Does Hell Last Forever?
What does the Bible say about the fate of the Wicked?
, by Emmanuel Higgins
Would a God of infinite love, delight in torturing sinners in a lake of fire for eternity? Does hell last forever? What does the Bible say?
If you have not already done so, please read the following gems that set the scene for what we are about to study:
Now let's dig deep in the word of God for answers. Always remember to have a prayerful, humble spirit as you study the Bible, that way the Holy Spirit can guide you into truth.
First of all, it is clear from Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death.
"For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23
Burning in hell forever is not death. Death is ceasing to exist. Life and death are opposites. The righteous receive eternal life, and the wicked receive death, and once dead and utterly destroyed they never live again. So in this sense we can call the punishment of the wicked 'eternal death'.
The righteous and wicked are opposite in character and life, so their reward is opposite: eternal life and eternal death.
Again we read about the wicked as ceasing to exist:
"For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be]." - Psalms 37:10
In the book of Obadiah we read about the wicked that:
"...they shall be as though they had not been." - Obadiah 1:16
Again the psalmist makes the matter clear:
"Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. But the LORD shall endure for ever..." - Psalms 9:5-7
Notice in the verse above, that the name of the wicked shall be put out forever and ever and their destruction shall come to a 'perpetual end', but the Lord shall endure for ever. In other words, the wicked are not being destroyed for ever, but they suffer a destruction that has everlasting consequences, namely eternal death. So when the wicked are destroyed in the second death, they will never come back to life their end is for ever.
But, as clear as these texts may be, the purpose of this gem is to also look at some of the texts that seem to suggest the wicked suffer an eternal torment.
When we are studying the Bible it is important to start with the clear texts, easy to be understood. Once we have a foundation in them, then we can seek to understand the more difficult texts. Remember, the Bible does not contradict itself. What we have just discovered must harmonise with the rest of scripture.
In Revelation chapter twenty verse ten, the Bible says:
"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." - Revelation 20:10
Preceding this verse we read that the thousand years has expired and the wicked from all ages have been resurrected and had encompassed the city of God. Verse 9 says:
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." - Revelation 20:9
As we have already seen, the Bible is clear that the fate of the wicked is death, not eternal torture. It also ought to be noted that the expression 'tormented day and night for ever and ever' is not used in reference to the great body of wicked, but to the devil. We read about the wicked that fire came down and devoured them. Nevertheless if only the devil were to suffer for eternity, the fact would remain. So let's study some other scripture texts to see a clearer picture.
The term 'for ever' can be used with certain limits. Jonah, when he was in the belly of the whale, said:
"I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars [was] about me for ever" - Jonah 2:6
We read about Sodom and Gomorrah that:
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." - Jude 1:7
Also in Exodus chapter 21, we read that if a Hebrew slave chose to serve his master for life that:
"Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever" - Exodus 21:6
Now we know that Jonah was only in the whale for three days, and not 'for ever'. Sodom and Gomorrha are not still burning today. And of course there are no Hebrew slaves that are still serving their masters now. So we can see that the term 'for ever' can have limits. In one case it was limited to three days, in another it was as long as fire took to destroy the city, and in another as long as life shall last.
With these things in mind, and also remembering that the wicked are to be totally destroyed, we can now harmonise the statement that they are to be tormented with fire and brimstone for ever and ever. This could mean many days or limited to a few.
Let's take another pertinent example.
In Isaiah 34 we read about God's judgement on the earth.
"For the indignation of the LORD [is] upon all nations, and [his] fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree." - Isaiah 34:2-4
Remember a few gems ago we read in 2. Peter about the heavens being dissolved, this refers to the great day of God, when He returns to this earth.
But notice what Isaiah says a few verses later:
"And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever." - Isaiah 34:9-10
This is talking about the earth here... saying that it would become a molten mass that not being quenched night or day, the smoke going up for ever etc... Does this mean it will be like this for all eternity? Or could it mean as long as it shall last, as we have seen in other references to 'for ever'?
In the next chapter of Isaiah the tables are turned! We read:
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." - Isaiah 34:1, 7, 10
So afterwards the earth is to blossom as the rose, and parched ground shall be a pool. As Peter says:
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." - 2. Peter 3:13
This settles the whole question. The wicked will be punished when this earth itself is a lake of fire, yet afterwards the earth is to be like Eden. It is very evident as in the case of the Hebrew slave, Jonah and others, that the term 'for ever and ever', as applied to the wicked in the lake of fire, is limited to as long as their life shall last. They will not have received their total punishment until they are dead, because the wages of sin is death. Their torment in fire is only a preliminary punishment, followed by death.
