Bible Truth About Hell

Eternal torture. Endless agony. Infinite affliction. That is what so many believe about hell. Can this concept of hell possibly be true? Did you know that the Bible says there is no hell as most people understand that term? Today, we are going to share with you the Bible truth about hell. Let’s be clear that the Bible does use the term “hell” in english translations—but not for an afterlife of unending torment. Many people have never taken the time to think more deeply about hell and to study the Bible to compare what they’ve been taught to what the Bible really says. Due to so many erroneous teachings on this topic we find it necessary to share the truth about the matter. We will explore key questions related to the concept of hell, examining what the Bible has to say about it and how it relates to the nature of Almighty Yahweh. As always, we ask the help and guidance of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit for wisdom as we discuss to you this very important subject matter. May you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear this truth.

The popular concept of hell is simply a mixture of small bits of Bible truth combined with pagan ideas and human imagination. Teachings on the subject of hell have by no means been consistent through the centuries. Beliefs about hell have varied widely, depending on which theologian’s or church historian’s ideas one reads. Generally speaking, the most common belief has been that hell is a place in which wicked people are tortured forever, but never consumed, by ever-burning flames. The problem is not that the Bible teaches this “damnable doctrine,” but that many people have misunderstood what the Bible says! Those who insist that the Bible teaches eternal torment by fire should ask whether such a belief is consistent with what the Bible teaches us about Almighty Yahweh. Our Father in heaven Yahweh is an Elohim of love who does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). He even tells us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Yet the traditional view of hell would have us believe that Yahweh vengefully torments evil people for all eternity. In fact, the idea that Yahweh sentences people to eternal punishment is so repulsive that it has turned some away from the belief in Elohim of the Bible and Christianity! Nevertheless, many churches throughout generations have upheld this so erroneous doctrine about hell.

So what is the truth about hell? What does the Bible really teach? Many of you will be surprised to read and learn today that the Bible speaks of three hells—but not in the sense that is widely believed! Let us discover why there is so much confusion about hell. From the original languages in which the Bible was written, one Hebrew word and three Greek words are translated “hell” in the English-language Bibles. None of the words translated “hell” in English Bibles refers to a conscious afterlife of endless torment. In fact, Bible states that there is no conscious awareness in death, but that we must be raised to conscious existence in a future resurrection See and read (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 18, 20, 51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). So what do these words translated “hell” mean? First is the Old Testament Hebrew “sheol,” which is equivalent to the New Testament Greek term “hades.” Both these words are used in Bible in reference to the grave—to burial in the earth! Next is the Greek term “tartaroo,” which occurs in only one verse (2 Peter 2:4). It refers here to the present condition of demons, rebellious angels, being restrained or imprisoned on the earth! Last is the word “gehenna,” the New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew “Gai Hinnom,” the Valley of Hinnom that ran along the west and south sides of Jerusalem! During biblical times of terrible apostasy people were burned here in pagan sacrifice—and it became a place to burn garbage. This term was used by the Savior of the world, Yahshua, in reference to future judgement in the lake of fire that will ultimately burn up the wicked. It’s not a fire burning and torturing forever!

Where, then, does the Bible teach the wicked will be punished? Let’s be clear that the Bible does teach that the wicked will be punished by fire—but not the mythical hell of peoples’ imagination! Almighty Yahweh is an Elohim of mercy and love. Those who will willfully choose to reject His way of life, characterized by obedience to His law of love (Romans 13:10), will die, not suffer forever! They will be consumed by fire and forgotten. They will not be tortured for all eternity. As we discussed earlier, the wicked will be destroyed. They will not live for eternity in another place or state of everlasting anguish. They will reap their destruction in the lake of fire at the end of the age. They will be consumed virtually instantaneously by the heat of the fire and will never live again! In recognizing that the biblical idea of hell is not eternal conscious torment, we need to be cautious we don’t fall into the other ditch of thinking there is no ultimate punishment for the wicked. Because Yahweh is love, does any kind of punishment at all contradict His character? Absolutely not! Unrepentant sinners will be punished—but fairly and impartially. And not in the kind of eternal hell in which most people believe. The Bible foretells Yahweh’s judgement on the wicked. As punishment, the hardened, unrepentant sinner will be thrown into a lake of fire and will be burned up—no eternal torture, just a merciful, quick death penalty! This is the real hellfire! The unrepentant wicked will not burn forever in this fire. Instead, they will be totally and completely burned up—destroyed and reduced to ashes by the flames of the lake of fire! Notice! “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says Yahweh of hosts, that will leave them neither root nor branch…You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this, says Yahweh of hosts” (Malachi 4:1-3). It’s an utter annihilation to ashes and the end of a person’s life forever! This is the Bible truth about hell, no more, no less!

In closing, the prospect of hell will continue to haunt people. Hell simply means eternal death and it is a grim and ominous reminder of the reality of evil and its consequences! Hell is a controversial and often misunderstood subject. Its powerful images of endless suffering will no doubt continue to loom over humanity, as they have for more than 2,000 years. But do not let others deceive you anymore on the subject of hell. Again, the Bible clearly states that all the wicked will be consumed—destroyed by fire! They will no longer exist and will have no place in the resurrection. The Bible explains that unrepentant sinners are cast into the lake of fire, or gehenna, at the end of the age. The Bible says: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).  When Yahweh’s plan for humanity is complete, there will be no more crying, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain (Revelation 21:4). One of the encouraging truths of the Bible is that Yahweh is indeed an Elohim of great mercy, wisdom and righteous judgement! “The judgement of Yahweh are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9). Therefore, we can all be thankful for Yahweh’s fairness and great plan of salvation through Yahshua the Messiah! We hope that you’re enlightened by this true and faithful message about the topic of hell. May Yahweh sanctify you with His truth. All this we ask and pray in the name of our coming Savior, Master and King Yahshua, Amen. Halleluyah, Shalom!