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Many people detest the idea of hell. They figure that if God is a God of love, He couldn't possibly send anyone to a place of eternal damnation. Yet it is said that Jesus spoke much more about hell than He did about heaven.
So is hell a real place? Who goes there? Why was hell created?
These are some of the questions that we look at in this study on hell.
Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Jesus taught that hell is a real place and mentioned it on many occasions.
Mark 9:43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched;
Hell is a place that continues forever, without any hope of escape.
Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
There's no doubt that the experience of many people in this life is hellish, but Jesus taught that hell is a place that people go to after they have died.
Hell is therefore not just a state of mind.
Mat 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:"
Hell was originally created for the devil and his angels, but all those who reject Christ will also go there.
Mat 10:14-15 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. (15) Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
Mat 11:21-24 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (22) But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. (23) And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (24) But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.
Jesus taught that judgment would be more tolerable for some than for others.
Therefore, everyone doesn't experience the same level of punishment.
Mat 13:49-50 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, (50) and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
People often say that they don't mind going to hell since that's where their friends will be anyway.
This is certainly not what Jesus taught about hell.
Hell is a place of unimaginable torment; people who think that it will be a place where they can have unrestricted fun with their friends are seriously deceived.
Rev 20:10-15 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (11) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (13) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. (14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Hades (hell) and the lake of fire are actually two different things, but eventually, hell will be cast into the lake of fire along with all those in it.
The people who end up here are those whose names are not found written in the book of life, that is, those who have rejected Christ and the salvation He offers.
If you like these Topical Bible Studies, don't forget to check out our Expository Bible Studies too.