So dear reader, God does not delight in death or torture. God is love. There is coming a time when sin and sinners will be no more, and the perfect atmosphere of love will once again be restored to the universe. And the question remains... on whose side will you stand? Will you take your place under the banner of Christ, to stand for the right though the heavens may fall? Don't let any distraction and temptation of the devil lead you away from Christ. Walk with Him day by day, and the time will come you can stand on that sea of glass before God's throne and so shall you ever be with the Lord!
29 Comment(s)
I lived in church but sin much of my life. I've repentented and prayed for forgiveness a thousands times. But can't seem to get away from that fear of eternal hell fire preached to me much of my life. Jim
In May of 2014, I began writing an article in which I have continued to add to and update. My article is now 30 pages in length. Below is a
In May of 2014, I began writing an article in which I have continued to add to and update. My article in now 30 pages in length. Below is a
small portion of the contents of my article. If anyone would like a copy of my article, just email me at: ([email protected]) and I will email you a copy.
Philippians 2:10-11 “That at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth: And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is absolutely nowhere in this Passage of Scripture that states or even suggests that every knee will be FORCED to bow the knee to the name of JESUS. In ALL religions, bowing the knee is a voluntary form of worship.
As explained in the next several paragraphs, we will come to understand more clearly that Philippians 2:10-11 is revealing to us that bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord is not going to be forced upon ALL, but that ALL will do so willingly. Throughout the Bible we find that the Scriptures clearly state that God only accepts a willing heart.
A word study of confess (????????????????) in the Greek language (in light of the way that this same verb is used in other New Testament Scriptures) reveals that this verb in the context of this Passage of Scripture is rendered to thank. That meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgement.
The sense here is that of frank, open confession. An individual cannot praise and joyously proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord if they are being forced to do so, especially if that individual knows that eternal torment & eternal separation from God awaits them. It is just that simple.
The traditional teaching on Philippians 2:10-11 has been that the enemies of the Cross will be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This train of thought is in complete contradiction to the Word of God, because the Bible from Genesis to Revelation clearly teaches that the Lord only accepts praise and worship from a willing heart.
Forced praise and worship DOES NOT bring Glory to God.
Philippians 2:10-11 IS NOT proclaiming that ALL unbelievers are going to be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
TO THE CONTRARY, God is proclaiming to us an astonishing & profound revelation, that because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, that ALL will come to know Jesus Christ in such a way, that ALL will willingly (not be forced) acknowledge openly with praise and proclaim joyously that Jesus Christ is Lord. The true meaning of Philippians 2:10-11 has been greatly overlooked by the main-stream Christian Church today.
Isaiah 45:23 tells us that the Lord has taken an oath that every knee shall bow and that every tongue “shall swear allegiance” to Him. The Lord also states that His oath shall not fail. Not only does this verse tell us God’s eternal destination for ALL people, but the Lord strongly confirms what is stated in Philippians 2:10-11.
Take special notice that Isaiah 45:23 states that every tongue will swear allegiance to the Lord. If there are going to be people who will receive the judgment of eternal torment in a physical Lake of Fire, they certainly are not going to swear their allegiance to the Lord.
Isaiah 45:23 along with Philippians 2:10-11 strongly confirms that ALL will be RECONCILED to God. How can it be that today’s Christian Church has been so blind to the marvelous truth which is so clearly stated in these 2 Passages of Scripture in the Bible?
In connection with hell The bible does not use the Greek word internal or everlasting But But for ages. After thatperiod Of time in hell It is not Back comms But another chance Till 1 finally Is saved
If one believes all humans have eternal life and it must be spent in heaven or in hell they face an interesting problem with the infants who are murdered by the abortion industry. Would all of these babies have become Christians? Of course not. Broad is the way to destruction but narrow the way to eternal life. But if they are guaranteed heaven because they died before they could chose then you must say abortion doctors are the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen. An obvious problem in this view.
If some are sanctified by the faith of their parents while others are not sanctified because their parents are unbelievers and you believe all humans are eternal then you have unborn babies in hell for ever and ever who never chose to sin.
Now the bible says that Yahweh hates the shedding of innocent blood. Why would he hate killing unborn babies if it meant that they were all coming to him with eternal life, many of which if born would have been doomed to hell?
I think the most logical explanation is that these poor babies are being killed, they perish and are eternally lost, and God is being denied the relationships and the promise these little lives might have had with him. That is why he hates it so much.
One more thought, the Bible tells us that it will be more tolerable for some in hell than for others, what does that mean? A hotter fire or a longer punishment? I think the later makes the most sense. A murdered baby perishes before he ever experiences hell, a hardened sinner exists in torment for a much longer time, Satan and his angels spend their eternity in the prison made just for them.
