Hell

The Bible teaches that there is a hell. Here are some facts about hell.

Hell is a place. It is a real place (not just an illustration or allegory). Described as beneath as opposed to heaven above. Cf. Proverbs 15:24, Isaiah 14:9. It is a place of torment, punishment. Cf. Luke 16:23, 28. It is a place of eternal fire (Hell cast into the lake of fire). Cf. Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 9:43-45, Revelation 20:13-15. The torments of hell shows to us just how bad our sin is, if God be just. We are all guilty. God does not leave the guilty unpunished. The guilt is punished in Christ or in hell.

Hell follows death (for the unbeliever). There is no soul sleep, no limbo, no purgatory. Cf. Psalm 16:10, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 . Immediately after death the rich man was in hell, according to Luke 16.

Hell is loss. It is the loss of life, the loss of opportunity, the loss of all. Cf. Mark 8:36, Matthew 18:11. (In death the Christian gains, Philippians 1:21 .)

Hell demonstrates the need for the gospel message. Because of the reality of sin, death and hell, we need a real answer. The gospel is the answer. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:10. Hell (along with the love of Christ) should motivate us to preach the gospel.

Hell shows us how bad the cross was. Jesus suffered hell for his people on the cross. God set forth Jesus as a sacrifice to atone for sins, to declare his righteousness and his justice. Cf. Romans 3:25-26.

Hell points us to the greatness of God’s grace and the power of the resurrection. Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). He owns the keys of death and hell (Revelation 1:18). The way to heaven is open. Jesus Christ is the way (John 14:6).