Does hell exist?

Response

Yes, hell does exist according to the Bible. Note: throughout the rest of this article, we will refer to hell as a “place of conscious torment after death.” We acknowledge that hell is technically distinct from the lake of fire, but we will let our other articles explain the variances.

The Bible discusses the existence of hell in the same manner as it does heaven (Revelation 20:14-15;21:1-2). The idea of a genuine, conscious, eternal existence in hell is just as scriptural as a genuine, conscious, eternal existence in heaven. Attempting to separate the two is simply not feasible from a biblical perspective.

Despite the Bible’s clear teachings on both heaven and hell, it is not uncommon for individuals to accept the reality of heaven while rejecting the reality of hell. Partly, this is due to wishful thinking. It is simpler to embrace the notion of a “pleasant” afterlife, whereas damnation is not as attractive. This is the same miscalculation humans frequently make concerning substance abuse, risky behaviors, and so on. The belief that we will receive what we desire overrides the unpleasant (yet logical) possibility that things may not end well.

Denial of hell’s existence can also be attributed to incorrect assumptions about what hell entails. Hell is often envisioned as a fiery wasteland, a dungeon filled with cauldrons and pitchforks, or an underground city teeming with ghosts and goblins. Common portrayals of hell frequently depict it as a burning chamber of torture or a spiritual prison where malevolent entities dwell—and where benevolent entities journey to combat evil. This depiction of hell is not accurate. Hell is a genuine place, but it does not resemble the Dante’s Inferno image that most people envision. The Bible provides certain specifics about hell, but these specifics do not align with the prevalent myths.

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The Bible provides limited details about hell. It was originally prepared for demonic spiritual beings, not for people «Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: », (Matthew 25:41). The concept of hell involves burning (Mark 9:43;Mark 9:48;Matthew 18:9;Luke 16:24). Additionally, hell is likened to darkness «Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. », (Matthew 22:13), and is associated with intense sorrow «But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. », (Matthew 8:12) and dread «where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. », (Mark 9:44).

In essence, the Bible only illustrates what being in hell is “like”; it does not explicitly define what hell is or how it operates. However, the Bible clearly emphasizes that hell is genuine, eternal, and must be avoided at all costs (Matthew 5:29-30).