Is Hell Really Eternal

Today we often hear people describe life-threatening situations or disasters as ‘hell on earth’.   While some tragedies may have lasting effects, for long periods of time, and may even linger a lifetime, they do not last forever.  But is that the case with those who find themselves in hell?  Jesus spoke more about hell in the New Testament than He did about heaven.  Because of the attention given to hell, we can conclude that He felt it necessary to make sure that people were warned about the necessity of avoiding hell at all cost.  Just as we cannot accurately describe the wonders and glories of heaven, we cannot be sure of the horror or suffering of hell.  In Matthew 25:46, Jesus speaks about the destination of the righteous, or true Christians, and that of the unrighteous or unsaved.  The words used to describe the length of time one would exist in heaven or hell are the same in the original Greek text.   Also, in Revelations we are told that the Antichrist was in the ‘lake of fire’ for one thousand years before Satan was thrown in, which indicates that there was no extermination during that period of time.   Even without suffering of  any kind, it is obvious that to be found in hell is to be separated from God and all the joys and privileges that He has prepared for those who spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Matthew 25:46     ‘And these (the unrighteous) shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.’

Revelation 14:11   ‘And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’

Revelation 20:15   ‘And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.’

Revelation 21:8      ‘But for the cowardly and unbelieving, and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone…..’

What is your concept of hell?

Do you believe in a hell of eternal punishment?

What do you believe hell says about God?