Is There a Hell? Who Goes There? Where Is It?

I never would have thought that an article on this subject was necessary, as Christianity since the beginning has believed in the existence of hell. It seems of late though, that the “new doctrine” is the teaching that there is no hell. This has been the belief of some cult offshoot religions of Christianity, but now it is infiltrating the mainstream denominations, including denominations that are considered fundamental. This teaching is not coming from the Bible, but from wolves in sheep's clothing who are creating these “doctrines of demons,” as they are referred to in Scripture. As I have discovered that pastors are not really studying the Bible in seminary, but man's commentaries on the Bible, it is not surprising that they are not familiar enough with the Scriptures to see why these teachings, and in particular this teaching, are so completely in error. If they knew their Bible, they would be able to refute these doctrines without any problem, but they do not – either know their Bible or refute the error. So it falls to those of us who do study the Bible, instead of man's traditions, to repudiate these lies.

To begin with the word “hell” is found in both the Old and New Testaments, but it is not the same root word in each instance, in the original Hebrew and Greek. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word “Sheol”, which is known historically and ecclesiastically by definition as “the world of the dead,” is the only word used in the original Hebrew, but it is not translated as such. It is translated in two different ways. In some cases it is translated as “hell,” (when referring to the place of the wicked dead) and “grave” in other cases (when referring to the righteous dead who are in paradise), unless it is specifically speaking of a crypt of tomb. So either word, “hell” or “grave” refers to the world of the dead or Sheol. The context and English translation of “hell” or “grave” determines which part of Hades is the subject under discussion.

In the New Testament, there are several words in the original Greek which are used in reference to the abode of the wicked dead. Even though the Greek word “Hades,” which is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Sheol,” is in the original manuscripts (just as in the Old Testament), the translation of “hell” is used rather than “world of the dead” in most places, as the context is referencing the place of the wicked dead, not the righteous dead. The word “grave” is also a translation for the word “Hades,” but as in the Old Testament, it usually refers to the place of the righteous dead or a crypt or tomb. In the New Testament we find that the place of the righteous dead is actually named. It is called paradise and is referenced that way. The next word which is translated “hell” is the Greek word “Tartarus” which by definition refers to the deepest abyss in the hell part of Hades, and also means to incarcerate in eternal torment. The third word translated as “hell” is “Gehenna.” Gehenna was originally a valley in Jerusalem that was used for the sacrifice of children to Molech during the 700's-600's B.C. The recollection of these events and the continuous burning that went on there caused the valley to become a figurative name for the real place of everlasting torment of the damned (a place of eternal burning).

So the Bible in both Testaments refers to the place where the wicked go after death as hell. The following verses supply us with a description of hell. Note that Old Testament references whether to hell or the grave are the word “Sheol”, the abode of the dead.

Hell is a place of fire.

Deuteronomy 32:22 “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”

Song of Solomon 8:6 “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.”

Matt.5:22 (Gehenna) “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Matt. 13:42 (furnace of fire) “ And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth”

Matt. 13:50 (furnace of fire) “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Matt. 18:9 (Gehenna) “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”

Hell is an eternal place.

Mark 9:43-44 (Gehenna) “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Mark 9:45-46 (Gehenna) “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Mark 9:47-48 (Gehenna) “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Revelation 14:9-11 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Hell is a place of sorrows.

2 Sam. 22:6 “The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me.”

Psalm 18:5 “The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.”

Psalm 116:3 “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.”

Hell is a place of destruction.

Job 26:6 “Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.”

Proverbs 15:11 “Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”

Proverbs 27:20 “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

Hell is a place of wickedness filled with wicked people.

Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Psalm 55:15 “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

Job 24:19 “Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.”

Hell is a place of corruption.

Psalm 16:10 “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Acts 2:27 (Hades) “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Hell is a place of pain and trouble.

Psalm 116:3 “ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.”

Hell is very large and still expanding.

Proverbs 27:20 “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

Isaiah 5:14 “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”

Hell is a place where people are conscious, see each other, speak to and hear each other and feel physical and emotional pain. It is a place of torment.

Isaiah 14:9-17 “Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”

Ezekiel 32:21 “The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.”

