation. So, if we ever meet someone who claims to be a prophet, we must be cautious and test their words against the Bible. If they genuinely speak for God, their words will align with Scripture. But if they talk to Satan, their words will lead us away from God and toward eternal suffering.
These verses show that by understanding what the Bible says about Hell, we can better motivate ourselves to live lives that honor and glorify God. We can also be more careful about who we listen to and ensure that we follow God’s true prophets.
Does Hell Truly Exist?
For some, Hell is where sinners are punished for their crimes. This belief is often based on passages from religious texts that describe Hell as a region of fire and brimstone. Meanwhile, others believe Hell is more of a state of mind, representing the suffering one experiences when they are cut off from God or the divine. This interpretation is often seen when individuals have endured tremendous trauma or hardship.
However, if we read the Bible and take it at face value, Hell does appear to be a real place. The Bible describes it as a place of fire and torment, where sinners will suffer for their crimes. This contrasts with Heaven, which is described as a place of peace and eternal life with God.
So, while there is some debate on the matter, the Bible supports the idea that Hell is a real place. This should motivate us to live, so we avoid sin and follow God’s path. This way, we have nothing to fear regarding where we will be headed after we die.
What Does the Bible Say About Salvation From Hell?
The Bible offers hope for those who are suffering in Hell. As Revelation 20:13 says, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” This verse shows that a time will come when the dead will be raised from the grave and judged. They will be given a second chance to repent and be saved from suffering, as God is merciful and loving, even to those who have sinned against Him.
However, this doesn’t mean we can abuse His mercy and grace. We must still turn from our sins and repent. Otherwise, we will suffer the consequences of our actions. Whether you believe Hell is real or not, it’s crucial to choose a moral life rather than live in wicked ways. So, let us all turn from doing the latter and follow in the footsteps of God instead, seeking salvation before it’s too late.
How Can People Avoid Being Sent to Hell?
Even if we live in a broken or miserable world, there are still ways to avoid being sent to hell. Here are a few ways you can consider:
1. Repentance
By repenting our sins and asking for His forgiveness, we can be cleansed and have a clean slate. This is a process of turning away from our sinful lifestyle and towards God’s authority. It’s vital that when we repent, we acknowledge our sins, commit to changing our wrongdoings, and ask Jesus to come into our lives. This way, we can start anew with a new conscience.
2. Being Faithful to God
We can be forgiven and have eternal life by having faith in Jesus Christ and believing He died for our sins. Eternal life doesn’t only mean living forever in heaven after we die. It’s also about personal relationships with God while we’re still alive. So, always pray to God and ask for His guidance. Jeremiah 29:13 states that we will find God if we seek Him. All we need to do is to come to Him with a humble and repentant heart. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
3. Obeying God’s teachings
The Bible says that God wants us to live according to His will, as it generally pertains to being good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:12). But if we live in a way that is not according to God’s will, we sin. We will face the consequences of our actions, including being sent to hell. So, we must spend time with Him in prayer and obey His commands.
When we please God, we can be confident that we will be cherished for eternity. As Isaiah 61:12 says, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
What Is God’s Kingdom Like?
If Hell is a place of fire, then God’s kingdom is a place of light. It is a place where there is no pain, suffering, or sorrow. Instead, it’s about living in joy, peace, and love. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever,” says Revelation 21:4.
Bottom Line
The Bible states that Hell is a real and terrible place. Everyone who dies without accepting God will go to such a destination after death. But, the Bible says we don’t have to fear it if we have faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ brings us forgiveness and eternal life in His kingdom. So, to avoid being sent into Hell, we must focus on living in righteousness by following His commandments.
