Wondering what the Bible says about going to hell? The Bible describes hell as a place of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who reject His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s depicted as a place of suffering and torment, a consequence of sin and unbelief. God’s desire, however, is for no one to perish but for all to come to repentance and receive eternal life. The key takeaway is that hell is avoidable through faith in Jesus, who provides the way to reconciliation with God and eternal life.
Intrigued by the biblical perspective on hell? There’s more to explore about this solemn topic and how it impacts your eternal destiny.
What Does the Bible Say About Going to Hell?
The Bible’s teachings on hell are sobering, reflecting God’s justice and the seriousness of sin. Hell is often described in terms of darkness, fire, and separation from the love and presence of God. It serves as a warning to those living in rebellion against God, emphasizing the eternal consequences of rejecting His grace and mercy.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents God as just and holy, unable to tolerate sin. Hell, therefore, is part of God’s just response to sin—an eternal place where God’s righteous judgment is fully realized. However, God’s view on hell is not one of eagerness to condemn. Scripture reveals God’s heart as one of love and compassion, longing for all people to turn from sin and be saved.
Jesus spoke frequently about hell, warning of its reality and urging people to choose the path leading to eternal life. He described it as a place where “the fire never goes out” and where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mark 9:43, Matthew 13:42). These descriptions are not meant to scare but to convey the seriousness of sin and the urgency of repentance.
The New Testament further clarifies that hell was originally prepared for the devil and his angels, but it also becomes the destination for those who choose to align with sin rather than with God through Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:41). This underscores the importance of personal choice in determining one’s eternal destiny.
Salvation and avoidance of hell are central to the Gospel message. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God provides a way for humanity to be saved from sin and its ultimate consequence. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, repenting of sins, and living in accordance with God’s will are presented as the pathway to eternal life.
Hell, therefore, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God’s offer of salvation. It highlights the gravity of our choices and the profound significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Bible encourages us to choose life by embracing the grace offered through Christ, ensuring an eternal future in the presence of God rather than separation from Him in hell.
Bible Verses About Going to Hell
- Matthew 25:46 – “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Jesus contrasts the destinies of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the finality of the judgment that leads to hell or eternal life.
- Revelation 20:14-15 – “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” This verse describes the ultimate defeat of death and hell, and the eternal consequence for those not found in the Book of Life.
- Mark 9:43 – “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.” Jesus uses strong imagery to warn against the dangers of sin and the reality of hell.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” This verse highlights the nature of hell as separation from God and eternal punishment.
- Matthew 13:42 – “They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus describes the fate of the wicked, using the imagery of a furnace to depict the torment of hell.
- Luke 16:23-24 – “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” This passage from the story of the rich man and Lazarus gives a vivid picture of the suffering experienced in hell, emphasizing the reality of torment and the irreversible nature of one’s fate after death.
- Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus advises His followers to fear God rather than people, highlighting God’s authority over eternal destiny and the serious consequence of hell.
- Revelation 21:8 – “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” This verse lists behaviors and lifestyles that lead to hell, underscoring the holiness required to enter God’s presence and the severe outcomes of continued sin.
- Jude 1:7 – “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God’s judgment, equating it to the eternal punishment of hell for those who reject God’s ways.
- Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Jesus teaches about the choices people make and their consequences, comparing the path to destruction (hell) with the path to life, urging listeners to choose wisely.
These verses collectively paint a sobering picture of hell as a place of eternal punishment and separation from God. They emphasize the importance of living a life in accordance with God’s will and receiving the salvation offered through Jesus Christ to avoid such a fate. The Bible’s teachings on hell serve as a warning, urging us to take seriously the matter of our eternal destiny and the gracious offer of life and forgiveness through faith in Jesus.