Luke 16:19-31 (Hades) “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Even though this passage in Luke is a parable, the Old Testament teaches Hades or Sheol is a place where people are conscious, so Christ is confirming that idea in this parable. As Christ would not lie about anything, the depiction He gives of hell must be accurate. Besides confirming that people are very much aware of their situation, He teaches that Hades or Sheol had two compartments. Dead souls must have some sort of form that makes them recognizable. In Isaiah 14 the wicked dead recognize the king of Babylon or Lucifer and in Revelation 6:9, the righteous dead are interacting with God before the resurrection and they have a form that is identifiable.

Earthly social status and wealth mean nothing in hell.

Job 21:13 “They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.”

Isaiah 14:9-17 “Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”

The following is a parable Christ told pointing out that all the riches you have here mean nothing in the next world as you leave them behind. Therefore you should not pile up riches here but lay up treasures in heaven.

Luke 12:16-20 “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

Hell is a place of hopelessness and separation from God where there is no second chance and you can't call upon God.

Job 7:9 “As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.”

Psalm 6:5 “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?”

Psalm 31:17 “Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.”

Isaiah 38:18 “For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.”

All who do not repent are destined for hell. Only God can save us, for we cannot save ourselves.

Psalm 30:3 “O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”

Psalm 49:15 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.”

Psalm 89:48 “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.”

Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”

Matthew 23:33 (gehenna) “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

Christ is the only way to God. In John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is a reason for this. When Adam and Eve sinned, they passed on not only the sin nature, but the consequences of that sin to us. Death. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10-18 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

God demands that there be punishment for sin. This is because God is just. Sin demands punishment. Someone has to pay for it. Some people are willing to say that they will trust to their own good works, but works by themselves will not get you into heaven. Our good works by themselves (without Christ's justification) are as filthy rags in God's sight. Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”  Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Our best works are not enough, for the Law of God demands that it be kept in perfection and there is nobody who can do that. Except for Christ that is. Only Christ was able to keep the Law perfectly, making Him the perfect man. And when He died and accepted the punishment for our sins by substituting Himself in our place and taking the punishment meant for us, God's justice was satisfied. This enabled God to offer us mercy. If we accept that substitution, by accepting Christ's death on our behalf and taking Him as our Savior, God can then apply Christ's righteousness to our account, allowing us access to God again. This is why nobody but Christ can save us. He truly is the only way, the truth, and the life and nobody can come to God except through Him for this very reason. Because He satisfied God's demand for justice. Nobody else can or did do this.

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” We are saved from hell (God's wrath) when we accept Christ. And we do this by confessing our belief. Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So once we are justified, how do we maintain that justification so that we might be saved? Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We are to walk after the spirit, not the flesh, or in other words abide in Christ and do the works He gives us to do. This is called working out our faith. Displaying our faith by our works. Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” James 2:14-26 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

It is very important to endure and run the race, because only those who run will obtain the prize and only those who endure to the end will see salvation. 1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

What happens to those who walk away from the faith, do not abide with Christ, bring forth the fruits of their faith, or endure to the end? They do not obtain salvation. They end up in the fire with the wicked. John 15:1-6 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 10:26-31 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (This sinning willfully is more than just committing a sin, which if we confess God will forgive [1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”], this is turning away from Christ to deliberately embrace a sinful life again.) 

Keeping the 10 Commandments will not get you to heaven. It is more than your behavior, it is what is in your heart.

Matthew 5:21-22 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Hell is not only inhabited by humans, there are other occupants.

2 Peter. 2:4 (the only time in N.T. use of the word Tartarus) “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

Hell is the holding place for the wicked until the time of the Great White Throne Judgment where people will be judged by their works.

2 Peter 2:4 (Tartarus) “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

Revelation 20:12,13 (Hades) “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.”

The Bible gives us a physical description of hell.

The parable in Luke 16:19-31 (given above) gives a description of hell. Christ would not have made this up, as then He would have been misleading us, therefore lying. So we can accept His description as the actual physical description of hell.