What about Revelation 14:9-11 it seems to indicate that those who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receive the mark of his name that "the smoke of their torture ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night. Would this be where the line is drawn between eternal death, and eternal suffering?
where do muslims go
My name is Alan Finch. I became a Christian 42 years ago.
It is important to understand that the Lake of Fire is not a physical Lake of Fire. The Biblical phrase “Lake of Fire” is symbolic for a Spiritual Lake of Fire which is representative of the FIRE of God’s Spirit that is going to do a transforming work of “Divine Purification” in each individual that comes before the Great White Throne Judgment. This transforming work from God’s Spirit will give these individuals a full understanding of God’s Boundless Love for them and the entire human race. (Note: The Scriptures do not reveal how long that this process will take)
I have written a 26 page article that Biblically deals with this subject extensively. If anyone would like a copy, feel free to e-mail me and ask for a copy, and I will e-mail you a copy.
[email protected]
Thank you so much for this you have cleared up so many unanswered questions god bless you
Matt Simmons I agree that some things about the Bible are hard to understand at first glance. Like the Jews wiping out a few areas. Keep this is mind though.
1) Some of those people tried to exterminate the Jews first.
2) If a society becomes so corrupt that it is like Soddom and Gamorrah then it is actualy better that it is destroyed. Why? Because if GOD lets them continue to reproduce then that is more and more and more people that will be sentenced to hell.
3) Also GOD was establishing a nation for his people. That is why JESUS never once told anyone to kill for him. The nation of Israel was already established (also GOD even let outside forces punish Israel when Israel turned against him so it works both ways with GOD)
Matt Simmons so let me get this right, You believe that GOD is all powerful, but don't believe he can preserve a copy of his word? You believe that GOD created everything and knows everything, but he is unable to get humans to do what he wants when it comes to preserving his word?
Due to Adam and Eve sinning and causing corruption in us that wasn't present when GOD created us there are people with mental illnesses so severe that they have no hope of being normal and definitely not godly. They can't even feel sympathy or remorse so it is virtually impossible for them to repent. Why do they deserve to suffer for eternity because their ancestors did something that damaged them in a profound way? They deserve to suffer for what they did. But all eternity?
The Bible also says the wages of sin is death and not eternal punishment. It also refers to hell as the 2nd death. Why? Because just like your body/(earthly life) ceased to exist your soul will cease to exist unless GOD saves it (cleanses it, heals it, and gives it eternal life)
To the best of my understanding The Bible says the following.
1) Hell itself is eternal
2) Satan and his angels will suffer in hell for eternity
3) Humans that go to hell will suffer (some possibly longer than others) and then eventually they will be burnt up and cease to exist.
Satan and his angels have seen GOD. They with 100% certainty he exists. Not only have they seen GOD, but they wanted to overthrow GOD and to were ignorant enough to try.
From what I have read it seems like HELL is only eternal for SATAN and his Angels. Everyone else suffers for a time and then ceases to exist at all eventually. That is what I believe the Bible says. That is also what makes sense to me logically.
Some people ask why this is important. Everything in the Bible is important. If it were not then GOD would have had the people who he told to write it to leave it out.
Hell for the unsaved is seperation from God. God is all that is Good, the Light and the source of all Creation. Hell is not eternal, it is limited by the lenght of one's ego. It is the spirtual equivalent of a garbage disposal. The soul suffers on its own darkness until there is nothing left. When the soul finally gives up all identity, all memory, all aspects of itself, to the point that it is absolutely gone, it is unmade. Such it is for a mortal soul, the 2nd death. This takes as long as it needs for those who don't feel the light of God.
“WOW,” multitudes upon multitudes of humans that will suffer “eternal torment” for 100 trillion years, and then another 100 trillion years, and then another 100 trillion years, and it goes on and on with no hope of it ever ending.
I am certain that each one of us, deep inside of our very being, know that something just does not add up concerning this picture. But, we just can't quite figure out what is it that we are not understanding correctly.
I have written upon this topic, but it is much too lengthy to post on this site. Below is a sample. If anyone would like a copy in it's original Word Document Format, feel free to e-mail me and request a copy, and I will e-mail you a copy.
[email protected]
………. What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ? ..........
(Re-examining the widely held belief of “eternal torment” in “Hellfire”)
There are some Biblical topics which in order to get a better and clearer understanding of, require a lengthy Biblical explanation. This Biblical topic is certainly one of them. After all, there is certainly NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT than “our eternal purpose” & “our eternal destination!” Therefore, it is of the utmost importance for us to have a better and clearer Biblical understanding concerning this most important topic.
My purpose for this writing is to Biblically “expound” upon (1) “eternal torment” (2) “eternal annihilation” of our very being (3) to give a Biblical answer to the question “If there is no “eternal torment,” and if there is no “eternal annihilation” of our very being, then what are we being saved from, and what is our being here during this present time on earth really all about?”
