The Reality Of Hell

by Dan Richardson

"Hell" comes from the Greek word "gehenna," occurring twelve times in the New Testament. Each time it refers to a future place of punishment (Matthew 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6). "Gehenna" is derived from "ghenna" (the valley of Hinnom), located south of Jerusalem. Here the abominable practice of offering children to the fire god Molech occurred (II Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2-6). We can see that "gehenna" suggested extreme horror and suffering, therefore being the word chosen by the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the eternal lake of fire.

A distinction should be made in our Bible study between "gehenna" and "hades." Some versions of the Bible (cf King James Version), fail to make this distinction, giving room for ideas that are not Bible based. For example, the belief that Jesus' spirit went to "hell" (the lake of fire) after death (Acts 2:27,31), when in fact the word is "hades," the unseen world of departed spirits. A textual study shows these words are not the same.

Some Facts About Hell

Hell will be eternal in duration. "And these shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46). The same word used to describe the eternal nature of heaven is used to reveal the eternal nature of hell! Also, in Romans 16:26, the identical word describes the eternal nature of our God.

Hell will be a separation from God. To the pure in heart who love God this idea in itself is horrifying enough and is sufficient motive to avoid it. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), we are taught that life is filled with opportunities to obey and serve God, but when life ends, so do the opportunities. The "great gulf" described separates the righteous from the wicked and cannot be crossed.

Hell will be a place for punishment. "…but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek" (Romans 2:8-9).

Hell will be a place of darkness. "And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). Darkness represents all that is fearful and horrible. In contrast, read the description of heaven in Revelation 21:23.

Hell will be a place of unquenchable fire, "…where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-48). It is the "lake of fire and brimstone" where all there will be "tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).

Who Will Be There?

The unrepentant wicked will be in hell. In one verse, the apostle John described them as, "the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars" (Revelation 21:8).

Every one who never obeyed the gospel of Christ will spend eternity in hell (II Thessalonians 1:7-9). It matters not how good one’s intentions may have been to eventually obey, nor how close they might have come at specific times in their lives. Those who failed to obey Christ because they never made up their mind, never got around to it, never finished having all their fun first, never got completely established in their career, or whatever the excuse may have been, will be lost eternally.

The majority will end up in hell, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14. The “broad way” is that most traveled, the easy way, the way of least resistance, the way of no restraint and no commands to obey. It is the “do your own thing” or “I did it my way” road of travel, and most people follow it. Many determine what they will believe and practice religiously and morally, based upon what the majority believe and do. For all who “run with a multitude to do evil,” disregarding God’s commands, their eternity will be in hell.

Many good moral people will be in hell. This statement may shock you, but the scripture reveals that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). So, one may count themselves to be “good” in that they respect their neighbor, love their family, are lawful citizens, etc. (all of which are commendable), but they still are in need of salvation in Jesus Christ. The example of Cornelius will ever teach us this lesson (Acts 10:2, 35; 11:14; 15:7-9). His good, moral standing did not negate his need to be redeemed by the blood of Christ. Neither will it for anyone today.

Even religious people will be in hell (Matthew 7:21-23; 15:14). This is because not all religions are pleasing to God (II Peter 2:1ff.), and not all religious doctrines are in harmony with God’s truth (II John 9-11). Man has been guilty through the ages of substituting and incorporating his desires and opinions into his religion, which God has plainly forbidden (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18).

One must be sure his religion is the one we read about in the Bible. Examination is necessary to determine if your religious affiliation is merely due to family, human tradition, popular opinion, human religious creeds or because you examined the scriptures and determined to obey what God commands. But one may respond by pointing out how sincere they are in their religious beliefs and practices. While something can be said for the necessity of sincerity in serving God, we learn that it is possible to be “sincerely wrong.” Just because your religion “seems” right doesn’t prove that it is. Solomon warned, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Even the devil and his servants can put on a religious face when it serves their purpose (II Corinthians 11:14-15). Don’t be deceived.