Luke 16:23-26 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”

As mentioned before, hell is a place where one is physically tormented. Not only by the flames, but most likely by the demonic spiritual entities there. Hades, which is the word used in this passage and the general term for the place of the dead, both of the righteous and the wicked, is said to have two compartments. One, known as paradise, which is where Christ went when He died. Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

How do we know that paradise is not heaven? First of all, this parable indicates that paradise and hell are in the same relative area (Hades), but they are separated by a great gulf, and that they can actually see across to the occupants in the other place. When Christ died, he went to paradise. It was not heaven for we are told in the Old and New Testament that He went to Sheol or Hades, which is not heaven. Psalm 16:10 “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (sheol – the place of the dead) ; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:27 “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, (Hades – the place of the dead) neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Why did Christ go to paradise instead of heaven? Because that is where all the Old Testament saints were waiting for Him. Until Christ died on the cross, people's sins had not been truly covered or forgiven, for as we are told in Hebrews 10:4 “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Therefore their sins were still on the books and they could not enter into the presence of God until their sins had been wiped off the slate. Only Christ's death could do that. God created paradise to hold these people until Christ should come and their sins be remitted, so they could enter into God's presence in heaven. Once Christ died, he descended into paradise in Sheol (or Hades) to present the gospel to those awaiting Him. He would have told them of His sacrifice, so that they might accept Him as their Savior, as they had been looking forward to His coming and had faith in it, which is why they were there in paradise rather than hell. We know then that Christ led those in paradise into heaven when He ascended. These verses in Ephesians tell us that He descended into paradise, and then took those in paradise with Him when He ascended. Ephesians 4:8-10 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Psalm 68:18 “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.” We further have Christ's testimony that He did not go to heaven when He died, for He told Mary not to touch him, as He not yet ascended to heaven. John 20:17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

Paradise is now empty. Now when believers die, they go directly to heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Hell's location.

Hades is referred to as the following: a pit, below, the deep, down, beneath, and the lower regions of the earth.

Ezekiel 31:15-17 “Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him. I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth. They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen. To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 32:27 “And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.”

Isaiah 14:12-17 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?”

Job 7:9 “As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.”

Job 11:8 “It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?”

Psalm 30:3 “O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”

Psalm 55:15 “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

Psalm 86:13 “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.”

Proverbs 5:5 “Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.”

Proverbs 7:27 “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.”

Proverbs 9:18 “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”

Isaiah 5:14 “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”

1 Samuel 2:6 “The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.”

The bottomless pit (abyss in Greek) is another reference to hell or Hades (which only has hell in it now as paradise is empty.)

Revelation 9:1 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” This verse tells us how in the end times the key to the abyss will be given to Satan so that he can loose the demons to torment mankind. What is really important here is what happens when he opens the door to that pit. First we must think about the term “bottomless” pit. How can a pit be bottomless, yet have things come up out of it? Would they not continue to fall down the pit if it is indeed bottomless. We think that because we think of a hole or shaft that goes on forever, but instead think of it as a place in the center of the earth. In the center of the earth, a ball shaped area would have no bottom, for every direction would be up to the face of the earth from any point inside it. Hence, it would be bottomless. What is important about this passage is what happens when Satan opens the pit. Revelation 9: 2 “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” We are told that when the pit is opened, smoke comes out of it, as if out of a great fiery furnace (which we know hell is). What is significant is that the smoke from this opening actually darkens the atmosphere on earth, so that the sun is blocked by reason of the ashes in the sky, just as if a volcano has erupted. This is a literal description of what will happen. So the opening of this pit will do the same thing that an eruption of a volcano does - spew ashes out into the air and darken the sky. Therefore the pit or abyss of hell must by virtue of what happens and what the verses tell us about it - being in the nether regions of the earth, down, below, beneath, etc.- be in the center of the earth. There is no other possibility. There will be a shaft opened from that place to the surface of the earth. It is not just a spiritual place in the fourth dimension; it is an actual literal place inside our earth. This begs the question, which I do not intend to answer, but leave it for the reader to ponder, if hell is in the center of the earth, and it is a physical literal place, then what of paradise? Is it or was it just as literal? A beautiful Shangri-la in the center of the earth? It leaves one wondering, does it not?

These horrific demons in Revelation 9, which come out of this abyss, are not the only occupants. The beast, otherwise known as the antichrist, also comes out of the abyss. Revelation 11:7 “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” A future occupant of the abyss will be Satan. He will be bound and cast into it for one thousand years during the time of the millennium. Revelation 20:1-3 “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”

The end of Hades.

