Does hell exist?

Quick answer

The Bible affirms that hell exists and that it is a place of eternal torment for the devil, his angels, and all who reject Jesus’s salvation. Yet, for those who trust in His death and resurrection, they can have assurance that their destiny awaits in heaven, not hell.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible affirms the existence of hell, though its depiction develops across the Testaments. The Old Testament refers to Sheol, a shadowy realm of the dead, without specifying eternal punishment (Psalm 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:10), although it is clear that there is a positive and negative side of Sheol. The New Testament clarifies this, describing hell as a place of eternal torment, created for the devil and his angels, marked by fire, darkness, and anguish (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14–15). Hell is a real and terrible place of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who reject salvation through Jesus Christ (Mark 9:43). Yet, the gospel offers hope: through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can receive eternal life and avoid the dreadful reality of hell (John 3:16–18).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament does not explicitly mention "hell," as understood in Christian theology (a place of eternal punishment), but it refers to Sheol, the realm of the dead (Psalm 6:5; Proverbs 15:24; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Hosea 13:14).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Both heaven and hell, the place of torment, are places of conscious eternal existence, according to the Bible (Revelation 20:14–15; 21:1–12).

Hell was created for demonic beings initially (Matthew 25:41).

Three gospels describe hell as a place of burning (Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:24). It is also described as dark (Matthew 22:13), full of grief (Matthew 8:12), and a place of continual anguish (Mark 9:48).

Imagine a place that is worse than losing your sight, or your limbs. Matthew 5:29–30 uses just that image to emphasize how much we should want to avoid hell. "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Throughout the ages, leaders and others have dismissed hell due to the difficulty of imagining an eternal place of punishment. It is much easier to focus on a lovely eternity of goodness. But the fact that many do not want to accept the reality of hell does not make it any less real. Hell does exist. Others have found it difficult to accept the reality of hell due to unbiblical depictions of hell, such as it being an underground fire with demons torturing people with pitchforks and such. However, this is not the picture of hell painted by the Bible. Hell exists and is certainly a terrible place. It is a place away from God. It is a place of eternal punishment. It is a place of eternal existence for those who refuse salvation through Jesus Christ.

But thankfully, those who put their faith in Jesus as God's only Son, who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected in power over death, don't have to face an eternity in hell (John 3:16–18). If you are uncertain how to receive salvation in Jesus, please look at the article here.

UNDERSTAND

Hell is a real place.

Hell was created for the devil and his angels, but all who reject Jesus’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins will also go to hell.

The Old Testament does not describe hell as deeply as the New Testament does, but the understanding of hell is built across the Bible.

REFLECT

How does the reality of hell influence the way you view your relationship with God and His offer of salvation through Jesus?

How does the reality of hell influence the way you see your sin?

How does understanding the seriousness of hell motivate you to share the gospel with others?

ENGAGE

The Old Testament and New Testament do not contradict with their views of hell, but the New Testament builds on the Old. The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding sin, death, and God's justice, and the New Testament reveals God’s response in justly and righteously responding to sin and death, with more information about hell included in that revelation. In what ways does the New Testament’s depiction of hell build on and deepen the Old Testament’s concept of Sheol?

How can we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the reality of hell as a place of eternal separation and torment?

How can we encourage others to take the reality of hell seriously while emphasizing the hope and assurance of salvation through Christ?