What Is Hell?
Jesus speaking: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28
Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." - Matthew 25:41
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:15
Hell is real. Many religions deny that, but the truth of scripture makes it very clear... hell is real.
There are many names for and descriptions of hell, each describing hell in a different way:
Never doubt it. Hell is real. All of those who have disobeyed God, and not repented, will end up in hell... including the fallen angels (demons).
God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment... - 2 Peter 2:4
In the end even Satan and death, along with all sinners, will be cast into hell.
And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. - Revelation 20:10
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:14
The phrase that best describes hell makes it seem as though hell is not all that bad. Some people even look forward to the day when they'll be in hell. The problem is... they do not understand what it means when we say hell is separation from God. For some people that brings up an image of drinking beer and playing cards with their friends. They don't understand how terrible it is to be separated from God.
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
Separation from God best describes hell, if you understand what that means. Everything that is good comes from God. Everything!
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. - James 1:17
God is the source of all that is good. To be separated from God is to be separated from all that is good. Anything that is good does not exist in hell. To be free from pain is good. You will not have anything good. You will be in pain, horrible burning pain, forever. That's why it is called the lake of fire.
Having a cool drink of water is good. I was in Uganda and had left my water bottle in the sun. When I retrieved it an hour later, it was hot, but it was the only water I had to drink. It was good. However, in hell you will not even have hot water to drink. Anything that is good does not exist in hell. That is why it is described as torment that never ends.
God is omnipresent. He is everywhere. He knows what is going on everywhere. So, yes, God is present in hell. You cannot ever get away from God. However, God is not subject to the conditions in hell. He is there, but those in hell are separated from Him and all the good He brings and does. God is there, pouring out His wrath on sinners in hell. You cannot escape God.
God doesn't send anyone to hell. God saves people from hell. If you chose to reject God's offer of salvation, you send yourself to hell. 2000 years ago Jesus died on the cross, taking the full punishment for sin on Himself. That's why, as he neared physical death, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me?" Jesus was experiencing separation from the Father. Today He offers His death as a free gift, having died the second death in your place. However, if you reject Jesus... if you refuse to repent and trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are sending yourself to hell. God sacrificed Himself to save you... do you want that gift?
Punishment for eternity just for disobeying God on some little things isn't fair! I haven't done anything really serious. Yes, you have. Even in our human justice system the severity of the punishment is related to both the severity of the "crime," AND the person against whom the "crime" was committed. Let's look at an example on the human level:
Let's say I tell a lie to my three-year-old son. What are the consequences? There are none.
If I tell a lie to my wife, there may be consequences. I may spend the night on the couch.
If I tell a lie to my boss, I could very quickly be replaced… in other words become unemployed.
If I lie to a grand jury, I could find myself in jail. In each case the offense was the same, a lie. However, the consequences increased because of whom the offense was against. To lie to a grand jury is a more serious offense than to lie to a three-year old child.
Sin is an offense against the infinite, perfect, holy, creator God who made us and has given us everything good that we have. This makes the offense infinitely serious, and the punishment is appropriate in being infinite.
Eternal separation from God is not excessive or inappropriate. You have broken God's laws (sin). The consequences are fair and just. The only way to be saved from the consequence of your sin is through Jesus Christ. The only answer to sin is ALWAYS JESUS.
Jesus is the God of the Old Testament. He is Jehovah... God who created everything in Genesis; who lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and who spoke to Jeremiah and Isaiah the prophets... and they wrote down His words. In Isaiah we read the words God spoke:
"Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You." - Isaiah 42:5-6
Who is speaking? God. The Lord, God almighty. He begins speaking in chapter 40 and continues talking for the rest of the book of Isaiah. Read what He says in chapter 48:
"Come near to Me, listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.” - Isaiah 48:16
Who has sent the one who is speaking? The Lord God. That's the Father. Who has He sent? The Spirit. That's the Holy Spirit. And "Me." Who is "Me." It is the person who has been speaking since the beginning of chapter 40... Jehovah God. Here we see the Trinity in the Old Testament, and that Jehovah God is Jesus, the Son of God.
Jesus is God. And God never changes: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. - Hebrews 13:8