Hades or Sheol as a location or physical place will come to an end at the close of the millennium. First Hades sends up the dead for judgment. Revelation 20:13 “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” After hell delivers up the wicked dead for judgment, it is thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” So thus ends Hades. Now, the question becomes, if Hades is in the center of the earth, and it is thrown into the lake of fire, would that not mean that the earth is thrown into the lake of fire and there would no longer be an earth? Exactly. That is exactly what the Scriptures tell us. Revelation 21:1 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” The first earth is passed away. It gets destroyed along with Hades.

The next question becomes, what happens to the occupants of hell? Revelation 20:11-13,15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works..... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The occupants of hell are thrown into the lake of fire after judgment. There are also three other occupants there before them. Revelation 19:20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” The beast and false prophet get an early seat in the lake of fire, for they are thrown in there after Armageddon, before the millennium begins. The next inhabitant to join them is Satan. Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” He joins them after the second Armageddon at the end of the millennium. This is followed by the Great White Throne Judgment when the three of them are joined by the inhabitants of hell (human and demonic) who are cast there also after Judgment Day.

Is the punishment that the wicked endured in Hades continued after it is thrown into the lake of fire? Is the punishment actually eternal? We are told in Mark 9:43-48 that “their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” While this is referring to hell, the point is that if they cannot die or cease to exist in their dead spiritual state, and the fire will burn them forever, then the punishment will continue on forever. This is confirmed by the verses which refer to the future situation of the beast, false prophet and Satan. We are told in Revelation 20:10 that these three will be tormented forever. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” This clearly indicates that the lake of fire is a more eternal version of hell (since God wants to get rid of the present earth, He needs a new place that is the equivalent of hell for the wicked's punishment). Then we are told that everyone in hell will be joining them.

When God created man, He created them to be immortal beings. Had Adam and Eve not sinned, there would have been no death and we would have continued to live forever in our present bodies, but that was not to be. They did sin, and they did die, so God made a way of escape so that those who did not want to be separated from God could live with Him forever, as we will live forever in one place or another. We are immortal beings. Our bodies are now corrupt because of their original sin, and our spirits are born spiritually dead or separated from God because of their sin. However, our spirits can come alive (or connected to God) through accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, and when we are resurrected we will receive a new physical body. We will ultimately live in the new earth and heavens. Many people feel that an eternal punishment is unjust or unfair, but it must be realized that this is the choice these people made. It is not that hell is so horrible because God has gone out of His way to make it like that, hell is what exists when God is not there. Think about it.

God is light, so the absence of God is darkness. God is life, the absence of life is death, decay, corruption. God is good. The absence of God is evil. Hell will be filled with selfish evil people as well as fallen angels and nephilim (angelic/human hybrids) who loved to hurt and torment people here on earth. Why would that change in a place where they no longer had to fear God's retribution? God is hope. The absence of God is despair. God is kindness, love, justice. The absence of God is meanness, hate, and a lack of justice. Hell and the lake of fire are the absence of everything God is, because everyone there decided that they did not want God to be a part of their lives. They closed Him out of their lives as much as possible while here on earth, although they could not shut Him out entirely, because God does intervene in the affairs of man, and has children of His here on earth too. God finally gives all these people what they always wanted, a life in which He has no part. He will never interfere, never help, never intervene, never answer a prayer. Nothing. Forever. It is the ultimate place where God cannot go and there will be no restraints placed upon the evil there. Hell will be what the people there make it to be.

The other thing which people do not consider is that God does not live in time. We see all of time as a linear thing which is constantly in flux from past to present to future. God does not see things that way. He is outside of time and sees all of time at the same moment. This is why He knows the future and can predestine things. Eternity may not be linear in the way we experience time now. It may be the same type of existence that God presently enjoys. If so, then eternity is just a state of being or existence, not something that is measured in minutes, days, years, or millennia. That being said, it is more understandable that an immortal spiritual being would be in torment “eternally”. It is simply that they will exist in a place where God does not. It may not be something that is counted in increments of time.

So in conclusion, we can see that the Bible has much to say about hell. It is real, it is an awful place of torment, it is forever (first through hell, then the lake of fire), and if one does not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, one can expect he will be spending all of his eternal life there. That is regardless of what some preachers may be preaching. Do not trust what they say. They need to read their Bibles. Trust what God has told us.