I was a Christian for 38 years before the Lord opened up my Spiritual understanding to see more clearly some Biblical truths that I had not properly understood in regards to the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Me andy ex-wife were married for 29 years, it broke my heart when she wanted a divorce, we have a 31 yr old daughter and a grandson Ian, a 28yr old son and a grandson Giovanni. I'm going to my house to commit suicide, I really still love her, we got baptized at a young age, I miss them so much and homeless, if there is any help I need it. I pray and pray and pray, and I can't take this no more, satan busted up my family and see no reason to live, I should of never been VB if I knew this would happen. I ask God to fulfill the desires of my heart, and to delight in him, I cry daily to be home with my family. Please send me some feed back before I do something db and stupid, my mind I racing right now. I recorded a gospel cd in 1997, me an my ex were do excited and happy. I prayed last night and this morning. And I got no answer.
I lost my grip on life and I was going through the internet and I found this, tonight I'm going to my ex wife's home and hang myself, we are washed by the blood of the lamb and we're married for 29 years, we got divorced a year ago, I really still love her, and I know as Christians we go through things. She stayed with the house, I've since tried looking for work a home in and
I don't understand can someone help me out here. Do you burn in hell or not? Thanks for the answer to anyone who replies to my comment
The gen was very enlightening, well structured and backed up with relevant Bible passages.
It's obviously Holy Spirit inspired.
May God continue to empower you through His Grace.
If more people can see this.
I am also saved. I believe in God. I believe he is everywhere and everything. I am not always a righteous man but I do my best to improve my and others lives everyday. I attended church most of my life (Southern Baptist/Methodist/Episcopal). I assume most of the hell fire and damnation are from my southern Baptist... Those institutions and persons like those I have read post here from are the reason it took me almost 15 years to try again. I was deceived into believing these were Jesus's teachings when being told I was going to hell for basically existing. I never lost my faith and never will. I've found an open minded, Jesus loving, intelligent thinking segment of Christians who actually follow his true message. I am 100% sure my God, a loving, forgiving, wise God does not want anyone turned away from him because a power hungry hypocritical supposed "man or spokesman" for God wants blood, fire, war, and terror to be the reason they believe. I definitely don't know everything. I definitely have some questions (why were we told to slaughter innocent men, women, and children. Etc, etc, etc) for him myself on why some of these atrocities were ordered by God. I also must remind myself men wrote the Bible. No functional adult can deny men lie and stories are usually written from one perspective. I believe God/Jesus/Allah/Jehova and so on wants us to be good people. He wants us to trust, forgive, believe, and teach others to be better everyday. I know my God is okay with me regardless of baptism, saving, christening or what ever spiritual voyage I do or don't take. God knows who we are and what our hearts hold. I hope someday others will find the peace and patience to open their mind instead of closing to their and everyone they encounters detriment. A an a !
Hi--Well, of course God does not delight in death or torture, and I am not sure if the suffering will go on forever and ever. I see why you say no, however. The scriptures do appear to mean what you say here, BUT, why is this one thing so important to prove? It seems to cause division among Christians, and I don't know why it should. If the reason this issue is so important to you is that people will be turned off to Christianity by the burn forever school of thought, I can't imagine those people who are put off by this one thing aren't also put off by most of Revelation with all of its plagues and horrors of our JUST God's wrath. Either way, burn for all eternity, or burn till you "perish," neither is one I want for my loved ones. And as a human, with thoughts that are not God's, and that are way beneath God's thoughts and ways, who am I to question why God could make people suffer forever and ever? No--I just trust that He knows what He is doing, and I allow Him, not a human, to decide what is considered unacceptable "torture" for a loving God.
Hell is real, it is forever, you do not cease to exist...Hell was made for the devil and his crew, man goes there as an intruder, so sad because the price has been paid to keep us out of there, all you have to do is accept Christs invitation...So easy to get saved!!!!
Martin I do believe that what the bible calls the lake of fire and brimstone is real but I believe you are going about this the wrong way. We speak truth in love, not in fear. Telling someone to repent for fear of hell is like saying apologize or ill hurt you. Its like pharoah admitting there is a creator and "repenting" while he could see the plagues and other such frightful sights. Or the same with nebuchadnezzar...learn the creator and friend that the bible speaks of, who the very evidence of him is the air you breathe and ground you walk on. Gods mesaage to us is not repent or die, its come to me, learn from me, love me as I have always loved you.
The end of days are near and I plan to stay prayed up. I'm staying with God. Through Christ Jesus
Thank you for explaining this in detail with lots of scripture to back up what you are explaining! God Bless!